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| College of Sciences |
Joe M. King, Dean
The College of Sciences offers degree curricula in biological sciences, chemistry, computer science, environmental science and policy, geology, geophysics, mathematics, physics, and psychology. From course offerings of the various departments, the College of Sciences can also prepare a student for professional study in medicine, dentistry, medical technology, pharmacy, veterinary medicine, nursing, dental hygiene, occupational therapy, ophthalmic medical technology, physician’s assistant, physical therapy, rehabilitation counseling, and respiratory therapy. In several of these, a bachelor’s degree is granted upon successful completion of a prescribed two- or three-year program at UNO plus specific professional study.
A student who plans to pursue a degree program in the College of Sciences should make use of the high school grades 9 through 12 in developing as fully as possible his or her potential as a student. During these four years the student should complete the following work, if possible:
Mathematics: ‑Four years, including two of algebra, one of geometry, and one of advanced mathematics (to include the equivalent of at least one-half year of trigonometry)
English: Four years
Social Sciences: Three years
Science: Three years
Foreign Language: ‑Four years of one language. Note in subsequent pages that the language requirement differs among the several departments. If the student in high school can take a language which meets the requirements of his or her proposed college curriculum it will be advantageous.
The departments within the College of Sciences are prepared to advise a prospective student or an enrolled student at any time.
College of Sciences
Degree Requirements
The College of Sciences has established the following degree requirements which must be completed by all students working toward a baccalaureate degree. Most curricula demand more than the minimum completions designated here and may call for specific courses where the general requirements allow a choice. Each student is held responsible for knowing degree requirements, for enrolling in courses that fit into his or her degree program, and for taking courses in the proper sequence to ensure orderly progression of the program.
Subject Requirements
1. Sciences
At least 48 hours in the College of Sciences, to include:
a) ‑At least six hours of mathematics. See major for specific course requirements.
b) ‑An eight semester-hour sequence including laboratory outside the student’s major in one of the following: biological sciences, chemistry, geology, or physics. The following biological sciences are acceptable: 1073, 1071, 1083, 1081; or 1073, 1071, 2014; or 1083, 1081, 2114. Course descriptions should be consulted for the prerequisites for Biological Sciences 2014 or 2114.
c) ‑An additional eight semester hours in science courses other than the student’s major. No science credit is given for certain College of Sciences courses designated by the College of Sciences Faculty Council. A list of such courses is available in the College of Sciences office.
2. Humanities and Social Sciences
‑At least 33 hours in the humanities, arts, and social sciences, to include completion of:
a) English 1158 or 1159 with a grade of “C” or better.
b) ‑Twelve hours above the freshman level of which at least six must be in literature at the 2000 level or above.
c) ‑At least six hours in the social sciences and at least three hours in humanities other than English and three hours in arts.
Humanities and social sciences courses must be chosen from the areas of concentration as listed in this catalog under University Regulations with the exclusion of education courses classified as health-safety or physical education. A maximum of three hours in skill courses in music and art (e.g., piano, voice, drawing) will be accepted as humanities electives.
Requirements for the
Baccalaureate Degree
The degree of Bachelor of Science may be granted upon satisfactorily meeting the following requirements:
1. Completion of the general degree requirements of UNO.
2. ‑Completion of the degree requirements of the College of Sciences.
3. ‑Completion of a program of study established by the department concerned (or for non-departmentalized areas by a college committee). This program must appear in a catalog in force while the student is in residence. If the student breaks enrollment (either voluntarily or by compulsion) for two consecutive semesters (not one semester and a summer term) he/she may not elect a catalog earlier than the one in force at the time of re-enrollment.
4. Approval of all electives by the College of Sciences.
The College of Sciences assists the student in monitoring degree progress by the completion of a preliminary graduation check-out, prepared when the student has completed at least 75 hours, and an official graduation check-out prepared the semester before the student is expected to graduate. It is the student’s responsibility to verify these check-outs with the department of his or her major and discuss any problems with the undergraduate coordinator and the college counselor. This process assures that the student’s final transcript meets all the requirements for the baccalaureate degree in his or her major.
Transfer Students
A transfer student is expected to meet all admission and degree requirements listed above. He or she should consult with a College of Sciences counselor and the undergraduate coordinator of the major department as soon as possible in order to make maximum use of the transfer credit. General science courses usually are not acceptable as transfer credit. A student may request a reevaluation of a course for which credit is denied if the subject matter covered seems to warrant this action. Acceptance of credit by the University does not mean that this credit may always be applied by the student in the chosen curriculum. The college may decline to accept transfer credits in any course in which a grade lower than C has been received.
A transfer student must meet all the quality point averages (overall, college, department, and last 60 hours) listed in the general degree requirements of the University. These requirements are applied to all college work wherever attempted. The transfer student must also have a 2.0 in each of these averages on work attempted at UNO. In addition, a student transferring from another university is required to earn a minimum of 15 hours in his/her major in the College of Sciences at UNO.
College Warning
Once a student in the College of Sciences has attempted 60 hours, he/she will be given a college warning whenever either the UNO or overall average in courses offered in the College of Sciences* is ten or more quality points below a 2.0. The warning will serve as a reminder to the student that he/she must earn at least a 2.0 science average, both at UNO and overall, in order to earn a degree from the University.
*Departments of Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Computer Science, Geology and Geophysics, Mathematics, Physics, and Psychology.
Program Planning
The student should follow the curriculum established by the department as closely as possible. The curricula for the different departments in the college are presented on the following pages. Each student is responsible for the attainment of personal, career, and intellectual objectives. Planning is required if maximum benefit is to be received from the college years; students must examine their own goals and consult an adviser early in order to take full advantage of free electives, science electives, and courses offered to fulfill general degree requirements. For alternative paths to remain available, it is frequently necessary that certain electives be taken during the sophomore year. The departmental adviser or college counselor should be consulted before the end of the freshman year and regularly thereafter.
A normal semester course load is 15 to 16 credit hours. Students who are weak academically must plan either to attend summer school or to extend their program to more than four years. No student may register for more than 19 hours without consent of the dean and no student on probation may register for more than 13 hours. Students in the College should use discretion in registering for more than 17 hours as this would be above the normal load. New freshmen are advised not to register for more than 16 hours unless they have received advanced math placement. Students employed off campus for more than 15 hours a week should consider their academic potential before attempting normal academic loads.
Electives
Free electives and science electives should be chosen with great care so that they complement the major program in a positive way. Duplication of subject matter is to be avoided. Credit will not be given for courses that cover subject matter similar to that in a course for which the student has previously earned credit. Specific examples of overlapping subject matter are found among statistics and computer-oriented courses offered by different departments and among some physics, mathematics, and engineering courses. Care should be taken when electing courses from these areas, and an adviser should be consulted.
All free electives, science electives, and courses submitted to fulfill the general degree requirements must be approved by the student’s major department and by the College of Sciences. A wide variety of courses is available to meet these requirements. However, the student should be aware that different departments have different regulations as to what is and what is not acceptable for a degree.
No student in the College of Sciences may use Physics 1001, 1002, 1003, 1004, Chemistry 1012, 1020 or any mathematics course below the 2000 level as an elective, unless otherwise stated in a particular curriculum. Courses in certain areas such as academic orientation, chorus, band, health and physical education, military science, engineering drawing, nursing, religion, home economics, agriculture, paralegal studies, office administration, and books and libraries may be accepted as unrestricted electives up to a total of six hours degree credit. If a student feels that more than six hours from any one or a combination of these areas are justifiable within the program, then he or she may present the case to the College for review. In presenting the case the student must demonstrate that the courses are relevant to his or her educational goals. The request to take additional hours in these areas should be made as early as possible in the student’s academic career and must be made before registration for the last 30 hours.
If a student’s curriculum does not specify the level of required science electives, they must be chosen from courses numbered above 2000. An adviser should be consulted to clarify the conditions existing in different departments.
Louisiana Universities
Marine Consortium
The Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium (LUMCON) is an organization of the public universities in the state (including the University of New Orleans). LUMCON was chartered in 1979 to develop coordinated marine research and education within the state university system and provide coastal facilities for these programs.
LUMCON’s principal facility is the Universities Marine Center at Cocodrie. The Center consists of a 50,000 square foot laboratory-dormitory complex, 95 foot and 55 foot research vessels, numerous small vessels and collecting equipment, and docking and service facilities for all the vessels. Satellite facilities with laboratories, accommodations, and small boats are operational at Port Fourchon and at Fearman Bayou. The Port Fourchon Laboratory provides ready access to salt and brackish marshes, the bays and bayous of the Timbalier and Barataria Bay systems, beaches, and the Gulf of Mexico, while the Fearman Bayou Laboratory provides access to a wildlife refuge on Vermillion Bay, brackish and fresh water marshes, and coastal cheniers.
College courses in the marine sciences offered at all three facilities emphasize extensive field experience and studies of living organisms in their natural habitat and in the laboratory. Enrollment in each course may be limited by space and accommodations available at a particular laboratory, but applicants from member institutions of LUMCON will be given priority. Students enrolled at UNO will register for LUMCON courses through UNO and will pay tuition based on the UNO fee schedule. Credit for such courses will be awarded by UNO and will be recorded on student transcripts. For details of marine science courses to be offered at LUMCON facilities, see course offerings in Biological Sciences and consult the Chairs of the Departments of Biological Sciences and Geology and Geophysics.
Major Programs
Formal curricula are presented below to guide the student in preparing to enter, or in pursuing, a program in the College of Sciences.
CURRICULUM IN BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
This curriculum, which leads to the bachelor of science degree, requires 128 hours of course work as described below. All University, College of Sciences, and departmental requirements must be met. This curriculum will allow students the flexibility to pursue a variety of program specializations. Information on these specializations and on career opportunities in the biological sciences is available in a Career Guidance Brochure that can be obtained in the Biological Sciences departmental office. Students are encouraged to take calculus as an elective, especially those planning to attend graduate school.
Biological Sciences majors must earn a grade of C or better in all mathematics and science courses presented to satisfy departmental degree requirements in the curriculum. Each student must complete Biological Sciences 1073, 1071, 1083, 1081, 2014, 2114, 3091, and 4010 as well as a minimum of 23 hours of credit in biological sciences electives. A maximum of four credit hours of 2000-level biological sciences courses may be taken for biological sciences elective credit. Additional 2000-level courses may be taken for elective credit. A maximum of six credit hours of research courses (Biological Sciences 2002, 2092, 3092, and 4091) may be taken for biological sciences elective credit. Additional hours of research courses may be taken for elective credit. A student must take at least five biological sciences elective lecture (or combined lecture/laboratory) courses at the 3000/4000-level. These courses are designated as belonging to either of two groups of electives, Group I or Group II: Group I electives include the disciplines of molecular, cellular, biochemical, physiological, and structural biology. They are identified by the second digit of the course number and include the numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, and 7. Group II electives include the disciplines of organismic, ecological, evolutionary, and systematic biology. They are also identified by the second digit of the course number and include the numbers 5, 6, 8, and 9. The five electives from Groups I and II must meet the following guidelines: (1) at least two courses must be taken from each group, (2) at least one course in each group must include a laboratory, and (3) at least two courses must be at the 4000 level. Biological Sciences 3453, 3854, 4003, and 4713 may be included in either group, but not both. Certain courses are explicitly excluded from selection as Biological Sciences electives but may be taken as electives. Students must take the Department of Biological Sciences’ Comprehensive Exam during their last semester and submit scores from a standardized national exam (e.g., Biology Subject Exam, MCAT, DAT) to the Department of Biological Sciences prior to graduation. Students should be aware of application deadlines for their chosen exam.
Department of Biological Sciences Course Requirements Cr. Hrs.
Biological Sciences 1073, 1071, 1083, 1081 8
Biological Sciences 2014, 2114 8
Biological Sciences 3091, 4010 1
Biological Sciences electives 23
Total 40
College of Sciences Course Requirements Cr. Hrs.
Chemistry 1017, 1018, 1028, 2026 11
Chemistry 2217, 2218 6
Mathematics 1125, 11261 6
Mathematics 2314 3
Physics 1031, 1032, 1033, 10341 8
Total 34
Non-College of Sciences Course Requirements Cr. Hrs.
English 1157, 1158 6
Literature 6
Foreign Language2 6
Arts3 3
Social Sciences 6
Humanities/Social Sciences (2000 level or above) 6
Total 33 Cr. Hrs.
Approved Electives Total 21
Grand Total 128
1 ‑Majors sequences may be substituted for the indicated courses. For example, Mathematics 2111, 2112 may be substituted for Mathematics 1125, 1126; Physics 1061, 1062, 1063, 1065 for Physics 1031, 1032, 1033, 1034.
2 ‑Completion of six credit hours in one foreign language is required.
3 Arts courses must be selected from fine arts, drama, or music.
Minor in Biological Sciences
Departmental and course prerequisites must be observed. Biological Sciences electives may not be chosen from courses designed for non-majors only. Students must achieve a minimal grade point average of 2.0 in at least 19 credit hours of Biological Sciences courses as specified below:
Biological Sciences 1073, 1083, 1071, and 1081 – 8 hours, Biological Sciences electives (2000 level or higher, with a maximum of three hours of research courses) – 11 hrs.
In the case of transfer students, a minimum of nine credit hours must be earned in Biological Sciences at UNO.
Honors in Biological Sciences
An honors program is available to students enrolled in the biological sciences curriculum. To be admitted to the program a student must have completed Biological Sciences 2014 and 2114, while achieving minimal grade point averages of 3.25 overall and 3.5 in biological sciences. In order to graduate with Honors in Biological Sciences the student must complete the curriculum with the minimum grade point averages required for admission to the program, complete six credit hours in biological sciences honors courses, earn six additional credit hours in Biological Sciences 4091, and defend a written honors thesis before a committee composed of the faculty research director, another faculty member appointed by the chairman, and a representative of the Honors Program.
CURRICULA IN CHEMISTRY
A grade of C or better is required in each science and math course offered for degree credit for both the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science in Chemistry.
(Bachelor of Science)
Department of Chemistry Course Requirements1 Cr. Hrs.
Chemistry 1017, 1018, 1028 9
Chemistry 2025, 2026, 2117, 2217, 2218 14
Chemistry 3027, 3411, 4310, 4311, 4028 17
Chemistry 4030, 4110, 4210, 4410, 45102 15
Total 55
College of Sciences Course Requirements Cr. Hrs.
Mathematics 2111, 21123, 2221 13
Mathematics4 3
Physics 1061, 1062, 1063, 1065, 2064 11
Computer Science 1201, 1203, or 1205 3
Biology 3
Total 33
Non-College of Sciences Course Requirements Cr. Hrs.
English 1157, 1158 6
Literature 6
Social Sciences 6
Humanities 3
Humanities/Social Sciences (6 hours at 2000 level or above) 9
Arts5 3
Total 33
Electives Cr. Hrs.
Approved Total 7
Grand Total 128
1 ‑Required chemistry lecture courses at or above the level of 2000 that are transferred from other institutions must be validated by examination in order to count for degree credit in chemistry. Students transferring credit for Chemistry 2217 may validate it by successfully passing Chemistry 2218.
2 Biological Sciences 3104 may substitute for Chemistry 4510.
3 ‑Mathematics 1125 and 1126 are prerequisites for Mathematics 2111 and must be elected if placement tests indicate. Mathematics 1125 and 1126 do not count as hours toward a B.S. degree in chemistry.
4 Departmental approval required for mathematics elective.
5 Arts courses must be selected from fine arts, drama, or music.
(Bachelor of Arts)
Department of Chemistry Course Requirements1 Cr. Hrs.
Chemistry 1017, 1018, 1028 9
Chemistry 2025, 2026, 2117 8
Chemistry 2217, 2218, 3411, 43172 12
Chemistry electives3 3
Total 32
College of Sciences Course Requirements Cr. Hrs.
Mathematics 1125, 11264, 2111 11
Biology 3
Physics 1031, 1032, 1033, 10345 8
Computer Science 1201, 1203, or 1205 3
Science or Chemistry electives6, 7 14
Total 39
Non-College of Sciences Course Requirements Cr. Hrs.
English 1157, 1158 6
Literature 6
Social Sciences 6
Humanities 3
Arts 3
Humanities/Social Sciences (6 hours at 2000 level or above) 9
Total 33
Electives Cr. Hrs.
Approved7, 8 Total 24
Grand Total 128
1 ‑Required chemistry lecture courses at or above the level of 2000 that are transferred from other institutions must be validated by examination in order to count for degree credit in chemistry. Students transferring credit for Chemistry 2217 may validate it by successfully passing Chemistry 2218.
2 Chemistry 4311 may be substituted for Chemistry 4317.
3 ‑Chemistry electives can be chosen from the following list: Chemistry 4028, 4030, 4110, 4210, 4310, 4410, and 45109. Chemistry 3094 and 3099 may be used to satisfy the science-elective requirement, but not in place of the required advanced chemistry elective.
4 ‑Mathematics 1125 and 1126 are prerequisites for Mathematics 2111 and must be elected if placement test indicates. Mathematics 1125 and 1126 may count as hours toward a Bachelor of Arts degree in chemistry. Direct placement in 2111 can lead to bypass credit for 1125 and 1126.
5 ‑Physics 1031, 1032 may be used as prerequisites for Chemistry 4310 in the B.A. program only.
6 ‑Six hours of science electives may be taken at the 1000 level. Nine hours of science electives must be selected from courses numbered 3000 or above. The following courses cannot be used to fulfill the science-elective requirement: Biology 4083, 4093; Geology 4005, 4006; Mathematics 4010, 4020, 4030; Physics 4004, 4091.
7 ‑All electives must be approved by the department. The departmental adviser is available to assist students in planning coursework for the various options.
8 ‑B.A. candidates who do not take Chemistry 4028 or 4030 to satisfy the University’s oral communication requirement must take Drama and Communications 2650.
9 Biological Sciences 3104 may substitute for Chemistry 4510.
Before registration for the junior year, the student and his or her adviser will develop a written program of study to accomplish the student’s career or pre-professional school objectives. Such a program will prepare the student to pursue a variety of options. Possibilities for interdisciplinary areas are geochemistry, chemical physics, clinical chemistry, chemical sales and management. Preparation for professional schools of medicine, dentistry, business, law, and library science are other possibilities. Programs can be designed to assist those students seeking employment in such fields as food and drug inspection, sales of scientific instruments for chemical research and quality control, scientific journalism and advertising, and other similarly related careers.
Minor in Chemistry
An undergraduate minor in chemistry may be obtained by completing 21 credit hours in chemistry with a grade of C or better in each course. Twelve of the hours shall be at the 2000-level or higher. All students who minor in chemistry must take Chemistry 1028. At least nine hours must be completed at UNO.
Honors in Chemistry
An honors program is available to chemistry majors. Successful completion of the program will result in graduation with Honors in Chemistry. To be eligible for admission to the program, a student must have a 3.25 overall average and a 3.5 in chemistry. To remain in the program a student must maintain these averages. Before graduation, a student must complete at least six credit hours of Chemistry 3099, including an oral defense of the honors thesis to a committee composed of a faculty thesis director, another faculty member selected by the chairman, and a representative of the Honors Program.
CURRICULUM IN COMPUTER SCIENCE
UNO’s computer science program is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (CAC/ABET). To earn a Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Science, a student must acquire 128 credit hours as described below, and must satisfy all of the requirements of the University and the College of Sciences. In addition, the following stipulations must be satisfied:.
1. ‑Before enrolling in a computer science course, a student must have earned a grade of C or better in all computer science courses which are a prerequisite for it. A grade of C or better must be earned in all science courses, including mathematics and computer science, used to satisfy degree requirements.
2. ‑Computer science electives must be chosen from computer science courses numbered 3000 or above. Computer Science 3601, 3611, and 4690 may not be taken for computer science elective credit.
3. ‑Mathematics electives must have a prerequisite of at least Mathematics 2109 or 2112.
4. ‑The science sequence must be one of: Biology 1073, 1071, 1083, and 1081; or Biology 1073, 1071, and 2014; or Biology 1083, 1081, and 2114; or Chemistry 1017, 1018, and 1023; or Geology 1001, 1003, 1002, 1004; or Physics 1061, 1063, 1062, 1065. (In some cases, comparable courses intended for respective majors may also be acceptable.) Science electives must be in biology, chemistry, geology, or physics, and must include at least three hours in a science other than that of the science sequence. The University requires each student to complete three hours of biology; this requirement may be met through the science sequence, science electives, or free electives.
5. Foreign language electives must include a six-hour sequence.
6. ‑English electives and three additional hours in humanities or social sciences must be above the freshman level. The College and the University require that six of these hours be in literature.
7. ‑A computer science proficiency exam administered by the department must be passed by the student by the final semester of studies.
Mathematics 2107, 2108, and 2109 may be substituted for Mathematics 2111 and 2112. Entering freshmen not qualifying for Mathematics 1126 must take Mathematics 1125; these courses may be counted toward degree credit.
Department of Computer Science Course Requirements Cr. Hrs.
Computer Science 1581, 1583 4
Computer Science 2120, 2121, 2125, 2450, 2467 13
Computer Science 3102, 3301, 4311, 4401, 4501 15
Computer Science 3080, 3090 2
Computer Science electives 9
Total 43
College of Sciences Course Requirements Cr. Hrs.
Mathematics 1126, 2111, 2112 13
Mathematics 2314, 2721 6
Mathematics electives 6
Science sequence 8
Science electives 6
Total 39
Non-College of Sciences Course Requirements Cr. Hrs.
English 1157, 1158, 2152 9
English Literature 6
Humanities or Social Sciences 3
Foreign Language 6
Social Sciences 6
Arts 3
Total 33
Cr. Hrs.
Approved Electives Total 13
Grand Total 128
Concentration in Information Assurance
The Department offers a declared concentration in Information Assurance. Students who opt for this concentration are required to fulfill the following requirements:
1. ‑Completion of the following two courses: Computer Science 4621 and 4623;
2. ‑Completion of one “project-oriented” elective course. The following courses may be chosen for this requirement. Computer Science 4208, 4402, 4460, or 4620. Other courses may be substituted upon approval by the Department;
3. ‑Completion of one non-technical elective course. The following courses may be chosen for this requirement: Mathematics 4360 (Mathematical Information Theory), Management 4407 (Management of Technology and Innovation), or Political Science 4410 (American Constitutional Law). Other courses may be substituted upon approval by the Department.
Minor in Computer Science
An undergraduate majoring in a department other than Computer Science may earn a minor in Computer Science by completing the following computer science courses each with a grade of C or better: Computer Science 1581, 1583, 2120, 2121, 2125, 2450, 3301, and one three credit 4000-level course selected from an approved list. (It should be noted that Mathematics 2721 is a prerequisite for Computer Science 2125.) A transfer student must complete a minimum of nine credit hours in required computer science courses at UNO, and these must include Computer Science 2125 and a three credit 4000-level course from the approved list.
Honors in Computer Science
An honors program is available to Computer Science majors. Successful completion of the program will result in graduation with Honors in Computer Science. To be eligible for admission to the program, a student must complete Computer Science 2125 and must have a faculty member willing to serve as thesis advisor. The student must also have an overall average of 3.25 or better and an average of 3.5 or better in Computer Science courses. In order to remain in the program, a student must maintain these averages.
In order to complete the program a student must do the following:
1. ‑fulfill all graduation requirements for the Bachelor of Science in Computer Science;
2. ‑have an overall average of 3.25 or better and an average of 3.5 or better in computer science courses;
3. ‑earn six credits in Computer Science 3099;
4. ‑produce a written honors thesis and conduct an oral defense before a committee consisting of the faculty thesis advisor, at least one other faculty member selected by the department chairman, and a representative of the Honors Program.
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