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 The College of Natural Sciences offers more than 50 majors in 12 different fields of study. Students may pursue a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or a Bachelor of Science (BS) in most fields. See your academic advisor for guidance on how to select a major and tailor a course sequence that meets your specific needs.
Fields of Study
and Degree Checklists for 2008-10 Catalog
Click on the field of study to learn more about the discipline and to see the degrees and course offerings in that area.
Astronomy
Biochemistry
Biology
Chemistry
Clinical Laboratory Science
Computer Science
Human Development & Family Sciences
Human Ecology
Marine Science
Mathematics
Nutrition
Physics
Statistics & Scientific Computation
Textiles & Apparel
UTeach
Astronomy tells us about the place of humankind in the universe: how Earth was created, how the Sun was formed, how galaxies form and evolve. Astronomers address these questions at a fundamental level. Our goal is to determine the basic and controlling properties of the universe and to transmit that knowledge to society.
Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Science
Option I: Astronomy
Option II: Honors
Biochemistry is the study of the chemistry of life. It combines biology and chemistry to investigate the structure, composition, and chemical reactions of substances in living systems. It includes the disciplines of molecular biology and cell biology, as well as bioinorganic, bioorganic, and biophysical chemistry. A degree in biochemistry is designed to prepare students for professional careers as biochemists, either upon graduation or after graduate study in biochemistry or a related field. A degree in biochemistry may also serve as the basis for a wide range of career choices in food science, toxicology, pharmacology, physiology, microbiology, and clinical chemistry, as well as the health professions (including medicine, dentistry, and veterinary medicine).
Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Science
Option I: Biochemistry
Option II: Computation
Option III: Biochemistry Honors
The School of Biological Sciences is home to the most popular major at the University, with over 3,100 students currently declared under several degree options. Students can elect to pursue a broad-based and well-rounded Bachelor of Arts or focus on one of ten different areas of specialization in the Bachelor of Science degree. In addition, the School offers a Bachelor of Science in Clinical Laboratory Science for students who desire an intensive exposure to the laboratory setting, preparing them well for related professional opportunities immediately upon graduation.
Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Science
Option I: Ecology, Evolution & Behavior
Option II: Human Biology
Option III: Marine & Freshwater Biology
Option IV: Microbiology
Option V: Cell and Molecular Biology
Option VI: Neurobiology
Option VII: Plant Biology
Option VIII: Teaching: Composite Science Certification (Middle or Senior Grades) or Life Science Certification (Middle or Senior Grades)
Option IX: Biology Honors
Option X: Computation
Chemistry is the science that deals with and investigates the composition, properties, and transformation of substances and various elementary forms of matter. The chemistry major curriculum provides broad and comprehensive training in all areas of modern chemistry, including coursework in the major sub-disciplines of chemistry: organic, inorganic, physical, biological, and analytical. A degree in chemistry is designed to prepare students for professional careers as chemists, either upon graduation or after graduate study in chemistry or related fields. In addition, it may serve as a basis for a wide range of career choices outside of chemistry, including but not limited to: materials science, medicine and other healthcare related occupations, pharmacology, secondary school teaching, environmental science, and patent law.
Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Science
Option I: Chemistry
Option II: Computation
Option III: Teaching: Composite or Physical Science
Option IV: Chemistry Honors
The four-year degree program includes a combination of classroom and laboratory curriculum, followed by a 12 - 15 month program of clinical education conducted in a variety of health care settings. It is designed to meet the ever-increasing demand for laboratory professionals in hospitals and clinics, research, industry, public health, education, and laboratory management. While students in this degree option are encouraged to pursue such professional experiences directly after graduation, this major also provides an excellent foundation for graduate study in the various health professions, public health, hospital administration, and other disciplines.
Bachelor of Science
Computer science plays a large role in the rapid pace of innovations in technology, medicine, communications, commerce, human interactions and physical sciences that we see today. Computer science is a combination of logical thinking, problem solving, mathematical reasoning, and creative software and hardware engineering. A computer science education begins with learning to think abstractly about a variety of different types of problems. Computer scientists formulate computational solutions to problems using a range of logical, mathematical and software design skills.
Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Science
Option I: Computer Science
Option II: Turing Scholars Honors
Option III: Computer Science Honors
Option IV: Integrated Program
Human Development and Family Sciences focuses on the study of human development, individuals in a family context, relationships, and well-being within the family and the broader social, economic, community, and governmental environment. Students in the program are expected to develop knowledge and understanding about human development and family dynamics through classroom experiences, observation of children and families, and research.
Bachelor of Science
Option I: Early Childhood
Option II: Human Development
Option III: Families & Personal Relationships
Option IV: Families & Society
Option V: General Human Development & Family Sciences
Option VI: Human Development & Family Sciences Honors
The School of Human Ecology offers a Bachelor of Arts degree for students interested in exploring universal topics in Human Development and Family Sciences, Nutritional Sciences, and Textiles and Apparel.
Bachelor of Arts
The Marine Science Institute serves as an internationally recognized center for the study of marshes, bays, the Gulf of Mexico, and the world's oceans. The department offers a number of courses that may be counted toward bachelor's degree requirements. Undergraduates interested in the study of Marine Science may pursue the Bachelor of Science in Biology, Option III, Marine and Freshwater Biology. Undergraduates declared under this option complete at least six summer hours of coursework at the Marine Science Institute in Port Aransas, Texas.
As an alternative to the Bachelor of Arts degree, the Bachelor of Science in Mathematics is designed with a twofold purpose: to offer students a more extensive scientific program that may better prepare them for graduate study or employment, and to recognize students who choose to pursue a more demanding program. Students are given the opportunity to develop greater breadth and depth in their mathematical programs as well as to combine mathematics with a concentration in another scientific discipline.
Bachelor of Arts: Standard or Teaching Option: Middle or Senior Grades
Bachelor of Science
Option I: Actuarial Science
Option II: Applied Mathematics
Option III: Mathematical Sciences: Statistics, Probability & Data Analysis or Scientific Computation
Option IV: Pure Mathematics
Option V: Teaching: Middle or Senior Grades
Option VI: Mathematics Honors
Nutritional Sciences is an integrative science with the overall objective of improving the health and well-being of individuals and groups. Nutritional inquiry encompasses not only the roles of electrons, atoms, molecules, genes, cells, organs, and complex organisms in biological life processes but also the links between life science and health, behavior, education, population, culture, and economics.
Bachelor of Science
Option I: Dietetics: Coordinated or Didactic Program
Option II: Nutritional Sciences
Option III: Nutrition in Business
Option IV: Teaching
Option V: Nutrition Honors
Option VI: International Nutrition
All aspects of the physical universe are of interest to the physicist, who seeks to understand not only the smallest forms of matter and the rich phenomena present in our everyday lives but also the universe itself. Physics has played a critical role in human technological and intellectual development during the twentieth century. The tools of the physicist-observation, imagination, model building, prediction, and deduction-will enable physics to continue this influence into the new century.
Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Science
Option I: Physics
Option II: Computation
Option III: Radiation Physics
Option IV: Space Sciences
Option V: Teaching
Option VI: Physics Honors
The Division of Statistics and Scientific Computation (SSC) is dedicated to equipping students with the quantitative knowledge and skills needed to bring the strengths of statistical and computational science to address societal needs. The division coordinates undergraduate and graduate courses in statistics and scientific computation and offers consulting services to faculty and students from all departments. The division does not currently offer undergraduate or graduate degrees, but students can pursue a certificate in scientific computation.
Textiles and Apparel incorporates principles from arts, sciences, and humanities. Specialized instruction in constructing, designing, and coordinating fashions and making patterns and samples as preparation for a career in the apparel industry. Emphasis in the chemical properties of textiles and the preservation, conservation, and exhibition of textiles and apparel in museums and other collections is also taught.
Bachelor of Science
Option I: Apparel Design & Conservation: Apparel Design or Conservation Specialization
Option II: Retail Merchandising
The UTeach program was designed to give students the opportunity to explore the profession of teaching mathematics, science, or computer science with little time and financial commitment. As early as their first semester in the program, students may develop and teach a lesson in a local elementary school classroom. The program also reimburses students for 1 credit hour of tuition just for completing the first 2 courses, STEP 1 and STEP 2. Students can major in one of the UTeach degrees in mathematics, science, or computer science, or they can pursue any major at the University and complete requirements for certification through the UTeach program.
Bachelor of Science of Interdisciplinary Science
Option I: Middle Grades Teaching in Mathematics & Science
Option II: Secondary School Teaching in Computer Sciences & Mathematics
For other teaching degrees in the College, see the degree options in: Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Mathematics, Nutrition and Physics.
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