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This is an archived copy of the 2012-14 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.utexas.edu/.

Degrees and Programs

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, begin in Bachelor of Arts, Plan I. The Bachelor of Arts, Plan II, a broad liberal arts honors program for outstanding students, is described in Bachelor of Arts, Plan II. Plan II emphasizes the humanities but also permits a concentration equivalent to a major in science.

The bachelor of science degrees and degree requirements are listed in College of Natural Sciences.

A student may not earn more than one Bachelor of Arts degree or more than one Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science degree from the University. A student who holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the university may earn a second major designation that will appear on the University transcript. Likewise, a students who holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the university may earn a second major option designation that will appear on the University transcript.

The title of a graduate’s degree appears on his or her diploma, but the major does not. Both the degree and the major appear on the graduate’s University transcript.

Applicability of Certain Courses

Physical Activity Courses

Physical activity (PED) courses and Kinesiology 119 may not be counted toward a degree in the College of Natural Sciences. However, they are counted as courses for which the student is enrolled, and the grades are included in the grade point average.

ROTC Courses

ROTC units are maintained on campus by the Departments of Air Force Science, Military Science, and Naval Science. Information about each program is available from the chair of the department.

Nine semester hours of designated University of Texas at Austin coursework in air force science, military science, or naval science may be counted toward any degree in the College of Natural Sciences.

Courses Taken on the Pass/Fail Basis

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 available at http://registrar.utexas.edu/catalogs/.

Courses in a Single Field

No more than thirty-nine hours may be counted in any one field of study, including the major, unless major requirements state otherwise. No more than thirty-nine hours may be counted in any one college or school other than the College of Liberal Arts or the College of Natural Sciences.

College Algebra

Algebra courses at the level of Mathematics 301 or the equivalent may not be counted toward a degree in the College of Natural Sciences.

Transcript-Recognized Certificate Programs

Undergraduate certificate programs encourage students to explore academic areas that support and extend their degree plans. The following certificates require at least eighteen semester hours of coursework, some of which may also be used to fulfill degree requirements. Undergraduates who complete the certificate requirements in conjunction with their degree requirements or within one year after earning the degree will receive a certificate and recognition on their University transcript. A maximum of nine hours in the certificate program may be taken after completion of the undergraduate degree. At least half of the required coursework in the certificate program must be completed in residence at the University.

Certificate in Computational Science and Engineering

Information relating to the Certificate in Computational Science and Engineering can be found in The University section.

The Elements of Computing Program

The Elements of Computing Program, administered by the Department of Computer Science, is designed to support computational work in disciplines other than computer science and to provide students with skills in the use of computer applications. Any non–computer science major may take any elements of computing course for which he or she meets the prerequisite. No application process is required.

To earn the Elements of Computing Certificate, students must complete eighteen semester hours of coursework with a grade of at least C- in each course. The following courses are required:

With the approval of the certificate program faculty committee, other appropriate courses may be counted toward the elective requirement.

Certificate in Scientific Computation

The Certificate in Scientific Computation helps undergraduates equip themselves with the mathematical, statistical, and computer-based tools necessary to investigate complex systems in a variety of applications. It is designed to appeal to students across the University in science, engineering, economics, premedicine, sociology, and many other disciplines. The program is administered by the Division of Statistics and Scientific Computation. To be admitted, a student must be in good standing in an approved undergraduate degree program and must have earned a grade of at least C- in each certificate course he or she has completed. Students may apply for admission to the program at any point in their undergraduate study; they are encouraged to apply as early as possible so that they can be advised throughout the program.

The following coursework is required. Students must also complete Mathematics 408D or 408M as a prerequisite. No single course or topic may be used to meet more than one of these requirements.

  1. Statistics and Scientific Computation 222
  2. One course in linear algebra, discrete mathematics, or differential equations chosen from the following: Mathematics 340L, 341, 362M, 372K, Statistics and Scientific Computation 329C
  3. Two courses in scientific computing, chosen from two of the following areas:
    1. Numerical methods: Aerospace Engineering 311, Chemical Engineering 348,  Computer Science 323E, 323H, 367, Mathematics 348, Petroleum and Geosystems Engineering 310, Statistics and Scientific Computation 335
    2. Statistical methods: Biomedical Engineering 335, Electrical Engineering 351K, Mathematics 358K, 378K
    3. Other computing topics: Computer Science 324E, 327E, 329E (approved topics), 377, Mathematics 346, 362M, 368K, 372K, 375T (approved topics), 376C, Mechanical Engineering 367S, Statistics and Scientific Computation 329D, 374C, 374D, 374E
  4. One of the following courses in applied computational science: Aerospace Engineering 347, Biology 321G, Biomedical Engineering 341, 342, 346, 377T (approved topics), Chemistry 368 (approved topics), Computer Science 324E, 329E (approved topics), Economics 363C, Electrical Engineering 379K (approved topics), Geological Sciences 325K, Mathematics 375T (approved topics), 374M, Physics 329
  5. An independent research course: Statistics and Scientific Computation 479R

Texas IP Certificate

The Texas Interdisciplinary Plan (Texas IP) Certificate allows students to pursue an integrated course of study with a focus on the development and application of critical thinking skills. The curriculum is designed to complement the student’s major with an interdisciplinary sequence of courses that may encompass the humanities, the social sciences, the natural sciences, and the arts. Students have the opportunity to present an original work in a capstone seminar. Those who plan to pursue the certificate should apply to the program adviser for admission no later than the end of their sophomore year. More information about the Texas IP Certificate is given at http://www.utexas.edu/tip/TexasIP/.

Students must meet the following requirements:

  1. Critical Thinking Seminar: One of the following courses: Liberal Arts 302, Philosophy 311, Natural Sciences 301C (Topic: Research Methods), 302, 311, Undergraduate Studies 303 (Topic: Thinking About Thinking Across the Disciplines)
  2. Critical Writing Seminar: Rhetoric and Writing 309K or 309S. Selected courses in the Department of Rhetoric and Writing may be substituted on a petition basis
  3. Three additional courses, including at least three semester hours of upper-division coursework, from an interdisciplinary topic area prescribed by the Texas Interdisciplinary Plan; or, with approval of the Texas IP Faculty Advisory Panel, a three-course interdisciplinary topic area designed by the student
  4. Senior Capstone Seminar: Liberal Arts 371 or Natural Sciences 371

In the College of Liberal Arts, a student whose major includes a minor may use the Texas IP curriculum as the minor if he or she completes the Texas IP coursework and if the minor is not specified by the major department. Final approval of the Texas IP minor coursework rests with the College of Liberal Arts associate dean for academic affairs or the associate dean’s authorized representative.

In the College of Natural Sciences, the Texas IP Certificate may be used to complement any major. Some certificate courses will also fulfill degree requirements established by the student’s major department and given later in this section; however, some of the eighteen hours required for the certificate may be in addition to the number of hours required for the degree.

Certificate in Textile Conservation

The Certificate in Textile Conservation helps undergraduates equip themselves with the fiber science, exhibition planning, textile conservation and museum management skills necessary to conserve textiles in various settings. It is designed to appeal to students across the University in science, history, information science, computational science, merchandising, fiber science and apparel design and many other disciplines. The program is administered by the Division of Textiles and Apparel in the School of Human Ecology. To be admitted, a student must be in good standing in an approved undergraduate degree program and must have earned a grade of at least C- in each certificate course he or she has completed. Students may apply for admission to the program at any point in their undergraduate study; they are encouraged to apply as early as possible so that they can be advised throughout the program.

The following coursework is required.

  1. Textiles and Apparel 205 and 105L
  2. Textiles and Apparel 219C and 119L
  3. Textiles and Apparel 325L
  4. Textiles and Apparel 325M
  5. Textiles and Apparel 355D
  6. Textiles and Apparel 352C
  7. Information Studies 304D or 304W
  8. Information Studies 335W

 UTeach Teacher Certification

UTeach-Natural Sciences prepares students in the College of Natural Sciences and the Jackson School of Geosciences for single-field teacher certification in mathematics or computer science or for composite certification with biology, chemistry, geological sciences, or physics as the primary teaching field. Composite certification that includes engineering is also available through UTeach-Engineering, in collaboration with the Cockrell School of Engineering. Composite certification requires forty-eight semester hours of coursework, consisting of twenty-four hours in one science, twelve in a second science, and six each in two additional sciences.

Students can complete the courses for certification as electives within a standard bachelor’s degree program; lists of the required content courses and additional certification requirements are available in the UTeach-Natural Sciences office. However, students are strongly encouraged to consider the teaching options in biology, chemistry, geological sciences, mathematics, nutrition, and physics. These incorporate not only the required coursework in the major but also the professional development courses, supporting courses, and courses in other sciences that are required for certification.

To graduate and be recommended for certification, the student must have a University grade point average of at least 2.50. He or she must have earned a grade of at least C- in each of the professional development courses and supporting courses listed below and must pass the final teaching portfolio review. Information about the portfolio review and additional certification requirements is available from the UTeach-Natural Sciences academic adviser.

Students must adhere to current certification requirements, even if they differ from those listed in a University catalog.

Professional Development Sequence

All students seeking teacher certification must complete the following courses:

  1. UTeach-Natural Sciences 101, Secondary Teacher Education Preparation: STEP 1
  2. UTeach-Natural Sciences 110, Secondary Teacher Education Preparation: STEP 2
  3. UTeach-Natural Sciences 170, Student Teaching Seminar
  4. Curriculum and Instruction 650S, Secondary School Teaching Practicum
  5. Curriculum and Instruction 365C, Knowing and Learning in Math and Science
  6. Curriculum and Instruction 365D, Classroom Interactions
  7. Curriculum and Instruction 365E, Project-Based Instruction

Students seeking middle grades certification must also complete the following courses. To be recommended for certification, the student must earn a grade of at least C- in each course.

Curriculum and Instruction 339E, Secondary School Literacy across the Disciplines,
Educational Psychology 363M, Topic 3: Adolescent Development; or both Psychology 301, Introduction to Psychology, and Psychology 304, Introduction to Child Psychology

Supporting Courses

Biology 337, (Topic 2: Research Methods: UTeach); Chemistry 368, (Topic 1: Research Methods—UTeach); or Physics 341, (Topic 7: Research Methods: UTeach)
History 329U, Perspectives on Science and Mathematics, or Philosophy 329U, Perspectives on Science and Mathematics

Interested students are encouraged to start the program at any time during their undergraduate careers. Students must be considering a teaching career in middle grades or secondary school science, computer science, mathematics and/or engineering, and must meet grade point average requirements. Students who are interested in teaching earlier grades should consult the College of Education.

 


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