Master of Science in Quantitative Economics (STEM)

at California State University - East Bay USA

The university offers the Master of Arts degree in English. Although there is no separate degree offered in creative writing, it is possible to satisfy the thesis option for the M.A. in English by work in fiction, poetry, or drama. Students seeking a degree must observe the general university requirements stated elsewhere in this catalog as well as the specific departmental requirements stated here.

Psychology is the science of behavior and mental processes. Many psychologists work primarily with people to understand how they think, respond to stress, learn and forget, develop into unique personalities, and interact with one another. Others study the behavior and nervous systems of animals in order to find general principles that apply across species. Psychologists apply their knowledge to do therapy and counseling, to improve practices in schools, prisons, and rehabilitation centers, and to enhance performance in industrial and business settings.

The B.A. program is appropriate for most psychology students. It provides a basic understanding of human behavior and motivation that is valuable in many careers in business, government, and education. It also provides the background expected for entry into graduate programs in clinical psychology, counseling psychology, school psychology, health psychology, social psychology, or experimental psychology.

The International Studies BA consists of an integrated group of courses reflecting international aspects of various disciplines. It is designed to provide the student with a broad base of understanding of the world community and of international processes and relationships while providing the opportunity to specialize in an area of interest. A minor in International Studies is also offered.

The Department of Statistics and Biostatistics offers graduate study leading to the degree Master of Science in Biostatistics. The program is designed to serve the needs of students with varying backgrounds in Statistics, Biological Sciences, Public Health, Computer Science, Mathematics and other sciences. The program includes curriculum designed to prepare students to work in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries. All students are expected to master a wide variety of applied statistical and probabilistic techniques and the theoretical foundations on which these techniques rest. They are expected to be familiar with recent developments and to be able to use the statistical literature to learn new techniques and theories throughout their professional careers. In addition to the general requirements stated elsewhere in this catalog, a student must satisfy the departmental requirements stated in the following paragraphs.

An undergraduate major in mathematics is one of the best preparations not only for studying advanced Mathematics, but also for graduate work in Computer Science, Statistics, Operations Research, Actuarial Science, and the Natural Sciences.  Math majors are encouraged to pursue a minor or double major in another discipline that supports their goals or interests.

Mathematics is an intriguing, interesting and beautiful subject.  It is also challenging and rigorous.  Students are drawn to mathematics because of its clarity and the joy of discovering solutions to difficult problems.  The Department of Mathematics offers a strong Bachelor of Science degree that includes a variety of courses intended to prepare students for a career in any mathematics related field or other areas that value quantitative and problem-solving skills.  The program allows flexibility in breadth and depth where students can choose among courses with applied and pure emphases. The faculty are committed to creating a welcoming environment and providing opportunities for undergraduates to explore mathematics within and beyond the classroom.  There are scholarships available for math majors to support their studies while at CSU East Bay.

Kinesiology is the disciplinary study of physical activity and how it impacts individual and societal health and well-being.  The discipline explores physical activity from a wide range of cognate disciplines, including, but not limited to, biomechanics, physiology, history, psychology, sociology, philosophy, and pedagogy.  It involves areas of study that include sports performance, fitness leadership, sports medicine and related allied health professions, socio-cultural analysis of sport, sport and exercise psychology, physical education, and coaching.    

The BS in Kinesiology degree prepares students for careers in the fitness and exercise and allied health professions. Our mission is to prepare graduates who are knowledgeable, professional, and take a multidisciplinary approach to promoting physical activity.  The degree not only examines the theoretical underpinning of sport, exercise, fitness and health, but is committed to addressing the practical issues concerning coaching and instructing, exercise, fitness and sport. It also addresses prescription; programming and safety in promoting health and performance-related physical activity; and issues of social justice in and through sport. The diverse curriculum strives to be innovative and encourage creative thinking and practice.

Biology is concerned with living matter in all its forms, responses, and interactions. It deals with the study of anything that has been or is alive: microbes, fungi, plants, “protists” and all animals, including humans. The science of biology includes a large number of highly integrated sub-disciplines such as microbiology, genetics, molecular biology, ecology, evolutionary biology, physiology, systematics, and behavior. Biologists must draw upon a wide variety of academic disciplines to make observations and form conclusions, and well-trained biologists have solid backgrounds in chemistry, mathematics, computer science, statistics, physics, and the humanities, as required by graduate programs and professional schools, to meet the demands of professions in the life sciences.

The Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences offers undergraduate study leading to the Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Science, focusing on developing strong foundational knowledge and a broad set of field and laboratory skills that allow students to seek employment, or prepare them for continued academic study in the Earth and environmental sciences.

Environmental science is an interdisciplinary field, focusing on the study of physical, chemical, and biological processes that underpin both natural ecosystems and human-influenced systems. While their focus is often on the physical and life sciences, environmental scientists must also be mindful of social issues, political context, economic factors, and human  well-being in order to understand environmental issues and address environmental problems. The coursework for the Environmental Science degree reflects this broad, systems-level approach, with coursework in science and mathematics, as well as the social sciences. This allows students to gain a deeper understanding of the science and social issues involved in addressing complex environmental problems such as environmental contamination, access to food and safe drinking water, and climate change.

The Environmental Science B.S. with a concentration in Environmental Health focuses on environmental hazards impacting human health (toxic and hazardous substances, physical and biological hazards, etc.) Above and beyound the general path, the concentration in Environmental Health prepares students for employment as Registered Environmental Health Specialists in the State of California.

Psychology is the science of behavior and mental processes. Many psychologists work primarily with people to understand how they think, respond to stress, learn and forget, develop into unique personalities, and interact with one another. Others study the behavior and nervous systems of animals in order to find general principles that apply across species. Psychologists apply their knowledge to do therapy and counseling, to improve practices in schools, prisons, and rehabilitation centers, and to enhance performance in industrial and business settings.

The B.S. programs are designed for more specialized purposes. The concentration in Industrial/Organizational Psychology provides preparation for careers related to business, with an emphasis on personnel management. The concentration in Ergonomics and Human Factors provides preparation for careers in the design of work environments to take account of human limitations and strengths, for example, the design of equipment (computers, aircraft, automobiles) or the design of industrial procedures.

The Recreation degree prepares students for leadership positions in public recreation and leisure services agencies. Such work enhances the quality of life for millions of people each day across the nation. Specializations available in the degree include the Sustainability Concentration, Youth Development Programming Concentration, and a Recreation Therapy Concentration that prepares students to sit for the state RT licensing exam.

Potential jobs in this rewarding field include program coordinators, supervisors and directors in a variety of areas including day camps, sports, youth, teen and older adult activities and classes and naturalist, park ranger positions. Many graduates from our program are leaders in leisure services organizations including Concord, Livermore, Oakland, Pleasanton, San Ramon, and the East Bay Regional Park District.