1997-98 UAF Catalog

Degrees and Programs

Course Description Index

General Science

College of Science, Engineering and Mathematics
Department of Physics
(907) 474-6108

Degrees: B.S., M.S.

Minimum Requirements for Degrees: B.S.: 130 credits; M.S.: 30 additional credits

The B.S. in General Science has been designed to provide a broad background in the Natural Sciences and to allow for specialization in at least two of the disciplines within the Natural Sciences as well as an additional area of associated interest. This degree offers more breadth in the Natural Sciences than the other degree programs and may be classified as an interdisciplinary degree.

The Department of General Science offers a M.S. in Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Geosciences, and Physics. This degree may be described as a "breadth" rather than a "depth" degree, and a candidate is ordinarily pursuing a course of study in which one of these disciplines is cooperating with at least one other discipline within the University. A prospective candidate must meet the general requirements for admission and for the awarding of the degree. At least 21 credits must be earned in science and mathematics. At least 12 credits must be earned in the major discipline selected. A thesis (maximum of three credits) or project (no credit) must be completed in the major discipline. It is not intended that the individual courses comprising the program merely satisfy the credit requirements; each course should contribute to the specific aim of the candidate, and the thesis or project should reflect this aim.

Undergraduate Degree Requirements

General Science -- B.S. Degree

  1. Complete the general university requirements.
  2. Complete the following degree and program (major) requirements:

    First Year
    Fall Semester 17 credits
    ENGL 111X -- Methods of Written Comm. (3 credits)
    MATH 107X-108 -- Functions for Calculus/Trigonometry (6 credits)
    CHEM 105X* -- General Chemistry
         or PHYS 103X* -- College Physics (4 credits)
    BIOL 105X -- Fundamentals of Biology (4 credits)
    Spring Semester 15 credits
    COMM 131X or 141X (3 credits)
    MATH 200X -- Calculus (4 credits)
    CHEM 106X* -- General Chemistry
         or PHYS 104X* -- College Physics (4 credits)
    BIOL 106X -- Fundamentals of Biology (4 credits)
    Second Year
    Fall Semester 18 credits
    PHYS 103X* -- College Physics
         or CHEM 105X* -- General Chemistry (4 credits)
    GEOS 101X -- The Dynamic Earth (4 credits)
    Perspectives on the Human Condition (6 credits)
    ENGL 211X -- Intermediate Exposition with Modes of Lit.
         or ENGL 213X -- Intermediate Exposition (3 credits)
    Spring Semester 16 credits
    PHYS 104X* -- College Physics
         or CHEM 106X* -- General Chemistry (4 credits)
    GEOS 112X -- Historical Geology (4 credits)
    Perspectives on the Human Condition (3 credits)
    Electives (5 credits)
    *PHYS 211-213 may substitute for PHYS 103-104 and CHEM 212 may substitute for CHEM 105-106.
    Third and Fourth Years

    By at least the beginning of his/her junior year, a student in General Science should decide upon his/her major and minor fields of interest. A B.S. in General Science requires the student to choose two majors or one major and two minors in selected fields of interest.

    A major requires the completion of at least 20 credits in addition to the foundation courses in the discipline. The first major must be selected from Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Geosciences, or Physics.

    A student then has the option of selecting: (1) a second major in biological sciences, chemistry, geosciences, physics, or mathematics or (2) two minors, one of which must be in the natural sciences or mathematics, while the other may be selected from the following disciplines: anthropology, English, French, German, Spanish, Russian, history, political science, or economics. The minor must include 12 or more credits in addition to the foundation courses in that discipline.

    A General Science student, after meeting with his/her General Science advisor, should contact the head of the major/minor department as early as possible to determine course requirements in that discipline. These courses will be determined by the department head of the discipline and will reflect the student's needs as well as the intent of the General Science program.

Additional Information:

  1. All prerequisites of courses elected must be met.
  2. A grade of "C" or better must be attained in all courses for the major or minor.
  3. One year of German or Russian is recommended.
  4. Courses selected to complete the remaining general degree requirements must be the remaining required courses from Perspectives on the Human Condition section of the baccalaureate core.
  5. A student does not need to take MATH 107-108 if he/she successfully completes MATH 200X with a grade of "C" or better.

Graduate Degree Requirements

General Science -- M.S. Degree

Admission Requirements

  1. Baccalaureate degree with a 3.0 GPA
  2. Submit to the UAF Admissions office:
    1. UAF graduate application for admission
    2. Official transcripts
    3. Three letters of reference.
    4. Scores from Graduate Record Examination, general test.

Degree Requirements

  1. Complete UAF degree requirements. Complete the degree within the 7 year time limit, with no more than 9 transfer credits.
  2. Pass a comprehensive examination.
  3. Write a thesis or project report and pass an oral defense.

    Course Requirements (30 credits)
  4. Complete a minimum of 30 credits, of which 24 credits must be at the 600 level. Complete General Science requirements as developed with a graduate advisory committee.