Master of Science in Biological Sciences - Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics (STEM)

at Kent State University USA

The Bachelor of Integrative Studies degree provides maximum freedom for students who wish to take a multidisciplinary, individualized approach to the design of an educational program while maintaining a focus on career and professional goals. The Integrative Studies major has a General concentration, and a Two Minors concentration. These concentrations may have the most appeal for students near the end of their academic careers (senior-level students) who are re-evaluating their academic and career choices. It is a program in which the student undertakes the responsibility for the research and design of their program, in consultation with an advisor.

The Integrative Studies-General concentration allows students to choose a minimum of 30 credit hours from interrelated programs that support their career aspirations.

The Integrative Studies-Two Minors concentration allows students to complete two university-recognized minors and/or certificates. A minimum of two academic departments in which to select courses are chosen and a rationale for the ways in which these courses support the student's career goals is developed.

Journalists are reporters, watchdogs, storytellers. The Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism teaches students how to cover real stories that make a difference. Whether using a camera, a microphone, a smartphone or a laptop, students become journalists by doing journalism inside and outside the classroom.

Gaining critical skills that equip them for storytelling in all its forms, students will practice their craft in Kent State’s award-winning student media. Working with these outlets, students will learn how to engage audiences where they “live,” on TV, radio, online, social media and in print.

Journalism students will produce news and feature content on visual, digital and emerging platforms, and they’ll apply what they’ve learned as part of the required professional internship.

With a grounding in ethics and an understanding of media’s role in democratic society, students graduate prepared to continue as journalists or apply their skills to other professions that value critical thinking, information gathering and the ability to make sense of it for others.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

• Demonstrate critical thinking, grounded in a legal and ethical framework.
• Gather information, analyze it and make informed judgments using methods and tools appropriate to their professions.
• Demonstrate the ability to apply theory and research appropriate to their professions, including quantitative and qualitative methods.
• Demonstrate the ability to apply basic ethical principles to their professional work.
• Demonstrate the ability to apply laws and regulations applicable to their professional work.
• Write correctly and clearly in forms and styles appropriate for the communications professions, audiences and purposes they serve.
• Demonstrate understanding of how media and their professions evolved historically, their role in societal development and their global interaction today with institutions and individuals.
• Demonstrate appreciation for diverse cultures and individual differences, and reflect that appreciation in their work.

The Bachelor of Arts degree in Architectural Studies is a liberal arts program that exposes students to the theory and processes of design and prepares them for directed graduate study and careers in a variety of design-related disciplines.

As the only liberal arts degree in Kent State's College of Architecture and Environmental Design, the Architectural Studies major allows students to pursue dual degrees, double majors and/or multiple minors in related fields such as art history, business, construction management, fashion, geography, history, marketing, music, physical/life sciences, studio arts, urban studies, visual communications design and others. The program includes required design studios; lecture/studio hybrid courses; and seminars on architectural history, theory/criticism, urban issues and theories of sustainability. Additionally, students take architecture electives, which allow them to explore digital design processes, landscape architecture and urban design, or to pursue a minor in architectural history or historic preservation.

Students have the option of graduating with a streamlined dual degree, the B.A. degree in Architectural Studies and the B.S. degree in Construction Management.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

• Demonstrate understanding of the language, logic and rhetoric of design, and ability to deploy this understanding in design projects, research, analysis and critique.
• Demonstrate abilities in design thinking, visual thinking, critical thinking and design discourse.
• Demonstrate skills in research and apply these skills to the design of the built environment.
• Recognize the value of cultural diversity and a broad range of historical traditions.
• Demonstrate understanding of the interconnectedness of the allied design disciplines, and the ability to articulate relationships between these professions and other areas of study
• Appreciate a wide range of contrasting perspectives on sustainability, recognize the relationship between these perspectives and the design of the built environment, and advocate for specific positions
• Utilize and interpret literature and data related to environments and their design.
• Demonstrate leadership skills in cross-disciplinary settings

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 Bachelor of Science degree in Biotechnology is an interdisciplinary program that provides a strong academic foundation in biological sciences and chemistry, practical training in the various biotechnologies and a solid understanding of their application in industry and biomedicine. The science of biotechnology extends across many areas of biology and chemistry and provides cutting-edge technology tools for modern biology and biomedical research. The curriculum includes a research experience at Kent State and/or an internship at a biotechnology company.

Biotechnology graduates have employment opportunities in biomedical research and in the rapidly growing biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

• Apply knowledge and information to complex issues in biotechnology
• Use problem-solving and data-gathering skills to comprehend issues in biotechnology.
• Develop inductive reasoning and technical communications skills in the context of working in a complex group environment.
• Analyze scientific papers and expand skills for listening to and critiquing scientific seminars based on the literature or current research.
• Effectively communicate scientific information.
• Develop collaborative working relationships with research mentors and laboratory members.

The Master of Arts in Economics degree provides prepares graduates for a career as an analyst in government or the private sector, as well as for doctoral study.

The Economics major comprises the following concentrations:

• The Economic Analysis concentration has a distinct advantage for students in its focus on the development of strong analytical and quantitative skills. Students are well-trained in the application of economic theory and methods of statistical analysis.

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

• Understand and apply fundamental economic concepts.
• Formulate and test hypotheses.
• Access and use appropriate information.
• Demonstrate analytic and quantitative skills.

The Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science seeks to prepare students to have successful careers as computing professionals, with a solid understanding of software development and computer systems and the foundation for life-long learning in the field; to have an academic foundation suitable for graduate study in computer science or related areas; to be able to function effectively on software development teams, with oral and written communication skills. and with an understanding of professional ethics and responsibility.

Graduates of the B.S. degree in Computer Science have careers in developing, managing and building software in a variety of industries, including finance, health care, entertainment, telecommunications and manufacturing. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics lists the following as top occupation choices for Computer Science majors: computer network architect; software developer; information security analyst; database administrator; computer systems analyst; computer programmer; and network and computer systems administrator.

The Computer Science major includes the following optional concentrations:

• The Data Engineering concentration prepares students to perform the data analysis and modeling needed by organizations and to process structured, semi-structured, and unstructured data using statistical and semantic analysis techniques to meet their employers’ needs.
• The Game Programming concentration provides students with a solid understanding of the algorithms, techniques and software used to construct interactive virtual environments. Students work in teams with content specialists and artists to develop the teamwork skills required in this multidisciplinary field, which includes a range of opportunities, from the game industry to education to training design.
• The Information Security concentration prepares students to meet the security needs of industry and government through coursework that provides a thorough understanding of security, privacy and cryptographic techniques and protocols used in computing and communication.
• The Robotics and Embedded Systems concentration prepares students to work with devices that combine hardware and software. Such devices include robots and most high tech mechanical devices like cars, planes, farm equipment and construction equipment.

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 Science degree in Exercise Physiology prepares graduates for a wide variety of career options, including exercise prescription and research, as well as future doctoral study. Representative faculty research includes the areas of body composition, metabolism/nutritional requirements, environment, clinical exercise physiology and the physiology of aging as it is influenced by physical activity and fitness.

Athletic training faculty also support the degree path with their areas of expertise in clinical and educational research in the field of athletic training.

The Exercise Physiology major includes the following optional concentration:

• The Athletic Training concentration is designed to serve the needs of post-certification (or certification-pending) students who wish to further their knowledge and skills in the athletic training profession while pursuing a master's degree. Students have the opportunity to pursue advanced clinical and academic training while obtaining knowledge and skills relative to effective clinical instruction and supervision. Advanced research skills are also a critical component to this advanced track program. Opportunities to perform research independently and/or in conjunction with program faculty are widely available.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

• Pass one of the American College of Sports Medicine's (ACSM) or NSCA exams: Certified Exercise Physiologist (C-EP) or Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS).
• Demonstrate understanding of the physiology of human movement across the lifespan.
• Demonstrate detailed knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the human and health and disease.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the pathophysiology of disease, risk factors and special exercise populations, according to the American College of Sports Medicine.

Graduates of the Athletic Training concentration will be able to:

• Apply the principles of the research process in athletic training by engaging with faculty and clinical staff in graduate research initiatives.
• Engage health care professionals and apply the knowledge gained, through their education in both the classroom and clinical settings.
• Engage in program improvement as part of a continuous quality improvement initiative by evaluating the effectiveness of the program through multiple evaluation resources.

The Master of Arts in Economics degree provides prepares graduates for a career as an analyst in government or the private sector, as well as for doctoral study.

The Economics major comprises the following concentrations:

• The Financial Economics concentration is primarily designed for students who wish to pursue careers in the financial services industry, including commercial banking, investment banking, insurance, real estate and financial advising.

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

• Understand and apply fundamental economic concepts.
• Formulate and test hypotheses.
• Access and use appropriate information.
• Demonstrate analytic and quantitative skills.