Contents of This Chapter
"Natural Sciences" is published as several files. Use the following links to go to any
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Mary Ann Rankin
PhD
Dean
Jeanne M. Lagowski
PhD
Associate Dean for Student Affairs--Health Professions
Peter J. Riley
PhD
Associate Dean
Michael Starbird
PhD
Associate Dean
Joyce C. Sampson
BA
Assistant Dean
John S. Werth Jr.
PhD
Assistant Dean
Web site
http://www.utexas.edu/cons/
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.
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 Office of the Dean, Will C. Hogg 204.
The College of Natural Sciences offers several career planning, counseling, and
placement services: the departments in the college offer career guidance and
counseling services for their majors, while the Office of the Dean provides
information on the college's majors and career possibilities and assists
students with referrals to college and University career development resources.
In addition, the Office of the Dean collects information on financial aid
resources and on employment opportunities in business and in federal, state,
and local government. This office also works with the Career Center to provide
the broadest possible career counseling.
Students who plan to seek industrial jobs upon receiving either an
undergraduate or a graduate degree should register with the College of Natural
Sciences Career Resource Center in the fall or spring semester before they
complete their degree requirements. Students with resumes on file may register
for the interviews with personnel representatives that are scheduled in the
fall and spring of each year.
The Education Placement Service, George I. Sanchez 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 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.
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/.
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.
In college and university communities, where the development of a student's
intellectual potential is emphasized, it is appropriate for superior scholastic
motivation and achievement to be fostered, recognized, and rewarded.
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.
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.
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
geology society; Sigma Pi Sigma, honorary physics society; Upsilon Pi Epsilon,
honorary computer sciences society.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 geology.
A University grade point average of at least 3.00 and a grade point average in
geology of at least 3.50 are required for admission. The requirements for
graduation with special honors are (1) Geology 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 geology of at least 3.50; and (4) completion at
the University of at least sixty semester hours of coursework counted toward
the degree.
Majors
who are candidates for special honors in child development, home economics,
interior design, 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, Interior Design 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, Interior Design 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.
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.
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)
satisfactory performance on a comprehensive honors examination, or an
acceptable thesis 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.
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.
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.
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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.
The College of Natural Sciences offers the
Bachelor of Arts, Plan I, and
several bachelor of science degrees. The requirements of the Bachelor of Arts,
Plan I, are in this chapter. For this degree students may major in any of the
departments of the College of Liberal Arts or the College of Natural Sciences;
these majors are listed under the heading
"Degree Programs" in chapter 1. The College of Liberal Arts also offers
the Bachelor of Arts, Plan II, an honors program. Plan II emphasizes the
humanities but also permits a concentration equivalent to a major in science.
The bachelor of science degrees are listed under the heading
"Degree Programs" in chapter 1. The requirements of
these degrees are given in this chapter, beginning with the Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry.
Although the Department of Marine Science does not offer an undergraduate
degree, it does offer a number of courses and provides a potential minor for
students enrolled in the College of Natural Sciences and other colleges.
Physical activity (PED) courses are offered by the Department of Kinesiology
and Health Education. They may not be counted toward a degree in the College of
Natural Sciences. However, they are counted among courses for which the student
is enrolled, and the grades are included in the grade point average.
ROTC units are maintained on campus by the Departments of Air Force Science,
Military Science, and Naval Science. For information about each program,
consult the chairman of the department concerned.
Nine semester hours of coursework in air force science, military science, or
naval science may be counted toward any degree in the College of Natural
Sciences. Such credit may be used only as lower-division electives and only by
students who complete the ROTC program.
Music 101G may not be counted toward any degree in the College of Natural
Sciences. Other introductory courses, such as Music 201J, 201M, and 201S, may
be counted toward degrees in the college.
No more than twelve semester hours of Bible courses may be counted toward a
degree.
Students admitted to the University with deficiencies in high school units must
remove them by the means prescribed in General Information. Course
credit used to remove deficiencies may not be counted toward the student's
degree.
Credit that a University student in residence earns simultaneously by
correspondence or extension from the University or elsewhere or in residence at
another school will not be counted toward a degree in the College of Natural
Sciences unless specifically approved in advance by the dean. No more than 30
percent of the semester hours required for any degree offered in the College of
Natural Sciences may be taken by correspondence.
No more than sixteen semester hours taken on the pass/fail basis may be counted
toward the Bachelor of Arts, Plan I. In general, only electives may be taken on
the pass/fail basis. Complete rules on registration on the pass/fail basis are
given in General Information.
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28 August 1996. Registrar's Web Team
Comments to rgcat@utxdp.dp.utexas.edu