Natural Science Major

The following courses are required for the natural science major:

¹

NSCI 1423 Concepts in Biology Lecture I and NSCI 1424 Concepts in Biology Lecture II may be substitute, respectively, for NSCI 1403 General Biology Lecture I and NSCI 1404 General Biology Lecture II.

²

One Independent Study course, NSCI 4999 Tutorial, may count toward one of the four lab elective courses.

As listed in the concentrations tab, NSCI 4630 Neuroscience is counted as a non-lab elective if taken alone, but may be counted as a lab-elective if taken with NSCI 4032 Neuroscience Lab. 

Note that NSCI 4032 Neuroscience Lab may not be taken on its own and does not fulfill an elective requirement unless taken concurrently with NSCI 4630 or NSCI 4112.

³

NSCI 4172 Diverse Biologies/Shared Humanity or ENGL 4172 Diverse Biologies/Shared Humanity counts as a (non-lab) elective towards the major, but not towards any concentration.

Other courses may be counted at the department chair’s discretion. It is possible to select electives in order to follow special interests and career goals. This must be done in consultation with the student’s departmental adviser. A grade of C- or better is required in all courses taken to fulfill the major. A student may not take the second half of a one-year course if the grade for the first half is below a C-.

Students are advised that the lecture and laboratory components of general biology, general chemistry, general physics, and organic chemistry should always be taken concurrently.

Advanced placement course credit may be substituted in partial fulfillment of these requisites. Students without two semesters’ advanced placement in chemistry should note that NSCI 1321 General Chemistry Lecture I and NSCI 1322 General Chemistry Lecture II is the prerequisite for NSCI 3121 Organic Chemistry Lecture I and NSCI 3122 Organic Chemistry Lecture II.

Availability

The major in natural science is available at Fordham College at Lincoln Center and Fordham's School of Professional and Continuing Studies at Lincoln Center. 

Fordham College at Lincoln Center students: The requirements above are in addition to those of the Core Curriculum.

Professional and Continuing Studies students: The requirements above are in addition to those of the PCS Core Curriculum and any additional electives that may be required to earn a minimum of 124 credits.

Regularly-Offered Elective courses

¹

Lecture can be taken without lab provided the latter is not needed to fulfill the lab elective requirement for the major.

²

Lab is offered every fall, even years.

Students may pursue one of three concentrations within the major: chemical sciences (CHS), organismal biology (ORB), or cell and molecular biology (C+M). Students may major in natural sciences without declaring a concentration. Students opting for one of the concentrations must fulfill the following additional requirements:

1. One of the four lab electives must be NSCI 4999 Tutorial, in the field of the student’s chosen concentration.
2. At least two of the three remaining lab electives must be in classes in the chosen concentration, designated in the table below.
3. At least four of the six electives overall (lab or non-lab) must be in classes in the chosen concentration, designated in the table below.

Courses with the subject code CHEM are taught by the Chemistry Department and are offered exclusively at the Rose Hill campus.

Elective and Concentration Courses

The following table indicate (a) which courses count toward the required lab elective courses and (b) which courses count toward the respective concentrations in CHS, C+M and ORB.