Division of Natural Sciences

B.A. in General Science

This major is designed for Teacher Education students who plan to teach at the elementary level and other students who want a science background to complement another career goal. There are three areas of competency for the General Science major: Life Science, Mathematics, and Physical Science. Three of the courses (9 credits) will satisfy College Core requirements.

Degree Requirements
The B.A. in General Science requires 120 course credits, including:

College Core Requirements 40 credits*
General Science Major 40-43 credits
Area 1: Life Science 16-18 credits
    A. Choose 3 courses from those listed below:
        BIOL 109 Anatomy and Physiology I (4 credits)
        BIOL 110 Anatomy and Physiology II (4 credits)
        BIOL 211 Microbiology and Human Disease (4 credits)
    B. BIOL 340 Environmental Biology (3 credits)
    C. BIOL 440 Understanding Evolution (3 credits)
Area 2: Mathematics   6-7 credits
    A. MATH 102 Mathematical Modeling (3 credits)
    B. Choose 1 course from those listed below:
        MATH 120 Computational Mathematics (3 credits)
        MATH 212 Biomedical Statistics (4 credits)
        MATH 222 Mathematics for Elementary Education
(only for Teacher Education students)
(3 credits)
Area 3: Physical Science   17 credits
    A. CHEM 109 General, Organic, and Biochemistry (4 credits)
    B. NSCI 301 Astronomy (3 credits)
    C. PHYS 205 Introduction to Physics (4 credits)
    D. Choose two courses from those listed below:
        NSCI 205 Chemistry for the Courtroom (3 credits)
        NSCI 206 Physics of the Universe How Things Work (3 credits)
        NSCI 302 Great Discoveries in Science (3 credits)
        NSCI 303 Wonders of the Weather (3 credits)
        CHEM 315 Descriptive Inorganic Chemistry (3 credits)
Capstone Course: NSCI 403-404 Natural Science Colloquium (3 credits)
Open Electives 35-38 credits
TOTAL 120 credits

*Note – Nine core credits in Natural Science and Mathematics may be satisfied with major requirements.

Sample Program
B.A. in General Science (120 credits)

Year 1

FYE 101 The First-Year Experience 1 credit
ENGL 110 Writing in Context I (fall) 3 credits
ENGL 120 Writing in Context II (spring) 3 credits
MATH 102 Mathematical Modeling 3 credits
Modern Language and Literature Core 6 credits
BIOL 109-110 Anatomy and Physiology I and II 6 credits
CHEM 109 General, Organic, and Biochemistry 4 credits
NSCI 302 Great Discoveries in Science 3 credits
TOTAL 29 credits

Year 2

Core Courses 6 credits
MATH 120 Computational Mathematics 3 credits
NSCI 301 Astronomy 3 credits
Religious Studies Core 3 credits
Introduction to Ethics – Philosophy Core 3 credits
Open Electives 12 credits
TOTAL 30 credits

Year 3

Core Courses 6 credits
BIOL 340 Environmental Biology 3 credits
PHYS 205 Introduction to Physics 4 credits
Religious Studies Topics Core 3 credits
Open Electives 14 credits
TOTAL 30 credits

Year 4

BIOL 440 Understanding Evolution 3 credits
Core Courses 6 credits
NSCI 301 Astronomy 3 credits
NSCI 403-404 Natural Science Colloquium 3 credits
Open Electives 18 credits
TOTAL 31 credits

Total Credits for Graduation: 120