Mary Ann Rankin
PhD
Dean

Jeffrey A. Brumfield
PhD
Associate Dean

William D. Carlson
PhD
Associate Dean

Jeanne M. Lagowski
PhD
Associate Dean for Student Affairs--
Health Professions

David A. Laude
PhD
Associate Dean

Peter J. Riley
PhD
Associate Dean

Jeffrey N. Rubin
PhD
Assistant Dean

Joyce C. Sampson
BA
Assistant Dean

Gail Spillar
Assistant Dean

Web site
http://www.utexas.edu/cons/

General Information

Arts and Sciences Education

The academic program offered cooperatively by the College of Natural Sciences and the College of Liberal Arts provides what is sometimes referred to as a "liberal arts" or an "arts and sciences" education. No matter what area of knowledge a student intends to specialize in, the program of study will require courses in both colleges. The colleges work together to ensure that the individual interests and needs of the students pursuing an arts and sciences program of study are provided for effectively.

Guidelines for developing a coherent plan of study are provided by major requirements, by sequential prerequisites, and by optional patterns of emphasis. Departmental majors, areas of concentration, and interdepartmental programs are designed to enable every student to study at least one field in depth. These programs are sufficiently broad in scope to allow students in the same major to develop quite different plans of study in pursuit of their individual interests and goals. Each student should choose courses that are intellectually challenging and that contribute to his or her long-term objectives.

Arts and sciences students are required to take a certain number of courses in the natural sciences, the social and behavioral sciences, and the humanities. Consequently, whatever their fields of study, they have the opportunity to learn something about the basic differences in the ways questions are raised and answered in several fields of inquiry, and about the techniques for validating the answers and putting the results to use. At the same time, they may gain some of the philosophical and historical perspectives that illuminate and give form to general or specialized knowledge and help to reveal its relevance.

The assumption is sometimes made by both teachers and students that independent and creative study is exclusively for the gifted. In fact, the primary condition is that the student be highly motivated, although he or she must also demonstrate ability. The departments that make up the two arts and sciences colleges encourage all qualified students to work independently--not only in special honors courses and seminars and in conference, studio, or laboratory work, but also in their regular courses. The student is free to define a major, to determine whether a given assignment will be an adventure or a chore, free to develop its latent possibilities or merely satisfy its explicit demands. True creativity presupposes more than a gift for innovation; it requires an unceasing commitment to thinking and working at one's highest level.

As competence is gained in a chosen field, the mind should be progressively sharpened, disciplined, and enriched. The student who leaves arts and sciences studies with an enhanced understanding of self and humankind, of cultural and historical heritage, of the world and the universe, and of the moral values conducive to significant living, will have made the most of education, having gained something over and above the objective of vocational preparedness.

Financial Assistance Available through the College of Natural Sciences

A number of scholarship funds established by individuals, foundations, and industrial or research organizations are available to students in the College of Natural Sciences. Awards are made for reasons ranging from academic promise to financial need. Interested students should inquire at the department offices or at the Student Division of the Office of the Dean, Will C. Hogg 2.112.

Natural Sciences Career Services

Natural Sciences Career Services, Will C. Hogg 2.308, offers career planning and job placement assistance for students and alumni. Career Services helps students with all aspects of their career planning and job search.

Career advisers are available to assist students individually, and workshops are held throughout the year. The staff offers interview tips, sets up mock interviews, and helps students with career planning, résumé writing, job search techniques, and business and professional etiquette.

Career Services helps students seeking full-time positions after graduation and those seeking part-time, intern, and cooperative education positions related to their academic majors and career goals. Job postings are available and on-campus interviews are held throughout the year. A Career Expo every fall brings students and employers together to discuss job openings and career information. Many company information sessions are scheduled on campus and a résumé referral service is available for students and employers.

A resource room provides a library of career information, including information on career options, company literature, employment and salary information, company contacts, books, and videotapes. Web access is available for students to register, submit their résumés, and sign up for interviews. Registered students are also contacted weekly by e-mail with career information.

The Education Placement Office, George I. Sánchez Building 294, helps to place graduates who have completed a program leading to teacher certification at either the elementary or the secondary school level. The office also assists graduates who wish to find teaching jobs at the college level or in private schools, junior colleges, or overseas schools in which certification is not required.

As a complement to the assistance available from the college, the University Career Center provides comprehensive career services to all students. The center offers professional assistance to students in choosing or changing their majors or careers, seeking an internship, and planning for the job search or for graduate study.

The University makes no promise to secure employment for each graduate.

Admission and Registration

Admission

Admission and readmission of all students to the University is the responsibility of the director of admissions. Information about admission to the University is given in General Information.

Registration

General Information gives information about registration, adding and dropping courses, transfer from one division of the University to another, and auditing a course. The Course Schedule, published before registration each semester and summer session, includes registration instructions, advising locations, and the times, places, and instructors of classes. The Course Schedule and General Information are sold at campus-area bookstores. They are also published on the World Wide Web and are accessible through the registrar's Web site, http://www.utexas.edu/student/registrar/.

Academic Advising

Students in the College of Natural Sciences are advised by faculty members and by academic advisers at one of the college's advising centers. Students who are not seeking a degree and those who have not yet selected a major are advised through the Student Division of the Office of the Dean.

Academic Policies and Procedures

Honors

University-wide honors are described in chapter 1 and in General Information. In addition, the College of Natural Sciences encourages academic excellence through the Dean's Scholars Program and provides recognition through the Dean's Honor List. Students may also graduate with departmental honors and earn membership in one or more of the honorary scholastic societies open to undergraduates.

Dean's Scholars Honors Program

The Dean's Scholars Honors Program is a highly selective enrichment program that emphasizes a research perspective. It is designed for exceptional science and mathematics majors. Application can be made to the director of the program in the Office of the Dean.

Departmental Honorary Societies

Several departments within the College of Natural Sciences sponsor honorary scholastic and professional societies. For information about eligibility criteria and activities, the student should consult the appropriate department office or the faculty adviser for the society.

The University sponsors chapters of the following national organizations of interest to students in natural sciences: Alpha Chi Sigma, professional chemical fraternity; Alpha Epsilon Delta, honorary fraternity for students who have completed at least three semesters of premedical coursework; Beta Beta Beta, honorary biological society; Omicron Nu, honorary human ecology society; Pi Mu Epsilon, honorary mathematical society; Sigma Gamma Epsilon, honorary geological sciences society; Sigma Pi Sigma, honorary physics society; Upsilon Pi Epsilon, honorary computer sciences society.

Departmental Honors Programs

Most departments in the College of Natural Sciences offer departmental honors programs to their majors. Minimum requirements for the completion of all such programs include (1) a University grade point average of at least 3.00; (2) a three-semester-hour thesis or research project, or a reasonable equivalent; (3) satisfactory performance on a comprehensive examination in the major field, or a reasonable equivalent; and (4) completion at the University of at least sixty semester hours of coursework counted toward the degree.

The statement "Special Honors in (name of department)" appears on the transcript of each graduate certified as having completed the honors program of that department.

Astronomy Honors Program

Candidates for special honors in astronomy should apply to the honors adviser for admission to the honors program no later than the beginning of the fourth year; application by the end of the third year is recommended. A University grade point average of at least 3.00 and a grade point average in physics and astronomy of at least 3.50 are required for admission. The requirements for graduation with special honors, which are in addition to the requirements of the major, are (1) Astronomy 679H, Honors Tutorial Course; (2) a thesis on the student's research approved in comprehensive examination by the department honors committee; (3) a University grade point average of at least 3.00 and a grade point average in courses in the major of at least 3.50; and (4) completion at the University of at least sixty semester hours of coursework counted toward the degree.

Biochemistry Honors Program

Majors who are candidates for special honors in biochemistry should apply to the honors adviser for admission to the honors program no later than the beginning of the senior year. A University grade point average of at least 3.00 and a grade point average in chemistry of at least 3.50 are required for admission. The requirements for graduation with special honors are (1) all requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry; (2) Chemistry 679H, Chemistry Honors Tutorial Course; (3) satisfactory performance on a comprehensive honors examination or a reasonable equivalent; (4) a University grade point average of at least 3.00 and a grade point average in chemistry of at least 3.50; (5) completion at the University of at least sixty semester hours of coursework counted toward the degree; and (6) approval of the honors adviser.

Biology Honors Program

Candidates for special honors in biology should apply to the honors adviser in one of the three biological science departments for admission to the honors program no later than the semester or summer session preceding the last year. A University grade point average of at least 3.00 and a grade point average in biological science of at least 3.50 are required for admission. The requirements for graduation with special honors, which are in addition to the usual requirements of the major, are (1) Botany 679H, Microbiology 679H, or Zoology 679H, Honors Tutorial Course; (2) satisfactory performance on a comprehensive honors examination in one of the three departments, an acceptable thesis based on original experimentation, or an acceptable score on the Advanced Biology Test of the Graduate Record Examinations; (3) a University grade point average of at least 3.00 and a grade point average in biological science of at least 3.50; and (4) completion at the University of at least sixty semester hours of coursework counted toward the degree.

Botany Honors Program

Majors who are candidates for special honors in botany should apply to the honors adviser for admission to the honors program upon completion of eighteen semester hours of botany or biology, including at least five hours chosen from Biology 302, 303, 304, 205, and 206. A University grade point average of at least 3.00 and a grade point average in biology or botany of at least 3.50 are required for admission. The requirements for graduation with special honors, which are in addition to the usual requirements of the major, are (1) Botany 679H, Honors Tutorial Course; (2) satisfactory performance on a comprehensive honors examination; (3) a University grade point average of at least 3.00 and a grade point average in botany or biology of at least 3.50; and (4) completion at the University of at least sixty semester hours of coursework counted toward the degree.

Chemistry Honors Program

Majors who are candidates for special honors in chemistry should apply to the honors adviser for admission to the honors program no later than the beginning of the senior year. A University grade point average of at least 3.00 and a grade point average in chemistry of at least 3.50 are required for admission. The requirements for graduation with special honors are (1) all requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Chemistry; (2) Chemistry 679H, Chemistry Honors Tutorial Course; (3) satisfactory performance on a comprehensive honors examination or a reasonable equivalent; (4) a University grade point average of at least 3.00 and a grade point average in chemistry of at least 3.50; (5) completion at the University of at least sixty semester hours of coursework counted toward the degree; and (6) approval of the honors adviser.

Computer Sciences Honors Program

Majors who are candidates for special honors in computer sciences should apply to the honors adviser for admission to the honors program at least two semesters before their expected graduation. A University grade point average of at least 3.00 and a grade point average of at least 3.50 in all courses in computer sciences and all other courses counted toward the computer sciences major and minor requirements are required for admission. The requirements for graduation with special honors are (1) Computer Sciences 379H, Computer Sciences Honors Course, with a grade of at least B; (2) a University grade point average of at least 3.00 and a grade point average of at least 3.50 in courses in computer sciences and all other courses counted toward the computer sciences major and minor requirements; (3) a thesis, written on the subject of the student's research and approved in comprehensive examination by a committee consisting of at least three faculty members, including the honors adviser; and (4) completion at the University of at least sixty semester hours of coursework counted toward the degree.

Geological Sciences Honors Program

Majors who are candidates for special honors in geological sciences should apply to the honors adviser for admission to the honors program when they have completed sixty semester hours of coursework and twelve hours of upper-division geological sciences. A University grade point average of at least 3.00 and a grade point average in geological sciences of at least 3.50 are required for admission. The requirements for graduation with special honors are (1) Geological Sciences 379H, Honors Tutorial Course; (2) satisfactory performance on examinations given by the supervising committee; (3) a University grade point average of at least 3.00 and a grade point average in geological sciences of at least 3.50; and (4) completion at the University of at least sixty semester hours of coursework counted toward the degree.

Human Ecology Honors Programs

Majors who are candidates for special honors in child development, human ecology,[1] nutrition, or textiles and apparel should apply to the honors adviser for admission to the honors program no later than the beginning of the senior year. A University grade point average of at least 3.00 is required for admission. The requirements for graduation with special honors are (1) a grade of at least B in the honors reading course in the student's field of study; these courses are Child Development 359H, Nutrition 359H, and Textiles and Apparel 359H; (2) a grade of at least B in the honors tutorial course in the student's field of study; these courses are Child Development 379H, Nutrition 379H, and Textiles and Apparel 379H; (3) satisfactory performance on a comprehensive honors examination; (4) a grade point average of at least 3.50 in the honors reading course and the honors tutorial course and commensurate performance on the honors examination; (5) a University grade point average of at least 3.00 and a grade point average in the Department of Human Ecology of at least 3.50; and (6) completion at the University of at least sixty semester hours of coursework counted toward the degree.

Mathematics Honors Program

Majors who are candidates for special honors in mathematics should apply to the honors adviser for admission to the honors program at least two semesters before their expected graduation. A University grade point average of at least 3.00 and a grade point average in mathematics of at least 3.50 are required for admission. The requirements for graduation with special honors are (1) Mathematics 379H, Honors Tutorial Course; (2) a thesis on the subject of the student's research or project approved in comprehensive examination by a committee of at least three faculty members; (3) a University grade point average of at least 3.00 and a grade point average in mathematics of at least 3.50; and (4) completion at the University of at least sixty semester hours of coursework counted toward the degree.

Microbiology Honors Program

Majors wishing to qualify for special honors in microbiology should apply to the honors adviser for admission to the honors program upon completion of twelve semester hours of microbiology and eight semester hours of organic chemistry and no later than the beginning of the senior year. A University grade point average of at least 3.00 and a grade point average in microbiology and chemistry of at least 3.50 are required for admission. The requirements for graduation with special honors, which are in addition to the usual requirements of the major, are (1) Microbiology 679H, Honors Tutorial Course, and at least three semester hours of biochemistry or an acceptable substitute; (2) an acceptable thesis or presentation based on experimental work; (3) a University grade point average of at least 3.00 and a grade point average in microbiology and chemistry of at least 3.50; and (4) completion at the University of at least sixty semester hours of coursework counted toward the degree.

Physics Honors Program

Majors who are candidates for special honors in physics should apply to the honors adviser for admission to the honors program near the end of the third year. A University grade point average of at least 3.00 and a grade point average in physics of at least 3.50 are required for admission. The requirements for graduation with special honors are (1) Physics 379H, Honors Tutorial Course; (2) a written honors thesis approved by faculty readers assigned by the department; (3) a University grade point average of at least 3.00 and a grade point average in physics of at least 3.50; and (4) completion at the University of at least sixty semester hours of coursework counted toward the degree.

Zoology Honors Program

Majors who are candidates for special honors in zoology should apply to the honors adviser for admission to the honors program no later than the semester or summer session preceding the last year. A University grade point average of at least 3.00 and a grade point average in biological science of at least 3.50 are required for admission. The requirements for graduation with special honors, which are in addition to the requirements of the major, are (1) Zoology 679H, Honors Tutorial Course, a research project, with a grade of A; (2) an acceptable score on a comprehensive honors examination, which is either the Advanced Biology Test of the Graduate Record Examinations, to be taken in the last semester of the last year, or another suitable comprehensive examination approved by the honors adviser; (3) a University grade point average of at least 3.00 and a grade point average in biological science of at least 3.50; and (4) completion at the University of at least sixty semester hours of coursework counted toward the degree.

Graduation

Special Requirements of the College of Natural Sciences

All students must fulfill the general requirements for graduation given in chapter 1. Students in the College of Natural Sciences must also fulfill the following requirements.

1. The University requires that the student complete in residence at least thirty semester hours of the coursework counted toward the degree. For the Bachelor of Arts, Plan I, these thirty hours must include at least eighteen hours in the major. For all other degrees offered by the College of Natural Sciences, these thirty hours must be taken in the College of Natural Sciences or the College of Liberal Arts.

2. All University students must complete in residence at least twenty-four of the last thirty semester hours counted toward the degree. For students seeking the Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology, this rule applies to the academic work.

3. The University requires that at least six semester hours of advanced coursework in the major be completed in residence. Additional hours in the professional or major sequence in many cases are required by individual degree programs.

4. An Air Force, Army, or Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps student who elects the basic and/or advanced program in air force science, military science, or naval science will not be approved for graduation until the student's government contract is completed or the student is released from the ROTC.

Applying for a Degree

An electronic degree audit is created for each student each semester. The student should view the audit through IDA, the University's Interactive Degree Audit system. The degree audit tells the student the courses he or she must take and the requirements he or she must fulfill to receive the degree. The degree audit normally provides an accurate statement of requirements, but the student is responsible for knowing the requirements for the degree as stated in a catalog under which he or she is entitled to graduate and for registering so as to fulfill all these requirements. The student should seek an official ruling in the Student Division Office before registering if in doubt about any requirement.

In the semester or summer session in which the degree is to be conferred, the candidate must be registered at the University and must file a graduation application form in the Student Division Office. This should be done during the first week of classes, if possible, but in no event later than the deadline to apply for an undergraduate degree; this date is given in the official academic calendar. No degree will be conferred unless the graduation application form has been filed on time.

Contents  |  Next File

Undergraduate catalog

Contents  |  Chapter 1  |  Chapter 2  |  Chapter 3  |  Chapter 4
Chapter 5  |  Chapter 6  |  Chapter 7  |  Chapter 8  |  Chapter 9
Chapter 10  |  Chapter 11  |  Chapter 12  |  Chapter 13
Texas Common Course Numbering System (Appendix A)
Appendix B

Related information

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