College of Sciences

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.

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.

• Biological Sciences
• Chemistry
• Computer Science
• Earth and Environmental Sciences
• Mathematics
• Physics
• Psychology

Pre-Professional Programs

Pre-Professional Programs

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

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.

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.
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; and,
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 (Cumulative and departmental) 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 50% of the hours in his/her major in the College of Sciences at UNO.

Program Planning

Students 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 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 more than six hours from any one or a combination of these areas is justifiable within the program, he or she may present the case to the College for review. In presenting their case, the student must demonstrate 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 or the Program of Study.

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.