Master of Science, Major in Biological Sciences with Concentration in Ecology and Evolution

at San Jose State University USA

This 120-unit program provides a strong foundation in physics while allowing sufficient electives for the student to pursue a second program of study in another field (e.g., science education, business, math, engineering or a second science; transfer students must take at least 12 units of upper division physics major courses at SJSU with a GPA of 2.0 or better in these courses).

The BS degree is a regimented degree plan for students who wish to develop a focused set of skills in research focused scientific and methodological training. The BS degree program, offered by the Department of Psychology, has more course requirements than the BA (i.e., fewer electives). Students should seek early and frequent advice from departmental advisors.

The Bay Area needs well-trained technical writers and editors. The high-tech companies of Silicon Valley require people who are able to write quality manuals, reports, and web updates; write clear business reports and promotional materials; communicate effectively both with consumers and within the company; and understand each step of the publication process.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that demand for technical writers will continue to increase for the foreseeable future, especially in regions of the country like ours. Download more information about the demand for technical writers. [pdf]

So what is Professional and Technical Writing (PTW)? Simply put, PTW is writing done in a workplace environment designed to persuade, inform, or instruct. While “professional” generally applies to business writing and “technical” generally applies to writing about technical topics, most professional writers would find the distinction superficial because they are frequently required to do both.

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 San Jose State University Human Factors and Ergonomics Master's Degree Program is an interdisciplinary degree program that prepares students for practice in their emerging profession through a course sequence that emphasizes theory,
practical applications, and research.

Human Factors/ Ergonomics students take a group of five core courses from several different San Jose State University departments and elective courses in topics of their choosing. The program culminates in a major project or thesis.

Program Outcomes
The program’s outcomes are expected to provide a firm foundation that enables graduates to achieve the above program objectives. The Human Factors/Ergonomics Program is designed to produce industrial and systems engineering graduates who:

• Have an ability to apply knowledge of the sciences of human factors and workplace ergonomics.
• Have an ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data.
• Have an ability to design a system, component, or process to meet accepted human factors and workplace ergonomics standards within realistic constraints such as economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety,manufacturability, and sustainability.
• Have an ability to function on multi-disciplinary teams.
• Have an ability to identify, formulate and solve human factors and workplace ergonomics problems.
• Have an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility.
• Have an ability to communicate effectively.
• Have the broad education necessary to understand the impact of human factors and workplace ergonomics solutions in a global, economic, environmental, and societal context.
• Have a recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in, life-long learning.
• Have the knowledge of contemporary issues.
• Have an ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern human factors and workplace ergonomics tools necessary for industrial and systems engineering practice.

The undergraduate program in Justice Studies provides students with an interdisciplinary curriculum that engages in critical analysis of justice issues. Core classes focus on theory and empirical research that addresses the relationship between law, justice, the justice system, and society. Electives address a number of more specialized and topical justice-related issues.

Learning Outcomes
At the end of the Bachelor of Science degree in Justice Studies in the Department of Justice Studies, students will be able to:

• Explain the major concepts, theories, and historical trends within studies of crime, law, and social justice at all levels, from local to global.
• Describe and apply ways to gather valid information and conduct research to answer questions about crime, law, and social justice issues.
• Understand and critically analyze individual, institutional, and societal responses to crime, law, and social justice issues.
• Employ interdisciplinary perspectives on systems of inequality and concepts of justice to
• propose grounded, informed, and sustainable solutions to social problems in communities
• and/or institutions.
• Articulate compelling, reasoned, and empirically-informed positions on issues of justice to
• diverse audiences. Students will value empirical evidence, tolerate ambiguity, act ethically, and recognize their role and responsibility as a member of society.

The Department of Justice Studies at San José State University, located in the heart of the Silicon Valley, is less than one hour drive from San Francisco, Oakland and Berkeley. The Department of Justice Studies was founded in 1930, and is the oldest degree-granting program in criminal justice in the United States. Over the last 80 years it has undergone significant transformations, but its longstanding reputation of academic excellence continues today, as the Justice Studies program expands to meet the challenges of a global society.

Faculty in our department are internationally renowned scholars whose research interests include mass-incarceration, urban policing, immigration control, prisoner reentry, juvenile justice, gender and race in crime and punishment, politics of reproduction, forensic science, crime in the Caribbean, and drug policies. We offer a unique interdisciplinary graduate curriculum drawing upon Criminology, Sociology, Political Science, Psychology, Law and History. Areas of teaching and research in the Department include criminal justice, law & society, human rights, policy evaluation, critical legal studies, punishment & society, feminist criminology, race theory, and history.

The M.S. Justice Studies program prepares graduates for careers in criminal justice administration, research and policy centers, public institutions, community organizations, and nonprofit agencies, as well as for doctoral programs and research positions in public agencies.

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 mission of our MPA program is to educate and train individuals to become the leaders, managers and analysts in public and non-profit agencies that serve the Silicon Valley and its diverse population, using tools that enable them to recognize and value diversity, behave with high ethical standards, manage personnel resources fairly, recognize and manage risk, and manage programs and policies efficiently and cost-effectively. Upon completion of the degree students will employ critical thinking, ethical decision-making, and public service focus in the delivery of community services through the city, county, special district, state agency or non-profit agency.

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.