Graduate Programs - USA
SAN JOSE STATE UNIVERSITY
San Jose State University is the only campus of the California State University System that has an extended undergraduate and graduate program in Nuclear Sciences. The Nuclear Science Facility of San Jose StateUniversity is the unique focus of all related teaching and research activity on campus. The Facility is interdisciplinary though much of its emphasis is presently on teaching and research in nuclear chemistry, nuclear physics, radiological health physics, and related areas such as nuclear analytical chemistry and nuclear geo- and cosmochemistry. The Facility is well equipped and research is sponsored through grants from NASA, DOE, NSF, and other sources. Research efforts are almost exclusively done in collaboration with other universities and national laboratories. Close collaborations are established with the Crocker Nuclear Laboratory of the University of California at Davis, the Los Alamos National Laboratory, the Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, the National Institute of Standards andTechnology, and others. A strong collaboration also exists with the Max-Planck-Institute for Chemistry (Otto-Han Institute) in Mainz, Germany.

Research areas include applied and developmental work in neutron activation analysis, prompt gamma activation analysis, as well as analytical work with accelerator produced charged particles. Development of novel methods of visualizing complex nuclear data on desk-top computers is a recently added research area. Nuclear geo- and cosmochemistry analysis and interpretation of cosmic-ray interaction products in extraterrestrial materials, such as meteorites, comprise one field of research. Apart from this, but connected is basic research in planetary gamma-ray spectroscopy, a nuclear analytical method to determine the chemical composition of planetary surfaces such as that of the Moon or Mars, remotely. San Jose State University is actively participating in NASA's Mars Observer Mission, which was launched in 1992. Research efforts in Radiological Health Physics are concentrated on neutron dosimetry.

San Jose State University has an interdisciplinary M.S. degree in Radiological Health Physics. This degree prepares students for professional careers in radiation protection. The program is unique in that all course work is offered, on a two and half-year rotation, at night and on Saturdays so that fully employed students can pursue the degree. The program requires foundation work in nuclear and radiochemistry and radiation safety, and it includes required course work in advanced nuclear instrumentation, advanced radiation protection, dosimetry and shielding, and medical radiation protection. Courses are taught by SJSU faculty and outstanding specialists from the San Francisco Bay Area teaching and research institutions.

In addition, SJSU offers an M.S. degree in Chemistry and an M.S. degree in Physics. The degree emphasis in each case could be radiochemistry or nuclear physics depending on the students particular interest. Students interested in an M.S. degree in Chemistry with a component in Nuclear Analytical techniques will find a strong program at San Jose State University.
Teaching and research assistantships are available. Employment with science related companies in Silicon Valley is relatively easy to find.

For additional information about San Jose State University's programs in Nuclear Science and Radiological Health Physics contact:
Dr. Peter Englert, Director
Nuclear Science Facility
San Jose State University
San Jose, CA 95192-0163
PHONE: (408) 924-4820
WEBSITE