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Acceptable Course Substitutions

When applying to the College of Natural Sciences, you apply to a specific major. Find courses here you can take relevant to your major—plus options available before you transfer.

If you have not completed all of the CNS application requirements in-residence, the college will also allow for course substitutions specific to your chosen major.  

 

Students are responsible for meeting the prerequisites for any listed course. Course restrictions may vary from one semester to another, and students are not guaranteed access to any listed course.

 

Find social science courses on the approved universal list and foreign language courses on the College of Liberal Arts website.

Math and Science Course Substitutions

Find courses that you can substitute in your internal transfer application based on each major.

Astronomy
  • Math substitutes: M 427J, M 427K, M 427L (BS), M 340L (BS)
  • Science substitutes: AST 307 (Recommended, but not required for all AST degrees), PHY 301, PHY 316, PHY 315, PHY 355 
Biochemistry
  • Math substitutes: SDS 328M/SDS 320E
  • Science substitutes: BIO 325, CH 320M or CH 328M, BCH 339F
Biology
  • Math substitutes: SDS 328M/320E
  • Science substitutes: BIO 325, CH 320M or CH 328M, CH 320N or CH 328N
Chemistry
  • Math substitutes: Any upper-division mathematics course
  • Science substitutes: CH 320M or CH 328M, CH 320N or CH 328N, or any upper-division chemistry course
Computer Science
  • Math substitutes: M 340L or M 341; M 362K or SDS 321; or any upper-division calculus based math course (excludes actuarial courses)
  • Science substitutes: GEO 401, GEO 405, any majors-level BIO, CH, NEU, PHY course, or any upper division calculus based math course (excludes actuarial)

and/or:

C S 312 (Only open to non-majors in spring/summer), C S 313E, or any topic of C S 329E

Environmental Science

Admissions for internal transfer are handled by the Environmental Science Institute only.  Students wishing to apply should consult the EVS Admission Information page for more details.

Human Development & Family Sciences
  • Math substitutes: SDS 320E, SDS 322E, and SDS 301 (if completed by AP or Transfer credit) 
  • Science substitutes: HDF 304, HDF 313, HDF 315L
Mathematics
  • Math substitutes: M 325K, M 328K, M 329F, M 340L, M 362K, M 427J, M 427K, 
  • Science substitutes: Any upper-division biology or chemistry course, CS 303E, PHY 355, GEO 401 or 405 (Often restricted, but will count if you've taken it.)
Medical Laboratory Science
  • Math substitutes: SDS 304 or SDS 328M/SDS 320E
  • Science substitutes: BCH 369, BIO 325, BIO 326M, CH 320M, or CH 320N
Neuroscience
  • Math substitutes: SDS 328M, SDS 320E, SDS 321 or M 362K, or upper-division mathematics course
  • Science substitutes: BIO 325, NEU 330, NEU 335
Nutrition
  • Math substitutes: SDS 320E, or SDS 324E
  • Science substitutes: BCH 369, BIO 325, CH 320M, or NTR 312
Physics
  • Math substitutes: M 427J, M 427K, M 427L, M 340L or M 341, M 361, M 362K
  • Science substitutes: PHY 301, PHY 316, PHY 315, PHY 355, GEO 303, GEO 401 or AST 307
Public Health
  • Math Substitutes: SDS 320E
Textiles & Apparel
  • Math substitutes: SDS 301, SDS 302F, SDS 324E, SDS 320E, EDP 371, ADV 350, AFR 302M, AFR 350, M302, M305G, M408R, M408K, M408C, M408N, PHL 313, PYS 317L, or SOC 317L
  • Science substitutes: Any TXA course, CH301N, CH302N, or NTR 306

Planning Courses for Your Major

To pursue a degree in the College of Natural Sciences, several courses may be ones you decide to take prior to acceptance.  

The required courses will vary from major to major, and from one degree to another. Many courses are available prior to admittance to the College of Natural Sciences, though course restrictions will vary from semester to semester, and department to department.  

All Majors

Consult CNS Degree Checklists for more information. It is important to research the specific degrees and concentrations due to differences in degree requirements. 

Core Curriculum

Since you have not yet been admitted, now is the ideal time to complete many of the university core curriculum requirements. For most CNS degrees, the core curriculum math and science courses are embedded in the degree plans (many of these meet application requirements). Other core curriculum requirements in many majors include:

  • UGS 302 or 303
  • RHE 306
  • E 316L, E 316M, E 316N, or E 316P
  • 6 hours of US history (see approved list on core curriculum link)
  • 6 hours of government (GOV 310L + GOV 312L or GOV 312P)
  • 3 hours social science (see approved list on core curriculum link)
  • 3 hours visual & performing arts (see approved list on core curriculum link)

Astronomy

Courses required for all Astronomy degrees:
  • M 408C + M 408D
    • Alternative calculus sequence of M 408N + M 408S + M 408M is acceptable (for CNS majors)
    • Alternative calculus sequence of M 408K + M 408L + M 408M is acceptable (for non-CNS majors)
  • M 427K + M 427L + M 340L
  • PHY 301 + PHY 101L + PHY 316 + PHY 116L + PHY 315 + PHY 115L
Courses specific to B.A.:
Courses specific to B.S.:
Courses specific to B.S.A.:
  • 12 hours of Language, Arts, and Culture requirement (see BSA degree plan for details)
  • 15 hours of minor coursework (single field of study), or a transcript recognized certificate (see BSA degree plan for details and exclusions)
  • 12 hours of majors-level science coursework (see BSA degree plan for details)

Biochemistry

Courses required for all Biochemistry degrees:
  • M 408C
    • Alternative calculus course of M 408N (for CNS majors)
    • Alternative calculus course of M 408K (for non-CNS majors)
  • BIO 311C + BIO 311D + BIO 325
  • CH 301 + CH 302 + CH 204 (or 317) + CH 320M (or CH 328M)
  • SDS 328M
Courses specific to B.S.:
  • Completion of CNS foreign language/culture requirement (see BS degree plan for details) - this requirement is listed on 10-12 and 12-14 catalogs, but is not required for 14-16 catalog.
  • M 408D
    • Alternative calculus course M 408S is acceptable (for CNS majors)
    • Alternative calculus course M 408L is acceptable (for non-CNS majors)
  • PHY 317K + PHY 117M + PHY 317L + PHY 117N
    • Alternative physics sequence of PHY 301 + PHY 101L + PHY 316 + PHY 116L is acceptable
    • Alternative physics sequence of PHY 303K + 103M + PHY 303L + PHY 103N is acceptable
Courses specific to B.S.A.:
  • 12 hours of Language, Arts, and Culture requirement (see BSA degree plan for details)
  • 15 hours of minor coursework (single field of study), or a transcript recognized certificate (see BSA degree plan for details and exclusions)
  • PHY 317K + PHY 117M + PHY 317L + PHY 117N
    • Alternative physics sequence of PHY 301 + PHY 101L + PHY 316 + PHY 116L is acceptable
    • Alternative physics sequence of PHY 303K + PHY 103M + PHY 303L + PHY 103N is acceptable
    • Alternative physics sequence of PHY 302K + PHY 102M + PHY 302L + PHY 102N is acceptable

Biology

Courses required for all Biology degrees:
  • M 408C
    • Alternative calculus sequence of M 408N (for CNS majors)
    • Alternative calculus sequence of M 408K (for non-CNS majors)
  • BIO 311C + BIO 311D + BIO 325
  • CH 301 + CH 302 + CH 204
Courses specific to B.S.:
  • 2008-2010, 2010-2012, 2012-2014 catalogs
    • M 408D (all BS degrees)
      • Alternative calculus course M 408S is acceptable (for CNS majors)
      • Alternative calculus course M 408L is acceptable (for non-CNS majors)
    • Completion of CNS foreign language/culture requirement (see BS degree plan for details)
    • 8 hours physics (sequence may vary depending on biology concentration)
  • 2014-2016 catalog
    • M 408D (required for EEB, marine, neuro, teaching, and computational options only)
      • Alternative calculus course M 408S is acceptable (for CNS majors)
      • Alternative calculus course M 408L is acceptable (for non-CNS majors)
    • Completion of CNS foreign language/culture requirement (required for EEB, marine, micro, cell & molecular, neuro, plant, and computational options only)
    • 8 hours physics (sequence may vary depending on biology concentration)
Courses specific to B.S.A.:
  • 12 hours of Language, Arts, and Culture requirement (see BSA degree plan for details)
  • 15 hours of minor coursework (single field of study), or a transcript recognized certificate (see BSA degree plan for details and exclusions)
  • BIO 206L or BIO 208L
  • SDS 328M
  • 6 hours of majors-level science coursework (see BSA degree plan for details)

Chemistry

Courses required for all Chemistry degrees:
  • M 408C
  • Alternative calculus course of M 408N (for CNS majors)
  • Alternative calculus course of M 408K (for non-CNS majors)
  • CH 301 + CH 302 + CH 317
  • CH 328M + CH 128K + CH 328N + CH 128L
    • Alternative organic chemistry sequence of CH 320M + CH 320N + CH 220C is acceptable
  • PHY 317K + PHY 117M + PHY 317L + PHY 117N 
    • Alternative sequence of PHY 301 + PHY 101L + PHY 316 + PHY 116L is acceptable
    • Alternative sequence of PHY 303K + PHY 103M + PHY 303L + PHY 103N is acceptable
Courses specific to B.A.:
  • fourth semester proficiency of a foreign language
  • 3 hours of a second social science (from approved universal list)
  • 3 hours Cultural Expression, Human Experience, and Thought
  • M 408D
    • Alternative calculus sequence M 408S + M 408M is acceptable (for CNS majors)
    • Alternative calculus sequence M 408L + M 408M is acceptable (for non-CNS majors)
Courses specific to B.S.:
  • 2008-2010, 2010-2012, 2012-2014 catalogs
    • Completion of CNS foreign language/culture requirement (see BS degree plan for details) 
    • M 408D
      • Alternative calculus sequence M 408S + M 408M is acceptable (for CNS majors)
      • Alternative calculus sequence M 408L + M 408M is acceptable (for non-CNS majors)
  • 2014-2016 catalog
    • Completion of CNS foreign language/culture requirement (Option I and Option II only) 
    • M 408D
      • Alternative calculus sequence M 408S + M 408M is acceptable (for CNS majors)
      • Alternative calculus sequence M 408L + M 408M is acceptable (for non-CNS majors)
Courses specific to B.S.A.:
  • 12 hours of Language, Arts, and Culture requirement (see BSA degree plan for details)
  • 15 hours of minor coursework (single field of study), or a transcript recognized certificate (see BSA degree plan for details and exclusions)
  • M 408D
    • Alternative calculus course M 408S is acceptable (for CNS majors)
    • Alternative calculus course M 408L is acceptable (for non-CNS majors)

Computer Science

Courses required for all Computer Science degrees:
  • M 408C
    • Alternative calculus course of M 408N (for CNS majors)
    • Alternative calculus course of M 408K (for non-CNS majors)
  • Completion of one of the following sequences:
    • BIO 311C + BIO 311D
    • CH 301 + CH 302
    • PHY 303K + PHY 103M + PHY 303L + PHY 103N
      • Alternative sequence of PHY 301 + PHY 101L + PHY 316 + PHY 116L is acceptable
      • Alternative sequence of PHY 317K + PHY 117M + PHY 317L + PHY 117N is acceptable
  • M 340L or M 341
  • M 362K
Courses specific to B.S.:
  • Completion of CNS foreign language/culture requirement (see BS degree plan for details) 
  • M 408D
    • Alternative calculus sequence M 408S + M 408M is acceptable (for CNS majors)
    • Alternative calculus sequence M 408L + M 408M is acceptable (for non-CNS majors)
  • Additional science courses as outlined on BS degree plan
Courses specific to B.S.A.:
  • 12 hours of Language, Arts, and Culture requirement (see BSA degree plan for details)
  • 15 hours of minor coursework (single field of study), or a transcript recognized certificate (see BSA degree plan for details and exclusions)

Environmental Science

*Note - Admissions by Environmental Science Institute only. Students wishing to apply should consult the EVS Admission Information page for more details. 

Required Courses
  • Completion of CNS foreign language/culture requirement (see B.S. degree plan for details)
  • M 408C
    • Alternative calculus course of M 408N is acceptable (for CNS majors) 
    • Alternative calculus course of M 408K is acceptable (for non-CNS majors)
  • BIO 311C + BIO 311D + BIO 325
  • CH 301 + CH 302 + CH 204 + CH 320M
  • GEO 401 or 303
  • PHY 317K + PHY 117M + PHY 317L + PHY 117N 
    • Alternative sequence of PHY 301 + PHY 101L + PHY 316 + PHY 116L is acceptable
    • Alternative sequence of PHY 303K + PHY 103M + PHY 303L + PHY 103N is acceptable

Human Development & Family Sciences

Courses required for all Human Development & Family Sciences degrees:
  • HDF 304, HDF 313, HDF 113L, HDF 315L, HDF 305 or 306 (2020-2022 catalog and later) 
  • SDS 302F 
  • M 408C/K/N or SDS 324E
  • BIO 311C + CH 301 
  • BIO 311D or CH 302
Courses specific to B.S.:
  • NTR 306 (or PBH 317 for 2022-2024 catalog) 
Courses specific to B.S.A.:
  • 12 hours of Language, Arts, and Culture requirement (see BSA degree plan for details) 
  • A transcript-recognized minor, transcript-recognized certificate, or 15 hour field of study (see BSA degree plan for details and exclusions)

Mathematics

Courses required for all Mathematics degrees:
  • M 408C + M 408D
    • Alternative calculus sequence of M 408N + M 408S + M 408M is acceptable (for CNS majors)
    • Alternative calculus sequence of M 408K + M 408L + M 408M is acceptable (for non-CNS majors)
  • 3 hours of majors-level science coursework from a different field of study (than 6 or 8 hour science requirement listed below):  AST, BIO, CH, CS, GEO, MNS, or PHY
Courses specific to B.A.:
  • fourth semester proficiency of a foreign language
  • 3 hours of a second social science (from approved universal list)
  • 3 hours Cultural Expression, Human Experience, and Thought
  • 6 hours of majors-level science coursework from a single field of study: AST, BIO, CH, GEO, MNS, or PHY (overlaps with core curriculum science requirement)
  • 3 hours of majors-level science coursework from a different field of study (than 6 hour science requirement listed above):  AST, BIO, CH, CS, GEO, MNS, or PHY
  • Upper-division mathematics coursework (see degree plan for details)
Courses specific to B.S.:
  • Completion of CNS foreign language/culture requirement, except for Option V (see BS degree plan for details) Please Note: This requirement is no longer needed for those under the 16-18 catalog.
  • Upper-division mathematics coursework (see degree plan for details)
  • 8 hours of majors-level science coursework from a single field of study: AST, BIO CH, GEO, or PHY (overlaps with core curriculum science requirement)
  • 3 hours of majors-level science coursework from a different field of study (than 8 hour science requirement listed above):  AST, BIO, CH, CS, GEO, MNS, or PHY
  • 6 upper-division semester hours outside of both mathematics and subject areas listed in "Introductory Mathematics and Science Courses" are required.  Philosophy courses in logic, computer sciences courses in discrete mathematics, and engineering courses may not be used.
Courses specific to B.S.A.:
  • 12 hours of Language, Arts, and Culture requirement (see BSA degree plan for details)
  • 15 hours of minor coursework (single field of study), or a transcript recognized certificate (see BSA degree plan for details and exclusions)
  • 6 hours of majors-level science coursework from a single field of study: AST, BIO, CH, GEO, MNS or PHY (overlaps with core curriculum science requirement)
  • 3 hours of majors-level science coursework from a different field of study (than 6 hour science requirement listed above):  AST, BIO, CH, CS, GEO, MNS, or PHY
  • Upper-division mathematics coursework (see degree plan for details)

Medical Laboratory Science

Courses required for Medical Laboratory Science:
  • Completion of CNS foreign language/culture requirement (see BS degree plan for details)
  • M 408C
    • Alternative calculus course of M 408N is acceptable (for CNS majors) 
    • Alternative calculus course of M 408K is acceptable (for non-CNS majors)
  • BIO 311C + BIO 311D + BIO 325
  • CH 301 + CH 302 + CH 204
  • CH 320M + CH 320N + CH 220C
  • SDS 304 or SDS 328M

Neuroscience

Courses required for all Neuroscience degrees:
  • M 408C
    • Alternative calculus sequence of M 408N + M 408S is acceptable (for CNS majors) 
    • Alternative calculus sequence of M 408K + M 408L is acceptable (for non-CNS majors)
  • BIO 311C + BIO 311D + BIO 206L
  • CH 301 + CH 302 + CH 204
Courses specific to B.S.:
  • M 408D
    • Alternative calculus course of M 408M is acceptable
  • SDS 328M or SDS 321 or M 362K
  • PHY 317K + PHY 117M + PHY 317L + PHY 117N 
    • Alternative sequence of PHY 301 + PHY 101L + PHY 316 + PHY 116L is acceptable
    • Alternative sequence of PHY 303K + PHY 103M + PHY 303L + PHY 103N is acceptable
Courses specific to B.S.A.:
  • 12 hours of Language, Arts, and Culture requirement (see BSA degree plan for details)
  • 15 hours of minor coursework (single field of study), or a transcript recognized certificate (see BSA degree plan for details and exclusions)
  • SDS 328M
  • PHY 317K + PHY 117M + PHY 317L + PHY 117N 
    • Alternative sequence of PHY 301 + PHY 101L + PHY 316 + PHY 116L is acceptable
    • Alternative sequence of PHY 303K + PHY 103M + PHY 303L + PHY 103N is acceptable
    • Alternative sequence of PHY 302K + PHY 102M + PHY 302L + PHY 102N is acceptable

Nutrition

Courses required for all Nutrition degrees:
  • SDS 302F (or 320E)
  • M 408C/K/N/R or SDS 324E (22-24 catalog: SDS 324E)
  • BIO 311C
  • CH 301 + CH 302 + CH 204 + CH 320M
  • NTR 312 
Courses specific to B.S.:
  • 12 hours of Language, Arts, and Culture requirement (see BSA degree plan for details)
  • A transcript-recognized minor, transcript-recognized certificate, or 15 hour field of study (see BSA degree plan for details and exclusions)
Courses specific to B.S.A.:
  • 12 hours of Language, Arts, and Culture requirement (see BSA degree plan for details)
  • 15 hours of minor coursework (single field of study), or a transcript recognized certificate (see BSA degree plan for details and exclusions)

Physics

Courses required for all Physics degrees:
  • M 408C + M 408D
    • Alternative calculus sequence of M 408N + M 408S + M 408M is acceptable (for CNS majors)
    • Alternative calculus sequence of M 408K + M 408L + M 408M is acceptable (for non-CNS majors)
  • M 427K + M 427L
  • PHY 301 + PHY 101L + PHY 316 + PHY 116L + PHY 315 + PHY 115L
  • PHY 355
Courses specific to B.A.:
Courses specific to B.S.:
Courses specific to B.S.A.:
  • 12 hours of Language, Arts, and Culture requirement (see BSA degree plan for details)
  • 15 hours of minor coursework (single field of study), or a transcript recognized certificate (see BSA degree plan for details and exclusions)
  • 3 hours of majors-level coursework from AST, BIO, CH, CS, or GEO (overlap with core curriculum science requirement)

Public Health

Courses required for Public Health degree:

Textiles & Apparel

Courses required for all Textiles & Apparel degree:
  • 3 hours from Statistics/Math - Statistics and Data Sciences 301, 302F 302, 320E; or Educational Psychology 371; Advertising 350; African/African Diaspora 302M, 350; Math 302, 408Q, 408R; Philosophy 313; Psychology 317L; or Sociology 317L (alternative Calculus and Pre-Calculus courses will be considered)
  • One of the following: Biology 311C; Anthropology 301, 304, 304T; Computer Science 302, 303E; Electrical and Computer Engineering 302; Geography 301C, 301K, 304E; Nutrition 306
  • CH 301 or CH 301N + CH 302 or CH 302N
  • TXA 301 or TXA 301C
  • TXA 303 (any topic) or TXA 305