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College of Sciences
Dean: Donald R. Short, Jr.
Associate Dean: Rebecca B. Bryson
Associate Dean for Special Programs: Paul J. Paolini
Associate Dean for External Relations: Gordon L. Shackelford
Assistant Dean for Student Affairs: Catherine J. Atkins-Kaplan
Assistant Dean for Underrepresented
Student Programs: Lawrence J. Alfred
Assistant Dean for Faculty Development: Robert S. Pozos
Director of Development : Barry R. Humphrey
The College of Sciences, composed of seven departments and various subprograms, offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees, and curricula for preprofessional students in medicine, veterinary medicine, and dentistry. The science curriculum is enhanced by research centers which provide field experience as well as special seminars with guest speakers. The off-campus sites include the Mt. Laguna Observatory, and about 5,000 acres in three separate biological sciences research stations. The majority of tenured Sciences faculty have active research programs which offer student involvement.
Refer to the Courses and Curricula section of this catalog for a complete listing of program requirements and courses offered by departments within the College of Sciences.
Applied Mathematics (M.S.), Astronomy (M.S.), Biology (M.A., M.S.), Chemistry (M.A., M.S.), Computer Science (M.S.), Geological Sciences (M.S.), Mathematics (M.A.), Microbiology (M.S.), Physics (M.A., M.S.), Psychology (M.A., M.S.), Radiological Health Physics (M.S.), Statistics (M.S.).
Astronomy (B.S.), Biology (B.A., B.S.), Chemical Physics (B.S.), Chemistry (B.A., B.S.), Computer Science (B.S.), Environmental Health (B.S.), Geological Sciences (B.S.), International Security and Conflict Resolution (B.A.; jointly with the College of Arts and Letters and the College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts), Mathematics (B.A., B.S.), Microbiology (B.A., B.S.), Physical Science (B.S.), Physics (B.A., B.S.), Psychology (B.A.), Statistics (B.S.).
Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Energy Studies, Geological Sciences, History of Science and Technology, Mathematics, Oceanography, Physics, Psychology.
Introductory Mathematics, Recombinant DNA Technology, Single Subject Mathematics.
Allied Health, Medical Technology and Public Health, Predental, Premedical, Preveterinary.
The Allison Center has supported research in paleontology, geology and related sciences since 1972. The Center maintains a research library containing journals, reprints, textbooks, maps, and copies of master's theses and senior theses completed in the Geological Sciences. The library is open to faculty and students. In addition, the Center houses a collection of fossil and recent vertebrates, invertebrates, and plants. Research space is available for students, faculty, and visiting scholars. Small grants, other funds, and equipment are available to students and faculty for research projects. The Center also publishes reports of various types containing geological information related to the southern California and northern Baja regions.
The Center for Behavioral and Community Health Studies is housed at 6363 Alvarado Court. The Center, formerly known as The Center for Behavioral Medicine, was established in 1982 for the purpose of promoting research and academic programs relevant to the applications of behavioral science principles to medicine and health care. Administratively, the Center has three co-directors who report to the deans of the College of Sciences and the College of Health and Human Services. The interdisciplinary center encourages participation from all of the University colleges and departments. Currently, active investigators come from the Departments of Exercise and Nutritional Sciences, Psychology, and the Graduate School of Public Health. Current Center projects involve collaboration between scientists and physicians from a variety of specialties as well as a variety of other institutions, including Scripps Clinic and Research Foundation, the University of California, San Diego Medical Center, and the Children's Hospital and Health Center. Funding for the Center comes from federal and private foundation grants including several National Institutes of Health agencies. Current sponsors include the American Heart Association, National Cancer Institute, the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, the State of California Department of Health Services, the University of California Tobacco Related Disease Research Program, the Centers for Disease Control, and the National Science Foundation.
The Center has a commitment to provide important research experience to students who intend to pursue related careers and offers opportunities for project staff and graduate students involved in several training programs to participate in community interventions.
SDSU maintains three natural reserves administered by the College of Sciences that are available for research and educational activities in biology, ecology, soil science, hydrology, geology, geography, and other field sciences.
The Santa Margarita Ecological Reserve, about 4200 acres in area, is located on the San Diego-Riverside County line near Temecula, and includes the spectacular gorge of the Santa Margarita River. The Philip C. Miller Field Station, located on the north rim of the gorge, has laboratory and dormitory facilities, a weather station, and experimental eucalyptus plantings. The site lies in rugged hills and is a mosaic of riparian vegetation, oak woodlands, grasslands, coastal sage scrub, chamise chaparral, and mixed chaparral. Elevations range from 500 to 2300 feet. Abundant wildlife typical of chaparral and woodland areas is found on the reserve, including mule deer and mountain lions. The Santa Margarita River, a perennial stream, offers opportunities for study of stream and riparian systems.
The Sky Oaks Biological Research Station, 4400 acres in an area at an elevation of 4000 feet, is located near Warner Springs in northern San Diego County adjacent to the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and the Cleveland National Forest. A diversity of community types is found on the station including several types of chaparral, extensive oak woodlands, grasslands, riparian communities, and pine forest. This station has been the site of several research projects on the effect of fire on natural vegetation, and stands of chaparral of a variety post-fire ages are available for study. Currently, several major projects studying aspects of global climate change are underway. Dormitory and basic laboratory facilities are available on this site.
The Fortuna Mountain Ecological Reserve consists of an 500 acres within the city of San Diego a few miles from the campus. The reserve is covered by a mosaic of chaparral, coastal sage scrub, and grassland, and is adjacent to riparian areas along the San Diego River. This property also lies within Mission Trails Regional Park, most of which is now administered as an area of natural landscape.
Persons interested in conducting research at one of the ecological reserves or using them for instructional purposes should contact the director through the campus Biological Field Stations Office at 594-2896 or inquire at the Biology Department, 594-5504.
The Coastal and Marine Institute provides a focus for oceanography and marine studies at SDSU. The Institute assists departments within the University in the development of instructional, research, and public service aspects of coastal and ocean-oriented programs and provides special supporting services including advising students, assistance to faculty and students in research, preparation of manuscripts, operation of the SDSU Marine Laboratories and boats at Mission Bay, and liaison with other institutions and the community. The Institute is operated as a special unit of the College of Sciences and is administered by a director and an advisory council committee consisting of faculty members elected from participating departments. Additional information about marine studies is available from the Coastal and Marine Institute office or from the office of the Dean of the College of Sciences.
The Center for Computer Simulation serves faculty and students throughout the University by designing and implementing computer simulations in support of faculty research and teaching. The Center also autonomously pursues research opportunities involving the creation of complex simulations, particularly those addressing challenges in the public sector. The diversity of fields in which computer simulation now plays a role, allow the Center to provide research opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students in a wide variety of academic majors.
The Center supports an extensive collection of simulation software under site license, and maintains cooperative relationship with prominent public and private sector simulation software developers to ensure that the Center's capabilities keep pace with the state-of-the-art. The Center provides educational/training materials for students and faculty seeking to familiarize themselves with specific simulation tools, sponsors lectures and seminars on simulation-related topics, and disseminates announcements of activities in the local and national simulation communities.
The Center is comprised of an interdisciplinary group of faculty who have technical expertise in areas specifically related to computer simulation development, or who have research interests involving significant use of simulation. Currently the Center includes members from the faculties of Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, Criminal Justice Administration, Engineering, Public Health, and Statistics. The Center is administered by a director appointed by the Dean of the College of Sciences, and resides in facilities provided by the Computer Science Division of the Department of Mathematical Sciences.
The San Diego State University Center for Energy Studies (CES) facilitates, promotes and supports research and academic programs relating to energy, with particular emphasis on energy matters of concern to the San Diego and local southwest region including the international border with Mexico. The Center encourages interdisciplinary research and instructional programs in the broad areas of energy modeling, technology assessment of energy systems, local energy policy planning and data collection relating to energy usage in the San Diego region. SDSU offers through the Center an interdisciplinary minor in energy studies. Completion of the minor will give the student a broad understanding of the technical, economic, social, and political aspects of energy issues. For more information call the Center at 594-6240 or 594-6155. The Center works closely with local and state agencies concerned with energy policy and planning, and serves as a community resource in matters concerning local energy issues, and the impact of energy use of the environment.
The SDSU Institute for International Security and Conflict Resolution (IISCOR) encourages and facilitates teaching and research in the multidisciplinary area of international security and conflict resolution. Specifically, topics such as nuclear armaments, international and intranational conflict, sociopolitical violence, and global environmental issues as they relate to security are covered.
The Institute is a joint effort of the Colleges of Sciences, Arts and Letters, and Professional Studies and Fine Arts. IISCOR is administered by two co-directors, advised by an executive committee consisting of faculty members representing the different disciplines that provide input into the study of international security and conflict resolution.
The Institute promotes teaching and research by organizing public forums, faculty and student seminars, developing appropriate curricula for undergraduate and graduate instruction and facilitating research and scholarly activities. SDSU offers, through IISCOR, a multidisciplinary Bachelor of Arts degree in International Security and Conflict Resolution. Students and faculty can obtain more information by calling the IISCOR office at 594-6240.
The Center for Research in Mathematics and Science Education (CRMSE) is an interdisciplinary consortium of faculty interested in research on substantive questions related to the learning and teaching of science and mathematics. The Center currently has members from the faculties of Biology, Mathematical Sciences, Physics, Psychology, and Teacher Education. It is administered by a director appointed by the dean of the College of Sciences and an associate director appointed by the dean of the College of Education. Through its activities, CRMSE initiates, encourages, and supports the scholarly pursuit of important theoretical and applied problems in mathematics and science education. CRMSE supports faculty in their current research projects and in the preparation of manuscripts for publication and grant proposals for continued research. The Center also provides information and guidance to students intending to pursue graduate degrees or careers in mathematics or science education. CRMSE works closely with local, state, and national groups concerned with these issues. The Center is located at 6475 Alvarado Road, Suite 206; telephone 594-5090.
The Microchemical Core Facility (MCF) is a component of the California State University Program for Education and Research in Biotechnology (CSUPERB). The MCF is a full-service, state-of-the-art facility that provides DNA synthesis, sequencing, and purification services for cell and molecular biologists associated with any of the 22 CSU campuses. In addition, the MCF provides for CSU faculty access to the most recent advances in computer-assisted analyses of molecular structure. Located in the Biology Department at SDSU, the MCF provides state-of-the-art molecular analyses and characterization to CSU scientists for the lowest possible cost, as well as fostering the training of university faculty at all levels in the most recent techniques available in the molecular life sciences. Funding for the establishment and maintenance of the SDSU MCF is derived from the National Science Foundation with matching funds provided by the State of California. Call 594-1669 for more information.
The Molecular Biology Institute was established to serve interested departments of the biological and physical sciences in the coordination, support and enhancement of research and instruction in the molecular biological sciences. Interests and activities of the MBI encompass all approaches which aim to explain biology at the molecular level. The MBI sponsors a weekly seminar series that facilitates faculty and student interaction with scientists from other institutions. Currently, full members of the Institute are drawn from the Departments of Biology and Chemistry and participate in the respective Ph.D. programs. Associate members are drawn from a variety of disciplines that are cognate with the molecular biological sciences. The Institute is also constituted as the University unit authorized to administer the master's degree program with an emphasis in molecular biology. The research programs of the MBI members are supported by a variety of agencies including the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, NASA, the American Heart Association, the American Diabetes Association, the Muscular Dystrophy Association, the Department of Energy, the US Department of Agriculture, and the California Metabolic Research Foundation. Additional information is available from the MBI office; telephone 594-7429.
The Interdisciplinary Research Center for Scientific Modeling and Computation (IRC) promotes and supports an excellent environment for scientific research at SDSU. The Center facilitates the interaction between applied mathematics and other disciplines by providing the necessary infrastructure for productive research efforts.
The Center's primary areas of research are numerical methods, modeling, and simulation. Projects combine insights from theoretical mathematics and other sciences with expertise in applied as well as computational mathematics.
The Center sponsors interdisciplinary seminars, colloquia, and workshops which draw scientists from many fields. Visiting scientists come for extended periods from industries and from other universities, attracted by the conviction that science and engineering problems benefit greatly from interdisciplinary efforts.
The Center's activities significantly enhance the ties between applied and computational mathematics at SDSU by involving faculty and students in projects closely connected to real applications. Interested students and faculty may obtain more information by calling the IRC office at 594-7205.
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