General Science
The general science major provides a broad scientific background for students who wish to pursue a career in science-related fields, including health professions, education, law, science technology, scientific writing and editing, sales, and marketing. The major is designed to provide a basic knowledge of the contributing disciplines while allowing students to gain more in-depth knowledge in chemistry and biochemistry, biology, or physics through upper-level elective courses. All courses in the major are selected from existing courses in the contributing departments (biological sciences, chemistry and biochemistry, computer and information sciences, mathematics, and physics). These courses are taught by faculty members from the contributing departments and conform to the rigorous standards of those disciplines. Upon successful completion of all major and core requirements students graduate with a B.S. in general science.
Each semester, students enrolled in this major must have their choice of courses approved by the program director or assigned adviser. Students must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0 in the required courses for this major. Students may register for a double major in general science and all other majors except biological sciences, chemistry, environmental science, integrative neuroscience (cell and molecular neuroscience track), and physics; however, any minors in these disciplines are allowed and encouraged. There is no minor in general science.
Note: The general science major is not intended for students planning to attend graduate school in a specific science discipline since they may need to complete the undergraduate major in that particular discipline to meet the prerequisites for graduate studies. If there is a real chance that a student may wish to pursue a graduate degree in a specific science discipline, or that a student might wish to pursue a career for which a degree in a specific science discipline is either required or strongly recommended, then that student should choose a discipline-based undergraduate science major (either biological sciences, chemistry, or physics).
Learning Goals for the General Science Degree
By completing the degree in General Science:
- A student will demonstrate the ability to apply the scientific process across multiple fields.
- Understand the defining characteristics of the scientific method.
- Develop testable hypotheses, design experiments, interpret results, and present analyses of data.
- A student will have a quantitative background.
- Understand quantitative approaches in the field of STEM.
- Learn the basics of computer programming and analysis.
- Evaluate information by discriminating between non-science and science.
- A student will demonstrate the ability to effectively communicate and collaborate within multiple fields of the sciences as well as other disciplines outside the sciences.
- Communicate science through formal written and oral methods.
- Recognize the interdisciplinary nature of science.