Bachelor of Science, Major in Conservation Planning and Park Management with Specialization in Park Administration and Management

at South Dakota State University USA

The Department of Natural Resource Management offers graduate programs in both Biological Science with a Specialization in Natural Resource Management and Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences. Both degree programs award M.S. and Ph.D. degrees.

Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences

The M.S. degree program in Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences is intended to educate students for management-level positions with state and federal agencies, private companies, and for the pursuit of higher academic degrees. By using specifically identified coursework and mentoring, we strive to assist students in developing their intellectual capabilities in working with natural resources and people. In addition, each student must propose and conduct an original scientific investigation. Placement rates for M.S. graduates into positions as fisheries biologists, wildlife biologists, and other natural resource positions with state and federal agencies is extremely high.

Student Learning Outcomes

• Be knowledgeable regarding biological systems at a level appropriate to a M.S. degree holder.
• Be able to effectively express themselves orally and in written form.
• Understand the scientific method of solving problem.
• Be computer and statistically capable.
• Be specialized in some area of wildlife or fisheries, but still be broadly based in knowledge.
• Be able to conduct scholarly research.
• Understand the relationships between biological information and socioeconomic factors.
• Demonstrate professional development, especially in regard to the need for continued learning after their degree program.
• Develop a concern and feeling for the natural resources of the world.

The Construction Management (CM) program prepares graduates to assume entry-level management positions in construction and related industries. Our CM curriculum is primarily focused on commercial building construction, the program also covers heavy-highway-utilities and residential construction. Regardless of the construction industry sector chosen, students will demonstrate the knowledge and skills to deliver construction projects with respect to scope, schedule, budget, quality, safety and the environment.

Program Educational Outcomes
SDSU Construction Management graduates will become professionals who:

• Achieve positions of increasing responsibility or leadership with employers, professional organizations or civic organizations as an indicator of professional competence, demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively, and successfully function in team environments;
• Apply principles of contemporary management techniques, critical thinking skills, and mathematics and science to solve problems, and manage construction projects; and,
• Continue to learn via professional organization engagement, continuing education, graduate degrees, employer-based training programs, or other development opportunities that increase productivity, open doors to promotion, and make them more effective managers.

Student Learning Outcomes
Upon graduation from the Construction Management program, our students will have:

• An ability to identify, formulate, and solve broadly defined technical or scientific problems by applying knowledge of mathematics and science and/or technical topics to areas relevant to the discipline. (Cross-curricular Skill: Inquiry and Analysis)
• An ability to formulate or design a system, process, procedure or program to meet desired needs.
• An ability to develop and conduct experiments or test hypotheses, analyze and interpret data and use scientific judgment to draw conclusions. (Cross-curricular Skill: Problem Solving)
• An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences. (Cross-curricular Skill: Diversity, Inclusion & Equity)
• An ability to understand ethical and professional responsibilities and the impact of technical and/or scientific solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts. (Cross-curricular Skill: Ethical Reasoning)
• An ability to function effectively on teams that establish goals, plan tasks, meet deadlines, and analyze risk and uncertainty. (Cross-curricular Skill: Teamwork)

The German Teaching specialization at SDSU consists of the same aims and content as the German B.A. In addition, teaching candidates are given training in the most current professional standards and methods for teaching excellence in Germanic language and cultures. Former candidates have gone on to teach in public and private schools and have gone for further training in order to teach English as a Second Language and prepare for University-level teaching.

Student Learning Outcomes
Upon the completion of the German major, students should be able to:

• Speak, read and write German at the Intermediate-High or Advanced level, developing solid competence in the language needed for everyday life and advanced narrative skills in the past, present, and future. (Cross-curricular Skills: Intercultural Knowledge; Inquiry & Analysis; Information Literacy)
• Demonstrate understanding of and growth in the skills required for intercultural communication and competence and life-long learning. (Cross-curricular Skill: Intercultural Knowledge; Diversity, Inclusion and Equity; Critical & Creative Thinking)
• Identify the cultural perspectives of the German-speaking world’s civilizations and their cultural products, such as literatures, arts, institutions, pop cultures, etc. and compare the cultural frames that determine everyday life in French- speaking cultures and the U.S. (Cross-curricular Skills: Intercultural Knowledge; Critical & Creative Thinking; Inquiry & Analysis; Information Literacy)
• Adapt behavior to a variety of cultural contexts through critical analysis of cultural frames. (Cross-curricular Skills: Intercultural Knowledge; Creative & Critical Thinking; and Diversity, Inclusion and Equity)
• Articulate the value of their language and cultural studies and apply this knowledge in future employment. (Cross-curricular Skill: Intercultural Knowledge; Diversity, Inclusion and Equity)

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.

The M.S. in Interdisciplinary Sciences program is an innovative, flexible, and highly individualized graduate program designed to meet students’ academic and professional goals. Students will work with their advisor to finalize their plan of study in at least two or three disciplines, using classes that are relevant to supporting the student in achieving their educational goals. Students will complete a plan of study with a research/design paper or coursework only option.

Student Learning Outcomes

• Demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between the various disciplines incorporated into their plan of study;
• Identify and apply relevant theoretical frameworks;
• Have fundamental knowledge of their disciplines and specific knowledge of their particular area of study; and
• Demonstrate mastery of subject matter on their plan of study.

Students who undertake a project will be able to:

• Develop a plan for the project or develop a plan for a scholarly or creative work;
• Locate, retrieve and utilize appropriate information;
• Read, understand, and critically review the primary literature or previous creative works;
• Utilize appropriate methodologies to conduct an applied study, implement a project, or utilize appropriate skills to produce a creative work;
• Analyze results using qualitative or quantitative techniques when appropriate;
• Compare their results to previous studies when appropriate;
• Explain the contribution of their work to the broader field of existing knowledge or to previously created works; and
• Communicate the originality of, as well as the independent thinking and rationale for their work, in oral or written format.

Students who undertake the course completion option will be able to:

• Undertake scholarly or creative work as demonstrated in specific class assignments;
• Locate, retrieve and utilize appropriate information;
• Read, understand, and critically review the primary literature or previous creative works;
• Analyze results using qualitative or quantitative techniques when appropriate;
• Compare their results to previous studies when appropriate;
• Explain the contribution of their work to the broader field of existing knowledge or to previously created works; and
• Communicate the originality of, as well as the independent thinking and rationale for their work, in written or oral format.

SDSU, in partnership with the University of Minnesota (U of MN), is offering a collaborative Professional Program in Veterinary Medicine leading to a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree. Students must first complete all their pre-veterinary requirements and then can apply to the new professional program.  Students admitted to the professional program will be allowed to dual-enroll in the Biological Sciences (M.S.) - Veterinary Medicine Specialization, thus having the opportunity to simultaneously earn an M.S. degree while completing the PPVM coursework needed for transitioning to the University of Minnesota to complete the final two years of the DVM degree. For more information visit the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges, Veterinary Medical College Application Service (VMCAS).

Student Learning Outcomes

Students will:

• Demonstrate understanding of central biological principles and mechanisms that underlie animal health and disease from the molecular to histologic to gross levels.
• Demonstrate knowledge of normal function and behavior, pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, treatment, and management or control of important domestic and foreign animal diseases.
• Demonstrate understanding of food safety, zoonotic disease, and public health issues.
• Retrieve and integrate information from the veterinary literature.
• Ability to understand and interpret research related to mechanisms of disease, diagnostic technology, and treatments.

The focus of the M.S. in Mathematics program is the development of sophisticated mathematical models and their implementation on high performance computing platforms. The curriculum features a balance of application, computation, and theory with particular emphasis in the areas of operations research, computational science, and the development of probabilistic and deterministic models. Areas of faculty and graduate student research activity include computational biology, computational finance, molecular dynamics simulation, operations research, optimization, and Ramsey theory. The program is particularly effective at preparing graduates to work in business, industry, or government as well as preparing students to continue on to the CSS Ph.D. or other Ph.D. program.

Student Learning Outcomes

• Students will understand mathematical or statistical models.
• Students will be able to construct and apply standard mathematical and statistical models.
• Students will be able to solve problems using appropriate software to implement the appropriate models.
• Students will be able to disseminate the results of their work to others.
• Students will be able to apply Argument Deconstruction in mathematics and statistics.

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. Students specializing in communication take courses in agriculture along with courses in the School of Communication and Journalism.

Graduates of the Communication specialization report agricultural information to farmers and ranchers, consumers, governmental agencies, agribusinesses, commodity groups, and legislators through positions in public relations, sales, marketing, journalism, social media, and the government.

Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the Communication 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 journalism and mass communication.
• 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)

A degree in Journalism prepares students with essential skills including: writing, speaking, critical thinking and technology. Through coursework and experiential learning opportunities, including a required internship, graduates are well-positioned for a wide variety of careers. Students may pursue a B.A. or B.S. in Journalism with coursework in both broadcast and news-editorial journalism. This versatile major prepares students to be digital storytellers, reporters, editors, designers for print, broadcast or online media, photojournalists, or communicators in government, with non-profit organizations or in the corporate world.

Student Learning Outcomes
Students completing the Journalism major will be equipped to:

• Understand and apply the principles and laws of freedom of speech and press, for the country in which the institution that invites ACEJMC is located, as well as receive instruction in and understand the range of systems of freedom of expression around the world, including the right to dissent, to monitor and criticize power, and to assemble and petition for redress of grievances. (Cross-curricular Skill: Civic Knowledge and Engagement)
• Demonstrate an understanding of the history and role of professionals and institutions in shaping communications. (Cross-curricular Skill: Diversity, Inclusion and Equity)
• Demonstrate an understanding of gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation and, as appropriate, other forms of diversity in domestic society in relation to mass communications. (Cross-curricular Skill: Diversity, Inclusion and Equity)
• Demonstrate an understanding of the diversity of peoples and cultures and of the significance and impact of mass communications in a global society. (Cross-curricular Skill: Diversity, Inclusion and Equity)
• Understand concepts and apply theories in the use and presentation of images and information. (Cross-curricular Skill: Critical and Creative Thinking)
• Demonstrate an understanding of professional ethical principles and work ethically in pursuit of truth, accuracy, fairness and diversity. (Cross-curricular Skill: Foundational Lifelong Learning Skills; Diversity, Inclusion and Equity)
• Think critically, creatively and independently. (Cross-curricular Skill: Critical and Creative Thinking)
• Conduct research and evaluate information by methods appropriate to the communications professions in which they work. (Cross-curricular Skill: Inquiry and Analysis)
• Write correctly and clearly in forms and styles appropriate for the communications professions, audiences and purposes they serve. (Cross-curricular Skill: Critical and Creative Thinking)
• Critically evaluate their own work and that of others for accuracy and fairness, clarity, appropriate style and grammatical correctness. (Cross-curricular Skill: Inquiry and Analysis; Foundational Lifelong Learning Skills)
• Apply basic numerical and statistical concepts. (Cross-curricular Skill: Inquiry and Analysis)
• Apply tools and technologies appropriate for the communications professions in which they work. (Cross-curricular Skill: Inquiry and Analysis)

The major in Business Economics combines the analytical rigor of an economics degree with the practical skills of a management degree. Students can tailor the program to their interests by choosing from a variety of electives in areas such as accounting, business law, decision science, entrepreneurship, economics, finance, management, and marketing.  Career opportunities for Business Economics majors include management, finance, banking, sales, real estate, and marketing. The Business Economics major also serves to prepare students for graduate work in law, economics, and business.

Student Learning Outcomes
Graduates will:

• Be able to use analytical methods to make effective decisions. (Cross-curricular Skills: Inquiry and Analysis; Critical and Creative Thinking; Problem Solving)
• Be able to communicate effectively. (Cross-curricular Skill: Information Literacy)
• Be able to evaluate matters of ethics in the profession and the culture more broadly. (Cross-curricular Skills: Ethical Reasoning; Diversity, Inclusion and Equity)
• Have the requisite body of knowledge in management and economics.