The Science major is an integrated undergraduate-graduate (IUG) degree program that aims to provide a broad, general education in science. The bachelor of science (B.S.) curriculum is designed specifically for students who have education goals relating to scientific theory and practice and who require a high degree of flexibility to obtain their educational objectives. After completing foundation courses in calculus, chemistry, physics, and the life sciences, students will select additional science courses from designated areas. A large number of supporting credits permit students to readily include significant breadth or specialization into their undergraduate curriculum. Some examples include minors in business, computer and information science, education, kinesiology, or other fields. The degree allows students throughout the Commonwealth to become familiar with both the theory and the practice of science. It can help prepare students for various careers in pharmaceutical, biotechnical, chemical, medical, and agricultural industries. The degree can also be tailored to meet the specific requirements of professional programs such as medical, dental, or pharmacy schools. The General Science option of the B.S. Science degree allows for the most flexibility. Achievement in a more specialized set of goals can be met by selecting one of the other three B.S. options offered: the Life Sciences option, the Mathematical Sciences option, or the Physical Sciences option. Not all of these options are available at all locations, so see the Science program director at your College for further details.
In order to be eligible for entrance to the Science major, a student at any location must have: 1) attained at least a 2.00 cumulative grade-point average; 2) completed MATH 140 GQ(4) with a grade of C or better; 3) completed at least two of the following courses, BIOL 110 GN(4); CHEM 110 GN(3); PHYS 211 GN(4) or PHYS 250 GN(4), with a grade of C or better.
TWO-YEAR PREPROFESSIONAL PREPARATION: The first two years of the Science major (62 credits) can meet the preprofessional needs of those interested in admission to some schools of pharmacy, physical therapy, optometry, nursing, and physician assistant training. Successful students can then transfer after two years of undergraduate study to the professional school to which they are admitted. Note, however, that no Penn State degree can be awarded after only two years (62 credits) of study in the Science major. Also, note that the abbreviated two-year curriculum alone does not prepare students for admission to professional schools of general medicine, veterinary medicine, or dental medicine. Consult with your college's health sciences professional adviser for additional information.
1. A minimum of 112 acceptable undergraduate credits, which must include:
- (30 credits) The University's General Education requirements in the areas of Writing and Speaking (9), Health and Physical Activity (3), Arts (6), Humanities (6), and Social and Behavioral Sciences (6). (Note: Students will be required to take ECON 002 GS(3) and ECON 004 GS(3) in order to satisfy the Social and Behavioral Sciences requirement. The University's General Education requirements in the areas of Quantification and Natural Sciences will be satisfied by course work listed under heading "c".)
- The University's First-Year Seminar, United States Cultures, International Cultures, and Writing Across the Curriculum requirements. (Note: These requirements may be double counted in order to satisfy other requirements in the program.)
- (53-57 credits) BIOL 110 GN(4), CHEM 110 GN(3), CHEM 111(1), CHEM 112 GN(3), CHEM 113 GN(1), CMPSC 203 GQ(4), MATH 140 GQ(4), MATH 141 GQ(4), PHYS 211 GN(4), PHYS 212 GN(4), PHYS 213 GN(2), PHYS 214 GN(2), or PHYS 250 GN(4), PHYS 251 GN(4), STAT 200 GQ(4); an additional life science course selected from B M B 211(3), B M B 251(3), or MICRB 201(3); and 14 additional credits of course work from the Eberly College of Science, with at least nine credits at the 400 level.
- (0-8 credits) Demonstration of second semester proficiency in a single foreign language.
- (3-9 credits) SC 295(1-3), SC 395(1-3), SC 495(1-3) (Note: Students must complete three Eberly College of Science Cooperative Education experiences, including at least one experience which is a full semester in length.)
- (4 credits) ACCTG 211(4)
- (4-22 credits) Supporting courses and related areas selected from the program list.
2. The first semester of course work in The Smeal College of Business M.B.A. program (i.e., a minimum of 12 graduate credits).
For the B.S. degree in Science, a minimum of 124 credits is required, with at least 15 credits at the 400 level.
Scheduling Recommendation by Semester Standing given like (Sem: 1-2)
GENERAL EDUCATION: 45 credits
(15 of these 45 credits are included in the REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MAJOR)
(See description of General Education in this bulletin.)
FIRST-YEAR SEMINAR:
(Included in GENERAL EDUCATION course selection or SUPPORTING COURSES AND RELATED AREAS)
UNITED STATES CULTURES AND INTERNATIONAL CULTURES:
(Included in GENERAL EDUCATION course selection or SUPPORTING COURSES AND RELATED AREAS)
WRITING ACROSS THE CURRICULUM:
(Included in GENERAL EDUCATION course selection or REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MAJOR or SUPPORTING COURSES AND RELATED AREAS)
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MAJOR: 94 credits
(This includes 15 credits of General Education courses: 9 credits of GN courses; 6 credits of GQ courses.)
COMMON REQUIREMENTS FOR MAJOR (ALL OPTIONS): 29-37 credits
PRESCRIBED COURSES (20 credits)
CHEM 110 GN(3)[1], CHEM 111 GN(1), CHEM 112 GN(3), CHEM 113 GN(1), MATH 140 GQ(4)[1], MATH 141 GQ(4) (Sem: 1-2)
BIOL 110 GN(4)[1] (Sem: 1-4)
ADDITIONAL COURSES (3 credits)
Select 3 credits from B M B 211(3), B M B 251(3), or MICRB 201(3) (Sem: 3-4)
SUPPORTING COURSES AND RELATED AREAS (6-14 credits)
Select 6 credits of 400-level courses (Sem: 5-8)
Select 0-8 credits in a foreign language (proficiency demonstrated by examination or course work to the level of the second semester; if fewer than 8 credits are needed to reach the required proficiency, students choose selections from program list to total 8 credits) (Sem: 1-8)
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE OPTION: 57-65 credits
GENERAL SCIENCE OPTION: (57-65 credits)
ADDITIONAL COURSES (11-16 credits)
Select 3-4 credits from CMPSC 101 GQ(3), MATH 230(4), MATH 250(3), or STAT 200 GQ(4) (Sem: 3-4)
PHYS 211 GN(4)[1], PHYS 212 GN(4), PHYS 213 GN(2), PHYS 214 GN(2); or PHYS 250 GN(4)[1], PHYS 251 GN(4) (Sem: 3-6)
SUPPORTING COURSES AND RELATED AREAS (41-54 credits)
(A maximum of 12 credits of Independent Study [296, 496] may be applied toward credits for graduation.)
Select 3 credits from earth and mineral sciences (Sem: 3-8)
Select 18 credits in life, mathematical, or physical sciences, with at least 9 credits[1] at the 400 level[60] (Sem: 3-8)
Select 20-33 credits from program list (Students may apply 6 credits of ROTC.) (Sem: 1-8)