3units Development, interpretation, application and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations and legal policies by legislatures, courts, administrative agencies and citizens. Examination of air and water quality, hazardous materials, workplace, land use and wetlands regulation, international, ethical and efficacy issues.
Prerequisite(s):ENVS 1 or Instructor Consent. Grading: Graded
Cross-listed with POLS 124. Environmental Studies is responsible for scheduling.
3units Detailed evaluation of practical environmental law problems. Students use an interdisciplinary approach, combining evaluation of technical data with review and application of law and policy. Extensive legal analysis and writing.
3units Extensions and applications of Kantian, Lockean, consequentialist and other philosophical theories of value to problems of the environment such as pollution, global warming, species depletion and overpopulation.
Prerequisite(s): 3 units of philosophy or upper division standing. Grading: Graded
Cross-listed with PHIL 126. Philosophy is responsible for scheduling.
3units This course integrates interdisciplinary theory and practice in developing a situated understanding of community-based participatory research (CBPR) toward redressing environmental inequities. Students will apply these theories and practices in their own environmental research and advocacy projects regarding local environmental issues.
3units Water uses and supplies; water resource measurement methods; hydrology; erosional processes; sediment production and transport particularly on Northern California coastal watershed; flood hazards and methods of control; groundwater and groundwater aquifers; water quality.
Prerequisite(s):ENVS 129 and STAT 95 or appropriate math course; or instructor consent. Grading: Graded
3units Water resource development; federal reclamation policy; water law and water rights; interbasin transfers; Colorado River, Central Valley Project and State Water Project; groundwater overdrafting; agricultural water and water pricing.
Prerequisite(s):ENVS 1 or Instructor Consent. Grading: Graded
3units Energy policy questions and examination of choices including energy pricing, options for controlling oil imports, incentives for reducing consumption, allocation and end use controls, synthetic fuel production, offshore oil development.
3units Quantitative description of contaminants in the atmosphere: sources, dispersion and sinks; their effects on atmospheric energy balance and condensation.
Prerequisite(s):METR 121B or instructor consent. Grading: Graded
Cross-listed with CHE 131 / METR 131. Meteorology and Climate Science is responsible for scheduling.
3units Techniques for designing environmentally-sensitive, healthy, passive solar homes via site selection, energy conservation, lighting, non-hazardous natural building materials. Residential passive solar heating and cooling approaches for retrofits and new construction. For homeowners, teachers, professional designers and architects.
Prerequisite(s):ENVS 1 or instructor consent. Grading: Graded
Cross-listed with DSIT 132. Environmental Studies is responsible for scheduling.
3units Challenges and opportunities facing sustainable energy pathways for heat, fuel, and electricity with a focus on energy efficiency, solar, wind, geothermal, bioenergy, alternative modes of transportation and other energy consuming infrastructures.
3units Inquiry focuses on state of the environment, public attitudes toward the problem, interest groups involved in formulation of policy, the response of government leaders to the problem and what the future outlook is for addressing the agenda.
Grading: Graded
Cross-listed with POLS 135. Political Science is responsible for scheduling.
4units Land use and facilities planning practices in the context of American cities, emphasizing interrelationships between various land uses and public facilities and service requirements. Study of the role of public law in addressing urban growth and environmental change issues.
Prerequisite(s): Upper division standing or instructor consent. Grading: Graded
Cross-listed with URBP 136. Urban and Regional Planning is responsible for scheduling.
3units Provides an overview of green building design strategies based on renewable energy, water conservation, healthy interior design, beneficial building orientation, native landscaping, sustainable building materials; includes economics, policy, and green building auditing and certifications.
3units Application of different political strategies to local issues examined through examples from specific environmental challenges facing the Bay Area. Considers relative contributions of the public, elected officials, government employees and interest groups in environmental decision-making.
4units Environmental sustainability and its application to local planning. Review of regulatory tools and legislation that underlie most environmental planning and current environmental planning topics. Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
Prerequisite(s): Upper division standing or instructor consent. Grading: Graded
Cross-listed with URBP 142. Urban and Regional Planning is responsible for scheduling.
4units Impact of agriculture, urbanization and other human land uses upon the California coastal wetlands with emphasis on current environmental problems and controversies. State public agencies concerned with vital environmental problems and analysis of current environmental legislation. May be repeated for a maximum of 8 units.
Misc/Lab: Lecture 4 hours/lab 4 hours.
Course may be repeated for credit for up to 8 units.
Prerequisite(s):ENVS 1 or instructor consent. Grading: Graded
4units Examination of communication in environmental issues, especially conflicting values and modes of discourse that assume different meanings of human-nature relationship. Emphasis on environmentalism as popular movement, rhetoric of radical ecology and the technical discourse of environmental policy administration.
Prerequisite(s): Upper division standing or instructor consent. Grading: Graded
Cross-listed with COMM 146F. Communication Studies is responsible for scheduling.
4units Focuses on practical understanding and approaches to managing discarded materials for sustainability. An interdisciplinary perspective that includes politics, business, economics, marketing, science, and environmental principles. Provides direct experience through field trips and service learning.
Misc/Lab: 3 hours lecture/ 2 hours lab
Prerequisite(s):ENVS 1 or instructor consent. Grading: Graded
3units An introduction to significant works in the field of environmental studies. Topics covered include preservation, conservation, biocentrism, environmental justice, eco-feminism, deep ecology, and environmental activism.
SatisfiesSJSU Studies S: Self, Society & Equality in US
Prerequisite(s): Passage of the Writing Skills Test (WST) or ENGL 100A / LLD 100A with a C or better (C- not accepted), completion of Core General Education and upper division standing are prerequisites to all SJSU studies courses. Completion of, or co-registration in, 100W is strongly recommended. Grading: Graded
3units Analysis of the relationship between the environmental crisis and people of color and poor communities in the U.S., emphasizing the interplay among race/ethnicity, class and politics in the struggle for environmental justice and survival by communities of color and poor people.
Grading: Graded
Cross-listed with AFAM 151. African American Studies is responsible for scheduling.
3units Scientific approach to goods distribution worldwide, and environmental consequences of shipping materials and packaging, which when discarded become waste. Mutual interests of commerce and environment.
SatisfiesSJSU Studies R: Earth & Environment.
Prerequisite(s): Passage of the Writing Skills Test (WST) or ENGL 100A / LLD 100A with a C or better (C- not accepted), completion of Core General Education and upper division standing are prerequisites to all SJSU studies courses. Completion of, or co-registration in, 100W is strongly recommended. Grading: Graded
Note(s): All of SJSU Studies courses require completion of the WST and upper division standing.
Cross-listed with PKG 152. Environmental Studies is responsible for scheduling.
4units Analysis of and practicum in environmentally sustainable methods of food production, emphasizing biological diversity, water conservation, air quality, social equity and economic justice. Special focus on primary research in natural and social sciences for sustainable agriculture. Field trips and labs.
Misc/Lab: Lecture 3 hours/lab 2 hours.
Prerequisite(s):ENVS 1 and GE B2 course, or instructor consent. Grading: Graded
ENVS 156 - Introduction to Local Transportation Planning
4units Examination of transportation planning issues addressed at the neighborhood and municipal level such as bicycle and pedestrian planning, traffic calming, and parking policy.
Prerequisite(s): Upper division standing or instructor consent. Grading: Graded
Cross-listed with URBP 156. Urban and Regional Planning is responsible for scheduling.
3units Education of individuals can make a difference in protecting the environment. Comprehensive overview from the perspective of schools, American culture and law. Interdisciplinary approaches for correcting conditions created by modern living, energy and environmental demands.
Prerequisite(s):ENGL 1A and ENGL 2; upper division standing or instructor consent. Grading: Graded
3units The influence of industrialization and globalization on earth and the environment as seen through culture.
SatisfiesSJSU Studies V: Culture, Civil & Global Understanding.
Prerequisite(s): Passage of the Writing Skills Test (WST) or ENGL 100A / LLD 100A with a C or better (C- not accepted), completion of Core General Education, and upper-division standing are prerequisites to all SJSU studies courses. Completion of, or co-registration in, 100W is strongly recommended. Grading: Graded
Note(s): All of SJSU Studies courses require completion of the WST and upper-division standing.
Cross-listed with AMS 159 / HUM 159. Humanities is responsible for scheduling.
4units In-depth examination of selected topics specifically related to environmental planning. Consult department for current offerings. Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
Course may be repeated for credit for up to 8 units.
Prerequisite(s): Upper division standing or instructor consent Grading: Graded
Cross-listed with URBP 160. Urban and Regional Planning is responsible for scheduling.
4units Discussion and field analysis of California’s wildlands, including the range of biodiversity, associated agencies, environmental issues, policy choices and management approaches to protect different types of open space.
3units An exploration of the history, philosophy, and science of park and wilderness preservation. Includes site visits to selected parks and wilderness areas.
Prerequisite(s): Upper division standing or instructor consent. Grading: Graded
Cross-listed with GEOG 165. Urban and Regional Planning is responsible for scheduling.
4units Still photography of nature and illustrative conservation subjects in both color and black and white. Theory critique sessions supplemented with field experience. May be repeated for a maximum of 8 units.
Misc/Lab: Lecture 2 hours/activity 4 hours.
Course may be repeated for credit for up to 8 units.
Prerequisite(s): Photo experience or instructor consent. Grading: Graded
3units The management of environmental issues, including the relationship of business to the natural environment; the public policy context of management decision-making; and the greening of the corporation and implications for strategic management, operations, human resources, marketing and accounting.
6units Scientific and social scientific approaches to the process and effects of global climate change: Climate changes in the Earth’s past, interactions between climate and life, anthropogenic climate change, socioeconomic contexts of environmental effects, cultural influences on climate change mitigation strategies.
Prerequisite(s): Passage of the Writing Skills Test (WST) or ENGL 100A / LLD 100A with a C or better (C- not accepted), completion of Core General Education and upper division standing are prerequisites to all SJSU studies courses. Completion of, or co-registration in, 100W is strongly recommended. Grading: Graded
Note(s): All of SJSU Studies courses require completion of the WST and upper division standing.
3units Scientific and social scientific approaches to the process and effects of global climate change: Climate changes in the Earth’s past, interactions between climate and life, anthropogenic climate change, socioeconomic contexts of environmental effects, cultural influences on climate change mitigation strategies.
SatisfiesSJSU Studies R+S+V: Earth & Environment + Self, Society & Equality in the U.S. + Culture, Civilization & Global Understanding
Prerequisite(s):COMM 168A / ENVS 168A / GEOL 168A / HUM 168A / METR 168A; Passage of the Writing Skills Test (WST) or ENGL 100A / LLD 100A with a C or better (C- not accepted), completion of Core General Education and upper division standing are prerequisites to all SJSU studies courses. Completion of, or co-registration in, 100W is strongly recommended. Grading: Graded
Note(s): All of SJSU Studies courses require completion of the WST and upper division standing.
ENVS 170 - Introduction to Environmental Health and Safety
3units An overview of environmental health and safety issues that affect industry and government, including regulatory framework and basic technical elements; course covers historical and legislative background, risk management and training required in the field.
4units A field based course designed to provide students with the conceptual framework and practical tools necessary for understanding the ecology and conservation of local forest ecosystems. Topics covered include forest restoration, succession, wildlife, diversity, natural and human disturbance, and the history of forest management.
Misc/Lab: Lecture 3 hours/lecture 2 hour/lab.
Prerequisite(s):ENVS 1, ENVS 10, or upper division standing. Grading: Graded
4units Principles and concepts relevant to transportation planning and policy at the regional level, such as historical and current regional transportation planning processes, the relationship between regional travel demand and transportation infrastructure, and travel demand modeling practices.
ENVS 179A - Fundamentals of GIS for Urban Planning
4units Exploration of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) area analysis techniques for spatial information management in local government: planning support systems, needs analysis, envisioning neighborhoods utilizing multiple maps, charts, photos and the Internet. Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
Prerequisite(s): Upper division standing or instructor consent. Grading: Graded
Cross-listed with URBP 179A. Urban and Regional Planning is responsible for scheduling.
1-3units Supervised projects that support the Environmental Resource Center, a source of sustainability information and activities for the campus and community; projects help students take personal action toward achieving a sustainable lifestyle.
Misc/Lab: Activity 2-6 hours.
Course may be repeated for credit for up to 6 units.
Prerequisite(s):ENVS 1 or instructor consent. Grading: Credit/No Credit
4units Current environmental impact reports subjected to critical review; determination of alternative procedures and mitigating opportunities; extensive field analysis and practice.
Misc/Lab: Lecture 3 hours/lab 2 hours.
Prerequisite(s):ENVS 1, ENVS 124 or instructor consent. Grading: Graded
Cross-listed with URBP 185. Environmental Studies is responsible for scheduling.
4units Interdisciplinary art and science of restoring destroyed or degraded habitats. Emphasis on the interplay of ecological principles, policy, public involvement and economics in the planning, implementation and monitoring of restoration plans. Field work and independent research required.
Misc/Lab: Lecture 3 hours/lab 2 hours.
Prerequisite(s):ENVS 1, GE B2 course and any 100W, or instructor consent. Grading: Graded
4units Introduction to coastal processes, resources, policy, and conservation. Course emphasizes environmental issues, human impact, and protection efforts focusing on adapting to coastal change. Students conduct research and participate in local field trips along the California coast.
4units Advanced work in the field of environmental impact assessment. Analysis of EIA documents for regulatory adequacy, consistency with local planning documents and technical accuracy.
Misc/Lab: Lecture 3 hours/lab 2 hours.
Prerequisite(s):ENVS 185 or instructor consent. Grading: Graded
Cross-listed with URBP 190. Environmental Studies is responsible for scheduling.
4units Advanced restoration research and applications. Emphasis on independent literature research and field data collection. Participation in on-going restoration project. Fieldwork and grasp of restoration principles required.
1-6units Study Abroad and Away transfer credit course. Study Abroad and Away provides students the opportunity to study abroad on long term programs (Exchange Programs, CSU International Programs, and International Student Exchange Programs) and short-term programs (Faculty-Led Programs and Summer School Abroad Programs) for academic credit, offering Alternative Break Programs for cultural immersion, and designing other globally focused opportunities. This course is designated as a placeholder course for Study Abroad and Away programs.
1-9units Service in a local, city, county, state or federal environmental/sustainability agency, school or in environmental/sustainability industry; or with a worthwhile environmental education or protection organization or center.
Prerequisite(s): Senior standing in Environmental Studies. Grading: Credit/No Credit
ENVS 195 - Instructor Assistant in Environmental Studies
1-3units Experience as a tutor assistant in classroom demonstrations, field techniques and discussion. May be repeated for a 4 unit maximum, but not for same course or instructor.
Course may be repeated for credit for up to 6 units.
4units Culmination of interdisciplinary curriculum in environmental studies through integration and critical assessment of the field. Primary research, fieldwork, and project presentation supports transition from undergraduate experience to full professionalism.
Prerequisite(s): Filed for graduation, completion of Environmental Studies core, including ENVS 100W. Grading: Graded
3units Thesis demonstrating grasp of environmental subjects and principles, ability to research in depth particular environmental problems and facility at recommending practical solutions.
Prerequisite(s): Senior standing in Environmental Studies, completion of all Environmental Studies core requirements and university 100W writing requirement. Grading: Credit/No Credit
3units Rigorous analysis of methods used by social, physical and natural scientists in assessing a region’s natural resources and quality of environment. Environmental application of such techniques as field methods, maps, social surveys and project evaluation. Critique of individual research proposals.
Prerequisite(s):ENVS 297 and consent of graduate advisor. Grading: Graded
ENVS 210 - Current Topics in Environmental Studies
1-3units An investigation of current research topics in the field of Environmental Studies. lectures by faculty, visiting scholars, and Master’s student candidates are accompanied by class discussions and analysis of academic journal articles.
Course may be repeated for credit for up to 6 units.
Prerequisite(s): Graduate Student Standing or instructor consent Grading: Credit/No Credit
ENVS 227 - Advanced Community Based Participatory Research
3units Integrates interdisciplinary theory and practice in developing a situated understanding of community-based participatory research (CBPR) toward redressing environmental inequities. Course explores the epistemological, environmental and movement-building imperatives for creating effective and responsible community-researcher partnerships for social, health and environmental justice.
3units Intensive probe into interdisciplinary research and theories related to natural resources and environmental management. Applications of these theories to the present-day concerns of the resource manager and environmental professional. Oral critiques of various theories; advanced individual research paper and presentation.
Prerequisite(s): Graduate standing in Environmental Studies or instructor consent. Grading: Graded
ENVS 250 - Seminar: Environmental Thought and Philosophy
3units An in-depth critical analysis of significant works in the field of environmental studies. Topics covered include preservation versus conservation, biocentrism, environmental justice, eco-feminism, deep ecology, and environmental activism. Individual student research is presented with oral and written reports.
Prerequisite(s): Graduate standing in Environmental Studies or instructor consent. Grading: Graded
ENVS 260 - Computer Applications in Environmental Analysis
3units Overview of environmental simulation software used by professionals to investigate design alternatives and decision-making in the social and life sciences. Application of model designs to individual projects.
Misc/Lab: Lecture 3 hours/lab 3 hours.
Prerequisite(s): Graduate standing in Environmental Studies or instructor consent. Grading: Graded
ENVS 270 - Field Studies in Water Resource Management
4units An intensive field investigation of water resource agencies and projects to acquaint resource managers, environmental quality specialists and other interested students with projects and philosophies unique to particular geographic areas.
Misc/Lab: Lecture 4 hours/lab 2 hours.
Prerequisite(s): Upper division standing and ENVS 128 or ENVS 129, or instructor consent. Grading: Graded
3units Directed reading on an environmental subject to assist graduate-level research thesis development. Analysis of peer-reviewed and grey literature; development of a literature review.
Course may be repeated for credit for up to 6 units.
Prerequisite(s): Graduate student standing or instructor consent Grading: Credit/No Credit
ENVS 291 - Advanced Topics in Environmental Restoration
4units High-level restoration research and applications for advanced students. Emphasis on independent literature research and field data collection/analysis. Participation in ongoing restoration project and/or thesis research. Fieldwork and grasp of restoration principles required. Repeatable for up to 8 units of credit
Misc/Lab: Lecture 4 hours/Activity 2 hours.
Course may be repeated for credit for up to 8 units.
Prerequisite(s): Graduate standing and ENVS 187 or equivalent, or instructor consent. Grading: Graded
1-6units Study Abroad and Away transfer credit course. Study Abroad and Away provides students the opportunity to study abroad on long term programs (Exchange Programs, CSU International Programs, and International Student Exchange Programs) and short-term programs (Faculty-Led Programs and Summer School Abroad Programs) for academic credit, offering Alternative Break Programs for cultural immersion, and designing other globally focused opportunities. This course is designated as a placeholder course for Study Abroad and Away programs.
3units Teaching experience in environmental studies at the college level. Does not meet requirements for California Certification in Elementary or Secondary Education. May be repeated for maximum of 6 units, but not for same course or instructor.
Course may be repeated for credit for up to 6 units.
Prerequisite(s): Graduate standing in Environmental Studies or instructor consent. Grading: Credit/No Credit
3units Students develop their thesis topic through extensive literature research. The product will be a draft thesis proposal to be circulated among potential committee members.
1units Continued work on dissertation, thesis, or project or in preparation for comprehensive exams beyond the minimum required units for cases in which final deliverables are still in progress and all other degree requirements except the culminating experience have been fulfilled.
Prerequisite(s): Outstanding RP grade in a preceding semester in a project or thesis class Grading: CR/NC, No Degree Credit
FLED 184Y - Student Teaching II - Classroom Teaching
4-6units Minimum 80-120 class periods of classroom teaching or field teaching in appropriate single subjects, grades K-12 and related teaching activities and seminar.
Prerequisite(s): Joint approval of major and Education departments. Grading: Credit/No Credit
1-6units Study Abroad and Away transfer credit course. Study Abroad and Away provides students the opportunity to study abroad on long term programs (Exchange Programs, CSU International Programs, and International Student Exchange Programs) and short-term programs (Faculty-Led Programs and Summer School Abroad Programs) for academic credit, offering Alternative Break Programs for cultural immersion, and designing other globally focused opportunities. This course is designated as a placeholder course for Study Abroad and Away programs.
FLED 285 - Student Teaching Seminar In Foreign Language Education
1units As a companion course to the Phase II/III student teaching experience in the Single Subject Credential program in Chinese, French or Spanish at San Jose State University, the seminar provides a framework and support for the Performance Assessment for California Teachers (PACT).
Course may be repeated for credit for up to 4 units.
1-6units Study Abroad and Away transfer credit course. Study Abroad and Away provides students the opportunity to study abroad on long term programs (Exchange Programs, CSU International Programs, and International Student Exchange Programs) and short-term programs (Faculty-Led Programs and Summer School Abroad Programs) for academic credit, offering Alternative Break Programs for cultural immersion, and designing other globally focused opportunities. This course is designated as a placeholder course for Study Abroad and Away programs.
FORL 96A - Elementary Assyrian Culture and Language
3units This course is designed for heritage or non-native speakers of the Assyrian language with limited speaking fluency and no writing or reading skills. Starting with the alphabet, students will learn reading and writing skills, and acquire elementary oral communication. (Special Session only).
3units Advanced composition with practice in research and development of writing skills using a variety of literary and cultural concepts. GE Area: Z.
SatisfiesSJSU Studies Z: Written Communication II.
Prerequisite(s): A3 or equivalent second semester composition course (with a grade of C- or better); completion of core GE; satisfaction of Writing Skills Test or completion of ENGL 100A / LLD 100A with C or better; and upper division standing. Or Graduate or Postbaccalaureate level. Grading: Graded
Note(s): Must be passed with C or better to satisfy the CSU Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR).
4units An exemplary theme as treated in various literatures in different languages, e.g., war, love, freedom, religious experience. May be repeated when course content changes.
Prerequisite(s): One year of college level foreign language or instructor consent. Grading: Graded
Cross-listed with COLT 122 / ENGL 122 / HUM 122. English and Comparative Literature is responsible for scheduling.
3units Survey of literature written by survivors or witnesses of the Holocaust, the destruction of European Jewry during World War II, focusing upon diaries, memoirs, fiction, and occasionally poetry and drama. Writers may include Elie Wiesel, Primo Levi, Anne Frank, Charlotte Delbo.
SatisfiesSJSU Studies V: Culture, Civil & Global Understanding
Prerequisite(s): Passage of the Writing Skills Test (WST) or ENGL 100A / LLD 100A with a C or better (C- not accepted), completion of Core General Education and upper division standing are prerequisites to all SJSU studies courses. Completion of, or co-registration in, 100W is strongly recommended. Grading: Graded
Note(s): All of SJSU Studies courses require completion of the WST and upper division standing.
Cross-listed with ENGL 126 / HUM 126 / JWSS 126. English and Comparative Literature is responsible for scheduling.
4units Introduction to the field of second language acquisition with special attention to adult second language learning. Service learning required. Taught in English.
FORL 180 - Individual Studies in World Languages and Literatures
3-6units FORL 180 is designed for individual studies in languages taught at SJSU that are not part of a major or minor program, such as Arabic, Hebrew, Persian/Farsi or Vietnamese.
Course may be repeated for credit for up to 9 units.
1-6units Study Abroad and Away transfer credit course. Study Abroad and Away provides students the opportunity to study abroad on long term programs (Exchange Programs, CSU International Programs, and International Student Exchange Programs) and short-term programs (Faculty-Led Programs and Summer School Abroad Programs) for academic credit, offering Alternative Break Programs for cultural immersion, and designing other globally focused opportunities. This course is designated as a placeholder course for Study Abroad and Away programs.
4units Techniques of writing research papers and theses. Includes bibliographical sources and style sheets. Comprehensive study of literary genres and techniques for critique of these genres. Emphasis on organization of materials.
3units An introduction to the development of the Romance languages from Vulgar Latin: phonology, morphology, syntax, lexical growth; emergence of dialects. Preparatory to historical linguistics of any Romance language.
Prerequisite(s): Fundamental knowledge of Latin and a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in at least one Romance language. Grading: Graded
1-6units Study Abroad and Away transfer credit course. Study Abroad and Away provides students the opportunity to study abroad on long term programs (Exchange Programs, CSU International Programs, and International Student Exchange Programs) and short-term programs (Faculty-Led Programs and Summer School Abroad Programs) for academic credit, offering Alternative Break Programs for cultural immersion, and designing other globally focused opportunities. This course is designated as a placeholder course for Study Abroad and Away programs.
FORL 298 - Individual Studies in World Languages and Literatures
1-6units Directed study (research projects) in specified fields not covered by offered courses. Student-initiated in-depth study of a mutually agreeable topic conducted under faculty guidance.
Course may be repeated for credit for up to 6 units.
3units This survey course introduces students to the profession of forensic science. Topics include the field’s history and sub-disciplines, the CSI Effect, the application of the scientific method to physical evidence analysis. Virtual labs may be used to augment readings.
3units Development of advanced communication skills, both written and oral, with emphasis on forensic laboratory and crime scene report writing and court testimony. A scholarly paper, written in APA format and informed by research, is also required. GE Area Z.
SatisfiesSJSU Studies Z: Written Communication II.
Prerequisite(s):FS 11 or JS 10; A3 or equivalent second semester composition course (with a grade of C- or better); completion of core GE; satisfaction of Writing Skills Test or completion of ENGL 100A / LLD 100A with C or better; and upper division standing. Or Graduate or Postbaccalaureate level. Grading: Graded
Note(s): Must be passed with C or better to satisfy the CSU Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR).
3units Examines the science and methodology used to collect, analyze, and present information regarding insects and other arthropods that are important in legal investigations.
Lecture 2 hours/Lab 3 hours.
Prerequisite(s):BIOL 30 and BIOL 31 (with a grade of “C-” or better in each), or instructor consent. Must be a declared Biology or Forensic Science Major (all). Grading: Graded
Cross-listed with ENT 106. Biological Sciences is responsible for scheduling.
3units Introduce students to the process of digital evidence analysis, including the common crimes committed in cyberspace, the tools used to analyze evidence, and emerging trends (e.g., deep fakes and biometrics).
3units An applied course where students get hands-on experience conducting digital evidence collection and analyses and gain an experience conducting forensic examinations.
1-5units Range of topics in Forensic Science which will vary by semester. Topics may include Blood Spatter Analysis, Microscopy and Trace Evidence, Forensic Art, Facial Reconstruction, and others. Repeatable for up to 9 units credit when content changes.
Course may be repeated for credit for up to 9 units.
Prerequisite(s):JS 10 or FS 11 or Instructor Permission. Justice Studies or Forensic Science major; Forensic Studies minor. Grading: Graded
3units Fundamental theories of physical evidence practically applied and the legal considerations involved in its recognition, collection preservation and presentation in court are covered. Topics include securing and recording the crime scene, collecting evidence, maintaining the chain of custody and reconstruction.
Misc/Lab: Lecture 3 hours/lab 3 hours
Prerequisite(s):FS 11, JS or FS Major/Minor, Upper Division Standing. JS students may substitute JS 10 or FS 11. Grading: Graded
3units Scientific analysis and interpretation of physical evidence using identification and comparison techniques. Practical lab exercises in human identification, questioned documents, bite marks, trace evidence, presumptive testing and glass analysis. Additional topics include court testimony, quality assurance and ethics.
Misc/Lab: Lecture 2 hours/Activity 2 hours.
Prerequisite(s):FS 11, JS or FS Major/Minor, Upper Division Standing. JS students may substitute JS 10 for FS 11. Grading: Graded
3units History and use of fingerprints in criminal identification. Topics include the scientific basis for fingerprint ID, anatomy of friction ridge skin, pattern classification, minutiae marking, the Henry System, AFIS and ACE-V, and court presentation of fingerprint evidence.
Misc/Lab: Lecture 3 hours/Activity 3 hours.
Prerequisite(s):FS 11, JS or FS Major/Minor, Upper division Standing. JS Students may substitute JS 10 for FS 11. Grading: Graded
3units Practical use of photography in documenting crime scenes and evidence. Topics will include 35mm camera operation, lenses, focus, exposure, depth of field, lighting, composition, flash, injury documentation, digital cameras and video, and court presentation of photographic evidence.
Lecture 2 hours/Activity 2 hours.
Prerequisite(s):FS 11, JS or FS Major/Minor, Upper Division Standing. JS Students may substitute JS 10 for FS 11. Grading: Graded
3units A survey of scientific and biometric tools and applications used to establish human identity. Topics include identification of missing persons; casualties of mass disasters; victims of war crimes; and the ethical, legal and social implications of such technology.
3units An exploration of scientific concepts, methods, practices, instrumentation, interpretation, statistics and court issues of chemistry as applied in forensic science including special topics: drug analysis, toxicology, arson and trace analysis emphasizing the instrumentation that allows chemical examination of evidence.
5units History, scientific concepts, methods, practices, instrumentation, interpretation, statistics and court issues of forensic DNA analysis via lectures, hands-on activities/laboratories, and videos. Collection, documentation and preservation of biological evidence, bioethics, QA, validation, admissibility and training will also be covered.
FS 168 - Fluorescent Applications in Molecular Biology and Forensic Science
3units This course covers scientific concepts, methods, practices, instrumentation, interpretation, statistics and court issues of fluorescence applications in molecular biology and forensic science. Topics include, atomic and molecular basis of fluorescence, emission, photophysical processes, energy transfer, QA, validation, accreditation, and admissibility.
FS 169 - FS Senior Sem : Studies in Contemporary FS Issues
3units Identification, discussion and analysis of selected problems in forensic science. A major term paper, presentation on a selected topic and participation on written as well as in-class assignments and activities are required.
Prerequisite(s): Justice Studies Majors: Senior standing, JS 100W and JS 114 or instructor consent, graduation application filed and you must have already filled out and have a signed major form. Note- JS 114 is waived as a prerequisite for forensic science majors. For Forensic Science Majors: Senior standing, JS 100W, FS 161, FS 162, BIOL 30, CHEM 1A and CHEM 1B or by instructor consent, graduation application filed and you must have already filled out and have a signed major form. Grading: Graded
FS 170 - Forensic Science in Human Rights Investigations
3units Role of forensic science in pursuing justice for human rights victims, using documentation, collection, processing and interpretation of evidence in violations of human rights and international humanitarian law and interfaces of law, society, culture, politics, history, ethics and forensic science.