The University of Texas at Austin
Facebook Twitter Flickr Youtube Linked In Group Quest Log-in
Home Academics Degrees & Majors

Contact Us

Judith Quinney, Manager 512-232-1065

Lisa Spence          512-232-1066

Madeline Wermuth 512-471-0196

Kim Williams        512-232-1052

Student Records is located in WCH 2.204 and WCH 2.218.

Email: ns.student.records
@austin.utexas.edu

Degrees & Majors

 

FRI studentsThe 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


Click on the field of study to learn more about the discipline and to see the degrees and course offerings in that area.

Printable Degree Checklists

Astronomy
Biochemistry
Biology
Chemistry
Computer Science
Environmental Science
Human Development & Family Sciences
Human Ecology
Interdisciplinary Science
Marine Science
Mathematics
Medical Laboratory Science
Neuroscience
Nutritional Sciences
Physics
Public Health
Statistics & Scientific Computation
Textiles & Apparel
UTeach

Astronomy | course descriptions

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 in Astronomy
Option I: Astronomy
Option II: Astronomy Honors

Biochemistry | course descriptions

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 in Biochemistry
Option I: Biochemistry
Option II:  Systems & Synthetic Biology (2012-14 catalog)
Option II: Computation (2010-12; 2008-10; 2006-08 catalogs)
Option III: Biochemistry Honors

Biology | course descriptions

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 in Biology
Option I: Ecology, Evolution & Behavior
Option II: Human Biology
Option III: Marine & Freshwater Biology
Option IV: Microbiology & Infectious Diseases
Option V: Cell and Molecular Biology
Option VI: Neurobiology
Option VII: Plant Biology
Option VIII: Teaching
Option IX: Biology Honors
Option X: Computational Biology

Chemistry | course descriptions

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 in Chemistry
Option I: Chemistry
Option II: Computation

Option III: Teaching
Option IV: Chemistry Honors

Computer Science | course descriptions

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 in Computer Science
Option I: Computer Science
Option II: Turing Scholars Honors
Option III: Computer Science Honors
Option IV: Integrated Program
Option V: Teaching (Senior grades)

Environmental Science | course descriptions

The Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science is designed for students interested in an interdisciplinary scientific perspective on environmental and sustainability issues, analysis, and management. The degree provides the broad foundation in physical, life, and social sciences needed for a career or graduate study in environmental science and related fields such as climate change, ecology, and conservation. Students who complete the program will be able to assess environmental issues critically from multiple perspectives; to perform field, laboratory, and computer analyses; and to conduct original research. The degree is offered by the College of Natural Sciences with a major in biological sciences, the Jackson School of Geosciences with a major in geological sciences, and the College of Liberal Arts with a major in geographical sciences.

Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science
Option I: Biological Sciences
Option II: Biological Sciences Honors

Human Development & Family Sciences | course descriptions

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 in Human Development & Family Sciences
Option I: Early Childhood
Option II: Human Development
Option III: Families & Personal Relationships
Option IV: Families & Society
Option V: Human Development & Family Sciences Honors
Option VI: Honors in Advanced Human Development & Family Sciences

Human Ecology | course descriptions

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

Marine Science | course descriptions

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.

Mathematics | course descriptions

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

Teaching Option: Middle or Senior Grades
Bachelor of Science in Mathematics
Option I: Actuarial Science
Option II: Applied Mathematics
Option III: Mathematical Sciences:
Statistics, Probability & Data Analysis
Scientific Computation
Option IV: Pure Mathematics
Option V: Teaching
Option VI: Mathematics Honors

Medical Laboratory Science | course descriptions

The degree 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. The degree consists of 100 hours of academic coursework combined with the completion of a 12 to 16 month clinical education at an accredited school of medical laboratory science or medical technology.

Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science (2012-10; 2010-12 catalogs)
Bachelor of Science in Clinical Laboratory Science (2008-10; 2006-08 catalogs)

Neuroscience | course descriptions

TBD

Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience

Nutritionional Sciences | course descriptions

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 in Nutrition
Option I: Dietetics:
Coordinated Program in Dietetics
Didactic Program in Dietetics
Option II: Nutritional Sciences
Option III: Nutrition in Business
Option IV: Honors in Advanced Nutritional Sciences (2012 catalog)

Option IV: Teaching (2010-12; 2008-10; 2006-08 catalogs)
Option V: Nutrition Honors
Option VI: International Nutrition

Physics | course descriptions

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 in Physics
Option I: Physics
Option II: Computation
Option III: Radiation Physics
Option IV: Space Sciences
Option V: Teaching
Option VI: Physics Honors
Option VII: Biophysics

Public Health | course descriptions

The mission of Public Health is to preserve, promote, and improve the health and well being of populations, communities, and individuals. To fulfill this mission, we foster collaborations among pubilc health and the health professions in education, research, and science. The United States and the State of Texas face a workforce crisis in public health. The Bachelor of Science in Public Health is designed to help meet workforce shortages, prepare its graduates for entry-level positions in public health, and to equip them to pursue certificate and graduate degrees in the field.

Bachelor of Science in Public Health
Option I: Public Health
Option II: Public Health Honors
Option III: Advanced Program

Statistics & Scientific Computation | course descriptions

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 an undergraduate degree, but students can pursue a Certificate in Scientific Computation.

Textiles & Apparel | course descriptions

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 in Textiles and Apparel
Option I: Apparel Design & Conservation
Apparel Design
Conservation Specialization
Option II: Retail Merchandising
Option III: Textiles and Apparel Honors

UTeach | course descriptions

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

For other teaching degrees in the College, see the degree options in: Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Computer Science, Mathematics, Nutrition and Physics.

 

 
College of Natural Sciences