Bachelor of Science, Major in Public Relations

at San Jose State University USA

Linguistics is the scientific study of human language. It attempts to answer fundamental questions such as, What is language? How does it work? How is it represented in the mind? What features do all human languages share in common? How do languages change over time?

Within universities, linguistics is often grouped together with other social and behavioral sciences such as anthropology and sociology. However, the concerns of linguistics also overlap with those of English, philosophy, and other humanities, with certain physical sciences such as acoustics, and computer science. And because language is ultimately situated in the brain, linguistics is sometimes considered one of the "cognitive sciences," along with psychology, philosophy, and artificial intelligence.

The linguistics faculty at SJSU offers expertise in many areas within linguistics, including

• Computational linguistics (computer processing of language)
• Morphology and syntax (the structure of words and sentences)
• Phonetics and phonology (the sounds of language)
• Psycholinguistics (language and the brain)
• Semantics (meaning)
• Sociolinguistics (language and society)

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.

An approved program for each candidate may be designed in consultation with the advisor on the basis of each individual's objectives. The program shall include at least 30 semester units earned beyond the bachelor's degree in 200-level (ie: graduate level) and 100-level (ie: upper division undergraduate level) courses approved for graduate credit. This total includes 4 semester units of thesis research. At least 12 units must consist of 200-level courses. All students are required to take a 2-unit seminar (GEOL 285). All candidates are required to submit a master's thesis.

All candidates must complete the equivalent of the requirements of the San José State University B.S. Geology degree, including a minimum of four weeks of field camp, as well as two semesters each of Calculus, Chemistry, and Physics.

The oral examination for the Master of Science degree is scheduled with the student's thesis advisor. The candidate must demonstrate competency in written English. An oral presentation of thesis research is to be made before an open meeting of the Geology Department. The thesis must be approved by the student's thesis committee and submitted in final form, as outlined in the Thesis Section of the San José State University catalog, to the Graduate Division of the university in accordance with the published deadlines.

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 BA Mathematics is recommended for students who enjoy problem solving and would like to apply problem solving skills along with communication and analyzing skills in a future career. This degree also provides an excellent background for graduate work in mathematics and other disciplines including law and medicine as well as engineering and science.

Students in the Systems Physiology concentration prepare for professional health schools (medicine, dentistry, veterinary science, pharmacy, and so forth), for graduate study, or for research positions that require knowledge of physiological systems and especially of physiological data collection and recording. The Systems Physiology concentration provides a specialized, focused program pertaining to bodily systems.

The Bachelor of Arts in Dance offers a well rounded education in dance technique, theory, choreography, and performance. With concentrations offered in modern and jazz, students are encouraged to pursue their own unique talents and grow as artists, supported by professionally active faculty and special guest artists. The BA program strives to challenge students with technical practice in various dance techniques, theoretical study in several areas, and ample performance opportunities.

The History Department at San José State University offers a standard M.A. program with specializations, or primary fields of study, in United States history Modern European history, and World history. Many of the faculty hold advanced degrees from the nation's most prestigious universities and have distinguished publication records.

The History Department also offers an M.A. program with a concentration in history education, which is reserved for public and private middle and secondary school teachers, who already are teaching or have entered (or plan to enter) the social science teacher education program at SJSU. This program is specially designed for teachers who have, or will soon have, credentials. Since this is strictly a terminal degree, anyone intending to pursue a higher degree should enroll in the standard M.A. program.

The diverse participants in the M.A. program at San José State University include active and prospective teachers, Silicon Valley business people pursuing a personal interest or looking for a career change, and Ph.D.-bound historians. Because many of the approximately 75 actively enrolled M.A. students are working full-time, graduate courses are scheduled in the evenings (Monday–Thursday), and occasionally on Saturdays or in summer. Usually about five graduate-level courses are offered each semester. Some applicable upper division courses are also offered in the evening, as well as a few during summer sessions.

The MSE degree is an interdisciplinary program with the primary objectives of offering the practicing engineer the opportunity to develop a wide range of knowledge and skills needed to function in today's complex industrial environment.

The program is designed to provide flexibility for students who need coursework that is interdisciplinary and not available through the other engineering programs in the college. The MSE program typically includes courses from at least three different programs in the College of Engineering, and may also use courses in the College of Science or the College of Business.

Program Learning Outcomes
Students completing the Master’s of Science General Engineering Program will be able to:

• Evaluate and apply advanced engineering principles, methods, and tools to solving  problems or improving efficiency.
• Design and implement a component, system, or process to meet design specifications and objectives.
• Understand and advance the frontiers of emerging technologies.
• Understand the social, economic and political context of contemporary engineering practice and its ethics; understand the impact of engineering solutions on society and the environment.
• Communicate effectively in both oral and written forms.

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.