General NSM Degree Information - University of Houston (2023)

College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics> 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 Requirementssection of this catalog

1. Completion of a minimum of 120 credit hours. At least 36 of the 120 credit 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 - First Year Writing I, ENGL 1304 - First Year Writing II	6
   MATH 1310 - College Algebra	3
   Three hours in approved math, logic, statistics, computer science, or music theory courses	3
   Life and Physical Sciences: Approved Core Courses	6
   Social and Behavioral Sciences: Approved Core Courses	3
   Writing in the Disciplines: Approved Core Courses	3
   	3
   Creative Arts: Approved Core Courses	3
   American History: HIST 1377and HIST 1378or equivalent	6
   Government/Political Science: POLS 1336and POLS 1337or equivalent	6

3. Completion of college degree requirements (B.A. or B.S.) to include a major (29 to 50 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 and applicable to the major (including both required and “elective” courses in the major), no more than six credit 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 six credit hour 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.

The Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts degrees in NSM, require that:

• No course in the major with a grade below C- be used as a prerequisite for any required or elective major course;
• Students with more than six hours below C- in their major courses not be allowed to enroll in subsequent major courses without written permission from the undergraduate advisor.
• Students who have successfully completed any NSM course with a grade of B- or better may not re-enroll in that class without the express written permission of the NSM Dean. This policy does not apply to courses referred to as repeatable, such as Independent Study or Selected Topics courses, that are often designed to be taken more than once for additional credits each time.

All NSM majors are encouraged to meet with the undergraduate advisor prior to enrollment (registration) each term.

Prerequisites for all major courses are strictly enforced.

• 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 and applicable to the major (including both required and “elective” courses in the major), no more than six credit 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 six credit hour 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 Requirementssection of this catalog).
3. Mathematics: 6 hours
   These must be selected from courses approved for NSM majors.
4. Life & Physical 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 NSM 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 six-hour senior honors thesis.
   • Six (6) hours of NSM-designated paired capstone courses: GEOL 3355, GEOL 3360; GEOL 4355, GEOL 4381; COSC 4353,COSC 4354; COSC 4353, COSC 4355.
   • An approved minor.
   • Completion of TeachHouston requirements

Students should consult the Academic Regulations and Degree Requirementssection 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 attemptedand applicable to the major (including both required and “elective” courses in the major), no more than six credit 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 six-credit hour 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. Life & Physical 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 NSM 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 six-hour senior honors thesis.
   • Six (6) hours of NSM-designated paired capstone courses: GEOL 3355, GEOL 3360; GEOL 4355, GEOL 4381; COSC 4353, COSC 4354; COSC 4353, COSC 4355.
   • An approved minor.
   • Completion of Teach Houston requirements

Students should consult the Academic Regulations and Degree Requirementssection 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.