Bachelor of Arts, Major in Biological Sciences

at San Jose State University USA

Chemical Engineers combine science with engineering technology to make an essential contribution to many industries, including biotechnology, semiconductor processing, environmental engineering, manufacturing and industrial chemicals. The Chemical Engineering degree also provides a strong foundation for graduate degrees in a range of disciplines. The Department has excellent laboratory facilities for courses and student research.

We offer specialization in biochemical engineering program which blend traditional engineering and subjects in the biological sciences with specially developed biochemical engineering courses and labs. Please contact Dr. Liat Rosenfeld for more information.

Chemical engineers in biotechnology work on projects related to pharmaceuticals and genetically engineered materials for diagnostics and treatment, and food and chemical processing. Chemical Engineers working in the environmental area are responsible for control of air pollution, remediation of contaminated water, hazardous materials management, waste reduction, industrial health and safety, risk analysis, and regulation. Manufacturing opportunities are in semiconductor fabrication, electronics, analytical equipment, and processing equipment for the production of inorganic and specialty chemicals.

The Chemical Engineering Program at SJSU is designed to provide a solid engineering foundation and then allow the student to develop some specialization in an area of interest.

Geography majors complete a program of study that leads to a general geography degree and includes major electives that allow them to focus more specifically on a particular area of Geography. The program prepares students to understand the environment around us and interpret human and non-human patterns across the Earth's surface. The major allows flexibility in course selection while providing a strong foundation in human, physical, and regional aspects of our discipline. Geography at SJSU also features a strong technology component based on applications of GIS, digital cartography, remote sensing, spatial analysis, and data visualization. Geography is essential to the growing need for global literacy and our faculty is committed to working with students to develop the skills that will serve them well whether in a career or moving on to graduate studies. Career opportunities for graduates with these skills are wide open.

The master’s program in Biological Sciences with a concentration in Physiology, offered by the Department of Biological Sciences, offers students training in the pursuit of rigorous scientific investigation with an emphasis on the integrative nature of physiology across levels of organization from molecule to organism. During their research experience, students acquire the skills necessary to successfully address a variety of research questions under the guidance of faculty.

In addition, students with our degree will have gained experience in critical thinking, problem-solving, research methodology (e.g., experimental design, sampling techniques, and analysis), and both written and oral communication. Our alumni are successful applicants for doctoral degree programs and generally attain high level academic and non-academic positions in both the private and public sectors.

The goal of this concentration, offered by the Department of Physics and Astronomy, is to give the candidate a thorough grounding in physics, computer programming, and numerical methods. All candidates are required to complete a thesis including the defense (Plan A) or take an oral comprehensive examination as culminating experience (Plan B).

San Jose State University offers an MPH degree with a specialization in community health education in two formats: On Campus (regular session) and Online (through the College of Professional and Global Education, "CPGE").
The MPH degree on campus offers students the flexibility to complete their degree in two years or more, depending on personal circumstances.
The MPH-Online option is offered through special session and is a fast-paced, 24-month program of study.  The SJSU MPH Program is well-known for its practice-oriented, community-based training.

The mission of the department is to be a recognized leader in translational biomedical research; to provide hands-on education focused on solving real world biomedical problems; and to foster innovation and entrepreneurship in the service of human well being.

The Master's Program is designed to produce graduates who:

• Are able to solve complex engineering problems and tasks, and use engineering, science and statistics principles to justify recommendations.
• Are able to evaluate the impact of their work on society, including ethical, economic, global and environmental aspects.
• Can deliver effective presentations of engineering results in written and oral formats.
• Have life-long learning skills and are able to apply their engineering knowledge to critically evaluate relevant literature and new technologies or systems.
• Are effective leaders, capable of working in diverse environments.
• Are able to apply their engineering education to a variety of career paths.

The MS Biomedical Engineering program has been designed, in consultation with potential employers, to prepare graduates for the wide variety of emerging interdisciplinary careers at the interfaces between engineering and the life sciences. The coursework has been designed to build upon the student’s background in engineering, biology, chemistry or physics.  Students will take courses that uniquely prepare them to function effectively in a Food and Drug Administration-regulated global environment in which they will develop health-related medical products and techniques that improve the quality of life.  Technical elective courses may be taken from the list of electives provided on the department website, with approval of the academic advisor.  The electives, in combination with the required thesis or project research, will enable the student to develop depth in one of the many areas that biomedical engineering encompasses.

In order to ensure good command of fundamentals and uniformity in the capabilities of the MS Biomedical Engineering program graduates, a list of transition classes has been determined.  Applicants who have not completed all of these classes may be admitted to Conditionally Classified standing, with the outstanding classes listed as “conditions”.  These classes can be taken at SJSU after being admitted; some may be taken at community colleges.  All transition courses classes must be completed before the student’s status can be changed to Classified standing.

The Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology with a concentration in Manufacturing Systems is designed to prepare students for technical and management careers in business and industry. Manufacturing Systems prepares you for a career in manufacturing design and management. You will gain knowledge, skills, and practical experiences in innovative manufacturing processes and management, computer integrated manufacturing, robotics and control systems, and computer aided manufacturing.

This dynamic and expanding field applied computer and advanced technologies to solving problems in manufacturing systems, computer aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM), and computer integrated manufacturing (CIM) to basic and advanced industrial manufacturing design. Graduates of the BSIT in Manufacturing Systems will be able to:

• Demonstrate skills in the planning and design of manufacturing processes.
• Describe the product life cycle and how products are manufactured.
• Design and plan industrial facilities.
• Select and operate computer numerical controlled and other machines.
• Describe the uses, advantages, and disadvantages of current and evolving manufacturing techniques including laser machining, electrical discharge machining, water jet and abrasive water jet machining, and rapid prototyping.
• Select, analysis and use polymers, composite materials, and materials in the design of manufactured products.
• Apply the theory of computer-integrated manufacturing (CIM), including the computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) interface to industrial problems and settings.
• Use the principles of production scheduling and planning in an industrial environment.
• Apply knowledge of material properties and structural analysis to manufacturing product design.
• Use robots and mechatronics in a CIM environment.
• Demonstrate an understanding of materials management including Just-in-Time (JIT) and Materials Resource Planning (MRP).
• Integrate design, manufacturing, and materials into the design and development of new products.
• Apply the principles of Lean Manufacturing to manufacturing and soft systems. Analyze the appropriate use of marketing to both internal and external customers. Apply OSHA and NIOSH principles to facilities design and management.

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 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.

Economics is a general program, flexible enough to allow for a variety of student objectives. The BA program has over 21 units of open electives. These elective units give students the flexibility to supplement the thinking skills developed in economics with technical skills developed in such fields as finance, marketing, and public relations. A bachelor degree in economics serves as an excellent springboard to an MBA or law degree.