Bachelor of Arts, Major in Organizational Studies

at San Jose State University USA

The Digital Media Art (DMA) program at San Jose State University is a multidisciplinary degree offering a digital art and design curriculum in the areas of computer graphics, web development, programming, physical computing, fabrication, prototyping, interactivity and computer games. Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, the DMA program is dedicated to the advancement of contemporary technologies through research and experimentation at the intersection of art and science.

The BFA Concentration in Digital Media Art teaches technical, creative, and critical thinking skills to empower our students as problem solvers and innovators in the field of digital technology. Students graduating from the program develop real-world skills in graphics, programming, digital video, interaction design, and computer game design using a wide range of tools, technologies, and techniques. Our curriculum is hands-on, providing project-oriented learning in collaborative workshop environments.

DMA operates several labs including the CADRE Physical Computing Lab and the DMA Game Design Lab providing research based pedagogy in microcircuits, fabrication and prototyping, computer games and interactive programming. We offer fabrication facilities through our comprehensive wood and metal shops including laser cutters, CNC routers, and vacuform, in addition to metal and large-scale sculpture fabrication through the Spatial Art Program.

The undergraduate degree, offered by the Department of Psychology, assures a broad coverage of the major areas of content and methods in psychology identified by the American Psychological Association as the backbone of a strong degree program. The goal of the breadth part of the degree requirements is to provide a strong background in general psychology. In addition, sufficient flexibility is offered through choices in fulfilling these requirements and through the electives so that students, in consultation with their advisors, can design a program of study which focuses on each student’s particular area of interest.

The Master of Science in Accountancy, offered by the Lucas College and Graduate School of Business, is a flexible 30-unit degree program designed for both accounting and non-accounting undergraduates who aspire to a profession in accounting. Coursework includes advanced financial reporting, auditing, taxation, IT auditing, and financial statement analysis. Students with an undergraduate degree in accounting enroll in a course of study to earn a master’s degree that fulfills the 30 additional units required for CPA licensure. Ambitious, highly motivated people with undergraduate degrees in liberal arts, sciences, or business will need to complete the intensive Certificate in Accounting Fundamentals summer program before they can be admitted into the MSA degree program.

The Masters of Science in Software Engineering program is one of several degree programs provided by the Computer Engineering department at SJSU. The program provides students with an educational experience that builds on traditional computer science and engineering, and then takes an integrative approach to software engineering. With the increased globalization of the software development workforce there is less programming being performed in the United States. Therefore it becomes increasingly important that graduates understand developing technologies and architectures and their influence on software engineering processes, where large-scale design is pre-eminent, and where component integration is the standard mode of development. The program offers a strong testing and quality assurance component.
The software industry increasingly requires those with a suitable engineering background for their cutting edge projects. Graduates with an MS in Software Engineering can expect to find significant opportunities in software development, management, and marketing.

A wide variety of computing equipment is available. Courses are usually conducted using the specialized equipment at the department, with a variety of sophisticated workstations and state-of-the-art software engineering tools.

Program Learning Outcomes:

• Be able to demonstrate an understanding of advanced knowledge of the practice of software engineering, from vision to analysis, design, validation and deployment.
• Be able to tackle complex engineering problems and tasks, using contemporary engineering principles, methodologies and tools.
• Be able to demonstrate leadership and the ability to participate in teamwork in an environment with different disciplines of engineering, science and business.
• Be aware of ethical, economic and environmental implications of their work, as appropriate.
• Be able to advance successfully in the engineering profession, and sustain a process of life-long learning in engineer or other professional areas.
• Be able to communicate effectively, in both oral and written forms.

The BSAE curriculum is based on a strong core of mathematics, science, and engineering science and is designed to prepare students for professional careers in aerospace engineering fields, such as aircraft and space systems research, design, development, testing, and integration. It also provides excellent preparation for graduate study.

Modern laboratories, both physical and computational, support experimental work in aerodynamics, flight mechanics, dynamics, stability & control, aerospace structures, space systems engineering, aircraft design, and spacecraft design.

Opportunities exist annually to participate in national design-build-fly competitions (aircraft) under the guidance of industry experts as well as design-build-launch projects (spacecraft) under the guidance of NASA engineers. Students may join the student chapter of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), the national professional society for the advancement of aerospace technology. Top students in the AE Program are invited to join our local chapter of Sigma Gamma Tau, the aerospace engineering honor society.

The School of Journalism and Mass Communications embraces the innovative spirit of Silicon Valley, emphasizing cultural and intellectual diversity, the First Amendment, and the free flow of ideas.
Students pursuing a Master's in Mass Communication are eligible for graduate assistantships within JMC. These positions are competitive and priority is given to new graduate students. They will spend the semester supporting one or two professors with a variety of projects. Each professor will have unique tasks for their student assistant. The graduate assistantship is an opportunity for the student to gain professional experience in an area of interest and supplement their academic development.

The BA Biological Sciences degree is designed for students with a desire to have a general background in biology but need a high degree of flexibility in courses taken within and outside of the biological sciences. Generally, students taking this program are not considering professional careers in biology but rather careers involving some aspect of biology. Students in the BA program can work with their advisers to develop programs that prepare them for K-12 teaching programs or as a pre-professional program for pharmacy, optometry and dental schools. The BA program is also an excellent choice for students wishing to use their training in a business setting with a biology emphasis (e.g. business component of biotechnology) or wish to enter a government field related to biology (e.g. Fish and Wildlife, Forestry, or USDA). The BA program is also appropriate for those students interested in careers such as science writing or science illustration or as a patent agent.

American Studies concentration provides a San José State home for the study of U.S. cultures. Our courses, research, and events emphasize the cultural, political, and social aspects of the United States, past and present. In addition to our core faculty, we draw our instructors from departments throughout the university in order to integrate disciplines and themes.

In order to major in American Studies, students choose the American Studies concentration within the Humanities major. American Studies graduates master knowledge and skills helpful to careers in teaching, advanced study in law and public policy, or going directly into museum work or business. Employers and graduate schools value the critical thinking, analytical, and writing skills of a broad liberal arts education like American Studies.

In both the major and minor, the student will take our most popular course, the full year "Introduction to American Civilization" and then quickly graduate into small seminars like "American Popular Culture," "The American Dream," and "Nature and World Cultures." The student will cap the major off with a senior seminar on an advanced research topic. Recent seminars focused on "American Autobiography," "The Fantastic in Literature," and "Jailed Artists and Writers in the U.S."  For a transfer student from another college, there's an alternative option for completing the minor that is just as dynamic, completely based in our upper division coursework.

The BA in Sociology, offered by the Department of Sociology and Interdisciplinary Social Sciences, educates students about social processes that create, maintain, and transform social institutions and social identities. Sociology provides a framework for understanding social behavior in groups, social change and inequality in society, and solutions to social problems. Analytical and research skills speak to the needs of a changing world. The degree offers students the widest flexibility in terms of future career choices.

The BM in Performance is designed for students who are intent on pursuing an active career as a performer and/or private instructor. Music Performance students receive private lessons from one of our outstanding applied instructors for their instrument/voice type to develop their individual technique, sound, expression, and understanding of standard repertoire. In addition to core courses such as Music Theory, Performance Majors participate in appropriate Major and Minor ensembles. Students in this degree program are expected to present both a junior and senior recital.

The Bachelor of Music, Concentration in Performance, offered by the School of Music and Dance, is designed for students intending to pursue careers as professional singers or instrumentalists. In addition to the core music courses, the program includes weekly 60-minute private lessons and participation in large ensembles such as choirs, bands, symphony orchestra, and opera theater. Students also perform regularly as soloists and as chamber musicians, both in closed studio classes and in public recitals. In addition to their regular course of study, students are required to present both junior and senior recitals.