This curriculum substitutes the previous requirements for the general sciences baccalaureate degree. This revised degree allows students to devise course sequences according to their individual interests and professional goals. The requirements consist of 121 credits divided as follows: 43 credits in General Education, 60 at the College of Natural Sciences and 18 credits of free electives. Of these 60 credits in Science, Math and/or Computer Sciences, 24 consist of upper level courses at the College.
The current curriculum applies to all students admitted to the Program in or after August 2007. It also applies to students who have been readmitted to the Río Piedras campus and those that reclassify or transfer to the Program in or after August 2009.
Course requirements
- Courses in General Education (43 credits)
Courses in General Education (43 credits)Courses CreditsSpanish 16English 16Literature6Humanities6Social Sciences6Art3General Education in Natural Sciences 26Logical-mathematical thinking 34- It is recommended that the 6 credits in English be at the highest level (level 5) and those of Spanish should be at the second year level.
- These courses will be offered by the College of General Studies.
- Calculus I (MATH 3151) is recommended for fulfilling this requirement since it is a prerequisite for College Physics. If the Logical-mathematical thinking
- course is fulfilled with a course other than Calculus I, the student must still register this course in order to be able to take College Physics.
- Courses at the College of Natural Sciences (33 credits)
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Courses Credits
General Biology (BIOL 3101-3102) 8
General Chemistry (CHEM 3001-3002) 8
College Physics (PHYS 3011, 3012, 3013, 3014) 8
Statistics (MATH 3026) 3
Genetics (BIOL 3349) 3
Introduction to Environmental Science (NASC 3005) 3
- Electives at the College of Natural Science (24 credits)*
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In addition to the College’s requirements, upper level credits in Biology, Computer Science, Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry and/or Environmental Sciences are required. These courses must be approved with a C or higher.
Some courses of the Environmental Sciences Program do not count as science electives therefore the student must check for restrictions at the Natural Sciences General Program’s office. There are also limits to the amount of registered credits for certain courses, for example, there is a 6 credit limit for NASC 4995, a 4 credit limit for research courses (CHEM 4999 or BIOL 4990) and a 3 credit limit for tutoring courses. Of the latter 3 credits, 2 can be registered for the same course. - Capstone experience (3 credits)
- During their fourth year at the College, students must fulfill a 3 credit Capstone requirement. The Program’s counselors are available to provide orientation on alternatives for the Capstone requirement.
- Free electives (18 credits)*
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These credits can be used to complete requirements for specific graduate or professional schools. It is important that students visit their counselor’s during the Academic Orientation periods in order to identify courses related to their professional interests.
Free electives cannot include courses at the College of Natural Sciences that are designed specifically as requirements for other Colleges, for example, introductory courses in mathematics created for students at the College of Education or Social Sciences. In addition, courses that significantly repeat the content of another course are not accepted. It is recommended that students visit the Program’s counselors prior to registering courses for each semester in order to avoid confusion or mistakes.
* Courses registered to complete either the College’s or the free elective requirements vary according to the students’ professional interests. Those interested in a health related career must verify the requirements for their particular program of interest. - Other requirements
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Graduation requirements that must be met, in addition to the courses mentioned above, are:
An overall grade point average of 2.00 minimum.A grade point average of at least 2.00 for the 60 credits of required and elective courses at the College of Natural Sciences.
The 27 credits in Natural Sciences electives must be approved with a C or higher. Courses can be repeated twice, a third repetition requires assessment and authorization by an academic counselor.
Transfer students should also comply with the 1990-91 Academic Senate’s Certification # 64 requirements.
Reviewed in September 2009. Subject to changes.