Navigation

Undergraduate Catalog Archive: Fall 2010 - Summer 2011
with Spring 2011 course updates

Undergraduate Catalog F10-S11 with Spring'11 Course Updates Archive

General NSM Degree Information

Baccalaureate Degrees

The college offers the Bachelor of Science degree in all departments and the Bachelor of Arts degree in biochemical and biophysical sciences, biology, chemistry, earth science, mathematics, and physics. Students interested in teaching biology, chemistry, earth science, mathematics, or physics at the secondary level should contact the Office of the Dean for advisement.

Requirements for a Baccalaureate Degree

The following requirements must be met by students who expect to earn a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics. Students will also be required to meet special requirements listed in the Academic Regulations and Degree Requirements section of this catalog

  1. Completion of a minimum of 120 semester hours. At least 36 of the 120 semester hours are to be advanced according to the respective degree plans. Any change or substitution must have the College Dean's written approval. Students must earn a 2.00 minimum cumulative grade point average in all courses attempted at the university.
  2. Completion of the core curriculum requirements.

    Core Curriculum Requirements
    Courses
    		 Hours
    ENGL 1303, 1304. Freshman Composition I, II
    6
    MATH 1310. College Algebra
    3
    Three hours in approved math, logic, statistics, computer science, or music theory courses
    3
    Approved courses in Natural Sciences
    6
    Approved courses in Social and Behavioral Sciences
    3
    Approved courses in Writing in the Discipline
    3
    Approved courses in Humanities
    3
    Approved courses in Visual/Performing Arts
    3
    American History: HIST 1377 and 1378 or equivalent
    6
    American Government: POLS 1336 and 1337 or equivalent
    6
  3. Completion of college degree requirements (B.A. or B.S.) to include a major (29 to 50 semester credit hours of which at least 18 must be advanced) and NSM Capstone course work (at least 6 advanced hours)
    • Of all courses attempted in the major (including both required and "elective" courses in the major), no more than six semester hours with grades below C-. Students exceeding that limit must retake sufficient courses and obtain acceptable grades (C- or above), so that they do not exceed the two course limit. Students may choose the course(s) to retake unless prohibited by specific catalog language. Substitutions must be approved by the major department and the Dean's Office.
    • Students must earn a minimum 2.00 grade point average in all courses in the major (both required and elective) attempted at the university.

Special Requirements - Bachelor of Arts Degree

In addition to meeting the core curriculum requirements, students must complete the following (see major department for specific course work which may be required):

  1. Major department courses: 29-50 hours
    Of all courses attempted, (including both required and elective courses in the major), no more than six semester hours with grades below C-. Students exceeding that limit must retake sufficient courses and obtain acceptable grades (C- or above), so that they do not exceed the two-course limit. Students may choose the course(s) to retake unless prohibited by specific catalog language. Substitutions must be approved by the major department and the Dean's Office. Students must earn a minimum 2.00 grade point average in all courses (either required or elective) attempted in the major at the university .
  2. Foreign Language: 6 hours
    Courses at the 2000-level or above in the same language are required. International students may not take English or their native language (more information is available in the Regulations and Requirements in this catalog).
  3. Mathematics: 6 hours
    These must be selected from courses approved for NSM majors.
  4. Natural Sciences: 7 hours
    Two approved courses in the same discipline, chosen from biochemical and biophysical science, biology, chemistry, earth and atmospheric sciences, and physics. These courses must be from outside the student's major, and only include those courses approved for NS&M majors.
  5. NSM Capstone: 6-21 hours
    The NSM Capstone requirement may be satisfied by completing one of the following options:
    • A double major.
    • A double or previous four-year degree.
    • A six hour senior research project.
    • A senior honors thesis.
    • 6 hours of NSM-designated paired capstone courses - GEOL 3355-3360; COSC 3351-4352.
    • an approved minor.
    • Completion of TeachHouston requirements
    • Computer Science (Business Option) majors may satisfy the capstone requirement by completing six approved advanced hours from MIS 3360 and one of MIS 4374, or 4379, or 4478.

Students should consult the Academic Regulations and Degree Requirements section of this catalog for general information on the requirements for minors. Students must earn a 2.00 minimum cumulative grade point average on all courses attempted in the minor discipline at the University of Houston. Courses which by catalog statement cannot be applied toward a degree in Natural Sciences and Mathematics, or which have other relevant catalog restrictions will not be included in the minor grade point average.

Special Requirements - Bachelor of Science Degree

In addition to meeting the general requirements, students must complete the following (see major department for specific course work which may be required):

  1. Major department courses: 29-50 hours
    Of all courses attempted, (including both required and elective courses in the major), no more than six semester hours with grades below C-. Students exceeding that limit must retake sufficient courses and obtain acceptable grades (C- or above), so that they do not exceed six hours. Students may choose the course(s) to retake unless prohibited by specific catalog language. Substitutions must be approved by the major department and the Dean's Office. Students must earn a minimum 2.00 grade point average in all courses (either required or elective) attempted in the major at the university.
  2. Natural Sciences: 14 hours
    Approved courses, including two laboratories in the same discipline, chosen from biochemical and biophysical science, biology, chemistry, earth and atmospheric sciences, and physics. These courses must be from outside the student's major, and only include those courses approved for NS&M majors.
  3. Mathematics: 12 hours
    These must be selected from courses approved for NSM majors.
  4. NSM Capstone: 6-21 hours
    The NSM Capstone requirement may be satisfied by completing one of the following options:
    • A double major.
    • A double or previous four-degree degree.
    • A six hour senior research project.
    • A senior honors thesis.
    • 6 hours of NSM-designated paired capstone courses - GEOL 3355-3360; COSC 3351-4352.
    • an approved minor.
    • Completion of Teach Houston requirements
    • Computer Science (Business Option) majors may satisfy the capstone requirement by completing six approved advanced hours from MIS 3360 and one of MIS 4374, or 4379, or 4478.

Students should consult the Academic Regulations and Degree Requirements section of this catalog for general information on the requirements for minors. Students must earn a 2.00 minimum cumulative grade point average on all courses attempted in the minor discipline at the University of Houston. Courses which by catalog statement cannot be applied toward a degree in Natural Sciences and Mathematics, or which have other relevant catalog restrictions will not be included in the minor grade point average.

Graduate Programs

The college offers both the Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in all departments. Entry into any graduate program requires a bachelor's degree from a recognized institution and an adequate background in the subject to be studied.

Through reciprocal agreements, graduate students at certain components of the University of Texas System, Rice University, and Baylor College of Medicine may take courses for credit at the University of Houston. University of Houston graduate students may take courses for credit at any of these three institutions. Charges for enrollment (registration) and tuition are made by the parent institution.

For more information on graduate and professional programs and a listing of courses, refer to the Office of the Dean, the appropriate department, or the Graduate and Professional Studies catalog.

Medical Technology

Students who wish to specialize in medical technology will be eligible to receive a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in biology when they satisfactorily complete the following program and the courses in medical technology offered by a hospital approved by the Council on Medical Education and Hospitals of the American Medical Association in collaboration with the Board of Schools of Medical Technology.

Before enrolling in the hospital portion of the training program, transfer students must complete at least the last 30 semester hours, including 16 semester hours in biochemical and biophysical sciences, biology, chemistry, or physics at the University of Houston.

Requirements
Courses Hours

Biology: BIOL 1161/1361, 1162/1362, 2133, 2333, 4272, 4373 or 4374, 4323, 3124, 3324

24
Biochemical and Biophysical sciences: BCHS 3201 , 3304 5
Chemistry: CHEM 1331, 1111, 1332, 1112, 3331, 3221, 3332, 3369, 3119 22
Mathematics: MATH 1330, 1431
3-4 hours approved course 		7
3-4
Physics: PHYS 1301, 1101, 1302, 1102 8

Medical Technology Degree Plan

First Year

Requirements
Fall and Spring Semesters Hours
BIOL 1361/1161 and 1362/1162. Introduction to Biological Science and Laboratory 8
CHEM 1331 and 1111. Fundamentals of Chemistry and Fundamentals of Chemistry Laboratory 4
CHEM 1332 and 1112. Fundamentals of Chemistry and Fundamentals of Chemistry Laboratory 4
ENGL 1303. Freshman Composition I 3
ENGL 1304. Freshman Composition II 3
MATH 1330. Precalculus 3
MATH 1431. Calculus I 4
Social Sciences Core Course 3
Total 32
Requirements
Summer Session Hours
HIST 1377. The United States to 1877 or equivalent 3
HIST 1378. The United States Since 1877 or equivalent 3
Total 6

Second Year

Requirements
Fall and Spring Semesters Hours
BIOL 2333 and 2133. Elementary Microbiology and Elementary Microbiology Laboratory 4
BCHS 3201 and 3304. Biochemistry Laboratory and General Biochemistry I 5
CHEM 3331 and 3221. Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry and Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry Laboratory 5
CHEM 3332 and 3222. Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry and Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry Laboratory 5
PHYS 1301 and 1101. Introductory General Physics and General Physics Laboratory I 4
PHYS 1302 and 1102. Introductory General Physics and General Physics Laboratory II 4
Humanities Core Course 3
Total 30
Requirements
Summer Session Hours
POLS 1336. U.S. and Texas Constitutions and Politics or equivalent 3
POLS 1337. U.S. Government: Congress, President and Courts or equivalent 3
Total 6

Third Year

Requirements
Fall and Spring Semesters Hours
BIOL 4272. Cellular Biology Laboratory 2
BIOL 4373 or 4374. Microbial Physiology or Cell Biology 3
BIOL 4323. Immunology 3
BIOL 3324 and 3124. Human Physiology and Human Physiology Laboratory 4
CHEM 3369 and 3119. Analytical Chemistry and Analytical Chemistry Laboratory 4
NSM Capstone Courses 6
Visual/Performing Arts Core Course 3
Formal Science Course 3-4
Writing in the Discipline Core Course 3
Total 31-32

Additional recommended courses include BIOL 3311, 3301, and 4320, and BCHS 3305. These courses may not be substituted for any of those listed for the first three years.

Catalog Publish Date: August 19, 2010
This Page Last Updated: August 2, 2010
Effective Date of Archive: August 15, 2011