Bachelor of Science, Major in Biological Science with Concentration in Microbiology

at San Jose State University USA

The Journalism and Mass Communications Department's Public Relations program is nationally recognized and the only degree program of its kind in Northern California. One of the largest PR programs in the United States, this dynamic program has been a consistent leader in preparing students for success in a wide variety of strategic communications careers.

Program Highlights

• The most comprehensive PR curriculum in Northern California.
• Rated one of the 'premier' programs in the U.S. in a national survey conducted by Marquette University.
• All majors are required to complete an internship providing an excellent foray into the field of Public Relations.
• The School of Journalism and Mass Communications is 100 percent wired for the Internet with student-friendly Mac and PC labs.
• Students in campaigns class plan public relations programs for actual clients, including Cisco Systems, Intel, American Cancer Society.
• One of the few programs in the nation to have course electives in Special Events Management and the Principles of Fund-Raising.

Programs leading to the Master of Science in Chemical Engineering Degree have been developed for the following specializations: Biotechnology, Environmental Engineering, and Semiconductors and Polymer Processing. Other specialized programs can be developed through consultation between the graduate advisor and student.

We offer Masters in Chemical Engineering Degree with Thesis in Biotechnology/Biochemical Engineering. Please contact Dr. Melanie A. McNeil for more information.

The program of study, which may involve either the thesis or non-thesis option, provides a balanced program of advanced study of chemical engineering principles with emphasis on both fundamental and applied aspects of the areas considered. The core program is complemented by a variety of advanced technical electives, allowing the program to be tailored to the needs and interests of the individual.

The program of study normally involves the thesis option, with opportunities for research under the direction of a faculty advisor. Late afternoon and early evening classes are regularly scheduled for the convenience of employed engineers who wish to pursue graduate work on a part-time basis.

The Department of Chemical Engineering currently has research projects in the areas of biokinetics, vapor-liquid equilibria, suspensions, reaction kinetics, catalysis, bioremediation, and semiconductor processing including dry wafer cleaning. Project activity is sponsored by local industries as well as by government funding agencies.

The Bachelor of Arts in Social Work (BASW) curriculum is based on a basic liberal arts foundation obtained through guided coursework from general education approved courses. This liberal arts foundation provides students the necessary knowledge and skills to engage in critical thinking about social problems and develop an understanding of the social structures of American society. Foundation social work courses meet the primary program goal of preparing students with the knowledge, skills, and values necessary for beginning social work practice. In addition to the core social work curriculum, electives are offered to expand interest in various areas such as child welfare, family welfare, alcoholism and the family, and social work with the aging. Unlike many of their counterparts in other disciplines, BASW graduates are required to undertake as part of their education extensive agency field internships to prepare them for practice upon graduation.

BASW graduates are employed in many different work settings under public and private agencies and programs that may include: family service agencies, children and youth services, juvenile justice agencies, elementary and/or secondary schools, ethnic oriented service agencies, residential treatment programs, substance abuse programs, domestic violence programs, homeless shelters, mental health services, aging services, nursing homes, hospices, hospitals, home care agencies, mental retardation/developmental disabilities services, vocational rehabilitation services, public health agencies, community action agencies, child and adult day care centers, income maintenance programs, and legal services agencies.

The undergraduate concentration in Creative Writing invites students to become involved in the creation of new literary art. Like all English majors, Creative Writing concentrators begin their studies with the three-course Transatlantic survey sequence, giving them a solid grounding in literary history. Later, they take writing workshops in various genres, including fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, and scriptwriting. They are encouraged to work on the Department’s 150-year-old literary magazine, Reed, and to participate in other literary programming on campus, for example the readings and conversations with visiting authors sponsored by SJSU’s Center for Literary Arts.

Students in the MSAE Program can specialize in sustainable aviation concepts, aerospace structural design, astrodynamics, space systems engineering, hypersonics or propulsion.  They have opportunities to work with AE faculty and NASA engineers to design, build, test, and launch microsatellites like the TechEdSat, participate in the design, building, and testing of our brand new hypersonic facility, learn how to use machine/deep learning for structural health monitoring, optimize spacecraft trajectories or explore the potential of electric and hybrid propulsion systems for general aviation, commuter, and large air transports.  In addition, students can participate in exciting extra-curricular projects, such as the High-Altitude Rocket Project (HARP). MSAE students present their work in professional conferences such as the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics SciTech, the International Planetary Probe Workshop, and the International Symposium on Sustainable Aviation.

Students select a faculty advisor who helps structure a program of study that meets individual needs and addresses areas of interest. While working closely with a faculty advisor, each student completes a thesis or a project that results from an in-depth study of a particular research topic of interest.

The MA in Science Education is a flexible program designed for prospective and practicing science teachers in K-12 instruction, science teaching assistants, community college instructors, as well as for people with interests in informal and outdoor education. The curriculum is designed to augment and broaden the candidate's knowledge of current advances in science education research and to examine best practices.

Qualified students who have earned a multiple or single subject credential at San José State University may apply up to 12 units of credential coursework, which included SCED 273 (3 units), toward the MA. Students who completed a California single subject credential somewhere besides SJSU may transfer 9 units of coursework from their credential to their Master's program. Students who transfer units into the program can complete the degree in two to four semesters. 

The M.A. program in Communication Studies at San José State University is grounded in the theoretical and ethical foundations of communication studies; the modes of inquiry employed by communication scholars; and the practical application of these concepts and methods in professional and scholarly contexts.

We approach graduate study as an interdisciplinary exploration of multiple paradigms. Students are introduced to rhetorical, interpretive, quantitative, critical, and pedagogical frameworks.

Our curriculum is designed for new graduates, mid-career professionals, and those returning to school after a hiatus.

After completing the two-year program, alumni pursue careers in a range of fields: aspiring academics continue to doctoral programs, those with a passion for teaching pursue appointments at local community colleges, and many go on to careers in Silicon Valley or in the nonprofit sector

The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance is a professional degree that offers concentrations in modern or jazz technique, as well as comprehensive study in choreography, theory, and performance. It is an intense program of study and is specifically designed to prepare students for the competitive career of dance performance. Guided by dedicated faculty and prominent guest artists, students will be challenged with technical practice in various dance techniques, theoretical study in several areas, and multiple performance opportunities. We are confident that our BFA program will encourage each student in his or her unique talents to grow into a successful dancer and a significant contributor to the artistic community

The Master of Science in Informatics degree program at the San José State University School of Information prepares graduate students for exciting careers focused on analyzing and managing data—and making that data secure and actionable for users within a specific field, such as health or cybersecurity.

The MS in Informatics program is ideal for students with technical and non-technical backgrounds who are interested in exploring connections between people and technology.

Program Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the MS in Informatics program, students will be able to:

• Apply technology informatics skills to solve specific industry data and information management problems, with a focus on usability and designing for users;
• Evaluate, manage, and develop electronic records programs and applications in a specific organizational setting;
• Demonstrate strong understanding of security and ethics issues related to informatics, user interface, and inter-professional application of informatics in specific fields by designing and implementing appropriate information assurance and ethics and privacy solutions;
• Identify user needs, ideate informatics products and services, prototype new concepts, and evaluate a prototype’s usability;
• Work collaboratively in teams and use project management practices effectively to solve user-centric information and data problems;
• Conduct informatics analysis and visualization applied to different real-world fields, such as health science and privacy.

The BA in Art General Studio Practice Concentration allows students to pursue a general study in the visual arts, or to create their own curriculum combining studies in visual arts with other fields. For students preferring a broad art background instead of an intense specialization, this program provides students with a variety of art experiences.

Students enrolled in the Studio Practice concentration are not necessarily preparing for a career in art or design, although many use the program as preparation for graduate level studies. The required studio work is intended to intensify awareness of visual art forms and introduce a variety of technical processes and theoretical approaches. Concentrations and emphases are designed to offer opportunities to study digital media art, photography, pictorial art and spatial art. Studio Practice also provides a basic program leading to a teaching credential in art.

Teaching is a way for artists to develop and encourage creative ability in others and to increase awareness of the importance of art in our lives. The Art Teacher Preparation Program (ATPP) is vital to the future of Silicon Valley, because it trains the teachers who will teach aesthetics, problem solving and critical thinking skills to future citizens of the region and state.