Master of Science in Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences with Specialization in Wildlife Sciences

at South Dakota State University USA

The Department of Geography and Geospatial Sciences offers graduate students the opportunity to earn a Master of Science Degree. The curriculum, organized through formal courses, seminars, internship experiences, and supervised research, is designed to prepare students for positions in such professional areas as planning, remote sensing, geographic information sciences, government service, research, business, and teaching. The program also is designed to provide students with the education needed to pursue further graduate study. Students seeking this degree are expected to select courses that will provide a sound foundation in geography (philosophical, physical and human, and research techniques) supported, if appropriate, by courses outside the department. Students may also seek out opportunities such as the cooperative program with the EROS Data Center and/or internships, generally available with planning districts, governmental agencies, business, and industry.

Student Learning Outcomes

• Critical thinking: Demonstrate foundational and specialized knowledge in both the physical and human sciences and their interconnectedness at local, regional, and global scales.
• Critical thinking: Interpret the ethical consequences of global issues concerning the environment to strengthen commitment to local, national, and global citizenship.
• Problem solving: Demonstrate proficiency in the application of appropriate geographical technologies and techniques to address issues in the physical and/or human sciences.
• Written communication: Communicate geographic ideas clearly and effectively (e.g., maps, writing, oral presentations, posters, photos, flowcharts, tables, graphs, and illustrations).
• Creative thinking: Apply observations from laboratory and/or field experiences to analyze problems and offer solutions.
• Creative thinking: Demonstrate the ability to collect, organize, analyze, and synthesize information about people, places, and environments in a spatial-temporal context.
• Inquiry and analysis: Explore complex local, regional, and global issues using a geographical perspective to formulate questions and draw informed conclusions that are based on critical scientific analysis and interpretation of information.

This interdisciplinary program helps prepare students in fundamental sciences so that they may successfully compete for career opportunities in the growing life sciences industries. Graduates with expertise in biotechnology fill increasing demand from employers utilizing technologies such as molecular biology, genetic engineering, tissue culture, reproductive intervention, and biomass conversion in a variety of applications, such as vaccine and pharmaceutical development, agronomic seed production, livestock breeding, genetic diagnostic testing, identity and parentage verification, criminal forensics, biorenewable product development, or biomedical research.

Students may choose this major for preparation for admission to professional schools such as medicine, dentistry, optometry, pharmacy, and veterinary medicine. The program provides an excellent background for students entering graduate school in a life sciences discipline.

Student Learning Outcomes

• Graduates will demonstrate fundamental knowledge and comprehension of fundamental concepts in biology and microbiology. (Cross-curricular Skill: Information Literacy)
• Graduates will demonstrate scientific reasoning and problem solving. (Cross-curricular Skill: Problem Solving)
• Graduates will demonstrate technical laboratory proficiency in applying fundamental knowledge of biology and microbiology. (Cross-curricular Skill: Information Literacy)
• Tap into the interdisciplinary nature of science. (Cross-curricular Skill: Integrative Learning)
• Graduates will demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills.

The Master of Mass Communication (M.M.C.) consists of advanced professional studies. While it has theoretical underpinnings, the primary purpose is to enhance knowledge and skills for application in professional practice. Fifty percent or more of the courses must be skills-based. This degree targets mid-career professionals in journalism and mass communication and builds on students’ current levels of experience and skills making them more marketable. The Master of Mass Communication prepares students for the increasingly competitive workforce and changing disciplines in mass communications.

Student Learning Outcomes

• Apply the principles and laws of freedom of speech and press, in a global context, and for the country in which the institution that invites ACEJMC is located;
• Demonstrate an understanding of the multicultural history and role of professionals and institutions in shaping communications;
• Demonstrate culturally proficient communication that empowers those traditionally disenfranchised in society, especially as grounded in race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation and ability, domestically and globally, across communication and media contexts;
• Present images and information effectively and creatively, using appropriate tools and technologies;
• Write correctly and clearly in forms and styles appropriate for the communications professions, audiences and purposes they serve;
• Demonstrate an understanding of professional ethical principles and work ethically in pursuit of truth, accuracy, fairness and diversity;
• Apply critical thinking skills in conducting research and evaluating information by methods appropriate to the communications professions in which they work;
• Effectively and correctly apply basic numerical and statistical concepts;
• Critically evaluate their own work and that of others for accuracy and fairness, clarity, appropriate style and grammatical correctness;
• Apply tools and technologies appropriate for the communications professions in which they work;
• Contribute to knowledge appropriate to the communications professions in which they work.

Food Science is the study of the science behind and involved with the production, preservation, packaging, and distribution of safe, wholesome, and nutritious foods.  Students will develop a knowledge base related to the basic physical, microbiological, chemical and engineering sciences as they are applied to foods.  These sciences are utilized to study the nature of foods, the causes of food deterioration and spoilage, and principles of food preservation.  This skill set is also employed by the scientists to develop and create approaches for the generation of new food products to assist in feeding the world through provision of foods that provide proper nutrition with acceptable taste and texture while maintaining affordability of the product.  Graduates with a degree in Food Science are well prepared for professional positions within the food industry or for further graduate study in Food Science.

Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the Food Science curriculum a graduate should be able to demonstrate the following:

• An understanding of the chemistry underlying the properties and reactions of various food components. (Cross-curricular skill: Inquiry and Analysis)
• A practical proficiency in laboratory techniques associated with the determination of qualitative and quantitative analytical data related to physical, chemical, and biological aspects of foods and food ingredients. (Cross-curricular skill: Inquiry and Analysis)
• An understanding of microbial growth and survival as it impacts the safety, preservation, and spoilage of food systems. (Cross-curricular skill: Integrative Learning)
• An understanding of unit operations, process control and sanitation protocols as they relate to the production and preservation of a food. (Cross-curricular Skill: Problem Solving)
• An ability to apply statistical principles to the control and assurance of quality in the production of food products. (Cross-curricular Skill: Problem Solving; Critical and creative thinking)
• An understanding of the laws and regulations governing the manufacture and sale of food products. (Cross-curricular Skill: Inquiry and Analysis)
• An ability to utilize verbal and written communication skills effectively in a group environment. (Cross-curricular Skill: Teamwork; Diversity, Inclusion and Equity)
• An ability to apply critical thinking and reasoning skills while ethically applying scientific principles to resolving issues associated with foods and food systems. (Cross-curricular Skill: Ethical Reasoning)

The Global Studies program allows students to investigate and evaluate critical global issues, hone verbal and written communication skills, and develop intercultural competence necessary essential in a global marketplace and society. The interdisciplinary global studies major combines a set of required core courses, a modern language series, an international study abroad or internship experience, and a flexible series of electives from disciplines such as economics, geography, history, modern languages, philosophy, political science, religion, and sociology.  These components are designed to educate students in the complexity of the diverse cultural, environmental, political, religious and social interactions that comprise our modern world and to help them find solutions to the complex global challenges of the 21st century.

Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the global studies major, students will:

• Demonstrate a broad understanding of global issues, societies, civilizations, economies, and cultures through an interdisciplinary approach. (Cross-curricular Skills: Intercultural Knowledge; Critical & Creative Thinking; Inquiry & Analysis; Information Literacy)
• Gain verbal and written communication skills essential in a global marketplace and society. (Cross-curricular Skills: Critical & Creative Thinking; Inquiry & Analysis; Information Literacy)
• Speak, read, understand, and write a foreign language at the intermediate-high level with solid narrative skills in the past, present, and future tenses. (Cross-curricular Skills: Intercultural Knowledge; Diversity, Inclusion and Equity)
• Demonstrate knowledge of intercultural competence and effectively bridge cultural differences and commonalities. (Cross-curricular Skills: Intercultural Knowledge; Critical & Creative Thinking; Diversity, Inclusion and Equity)
• Articulate the value of their global, cultural, and language studies and apply these skills to future employment. (Cross-curricular Skills: Intercultural Knowledge; Critical & Creative Thinking; Diversity, Inclusion and Equity)

Students majoring in Consumer Affairs who pursue the Consumer Services Management specialization are usually interested in marketing, communication, human development, planning principles and working with individuals to develop personal management skills. Required courses for the Consumer Services Management specialization focus on the application of resource management concepts for families of varying structures, consumer rights and responsibilities, consumer behavior in making decisions, the impact of the marketplace on problem solving and implementation strategies for working with diverse audiences.

Completion of the Consumer Affairs major and Consumer Services Management specialization prepares students to engage in a variety of careers such as: management of non-profit organizations, management of retail businesses, Extension, credit/financial counseling, human resources, marketing and sales.

Student Learning Outcomes

• Students will apply the consumer decision-making process to improve consumer well-being.
• Students will demonstrate effective resource management skills. (Cross-curricular Skill: Inquiry and Analysis; Foundational Lifelong Learning Skills)
• Students will integrate knowledge of policy and community resources to solve consumer issues. (Cross-curricular Skill: Information Literacy; Problem Solving)
• Students will increase knowledge, awareness, and understanding of individual and social differences in consumer behavior. (Cross-curricular Skill: Diversity, Inclusion and Equity)

The Agronomy, Horticulture, and Plant Science Department is an integrated department that includes programs in crop production, entomology, horticulture, plant biotechnology, plant breeding, plant pathology, precision farming, soils, water management, and weed science. The primary goals of the department are to conduct research in these areas, to transmit the results to the public, and to help prepare students for an occupation in these disciplines and to become productive members of a community. Graduate training includes classroom instruction, teaching experience, seminars designed to refine oral and written skills, and meaningful experience in laboratory and field research techniques. Departmental diversity encourages collaborations among disciplines and research programs that support this graduate training.

Landscape Architecture is the art of design, planning, and management of outdoor spaces for human use and habitation. Cultural and scientific knowledge are applied to the use and arrangement of natural and man-made elements with concern for resource conservation, stewardship, and the environment. Graduates work in a wide variety of areas in the landscape industry, as designers and planners in public and private practice, and as environmental designers and managers.

Student Learning Outcomes
Students in the Landscape Architecture program will be able to:

• Collect and analyze site-related data and attributes. (Cross-curricular Skill: Inquiry and Analysis)
• Synthesize findings and analysis into design program and decisions. (Cross-curricular Skill: Inquiry and Analysis)
• Develop and analyze different design concepts and points of view. (Cross-curricular Skill: Critical and Creative Thinking)
• Apply knowledge and skills to address a design problem and provide appropriate solutions. (Cross-curricular Skill: Problem Solving)
• Develop and lead community engagement/improvement projects. (Cross-curricular Skill: Civic Knowledge and Engagement)
• Consider diverse perspectives and user groups when making design decisions. (Cross-curricular Skill: Diversity, Inclusion and Equity)
• Address issues of diversity and equity through the design process. (Cross-curricular Skill: Diversity, Inclusion and Equity)

The curriculum in the Biology Secondary Education specialization is designed to provide students with the background needed for a successful career teaching biology in middle and high schools. Students complete a broad distribution of courses that include all the major areas in Biology as well as coursework in pedagogical and professional development. For secondary education majors that may teach in a rural school or apply to graduate school, speak to an advisor about taking additional chemistry, physics, and math classes.

Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the Biology major with a Secondary Education specialization, students will:

• Demonstrate understanding and application of evolution; biological structure and function; biological and biochemical pathways and transformations of energy and matter; and biological systems.
• Apply the process of science.
• Demonstrate understanding of and application of quantitative reasoning; information flow, exchange, and storage; relationship between science and society.
• Tap into the interdisciplinary nature of science.
• Communicate and collaborate with other disciplines.
• Understand how learners grow and develop, recognize that patterns of learning and development vary individually within and across the cognitive, linguistic, social, emotional, and physical areas, and design and implement developmentally appropriate and challenging learning experiences.
• Understand and use multiple methods of assessment to engage learners in their own growth, to monitor learner progress, and to guide the teacher’s and learner’s decision making.
• Plan instruction that supports every student in meeting rigorous learning goals by drawing upon knowledge of content areas, curriculum, cross-disciplinary skills, and pedagogy, as well as knowledge of learners and the community context.
• Understand and use a variety of instructional strategies to encourage learners to develop deep understanding of content areas and their connections, and to build skills to apply knowledge in meaningful ways.

The Agricultural Education, Communication and Leadership Major is a multidisciplinary program that provides a strong foundation in agricultural sciences. The major allows students the flexibility to select a plan of study based on their interests and skills by choosing one of three specializations: Education, Communication, or Leadership. Graduates of the Agricultural Education, Communication and Leadership Major - Leadership specialization will be well prepared for employment with agricultural organizations such as breed associations and commodity organizations.

Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the Leadership Specialization of the Agricultural Education, Communication, and Leadership Major, students will:

• Demonstrate knowledge and skill across the broad field of the Agricultural, Food, and Natural Resources industries.
• Demonstrate and apply in-depth knowledge of leadership principles.
• Upon completion of the program students will explain the importance of and show evidence of ethical and professional behaviors. (Cross-curricular Skill: Ethical Reasoning)
• Locate and evaluate information to solve real world problems. (Cross-curricular Skill: Information Literacy; Problem Solving)
• Evaluate core competencies and create plans for effective lifetime learning. (Cross-curricular Skill: Foundational Lifelong Learning Skills)
• Demonstrate effective written and oral communication skills.
• Evaluate a diverse spectrum of agriculturally related global challenges to communicate culturally responsible solutions to a variety of audiences. (Cross-curricular Skill: Diversity, Inclusion and Equity)