Bachelor of Arts in Architectural Studies

at Kent State University USA

The Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Photography provides the student with a comprehensive program of study, balancing a liberal arts education with studio offerings in digital photography. Grounded in formal, technical and conceptual skills building, the Photography major focuses on the profession of photography as it relates to commerce. The program builds a photography professional through experiential learning opportunities, as well as through required courses in design.

Programs in the College of Communication and Information are, by nature, innovative, interdisciplinary and collaborative, which is critical to both professional and scholarly disciplines. Students are educated to work at the intersections of communication, information and technology. Through a core of diverse theory- and practice-based courses, students learn basic concepts that apply across the range of college programs and develop a sense of professional expectations and build toward interdisciplinary thinking and application.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

• Demonstrate an understanding of the ethics (and legal issues) closely associated with fields of visual communication.
• Demonstrate an understanding of traditional hands-on skills relative to craftsmanship. Students will demonstrate an understanding of the basic use of digital technologies as they relate to their areas of study.
• Demonstrate an ability to create visual response to communication problems, including understanding of hierarchy, typography, aesthetics, composition and construction of meaningful images.

The Bachelor of Science degree in Music Technology prepares students as musicians within a broad field of constantly changing technology. Students study in courses that will develop expertise in music computer technology for application in the recording industry, audio-engineering and music production.

The development of music technology has had an enormous impact on the music industry. There are many career opportunities for talented musicians in music technology. Skilled musicians can apply formal training to recording careers, studio performance, arranging or producing and live performances. Opportunities are also available in non-traditional, contemporary popular music venues, the movie industry, television, multi-media events, and music for advertising as well as traditional performing arts venues. The growth of music technology has made knowledge and experience in this area a necessity for all students preparing for a career in any area of the music industry. To compete effectively in the contemporary music world, one must possess a strong traditional music background, plus the technical expertise required to make the most of a rapidly changing and developing technology.

The Music Technology major comprises the following concentrations:

• The Audio Recording concentration provides students the opportunity t learn advanced audio recording techniques.
• The Music Production concentration provides students the opportunity to learn how to use technology to realize creative work such as original music, arranging and production.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

• Function as competent and versatile professional studio musicians who perform in diverse commercial music venues
• Compose and arrange music
• Create appropriate sound for visual media
• Create music productions of professional quality
• Produce professional audio recordings, both live and in studio, from start to finish

The Bachelor of Arts degree in Peace and Conflict Studies prepares students for careers or graduate study in the field of conflict management, peace studies and dispute resolution. This major gives students a solid background in managing conflicts in constructive, not destructive, ways. Students learn skills that are not only useful in a variety of workplace settings, but in everyday life and relationships as well.

Program areas of focus include mediation, negotiation, environmental conflict resolution, international conflict resolution, workplace conflict management, nonviolent action and community organizing. As this is an applied program, students learn skills and build professional networks through the internship, which can be completed in a wide variety of contexts.

The Master of Arts degree in Biology is for students wishing to gain additional knowledge in any area of the biological sciences. This is a non-thesis master's degree designed for secondary school science teachers, individuals looking for additional background or preparation for professional school (e.g. medicine, dentistry or Ph.D. programs) and those seeking employment in life science industries in a non-research capacity.

The Biology major includes the following concentration:

• The Medical Biology concentration provides students with a deep understanding of physiological systems and the mechanisms that underlie various disorders and disease pathologies.

Students who declare the Biology major with no concentration will select their area of specialization in consultation with an academic faculty advisor.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

• Understand advanced biological concepts beyond the scope of the typical undergraduate degree and to increase the depth of their knowledge through coursework and hands-on experiences.
• Apply scientific principles and appreciate work outside of their particular field.
• Effectively communicate about science with colleagues as well as those outside of the student's area of expertise.
• Develop the necessary laboratory skills that will allow testing of hypotheses.

The Master of Music degree in Conducting is designed for current teachers of middle, junior and senior high school music ensemble programs; for professional church musicians; and for pre-professionals, including students continuing after completing undergraduate degrees. The program prepares post-undergraduate students for such paths as high school or college teaching, conducting positions and doctorates in conducting.

The M.M. degree in Conducting emphasizes development of skills, knowledge and background in the following areas: literature and repertoire; conducting technique; rehearsal technique; score study; choral and/or instrumental performance pedagogy; historical performance practices; interpretation and expression.

Program Learning Outcomes
Graduates of this program will be able to:

• Recognize, identify, interpret and conduct representative literature from different historical periods, countries and composers.
• Demonstrate and apply advanced conducting techniques, including baton technique, use of hands/arms, facial expressions and body language.
• Plan and execute an efficient and productive rehearsal, including managing time, setting achievable goals, detecting and correcting errors and providing motivation and inspiration for expressive performance and focused work ethic.
• Utilize and discuss score study techniques such as keyboard score reading, transposition of instruments, instrumental/vocal score order, compositional structure, analysis of chord and melodic structures and audiation skills.
• Identify, explain and utilize performance pedagogy appropriate to the specific vocal or instrumental area of study.
• Identify, associate, differentiate and utilize performance practices appropriate to the literature of the various stylistic periods.
• Display interpretation and expression in music through discussion in conducting lessons, explanation in rehearsals and demonstration in rehearsal and performance settings through conducting gestures and the resulting musical product.

The Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental and Conservation Biology is designed for students interested in a career in the environmental sciences. This program provides an interdisciplinary education in biology and the supporting fields of geology, geography and chemistry. Environmental and conservation biologists work to sustainably manage or restore ecosystems, develop and implement environmental policies, or conduct research on how ecological processes affect biological diversity.

Potential careers for graduates include wildlife ecologists, environmental educators, forest managers, environmental consultants and personnel at public environmental regulatory or land use planning agencies. The Department of Biological Sciences has several mechanisms to help students prepare for their future careers.

The Environmental and Conservation Biology major comprises the following concentrations:

• The Conservation Biology concentration provides a strong background in applied ecology, restoration ecology and habitat management strategies used to sustain biological diversity.
• The Environmental Policy and Management concentration provides opportunities to learn about the development and implementation of habitat management methods and public policies that promote the sustainable use of natural resources and address environmental problems.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

• Demonstrate an understanding of fundamental biological principles.
• Acquire fundamental skills necessary for laboratory and field investigations.
• Demonstrate an understanding of proper experimental design, analysis of biological data and communication of research results.
• Demonstrate a greater knowledge and appreciation of the role that biology plays in societal issues, such as those related to the environment, biodiversity, ethics, human health and disease.

The Bachelor of Arts degree in Mathematics is a flexible program, grounded in the liberal arts and suited for students' individual interests and needs. The program combines well with a second major and/or minors.

The Bachelor of Science in Psychology is designed to prepare students for graduate study in psychology and related fields. Topics include stress and trauma, neural basis of learning and memory, social and biological influences on mental and physical health, growth and development of children, and diagnosis and treatment of psychological disorders. Students evaluate and interpret data and gain hands-on experience conducting research. Elective courses may be used to specialize in a number of areas of psychology and related fields such as neuroscience. The degree prepares students for graduate study and employment in a range of fields, including clinical psychology, research and experimental areas of psychology such as cognitive science and behavioral neuroscience, and related fields such as medicine and neuroscience.

The Psychology major comprises the following concentrations:

• The Child Psychology concentration is designed to prepare students for graduate study in clinical psychology, research and experimental areas of psychology, school counseling, developmental psychology, school psychology or related disciplines that require knowledge of interpersonal relationships and human development. Topics include child development, psychological disorders of childhood and adolescence, children's cognitive processes, personality development and child-related research experience.
• The Pre-medicine/Pre-Podiatry concentration prepares students for graduate study in medicine or osteopathic medicine. The concentration is designed to cover the Pre-medicine/Pre-osteopathy requirements so that students are prepared to take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) and have the required prerequisites necessary for applying to medical school.

    For students interested in other career paths within psychology, a "no concentration" option provides the flexibility to prepare for those careers.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

• Describe the basic theoretical perspectives, principles, concepts, empirical findings and historical trends in psychology.
• Understand and use fundamental data analysis techniques.
• Understand and apply basic research methods/tools in psychology and evaluate the adequacy of research designs.
• Write effectively in the discipline.
• Recognize, understand, and respect the complexity of sociocultural and international diversity.

The Bachelor of Arts degree in American Sign Language presents American sign language as a culture- and community-based language that interacts with other world languages. Through techniques—including immersion and bilingual-bicultural comparison classes, community interaction, research, lab activities and use of digital video technology—students gain documented proficiency in American sign language, validity within the deaf community and networking within the professional community.

The Bachelor of Arts degree in Music gives music majors an opportunity to study music and liberal arts with an optional minor, available in most academic areas of the university, or as a dual degree program with a major in another field. Although not as music intensive as the Bachelor of Music degree, the B.A. degree includes study on a main instrument and ensemble participation throughout the program.

The Music major includes the following optional concentrations:

• The Contemporary Popular Music concentration provides students the opportunity to study contemporary instruments such as electric guitar, electric bass and voice, as well as participate in a variety of styles including rock, pop, Motown and other popular styles.
• The Jazz Studies concentration provides students the opportunity to study jazz improvisation, arranging and composing.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

• Demonstrate knowledge of music history and theory
• Demonstrate high-level skills in recitals, ensembles or music research