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College of Sciences

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Steven Johnson, Dean

The College of Sciences offers degree curricula in biological sciences, chemistry, computer science,  earth and environmental sciences, mathematics, physics, and psychology. From course offerings of the various departments, the College of Sciences also prepares  students for professional study in medicine, dentistry, medical technology, pharmacy, veterinary medicine, nursing, dental hygiene, occupational therapy, physician’s assistant, physical therapy 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.

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 in the program.

Subject Requirements

  1. Sciences
    At least 48 hours in the College of Sciences, to include:
    1. At least six hours of mathematics. See major for specific course requirements.
    2. An eight semester-hour sequence including laboratory outside the student’s major in one of the following: biological sciences, chemistry, earth and environmental sciences, 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 and 2114.
    3. 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 24 hours in the humanities, arts, and social sciences, to include completion of:
    1. English 1157, and either 1158 or 1159 with a grade of “C” or better.
    2. At least 9 hours in humanities of which at least 3 hours must be in literature.
    3. At least 6 hours in the social sciences of which at least 3 hours must be at the 2000 level or above.
    4. At least 3 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. Successful completion of the College of Sciences degree requirements satisfies the University's general education requirements.

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. This program must appear in the
    student's catalog as defined by University Regulations.
  4. Approval of all electives by the College of Sciences.

The College of Sciences assists students in monitoring degree progress by completing graduation check-outs. Each
student is responsible for notifying the college of his or her intent to graduate no later than the semester prior to his or her final semester so that a check-out can be prepared in a timely manner. 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 Dean's Office. The College of Sciences requires each student to submit a signed copy of the
checkout prior to registration for his or her final semester(s).

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 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 the quality point averages (overall, and department) listed in the general degree requirements of the University 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.

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 advisor 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 advisor 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 advisor 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, 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.

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 Earth and Environmental Sciences.

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.

Department of Biological Sciences

The Bachelor of Science degree in the Biological Sciences provides a flexible program of coursework in contemporary biology. After two years of required biology core courses, students take 24 hours of biology free electives; 17 credits of these must be lecture/laboratory courses at the 3000/4000 level. Two of these courses must have a laboratory, and at least two courses must be at the 4000 level. The remaining 7 credit hours may consist of lecture, research/apprenticeship (2002, 2082, 2092, 3092, 4091) or seminar (3091) courses. Four of these hours may be at the 2000 level, while at least three credits must be at the 3000 level or higher. Additional 2000-level courses and research courses may be taken for free elective credit.

Certain courses are explicitly excluded from selection as Biological Sciences electives but may be taken as electives. Biological Sciences majors must earn a grade of C or better in all mathematics and science courses.

CURRICULUM IN BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES

Course Requirements Cr. Hrs.
Biological Sciences 1073, 1071, 1083, 1081 8
Biological Sciences 2014, 2114, 4010 8
Biological Sciences electives 24
Total 40

College of Sciences

Course Requirements Cr. Hrs.
Chemistry 1007, 1008, 1017, 1018 8
Chemistry 2217, 2218 6
Mathematics 1125, 11261 6
Mathematics 2314 3
Physics 1031, 1032, 1033, 10341 8
Total 31

Non-College of Sciences

Course Requirements Cr. Hrs.
English 1157, 1158 (or 1159) 6
Literature 3
Foreign Language2 6
Arts3 3
Social Sciences 6
Social Sciences 2000 level or above 3
Total 27
Approved Electives Cr. Hrs.
Total 22
Grand Total 120
  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.

Department of Chemistry

CURRICULUM IN CHEMISTRY

A grade of C or better is required in each science and math course offered for degree credit for the Bachelor of Science in Chemistry.

Bachelor of Science*

Course Requirements Cr. Hrs.
CHEM 1000, 1007, 1008, 1017, 1018 9
CHEM 2000, 2017, 2018, 2025, 2117, 2217, 2218 15
CHEM 3027, 3094, 3411, 3310 13
Additional Advanced Chemistry1 12
Total 49

College of Sciences

Course Requirements g>Cr. Hrs.
MATH 2107, 21082 6
Mathematics3 3
PHYS 1061, 1062, 1063, 1065 8
Computer Programming4 3
BIOS 1081, 1083, 2114 8
Total 28

Non-College of Sciences

Course Requirements Cr. Hrs.
ENGL 1157, 1158 (or 1159) 6
Literature 3
Humanities 6
Social Sciences (3 hours at 2000 level or above) 6
Arts5 3
Total 24
Electives Cr. Hrs.
Approved Total 19
Grand Total 120
  1. Must be taken from the following: CHEM 3096, 3110, 3610, 3710, 4110, 4210, 4310, 4311, 4410, 4510, 4511; BIOS 3453, 4103, 4113, 4153, 4334, 4490 (approval required), 4713; 3 cr. hr. must be at the 4000 level.
  2. Completion of MATH 2111 and MATH 2112 also fulfills all the math requirements for the BS degree.
  3. Must be taken from the following: MATH 2109, 2115 (requires MATH 2109 as prerequisite), 2221, 2314, 2511. MATH 1125 and 1126 may be used as general elective hours.
  4. The programming requirement can be fulfilled by CSCI 1201, 1203, 1205, 1581/1583 or CHEM 2310.
  5. Arts courses must be selected from fine arts, drama, or music.

* This degree program is approved by the American Chemical Society (ACS). The department is authorized to certify that graduating students have completed a bachelor's degree meeting the ACS guidelines.

Chemistry Concentrations

Biochemistry. Beyond BIOS 1083/1081 and 2114, three semester hours of biology must be taken from BIOS 3453, 4153, 4334, 4490 (requires prior approval), or 4713; six semester hours of biochemistry must be taken (CHEM 4510/BIOS 4103 and CHEM 4511/BIOS 4113); and BIOS 4114 must be taken. Research in biochemistry culminating in a comprehensive written report is highly recommended.

Chemical Physics. Requires CHEM 3310, 4028, 4310, 4311, and six credit hours in physics beyond the first year level.

Forensics. Requires CHEM 1110, 3110, 4110, 4030; MATH 2314; POLI 2450. An internship in forensics is highly recommended (if used to receive internship credit, CHEM 3091 may satisfy the CHEM 3094 requirement). BIOS 3453 and 4114 are recommended for students interested in DNA analysis.

Materials.  Requires CHEM 3027, 3411, 3096 (requires prior approval), 3610 and 4410.

Medicinal Chemistry. Requires CHEM 3027, 3710, 4210, 4510, and BIOS 4114. Additional recommended courses include CHEM 4511, computer science courses leading to bioinformatics (CSCI 4567), and Toxicology (offered as EES 4096).

Minor in Chemistry

An undergraduate minor in chemistry may be obtained by completing 22 credit hours in chemistry with a grade of C or better in each course. Fourteen of the hours shall be at the 2000-level or higher. Neither Chemistry 3091, 3092, 3094, 3096 nor 3099 can be used to satisfy these requirements. All biology courses that count as advanced chemistry course (listed in footnote #1) may be used for the minor in chemistry. 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 department chair, and a representative of the Honors Program.

Department of Computer Science

UNO’s computer science program is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET, 111 Market Place, Suite 1050, Baltimore, MD 21202-4012. Telephone: (410) 347-7700. To earn a Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Science, a student must acquire 120 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. One of these must be chosen from a list of team-oriented project courses: Computer Science 4125 or 4210 or 4568 or 4621.
  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, 1007 and 1008; or Earth and Environmental Sciences 1000, 1001, 1004, and 1005; 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, earth and environmental sciences, 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. At least three hours in social science electives must be above the freshman level.
  7. Computer Science 4000 (Senior Comprehensive Examinations) 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; this course may be counted toward degree credit.

CURRICULUM IN COMPUTER SCIENCE

Course Requirements Cr. Hrs.
Computer Science 1581, 1583 4
Computer Science 2120, 2121, 2125, 2450, 2467 13
Computer Science 3102, 3301, 4101, 4311, 4401, 4501 18
Computer Science 3080, 3090, 4000 2
Computer Science 4125, 4210, 4568, or 4621 3
Computer Science electives 6
Total 46

College of Sciences

Course Requirements Cr. Hrs.
Mathematics 1126, 2111, 2112 13
Mathematics 2314, 3721 6
Mathematics electives 6
Science sequence 8
Science electives 6
Total 39

Non-College of Sciences

Course Requirements Cr. Hrs.
English 1157, 1158 (or 1159) and 2152 9
Literature 3
Humanities or Social Sciences 3
Foreign Language 6
Social Sciences 6
Arts 3
Total 30
Approved Electives Cr. Hrs.
Total 5
Grand Total 120

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.

Concentration in Bioinformatics

The Department offers a declared concentration in Bioinformatics. Students who opt for this concentration are required to fulfill the following requirements:

  1. Completion of the following science sequence in Biology: 1083, 1081, and 2114;
  2. Completion of the following two courses: Computer Science 4567 and 4568;
  3. Completion of Computer Science 4595, or, with permission, Biology 3104, 3453, or 4153. Other “molecular biology/biochemistry” courses may be substituted upon approval by the Department. Depending on the selected course, this may be counted as a “science elective” or as a “free elective:. It should be noted that these upper-level courses may have prerequisite structures involved which may increase a student’s total coursework;
  4. Completion of the following two “project oriented” courses: Computer Science 4587 and 4588. Other interdisciplinary course projects 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 credit or concurrent enrollment in Mathematics 3721 is required 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.

Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences (EES)

To earn a Bachelor of Science degree in earth and environmental sciences, a student must receive credit for 120 hours of coursework. This coursework must include core and foundation coursework in EES plus the required and elective courses for one of two available concentrations: Geoscience or Coastal Environmental Science. The curriculum allows students the flexibility to focus in areas of hydrocarbon geology, environmental science, coastal science, and traditional geosciences. A grade of C or better must be earned in all math and science courses.

CURRICULUM IN EARTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

Course Requirements Cr. Hrs.
EES 1000, 1001, 1002, 1003, 1004, 1005 12
EES 2000, 2051, 2700, 40991, 4560 16
Concentration Area2 16
EES Electives3 6
Total 50

College of Sciences

Course Requirements Cr. Hrs.
CHEM 1017, 1007 4
MATH 1126, 2107 6
BIOS 1071, 1073 4
PHYS 1031, 1033 (or 1061, 1063) 4
Science Electives4 13
Total 31

Non-College of Sciences

Course Requirements Cr. Hrs.
ENGL 1157, 1158 (or 1159) (C or better required) 6
Literature 3
Social Sciences5 6
Arts 3
Humanities 6
Total 24
Approved Electives Cr. Hrs.
Total 15
Grand Total 120
  1. EES 4099 must be taken within the final two semesters prior to graduation.
  2. Concentration areas and their respective courses are:
    1. Geoscience: EES 2740, 3100, 3310, 4110, 4750
    2. Coastal Environmental Science: EES 2510, 3120, 4520, 4550, 4949
  3. All EES electives and free electives should be based on the concentration area and must be approved by the EES advisor.
  4. Science electives must be approved by an EES advisor and must include the completion of an 8 hour science sequence with laboratory. Choices for completion of the science sequence include BIOS 1081 and 1083; BIOS 2014; CHEM 1008 and 1018; PHYS 1032 and 1034; PHYS 1062 and 1065.
  5. At least 3 hours must be at the 2000 level or higher.

Minor in Earth and Environmental Sciences

An undergraduate majoring in another subject may minor in earth and environmental sciences by completing 20 credit hours in EES with a grade of C or better in each EES course taken. The courses must include EES 1000, 1001, and EES 1002 and 1003, and EES 1004 and 1005. At least 8 credit hours must be 2000-level or above and at least nine hours must have been taken at UNO.

Honors in Earth and Environmental Sciences

An honors program is available to EES majors. Successful completion of the program will result in graduation with Honors in Earth and Environmental Sciences. To be eligible for admission to the program, a student must have a 3.25 overall grade average and a 3.5 in EES courses. To remain in the program, a student must maintain these averages. Before graduation a student must have completed at least six hours of EES 4098, including an oral defense of the honors thesis before a committee of the faculty.

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