Biological and Physical Sciences, BS

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Major in Biological and Physical Sciences (120 hours)

The Bachelor of Science in Biological and Physical Sciences provides both a broad-based curriculum in the liberal arts and a specific set of courses in the natural sciences designed to meet the personal and career goals and interests of the student. This degree is especially appropriate for students interested in multidisciplinary areas such as environmental science, earth/geological science, forensic science, life science, medical technology, public health, science education, and any health-related program that requires a bachelor’s degree for entry into a particular graduate program. Students interested in careers in teaching can pursue the B.S. in Biological and Physical Sciences with Concentration in Teacher Certification.

Degree Requirements

General Education Requirements

Common Core Requirements

See the Common Core Requirements section of the catalog for Undergraduate Academic Programs.

Integrated Requirements in Communication and Ethics

Students pursuing degrees in the Natural Sciences must complete two courses in written communication and one course in ethics. Generally these required courses are integrated into each degree. A list of these required courses is found here .

Major Requirements

Lower-Level Science Requirements

(Some of the following courses may be taken to fulfill common core requirements)

Upper-Level Requirements

Forty-four hours, of which at least 22 hours must be in the natural sciences, (biology, chemistry, geology, microbiology, and physics) with a minimum grade point average in natural sciences courses of 2.0 or better. At least 18 of these hours must be taken at UHD. At least 7-8 hours must be in 4000-level natural sciences lecture courses with at least one laboratory course. Field experience or thesis credit cannot be used to satisfy this 4000-level requirement.

Note:

Excluding the hours listed under “Lower-level Science Requirements,” no more than 28 hours of natural sciences courses (biology, chemistry, geology microbiology and physics) may be in a single discipline, and no more than 18 hours of the required upper-level science may be in a single discipline. This rule does not apply to BPS degree with concentrations.

Free Electives

Electives must be taken to complete the minimum 120 hours required for the degree. Up to 6 hours of research may be counted toward the degree.