Master of Arts in Biology - Cellular and Molecular Biology (STEM)

at Kent State University USA

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 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 Master of Fine Arts degree in Theatre Design and Technology is a terminal degree designed for those who are interested in achieving the artistry and skills necessary to qualify as practicing professionals in the entertainment industry and/or professional theatre educators. The program is a three-year course of study with a flexible curriculum for students to explore areas of special interest.

The Theatre Design and Technology major comprises the following concentrations:

• The Lighting Design concentration balances instruction and experience in lighting design with instruction and experience in lighting technology. Studies include digital rendering, CAD, lighting technology and automated lighting. Students research and study all of aspects of theatrical lighting, including the design process from concept to execution, communication skills, integration of technology into design, documentation of the work and critical evaluation of the work.

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

• Acquire creative and technical ability to develop the design of a production from concept to finished product.
• Acquire advanced abilities in the unification of all design elements used in professional production.
• Understand analytical or academically oriented theatre studies in areas related to and supportive of the work in the major field such as history, theory, dramatic literature and performance studies.
• Understand information resources associated with theatrical design and production.
• Produce full working drawings for mounted productions.
• Analyze text, music and dance and the ways that historical, critical and theoretical content inform playwriting, acting, directing and design.
• Communicate ideas clearly and effectively to the theatre community, production teams and the public.
• Know the history of their area of specialization and have the ability to integrate that history into production design.
• Know current technology, tools and methods in their area of specialization and have the ability to integrate technology into production design.
• Know health and safety practices associated with theatre production.
• Communicate and navigate effectively within the field of professional theatrical production design.
• Demonstrate an understanding of professional ethics and practice.

The Master of Fashion Industry Studies degree in Fashion Industry Studies robustly addresses the highly interdisciplinary character of practice within fashion as a product-driven industry with a unique set of parameters that transverse many traditional academic boundaries.

Fashion Industry Studies is an initial master's level degree for the academic advancement of students to engage in learning and experiences applicable to the fashion industry. The degree program prepares professionals who intentionally use cross-disciplinary and applied research methods to address complex issues derived from the industry setting and provide impactful research-based solutions for the fashion industry.

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

• Demonstrate a capacity for critical analysis of the fashion industry supply chain from fiber to the consumer to identify pertinent issues.
• Demonstrate the ability to utilize cross-disciplinary and applied research methods with appropriate knowledge and technologies.
• Demonstrate the critical generation of pragmatic solutions based on testing and experimentation that connect research findings to fashion industry issues.
• Demonstrate abilities to effectively synthesize and present innovative and pragmatic research-based solutions applicable to the fashion industry.

The Master of Science degree in Biological Sciences—Ecology and Evolutionary Biology provides opportunities to study in areas such as animal behavior, entomology, limnology, microbial ecology, ornithology, systems ecology, systematic and evolutionary biology, environmental physiology, vertebrate ecology and population and community ecology. Although courses of study are tailored to students’ interests and needs, the program for all students normally includes training in population, community, ecosystems and evolutionary ecology and statistical theory. Because of the interdisciplinary nature of ecology, students are encouraged to take courses in geology, mathematics, chemistry and other disciplines.

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

• Understand advanced biological concepts beyond the scope of the typical undergraduate degree, and 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 Bachelor of Arts degree in Physics prepares students for such varied fields as secondary education, patent law, science journalism or interdisciplinary science careers. The core requirements permit a large number of elective courses, which allow students to complete a minor or second major in preparation for an interdisciplinary career. This program is well suited for those with a strong interest not only in science but also in a non-science field. Students completing the program may choose to continue their physics studies on a graduate level.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

• Demonstrate the technical and cognitive skills important in a good physicist, including the following:
  • Think critically and analytically.
  • Define a problem and how to solve problems.
  • Understand advanced mathematics (e.g., calculus and differential equations) and computer skills.
  • Use, design and even build lab equipment.
• Demonstrate the traits important in a good scientist, namely, hard working, creative, meticulous, persistence, tenacious and self confidence.
• Communicate results of their work to peers, to their instructors or supervisors, to various target groups within the physics community and to people outside the discipline.

The Master of Science degree in Architecture and Environmental Design is a research-intensive program with one-year full residency requirement. The curriculum includes research methods, theories of architecture, thesis research, thesis and directed and free electives. The program is best suites for individuals interested in pursuing a specialization in the built environment.

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 Arts degree in Visual Communication Design prepares students for the graphic design and illustration professions. Students develop technical understanding and design skills in the organization of imagery and typography to communicate information in two-dimensional and three-dimensional forms. Students produce work for print, motion, video, screen displays, and interactive experiences, as well as package design, exhibition design, and environmental wayfinding.

This program focuses on design and illustration in the context of a broad liberal arts program, giving students the flexibility to choose 20 percent of their coursework (with guidance). This provides the opportunity for students to take a variety of courses to complement their design degree. Students learn at the intersections of communication, information, and technology. The B.A. degree program is for students planning to attend a graduate program or plan to pair their visual communication design degree with another field of study.

For students looking to work as a design professional, the B.F.A. program is recommended.

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.

There are many study abroad/away opportunities. For more information contact the Office of Global Education or coordinator of the college's International Study Programs.

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 in Education degree in Integrated Social Studies prepares prospective teachers to be purposeful, deliberative and reflective practitioners, who teach students to contribute to the deepening of democracy, and promote the common good. The program is designed to develop pre-service teachers who learn from practice; engage in collaborative inquiry and partnerships to promote student learning and continued professional growth, create equitable classrooms, plan/organize meaningful lessons and assessments; and view themselves as curriculum developers who recognize that social studies content and curriculum are more than information in textbooks and standardized curriculum guides.

The Integrated Social Studies major comprises the following concentrations which prepares students to build on and integrate their content knowledge as part of developing participatory, democratic citizens:

• Economics
• Geography
• History
• Political Science
• Sociology

Graduates are prepared to teach social studies in grades 7-12 and are recommended for Ohio licensure upon completion of all state requirements.

Students are required to complete Bureau of Criminal Investigation and Identification (BCII) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) background checks.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

• Plan and teach lessons rooted in inquiry-based questions as outlined by the College, Career and Civic (C3) Framework as endorsed by the National Council for the Social Studies.
• Plan for and teach in ways that promote active student engagement, value multiple perspectives and encourage listening across difference.
• Develop equitable classrooms steeped in social justice that promote freedom and democracy for all learners.