Master of Science, Major in Physics with Concentration in Modern Optics

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.

Behavioral science majors develop an interdisciplinary perspective on human behavior and an understanding of the psychological, social and cultural dimensions to being human in a complex society. Offered cooperatively by the Departments of Anthropology, Psychology and Sociology, the Behavioral Science Program is housed in the Department of Anthropology, which oversees academic advising. The program prepares graduates for a variety of jobs that require working with social science data and with people. Many of our alumni have pursued careers in human resources, social work, counseling, sales and marketing, and law enforcement. By earning a degree in behavioral science, you'll get the best of three worlds!

Professional degree programs lead to careers in performance, composition, jazz studies, and music education including a fifth year credential program. We highlight core courses in our curriculum that include experience in performance, music systems (theory), technology and improvisation. Beyond the core courses, individual contracts or concentrations within the BA and BM degree address professional opportunities that include:

• Credentialed school instruction
• Private school instruction
• Vocalists or instrumentalists for the concert stage, opera, musical theater, jazz
• Composers and/or arrangers for film, television, multimedia
• Sound engineering and music technology
• Conductors in all performance areas
• Arts and education administration
• Writer/scholar in Music or Dance

This is a flexible program of general studies with minimum performance requirements that allows students to combine studies in music with other fields of interest. An entrance audition is required. All students must complete the core classes and then consult the Music Advisor to design a Capstone that includes elective coursework from at least three different areas. BA students wishing to participate in private lessons must also be enrolled in an ensemble.

This degree is recommended for students who wish to work in the research and development area of industry. This program also prepares a student for graduate study in applied mathematics, numerical analysis, or operations research. The concentration in applied and computational mathematics provides a solid foundation in classical applied mathematics as well as computational mathematics, which could be informally described as "how to employ mathematics on computers wisely." A graduate could seek direct employment assisting a group of scientists with the formulation and solution of problems. There is a great need in local and national technical industries for people with sufficiently strong mathematical knowledge to participate on such teams. For example, modern techniques for solving partial differential equations are very sophisticated; the best method in a given situation depends on the properties of the model. Once a numerical approximation has been formulated, the techniques to solve that, and the commercial software available to do it, again require informed decisions.

The Master of Arts in Art History and Visual Culture offers a broad education in art history, including preparation for a Ph.D. degree program. It also prepares students for a graduate library degree with specialization in art history, as well training for a variety of positions including community college professor, researcher, museum curator, arts administrator, conservator, and visual resources librarian. Our program is especially strong in modern and contemporary art, architecture and design, and the art of the Renaissance. We also feature a variety of special-topic courses such as Art and Architecture of Islam, History of Photography, German Art, and “Fashionology.” Students have the opportunity to study with experts in these fields and to work within a dynamic department that includes a strong M.F.A. program located in the heart of Silicon Valley.

Besides featuring a wide array of courses we host a number of activities during the academic year. These include the Art History and Visual Culture Colloquium, the Art History Association Symposium, the Tuesday Night Lecture Series and a range of exhibitions in the Thompson Gallery. The department website offers information about our courses, faculty, facilities, and events.

Students in the BS, Microbiology program prepare for positions in industries that use or detect microorganisms and for graduate studies in basic, applied or medical microbiology. The program includes specialized instruction in basic microbiology, immunology, medical microbiology, microbial physiology, bacterial genetics and bacterial diversity.  It is also designed to accommodate those who wish to pursue certification as Clinical Laboratory Scientists (medical technologists). Electives, such as hematology, and internships that meet state certification requirements are offered.

The Master of Arts in Geography emphasizes human and physical geography with an emphasis in advanced learning in Geographic Information Sciences (GIS) and urban geography. GIS is a rapidly growing field and our courses will give students the analytic and problem-solving abilities necessary to begin rewarding careers immediately after graduation. Students may also pursue a more generalized study of cultural, physical, or environmental geography. Most students follow an individualized program that includes courses and seminars in related disciplines, such as Environmental Studies and Urban and Regional Planning. In addition to their graduate coursework, all candidates for the Master of Arts in Geography must complete a Master's thesis project.

Although the department requires knowledge of the fundamentals of geography and GIS, it welcomes students whose undergraduate work has been in other disciplines, and who can apply their training to geographic problems. The MA degree is a 30 Credit program and many of our classes are offered in the late afternoon, evening, or on-line.

• Demonstrate the ability to critically evaluate and interpret published research on the theoretical foundations of geographical information science.
• Demonstrate the ability to explain contemporary issues in geographic information science in the context of current theory.
• Demonstrate the ability to define a research problem and design and execute a research program.
• Demonstrate the ability to evaluate and interpret research results in the context of current theory.
• Demonstrate the ability to communicate research results in written, graphic, and verbal form.
• Demonstrate understanding of how geographic information science and technology may be applied to a variety of problems.

The Department of Justice Studies at San José State University offers an online Master of Science in Criminology with a Concentration in Global Criminology designed to adapt to the ever-changing environment of the justice and legal systems, and the discipline of criminology. It uniquely combines advanced study of contemporary international crime and the various responses to crime around the globe with analytic and research techniques used by advanced scholars. It provides an international comparative curriculum that develops analytical skills, understanding of legal concepts, theoretical competency, and abilities to apply criminology in practical ways. It aims to equip graduates with a truly global outlook on crime and criminal justice, a commitment to international justice, and professional competencies to apply practices from around the globe to meet the particular needs of their communities.

Program Learning Outcomes
At the end of a Master of Science degree in Criminology, students will be able to:

• Describe ways to create social change through a critical understanding of the local and global dimensions of crime.  
• Articulate and evaluate scholarly-grounded perspectives on issues of crime and justice, including ways that criminology explains crime and reactions to crime, through academic, professional and social media.
• Explain theories, assumptions, foundational knowledge, analytical and interpretive protocols, tools, and technologies within the field of criminology at a level demonstrating preparation for advanced professional responsibilities, or pursuing a PhD in criminology-related areas.
• Demonstrate skills in each step of an investigative, creative, or practical project (e.g., brainstorming, planning, formulating hypotheses or complex questions, designing, creating, completing, and communicating) that helps advance understanding of a criminological or related issue.   
• Employ global perspectives on criminology and concepts of justice to support research-informed solutions to contemporary social problems.

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 award-winning program prepares students for careers in feature film animation, games, television, and any other media that uses animation and storytelling as a core communication tool.

The curriculum combines both traditional and innovative educational strategies, including color theory, design, perspective, and conventional and digital painting. Additionally, students will study the principles of both traditional and 3D animation, physics of motion, modeling, storyboarding, character design, and visual development. Upper-division classes offers students an opportunity to specialize in their area of choice.