Master of Science, Major in Biological Sciences with Concentration in Molecular Biology and Microbiology

at San Jose State University USA

Learning Outcomes

• Describe and explain how peoples and societies evolve across time and space demonstrating the importance of context (social, political, economic, cultural, environmental, ideological, and technological).
• Illustrate the complexity of historical causality and describe past events from multiple perspectives.
• Analyze the credibility of historical sources and arguments, revising interpretations as new evidence warrants.
• Conceive and carry out historical research, constructing persuasive evidence-based arguments using primary and secondary sources according to recognized standards of the historical discipline.

The Masters Program prepares graduates for research and policy positions in government and business. Our teaching and research stress the importance of markets and institutions on political and socioeconomic outcomes. Although this program emphasizes general economics, it also guides students in the rigorous preparation necessary for doctoral programs.

The MA History, Concentration in History Education is designed for middle and secondary school social science teachers. The curriculum broadens the candidate's knowledge of U.S. and World History. In addition, the program increases the candidate's academic proficiency in history subjects and his/her professional competence in special areas of interest within the field of history and social science education. This is a terminal degree. Candidates who plan to pursue more advanced graduate training in history should apply to the regular Masters degree program outlined above.

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.

Our Counseling and Guidance MA degree program prepares individuals to apply the theory and principles of guidance and counseling to the provision of support for the personal, social, educational, and vocational development of students, and the organizing of guidance services within elementary, middle, and secondary educational institutions. It includes instruction in legal and professional requirements, therapeutic counselor intervention, vocational counseling, and related sociological and psychological foundations.

The Master of Science in Accountancy, offered by the Lucas College and Graduate School of Business, is a flexible 30-unit degree program designed for both accounting and non-accounting undergraduates who aspire to a profession in accounting. Coursework includes advanced financial reporting, auditing, taxation, IT auditing, and financial statement analysis. Students with an undergraduate degree in accounting enroll in a course of study to earn a master’s degree that fulfills the 30 additional units required for CPA licensure. Ambitious, highly motivated people with undergraduate degrees in liberal arts, sciences, or business will need to complete the intensive Certificate in Accounting Fundamentals summer program before they can be admitted into the MSA degree program.

The Literature program offers students a solid grounding in literary genres, periods, and critical approaches to British, American, and World Literatures. Students are exposed to a wide range of canonical and non-canonical texts, and they learn to read closely and critically, and to write clearly and effectively. During their time at San Jose State, students will have an opportunity to develop and carry out research projects, and they will learn to locate, evaluate, and organize information effectively. Graduates of our program excel in close reading, critical thinking, and clear writing—all of which are crucial, marketable skills in today’s job markets.

The MA in Biological Sciences, offered by the Department of Biological Sciences, offers students broad training in areas of science that may include general biology, plant biology, cell biology, ecology, entomology, genetics, microbiology, immunology, systems physiology, toxicology, zoology, or, under special circumstances, marine biology. Students with an MA in Biological Sciences go on to careers in research, biotechnology, medical and health sciences, and teaching.

Engineering Management is a specialized form of management that is concerned with the application of engineering principles to business practice. Engineering management is a career that brings together the technological problem-solving savvy of engineering and the organizational, administrative, and planning abilities of management in order to oversee complex enterprises from conception to completion.

Engineering Management programs typically include instruction in the areas of accounting, economics, project management, finance, systems engineering, mathematical modeling and optimization, quality control and six sigma, operations research, human resource management, industrial psychology, safety and health.

At SJSU, our engineering management program emphasizes quality and six sigma, statistics, fundamentals of business accounting and finance, engineering economic analysis, business ethics, supply chain engineering, and systems engineering. Through technical electives, students become knowledgeable in other aspects of business management, such as project management, human resource management, and operations research.

This degree program is recommended for students who wish to pursue a career in statistics. This program also prepares a student for graduate study in probability and statistics.

The concentration in statistics is appropriate for students pursuing a career involving the collection and analysis of numerical data, the use of statistical techniques to predict population growth or economic conditions, the use of statistics to analyze medical, environmental, legal and social problems, or to help business managers make decisions and carry out quality control. The statistics concentration also provides a solid foundation for students who plan to become actuaries.

The interdepartmental Creative Arts Program offers a major for students interested in making connections between the arts and in studying the creative process.

The program integrates and compares visual arts, performing arts, (music, dance, drama, film, broadcast media, performing arts) and literature (including electronic interactive forms). Creative Arts Program courses are interdisciplinary and provide opportunities for both creative and critical work.

The CA major is designed to provide a breadth of knowledge and depth of understanding of the arts which prepare students for a wide variety of professional programs and careers.

The Program provides great flexibility and individualized advising and is selected by students with diverse career interests: performing arts, creative writing, cultural journalism, arts administration, teaching, etc.