Bachelor of Science in Natural Sciences

The Bachelor of Science (BS) in Natural Sciences provides a broad, customizable program of studies in the sciences, with coursework across multiple disciplines. It prepares students for advanced study or careers in the environmental sciences and the health professions. Graduates of the program have gone on to further study and jobs in a diversity of fields, such as veterinary, medical, and dental schools, and environmental consulting.

Admission Requirements

• Complete the Admission Requirements for Baccalaureate Programs.
• Declare the major (see major requirements) and select one of two options: Pre-health Professions or Environmental Sciences. To declare the BS in Natural Sciences as their major, students must meet with an advisor to be accepted into the major. To schedule an advising session, contact the Department of Biological Sciences. At the advising session students are required to choose one of the two options.

Graduation Requirements

• Complete the General University Requirements for Baccalaureate Degrees.
• Complete the General Education Requirements for Baccalaureate Degrees.
• It is recommended that mathematical and statistical requirements be completed in the first two years of study.
• No more than 6 credits may come from courses designated as A495, A498 and A499 combined, with no more than 2 credits from A495.
• No more than 2 credits may be A492.
• Courses not listed as approved for the BS in Natural Sciences may be considered by petition, which should be signed by an advisor.
• All prerequisites for courses used to meet the natural sciences degree requirements must be completed with a minimum grade of C. Students who audit a course intended to meet the natural sciences degree requirements or who are unable to earn a minimum grade of C in the course may repeat the course. Students who audit or are unable to earn a minimum grade of C in a lower-division (100- or 200-level) Biology (BIOL) course may repeat the course two additional times on a space-available basis. Students who audit or are unable to earn a minimum grade of C in an upper-division (300- or 400-level) BIOL or Microbiology (MBIO) course may repeat the course one additional time on a space-available basis. Students repeating a BIOL or MBIO course are required to complete all components of that course during the semester in which the course is retaken. When repeating a course with a lecture and laboratory component, both components must be repeated. Students enrolled in a BIOL or MBIO laboratory must attend lab the first week of class or they may be administratively dropped.
• All natural sciences majors are required to take an exit examination, a standardized test of knowledge. There is no minimum score required for graduation. The exam may be completed at the UAA Testing Center and a fee will be charged to students, or as part of BIOL A492.
• Complete the following major requirements with a minimum grade of C:

Environmental Sciences Option

Pre-Health Professions Option

A minimum of 120 credits is required for the degree, of which 39 must be upper-division.

Program Student Learning Outcomes

Students graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Natural Sciences will be able to:

• Design and implement scientific investigations to explore natural phenomena using experimentation, which includes exploration and discovery, and testing ideas (gathering and interpreting data)
• Clearly and accurately communicate scientific ideas, theories, and observations in oral and written forms
• Apply scientific data, concepts, and models to craft interdisciplinary explanations of scientific ideas across two of the natural sciences

Sample Plan

The academic plan below is one pathway through the degree/certificate. It includes all requirements, taking into account recommendations from program faculty. Each student’s plan may vary according to their initial course placement, intended course load, additional majors and/or minors, and their placement into required prerequisite courses. Any change in the plan below can have an unforeseen impact on the rest of the plan. Therefore, it is very important to meet with your academic advisor to verify your personal academic plan.

Please review the following terms, definitions, and resources associated with the sample academic plan below.

• Each course in the far left column links to a pop-up bubble with a course description, prerequisite requirements, and associations with university requirements. For example, if a course fulfills a general education requirement, you will see that in the pop-up bubble.
• GER: indicates a General Education Requirement. GERs that also count toward degree/certificate requirements appear as a specific course in the plan. For these courses, "GER" is not indicated explicitly in the table, but if you click on the course, you will see the course's GER status in the pop-up bubble.
• Program Elective: indicates a specific course selection determined by program faculty to fulfill a degree/certificate requirement. Students should seek assistance from their academic advisor.
• Elective: indicates an open selection of 100-400 level university courses to fulfill elective credits needed to meet the minimum total credits toward the degree/certificate.
• Upper Division Program Elective: indicates a specific 300-400 level course selection determined by the program faculty to fulfill a degree/certificate requirement. Students should seek assistance from their academic advisor.
• Upper Division Elective: indicates an open selection of 300-400 level courses to fulfill elective credits needed to meet the minimum total credits toward the degree/certificate. These courses must be upper division in order to meet General University Requirements for the particular degree/certificate type.

Sample Plan - Environmental Sciences Option

Sample Plan - Pre-Health Professions Option