Master of Science in Biological Sciences with Specialization in Biology

at South Dakota State University USA

The Aviation Education Specialization is for students who wish to become Certified Flight Instructors and later be professional pilots in industry. Many of our graduates are in the airlines, military, government, and corporate workplaces. Top performing students of this option are often brought on as flight instructors in the SDSU program during their junior and senior years.

Student Learning Outcomes
Graduates of the Aviation Education program will be able to:

• Apply their educational experience to the aviation profession. (Cross-curricular Skill: Inquiry and Analysis)
• Demonstrate instructional knowledge in single- and multi-engine aircraft to the FAA commercial pilot standard. (Cross-curricular Skill: Critical and Creative Thinking)
• Demonstrate instructional knowledge by creating and teaching relevant aviation topics to colleagues. (Cross-curricular Skill: Information Literacy; Teamwork)

Additionally, all students will participate in a senior capstone course that is designed to bridge the gap between their educational experience and future career. Students are evaluated using direct and indirect assessment to assure competency within the profession using a comprehensive assessment plan.

The Animal Science program provides instruction in livestock breeding, feeding, management, selection, evaluation, and marketing, along with meat science, and equine studies. Courses emphasize the principles of genetics, nutrition, physiology, and meats as they affect production and management of livestock and animal products. Beef cattle, horses, sheep, and swine are the primary species discussed in courses.

The specialization allows students to focus their studies on Industry, Science, or Food Animal Health.  The Industry specialization provides flexibility for students to complete courses and minors in related areas of interest. The Science and Food Animal Health specializations are designed to meet course requirements of the Pre-Veterinary Medicine curriculum for the SDSU Professional Program in Veterinary Medicine and some other veterinary schools.

Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the Animal Science major with a Food Animal Health Specialization, students will:

• Acquire knowledge of the core sciences and best management practices that are the foundation of animal science and husbandry.
• Demonstrate effective written and oral communication skills using a variety of mediums and with various audience types.
• Demonstrate the ability to function as an effective member of a team. (Cross-curricular Skill: Teamwork)
• Develop fact-based comparisons of both sides of contemporary issues that impact diversity, inclusion, equity, and professional ethics as related to animal agriculture. (Cross-curricular Skill: Information Literacy; Ethical Reasoning; Diversity, Inclusion and Equity)
• Interpret, critically evaluate, and apply information in order to recognize problems and create solutions. (Cross-curricular Skill: Inquiry and Analysis; Critical and Creative Thinking; Problem Solving)

The study of Political Science examines political processes, governments, and international relations. The Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts degrees in Political Science prepare graduates for a career in government - at state, local and federal levels, private sectors, advocacy organizations including political parties, and non-profit agencies. It is a flexible degree that offers multiple career tracks. Many of our students successfully pursue advanced degree in law school and other graduate programs.

Student Learning Outcomes
Students with a major in Political Science will:

• Demonstrate knowledge of concepts, theories and methods of political science, political systems beyond the United States, and political issues facing traditionally underrepresented communities. (Cross-curricular Skill: Civic Knowledge and Engagement; Diversity, Inclusion and Equity)
• Develop critical thinking skills by a) including a disciplined, skeptical outlook on the world; b) assessing multiple - and often countervailing - theoretical perspectives, and c) recognizing the difference between strong and weak arguments based on evidence. (Cross-curricular Skill: Inquiry and Analysis)
• Understand international perspectives, a necessary prerequisite to becoming active and responsible global citizens. (Cross-curricular Skill: Intercultural Knowledge)
• Express themselves effectively through oral and written communication. This includes framing scholarly questions and developing discipline appropriate research strategies to address them. (Cross-curricular Skill: Information Literacy; Problem Solving)

The English major requires 45 credits in English and linguistics courses and is designed to give the student a broad overview of literature, writing, and the language.

Student Learning Outcomes
The English department’s B.A. program prepares students to become innovative professionals and global citizens by teaching them to read closely and critically, write creatively and persuasively, and explore the beauty and value of diverse literatures and cultures.

• Analyze texts closely and critically, using key literary terms and concepts to interpret how the specific elements of a text contribute to its larger meanings. (Cross-Curricular Skills: Inquiry and Analysis; Critical and Creative Thinking; Integrative Learning)
• Identify significant texts, authors, periods, movements, genres, theories, or modes from literary history, explaining how literary texts engage with their historical, cultural, aesthetic, or ideological contexts. (Cross-Curricular Skills: Inquiry and Analysis; Integrative Learning)
• Identify key theoretical ideas, concepts, or methodologies and apply them to the reading and writing of texts. (Cross-Curricular Skills: Critical and Creative Thinking; Integrative Learning)
• Write argumentative, creative, and reflective texts that demonstrate focus, content, structure, evidence, style, and grammar appropriate to their rhetorical contexts. (Cross-Curricular Skills: Critical and Creative Thinking; Integrative Learning)
• Conduct scholarly research that incorporates the use of library resources and discipline-specific databases; the evaluation and integration of secondary sources; and the documentation of primary and secondary sources using MLA style.  (Cross-Curricular Skills: Information Literacy; Inquiry and Analysis)
• Explain how literature both reflects and enriches the diversity of human experience through its exploration of the ways in which race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexuality, ability, or class shape identity and influence perception. (Cross-Curricular Skills: Critical and Creative Thinking; Inquiry and Analysis; Integrative Learning; Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity)

The Department’s chemistry faculty research programs fall into the thematic focus areas of environmental chemistry and green chemistry, chemical sensor development, organic synthesis, materials chemistry, natural products chemistry, and chemical education. Within these multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary focus areas, students can select research projects that involve the traditional subdisciplines of chemistry – analytical, biochemistry, inorganic, organic and physical. Currently active research projects in the Department focus on various aspects of analytical chemistry, drug discover and delivery, synthesis or photoactive materials including polymers, materials chemistry and self assembly, chromatography, the chemistry of cell membranes, cancer biology, environmental and green chemistry, chemistry of climate change, photo-physical chemistry, natural products synthesis, biophysical chemistry, computational chemistry, and solid-state NMR. For additional information about these options review the descriptions of current faculty research interests on the Department.

In addition to a traditional thesis-based (Option A) M.S. degree, the Department also offers a predominantly online Chemistry M.S. with chemical education specialization. This is a non-thesis (Option B) degree that focuses on the content necessary for practicing high school teachers to achieve highly qualified status. Admission in this program is limited to practicing high school science teachers. Students interested in thesis-based M.S. degree in the sub-disciplinary area of chemical education should select the Chemistry (M.S.) program in their application for admission.

Student Learning Outcomes

• Comprehensive knowledge: Graduate degree recipients will possess comprehensive disciplinary knowledge with high competence.
  • M.S. degree recipients will be able to demonstrate chemistry knowledge and advanced technical skills.
  • Graduate degree recipients will be prepared to demonstrate knowledge and technical skills in a large variety of professional fields, careers and endeavors.
  • Graduate degree recipients will communicate effectively in an oral, written and visual manner to technical audiences and stakeholders.
  • Graduate degree recipients will possess and practice high standards of scientific integrity and professional ethics.
• Trans-disciplinary professional skills: Graduate degree recipients will possess trans-disciplinary professional skills.
  • Graduate degree recipients will apply creativity to innovation.
  • Graduate degree recipients will recognize the importance of workplace diversity in culture, gender, perspective, and experience.
  • Graduate degree recipients will work effectively with peers and develop mentoring skills.
  • Graduate degree recipients will develop an understanding of the intellectual property process and the business needs of their workplace.
• Students will be familiar with the research literature of their chemistry subdiscipline and have the ability to keep abreast of major developments to acquire a working background in any area.
• Students will be able to demonstrate skill in the recognition of meaningful problems and questions for research.
• Students will possess technical skill in laboratory manipulation.
• Students will be able to demonstrate skill in designing experimental protocols and in conducting productive self-directed research.

The Master of Engineering program is a professional degree designed to grow your capacity to manage and lead in complex technical organizations. The program is 50% advanced engineering courses, 50% management and leadership courses, and can be completed on-campus or on-line.

The Master of Engineering (M.Eng.) is a terminal or professional degree as it is coursework only – no thesis. This graduate program is tailored to meet the needs of working professionals at their own pace or for senior-level engineering students who want to earn a graduate degree while still at SDSU. Core classes include project management, operations, and management and leadership, culminating in an applied industry-based project.  Advanced engineering courses come from civil, electrical, mechanical, or agricultural engineering disciplines.

The M.Eng. program has a dedicated industrial advisory board to provide input and guidance on expected student competencies and program outcomes.

Student Learning Outcomes

At the time of graduation from the Master of Engineering program, students will have:

• in-depth technical knowledge in engineering;
• knowledge of contemporary leadership and management in professional practice;
• a demonstrated ability to apply engineering, management and leadership concepts; and,
• a demonstrated ability to effectively communicate verbally, graphically and in writing.

The Capstone course (GE 750) is used to determine whether students have met expected program outcomes. In the Capstone course, students are expected to manage and execute an industry-based project or similar complex application of technical knowledge and management analysis skills.

Rangeland Ecology and Management focuses on the scientific study of rangelands, arid regions and grasslands to achieve resource management for maximum benefit and environmental balance. Graduates are well prepared for careers in a variety of land management fields, as well as agency and private sector positions.

Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the Rangeland Ecology and Management specialization, students will:

• Understand ecological and environmental principles required for management of natural resources for multiple-uses, including (but not limited to) wildlife habitat, water management, ecosystems services, recreation, and livestock production. (Cross-curricular Skill: Inquiry and Analysis; Critical and Creative Thinking; Information Literacy; Problem Solving; Civic Knowledge and Engagement; Diversity, Inclusion and Equity)
• Describe how natural resource management fits into the context of society and how societal factors (e.g., economics, policy, laws, regulations, attitudes, behaviors, norms) influence natural resource management. (Cross-curricular Skill: Inquiry and Analysis; Critical and Creative Thinking; Information Literacy; Problem Solving; Diversity, Inclusion and Equity)
• Lead and work with others as appropriate to successfully manage natural resources. (Cross-curricular Skill: Inquiry and Analysis; Critical and Creative Thinking; Information Literacy; Teamwork; Problem Solving; Civic Knowledge and Engagement; Diversity, Inclusion and Equity)
• Apply natural resource field and lab techniques and contemporary technologies to management of natural resources. (Cross-curricular Skill: Inquiry and Analysis; Critical and Creative Thinking; Teamwork; Problem Solving; Diversity, Inclusion and Equity)
• Analyze and critically evaluate data and other information. (Cross-curricular Skill: Inquiry and Analysis; Critical and Creative Thinking; Information Literacy; Teamwork; Problem Solving; Civic Knowledge and Engagement; Diversity, Inclusion and Equity)
• Analyze and critically evaluate data and other information. (Cross-curricular Skill: Inquiry and Analysis; Critical and Creative Thinking; Information Literacy; Teamwork; Problem Solving; Civic Knowledge and Engagement; Diversity, Inclusion and Equity)
• Communicate (both written and orally) with both scientific and non-scientific audiences. (Cross-curricular Skill: Inquiry and Analysis; Critical and Creative Thinking; Information Literacy; Teamwork; Problem Solving; Diversity, Inclusion and Equity)
• Display professional and ethical behavior consistent with that expected in a natural resource management field. (Cross-curricular Skill: Inquiry and Analysis; Critical and Creative Thinking; Information Literacy; Teamwork; Problem Solving; Civic Knowledge and Engagement; Diversity, Inclusion and Equity)

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.

Fashion Studies and Retail Merchandising is the perfect major for students who would like to spend their career in one of many roles in the dynamic, competitive, and creative fashion industry. After gaining a good understanding of fundamental business principles related to merchandising and globalization of the industry, they are qualified to become a store or department manager, buyer, or visual merchandiser. Our students also acquire a broad knowledge of people and their behavior, and an understanding of the world at large, and technical knowledge and skills to select fabrics and plan and produce fashion goods.

Student Learning Outcomes
Upon the completion of the Fashion Studies and Retail Merchandising major, students will:

• Apply industry terminology, theories, and concepts in appropriate ways to discuss and critique product quality, serviceability, regulatory compliance standards, merchandising strategies, market trends, retail environments, regulatory factors, and global factors related to the fashion and textile industry. (Cross-curricular Skill: Integrative Learning)
• Demonstrate understanding of the fashion process, including the forces that drive fashion changes and diffusion of innovation and ideas. (Cross-curricular Skill: Integrative Learning)
• Identify and interpret needs, wants, and aspirations of consumers, and outline how industry processes can be applied to forecast, plan, develop, produce, communicate, and sell profitable product lines of products that meet the marketplace’ needs. (Cross-curricular Skill: Integrative Learning)
• Demonstrate and apply knowledge about the role of dress as it reflects and shapes intra- and inter-cultural interactions, ideals, values, norms, traditions, appearance management, and human behavior. (Cross-curricular Skill: Intercultural Knowledge; Diversity, Inclusion and Equity)
• Apply knowledge of the role of dress as it is used to create, express, and fulfill identities, lifestyles, and fantasies. (Cross-curricular Skill: Intercultural Knowledge; Diversity, Inclusion and Equity)
• Understand the role of historic, socio-cultural, economic, technological, political, and psychological factors in aesthetic expression and development of styles.
• Understand how aesthetics and the design process can support quality of life.
• Demonstrate understanding how globalization, market conditions, diverse economic systems and political structures, regulatory factors, cultural norms and values, historic events, geographic locations, and social issues affect industry processes and sourcing strategies.
• Identify and evaluate issues of social responsibility, environmental sustainability, professional behavior, and ethics related to the impact of individual, organizational, societal, and corporate decision-making. (Cross-curricular Skill: Diversity, Inclusion and Equity)
• Apply critical and creative thinking skills, including the ability to objectively evaluate and compare diverse perspectives. (Cross-curricular Skill: Inquiry and Analysis; Critical and Creative Thinking; Problem Solving)
• Formulate sound conclusions and decisions by using appropriate technology, knowledge, and business practices to identify, assess, analyze relevant factors that influence the industry and related strategies. (Cross-curricular Skill: Inquiry and Analysis; Critical and Creative Thinking; Problem Solving)
• Apply qualitative and quantitative skills to problem solving and formulate creative strategies to current issues and future opportunities in the industry. (Cross-curricular Skill: Inquiry and Analysis; Critical and Creative Thinking; Problem Solving)
• Use effective and professional written, oral, and visual communication skills to inform, explain, and support ideas, decisions, evaluations, and strategies.
• Demonstrate ability to take appropriate responsibility for their personal and professional growth, including reflection and critiquing of their progress, outlining their career goals, and demonstrate self-directedness.
• Illustrate effective team working and leadership skills within professional and culturally diverse environments. (Cross-curricular Skill: Teamwork; Intercultural Knowledge; Diversity, Inclusion and Equity)

Students who successfully complete this 60-credit hour specialization will earn a Master of Science in Counseling and Human Resource Development specializing in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Upon successful completion of the core requirements, and those of the Clinical Mental Health Counseling specialization and with the successful completion of the comprehensive written and oral examinations, graduates are endorsed as having constructed appropriate entry level knowledge and as having met appropriate skill acquisition to be recognized as professional clinical mental health counselors. Students in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling specialization are also responsible for having taken supporting area courses which supplement or enhance their chosen specialty.

Student Learning Outcomes

• Understand and advocate for positive attention to developmental needs of individuals, families, schools, and communities;
• Promote mental health through well-developed and consistent theoretical study and application;
• Appreciate cultural, ethnic, and gender differences as they relate to perceptions and expectations of counseling;
• Apply ethical, legal, moral, and professional standards to all aspects of professional counseling services;
• Respond to the mental health needs of a variety of individuals and families, through a wide spectrum of services including support, education, assessment, and treatment;
• Understand and be able to appropriately select and apply a variety of service or treatment modalities;
• Understand assessment strategies and the criteria for mental illnesses as well as effective treatments;
• Understand and model healthy community and work relationships; and
• Be prepared to pursue licensure as a professional counselor.