General Science
Jana Prikryl, Program Advisor
541-346-3288
149 Willamette Hall
The general science curriculum allows students to design academic programs that satisfy the requirements for a bachelor of science degree and provide more breadth than traditional science programs. Many exciting areas of scientific inquiry, such as bioinformatics, neuroscience, environmental science, and biophysical science, require broad science backgrounds and encompass several disciplines. Students planning technical careers in one of these areas or careers in the health sciences, in science education, or in a science-related business or social service might be best served by a well-designed multidisciplinary science program.
One strength of the General Science Program is its flexibility. To exploit that strength, students need to design their programs carefully, consulting frequently with the general science advisor. Course sequences that meet requirements for professional schools and training programs should be selected in consultation with the program advisor or other university advisors that specialize in the specific area (for example the Health Professions Program advisors). Students should seek assistance in program planning when they identify or change career goals, because successful application to professional schools and training programs may require completion of additional courses beyond those required for the general science major.
Examples of cross-disciplinary fields, and the subject-matter areas that might be combined in designing a program, are given below:
Animal behavior and ethology—anthropology, biology, psychology
Biophysical sciences—biology, chemistry, human physiology, physics
Cognitive sciences—computer and information science, mathematics, psychology
Environmental sciences—biology, chemistry, geography, geological sciences, physics
Neurosciences—biology, chemistry, psychology
General science majors are encouraged to consult with their advisor during the junior year to ensure that their remaining course work is structured to meet all the requirements for the major. Students should notify the General Science Program office of their intention to graduate at least one term before the proposed graduation date.
Preparation
High school students planning to major in general science should take as much mathematics as possible, including two years of algebra and trigonometry. They should also take science courses in their areas of interest. Students planning to transfer into the General Science Program after two years at a community college or at another college or university should complete courses equivalent to the lower-division requirements listed below and as many as possible of the university’s general-education requirements for a bachelor’s degree. Acceptance of transfer courses and credits is determined by evaluators in the Office of Admissions in consultation with departmental advisors.
Upon admission, transfer students should consult with the general science advisor in the program office.
Careers
Through the General Science Program, prehealth science students preparing for careers in medicine, dentistry, or related fields can meet professional school admission requirements. General science, when combined with a minor or a second major, can work well for students planning careers in science-related business, public relations, and human services.
Undergraduate Studies
Bachelor of Arts Degree Requirements
| Lower Division 1 | 44-56 | |
| Calculus I-II | ||
or MATH 246–247 | Calculus for the Biological Sciences I-II | |
| Select three sequences or three-course combinations from the following; two sequences must include labs: | ||
Anthropology | ||
| Introduction to Biological Anthropology | ||
Select two of the following: | ||
| Introduction to Monkeys and Apes | ||
| Evolution of Human Sexuality | ||
| Human Evolution | ||
| Human Biological Variation | ||
Biology | ||
| General Biology I-IV (choose three) | ||
or BI 281H–283H | Honors Biology I-III | |
Chemistry | ||
Select one of the following: | ||
| General Chemistry and General Chemistry Laboratory | ||
| Honors General Chemistry and Advanced General Chemistry Laboratory | ||
Computer and Information Science | ||
| Computer Science I-III | ||
Geography | ||
| The Natural Environment | ||
Select one of the following: | ||
| Our Digital Earth | ||
| Climatology | ||
| Geomorphology | ||
| Biogeography | ||
| Global Environmental Change | ||
Geological Sciences | ||
| Earth's Interior Heat and Dynamics | ||
| Earth Surface and Environmental Geology | ||
| Evolution of the Earth | ||
Physics | ||
Select one of the following: | ||
| General Physics and Introductory Physics Laboratory | ||
| Foundations of Physics I | ||
| Upper Division | 32 | |
32 credits of approved upper-division science courses (for a complete list of approved courses see the General Science Program website gensci.uoregon.edu/general-science-checksheet) 2 | ||
| Total Credits | 76-88 | |
| 1 | All students must demonstrate a proficiency in mathematics by passing Calculus II. In addition, all students must take three course sequences (or three course combinations in the case of ANTH and GEOG) from the list below, two of which must include laboratories. The labs might be imbedded in the class (as with BI, CIS, and GEOL), or taken as separate courses (as with CH and PHYS). All courses must be completed with grades of C– or P (pass) or better. Courses graded N (no pass) or F may be repeated for credit. |
| 2 | Two areas of emphasis from two different departments are required. Each emphasis consists of 12 upper-division credits from a single department. At least 24 of of the 32 credits must be taken for letter grades and at least 24 must be taken at the University of Oregon. Four of the 32 credits may be Research (401), Thesis (403), or Supervised College Teaching (402). Other courses numbered 400–410 may not be included unless approved in advance by the general science adviser. Upper-division courses used for another major may not be used to satisfy general science requirements. All courses must be completed with grades of P or C– or better. |
Bachelor of Science Degree Requirements
| Lower Division 1 | 44-56 | |
| Calculus I-II | ||
or MATH 246–247 | Calculus for the Biological Sciences I-II | |
| Select three sequences or three-course combinations from the following; two sequences must include labs: | ||
Anthropology | ||
| Introduction to Biological Anthropology | ||
Select two of the following: | ||
| Introduction to Monkeys and Apes | ||
| Evolution of Human Sexuality | ||
| Human Evolution | ||
| Human Biological Variation | ||
Biology | ||
| General Biology I-IV (choose three) | ||
or BI 281H–283H | Honors Biology I-III | |
Chemistry | ||
Select one of the following: | ||
| General Chemistry and General Chemistry Laboratory | ||
| Honors General Chemistry and Advanced General Chemistry Laboratory | ||
Computer and Information Science | ||
| Computer Science I-III | ||
Geography | ||
| The Natural Environment | ||
Select one of the following: | ||
| Our Digital Earth | ||
| Climatology | ||
| Geomorphology | ||
| Biogeography | ||
| Global Environmental Change | ||
Geological Sciences | ||
| Earth's Interior Heat and Dynamics | ||
| Earth Surface and Environmental Geology | ||
| Evolution of the Earth | ||
Physics | ||
Select one of the following: | ||
| General Physics and Introductory Physics Laboratory | ||
| Foundations of Physics I | ||
| Upper Division | 32 | |
32 credits of approved upper-division science courses (for a complete list of approved courses see the General Science Program website gensci.uoregon.edu/general-science-checksheet) 2 | ||
| Total Credits | 76-88 | |
| 1 | All students must demonstrate a proficiency in mathematics by passing Calculus II. In addition, all students must take three course sequences (or three course combinations in the case of ANTH and GEOG) from the list below, two of which must include laboratories. The labs might be imbedded in the class (as with BI, CIS, and GEOL), or taken as separate courses (as with CH and PHYS). All courses must be completed with grades of C– or P (pass) or better. Courses graded N (no pass) or F may be repeated for credit. |
| 2 | Two areas of emphasis from two different departments are required. Each emphasis consists of 12 upper-division credits from a single department. At least 24 of of the 32 credits must be taken for letter grades and at least 24 must be taken at the University of Oregon. Four of the 32 credits may be Research (401), Thesis (403), or Supervised College Teaching (402). Other courses numbered 400–410 may not be included unless approved in advance by the general science adviser. Upper-division courses used for another major may not be used to satisfy general science requirements. All courses must be completed with grades of P or C– or better. |
The lower-division courses must be completed with grades of C– or P (pass) or better. Courses graded N (no pass) or F may be repeated for credit.
The upper-division requirements are for students who declared the general science major fall 2000 or later. Students who declared the major before fall 2000 follow the requirements that were in effect when they declared the major. Upper-division credits used to satisfy minimum requirements of another major may not be used to satisfy upper-division requirements in general science. At least 24 upper-division science credits must be completed at the University of Oregon to meet the general science residency requirement.
Upper-division courses may be selected from the general science web page.
Honors Program
Students preparing to graduate with honors in general science should notify the program director no later than the first term of the senior year.
Honors in general science centers on a thesis, which is the culmination of research conducted under the direction of a faculty advisor. The advisor does not need to be a member of the general science committee.
To graduate with honors, students must have at least a 3.50 overall grade point average and a GPA of 3.50 or better in the sciences. In addition, they must complete 9 credits of Research (401) or Thesis (403) or both in the appropriate department. These credits must be distributed over at least two terms and cannot be used to fulfill emphasis-area requirements.
Upon approval of the thesis by the advisor and the program director, honors in general sciences are awarded.
For guidelines and calendar, see a general science advisor.
Program Planning
Information about program planning and detailed sample programs are available in the General Science Program office. Prehealth science students who choose the general science major should design their programs to meet the admission requirements of the professional school of their choice. See also Preparatory Programs in the Academic Resources section of this catalog.
Kindergarten through Secondary Teaching Careers
An academic major in general science can provide a strong background for certain teacher-education licensure programs. Students interested in teaching general science in middle school and junior high school should be aware that the integrated science endorsement requires broader preparation than the minimum requirements for the general science major. The College of Education offers a fifth-year program for middle-secondary teaching licensure in science. See the College of Education section of this catalog.