Bachelor of Science
in
Biological and Physical Sciences

Degree Requirements

This Bachelor of Science program provides both a broad-based curriculum in the liberal arts and a specific set of courses in the natural sciences designed to meet the personal and career goals and interests of the student. While the department offers more narrowly focused degree programs in biology, chemistry, microbiology, and physics, this program allows the student more flexibility in tailoring a degree program to his/her unique needs. This degree is especially appropriate for students interested in the following areas: dentistry or medicine; environmental science; life science; environmental, medical or patent law; earth/geological science; forensic science; medical technology; public health; and any health-related area which requires a 4-year degree for entry into a particular graduate-level program. It is also useful for students who wish to major in science and minor in other areas such as bioinformatics, business, computer science, marketing, professional writing and psychology.

The approved degree plan for this program will be determined through consultation among the student, his/her advisor, and the chairperson of the Department of Natural Sciences. A minimum of 126 hours of university-level course work will be required. The Department of Natural Sciences has the following general requirements for all science degrees: (1) The only transfer credit courses with grades of D that apply toward a degree are first-year non-mathematics and non-science courses; (2) No more than three credit hours of D in upper-level science courses may be applied toward a degree; and (3) Credit for science courses that are more than ten years old must be approved by the department before they can be applied toward a degree; (4) Students must have at least 18 credit hours of upper-level science from UH-Downtown with a minimum GPA of 2.0 to apply toward the degree; and (5) Credit for science courses that are more than 10 years old must be approved by the department before they can be applied toward a degree.

The last 25 percent of the semester credit hours of work toward the degree must be taken at UHD. Students who wish to take courses at another college or university, including any other campus of the UH System, and apply the credits earned toward their degrees must request approval through the Department of Natural Sciences. Courses taken without such approval may not be counted toward the fulfillment of the degree requirements.

This degree is administered by the Department of Natural Sciences. Students interested in filing a degree plan are encouraged to contact the department office at 713-221-8015 or visit us at One Main Street, Suite N-813, Houston, TX 77002.

Note: 
A maximum of 66 hours from a Junior or Community College may be approved as credit toward this degree.
All upper-division courses in English, Literature, and History are applicable. Students must have at least 18 credit hours of upper-level science from UH-Downtown with a minimum GPA of 2.0 to apply toward the degree.