Academic Programs Catalog

College of Natural Science

Undergraduate Programs

Undergraduate students in the College of Natural Science may opt for either a Bachelor of Science or a Bachelor of Arts degree program.

The college offers programs of study culminating in a bachelor's degree with either a departmental or an interdepartmental major. All programs are liberal in character and involve a specified minimum of nonscience credits in addition to those needed to meet integrative studies requirements. Electives in both major and nonmajor areas make it possible to mold a program of interest and challenge for each student.

The departmental major features study in a single discipline and is generally considered the proper choice for concentrated study in a limited area. A departmental major consists of not fewer than 27 nor more than 79 credits in courses recognized by the college as applicable to the major. Specific major requirements are given in the sections that follow. Departmental majors are available through Lyman Briggs College as coordinate majors.

The interdepartmental major features study in several disciplines with no single discipline being dominant and is generally considered the proper choice if breadth of background in several fields of the natural sciences is desired. The college offers interdepartmental majors:  biological science–secondary education, human biology, and physical science-secondary education. In addition, the College of Education, in cooperation with the College of Natural Science, offers an integrated science teaching major for students accepted in elementary education, as well as an integrated science endorsement for secondary education science majors.  For further information, refer to the section on MSU SUBJECT MATTER TEACHING MAJORS AND MINORS FOR TEACHER PREPARATION AND CERTIFICATION in the Department of Teacher Education section of the catalog.  The interdepartmental major consists of a minimum of 45 credits (biological science) or 50 credits (physical science) and not more than 67 credits in courses recognized by the college as applicable toward the major. Interdepartmental majors are available through Lyman Briggs College as coordinate majors. Interdisciplinary majors are also available through Lyman Briggs College.


Major Preference Students

Students who meet the general requirements for admission to the University shown in the Undergraduate Education section of this catalog and who are not enrolled in Lyman Briggs College are enrolled in the Neighborhood Student Success Collaborative but may declare a major preference in the College of Natural Science and be assigned an academic advisor in this college. All programs in the biological sciences, physical sciences, and mathematics presume a minimum of two and one–half entrance units in mathematics (one and one–half units of algebra and one unit of geometry).
 


Admission to the College of Natural Science

  1. Completion of at least 28 credits acceptable to the College with an academic record which at least meets the requirements of Academic Standing of Undergraduate Students.
  2. Acceptance as a major in one of the academic programs of the College.
  3. Clinical Laboratory Sciences majors are admitted at the junior level each fall semester. For specific details, see the program statement in the Biomedical Laboratory Diagnostics Programs section.


Graduation Requirements

  1. The University requirements for bachelor's degrees as described in the Undergraduate Education section of this catalog.

    Students who are enrolled in majors leading to Bachelor of Science and  Bachelor of Arts degrees in the College of Natural Science may complete an alternative track to Integrative Studies in Biological and Physical Sciences that consists of:
    1. One course in  Biological Science, Entomology, Integrative Biology, Microbiology, Physiology, or Plant Biology.
    2. Chemistry 141 or 151 or 181H.
    3. Two credits of laboratory experience in biological or physical science.
      Credits earned in courses in the alternative track may also be counted toward College and major requirements for Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts degrees.
  2. The requirements of the College of Natural Science for the Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts degrees that are listed below:
    1. The requirements for either a departmental major or an interdepartmental major of 27 to 79 credits. For specific requirements, see the sections that follow.
    2. A minimum grade–point average of 2.00 in courses in the student's major; i.e., in all courses that are required for the major and that are not counted toward College and University requirements.
    3. A minimum of 30 credits in courses numbered 300 and above.
    4. Only credits in courses graded on the numerical or Pass–No Grade system may be counted toward College and major requirements for Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts degrees in the College of Natural Science.  College of Natural Science students may not enroll in courses that are to be counted toward College and major requirements, including courses in other colleges, on a Credit–No Credit basis.
  3. The requirements of the College of Natural Science for either the Bachelor of Science degree or the Bachelor of Arts degree that are listed below:
    1. Requirements for the Bachelor of Science degree:
      1. One semester of calculus.
      2. A second semester of calculus or one semester of statistics and probability.
      3. Two semesters of chemistry including at least one laboratory experience.
      4. Two semesters of physics.
      5. One semester of biological science.
    2. Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts degree:
      1. One semester of calculus.
      2. A second semester of calculus or one semester of statistics and probability.
      3. One semester each of biological science, chemistry, and physics including at least one laboratory experience.
      4. Six credits in courses in the arts and humanities or the social, behavioral, and economic sciences beyond the credits that are counted toward the University's Integrative Studies requirement.

Many major programs which lead to a Bachelor of Science degree require a proficiency greater than the College established minimum in one, or more, of the following fields:  chemistry, physics, and mathematics. Also, for either the Bachelor of Arts or the Bachelor of Science degree, when two or more options exist for the fulfillment of any College— established requirement, one of the options may be specified as a major requirement. The specific requirements for each major program are given in the sections that follow.

Chemistry and mathematics requirements should be completed to the fullest extent possible during the freshman and sophomore years. Bachelor of Science candidates with a major in a physical science should complete the physics requirement during the sophomore year. Students with a major in a biological science may postpone completion of the physics requirement until the junior year, but should complete Biological Science 161, 162 by the end of the sophomore year.  The biology courses should be completed during the freshman year because they are prerequisites to most of the courses offered by the departments in the biological sciences.  All students should complete the University's Tier I writing requirement during the freshman year.


Honors Study

The College of Natural Science encourages honors students to develop distinctive undergraduate programs in their chosen fields. All qualified students in the College may also be members of the Honors College. A member of the faculty is selected to serve as advisor to Honors College students in each major field, and it is the advisor's responsibility to help the student plan a rigorous and balanced program which will also reflect the student's special interests and competencies.

The departments of the college annually offer numerous honors opportunities at both introductory and advanced levels. At the introductory level these consist chiefly of  regularly offered honors courses. Honors options are also available in many other courses. At the advanced level honors students are encouraged to undertake faculty–guided independent research in their fields of specialization. These honors experiences are provided mainly, but not exclusively, for Honors College students. In addition, honors undergraduates are encouraged, when appropriate, to undertake work at the graduate level.

 


Charles Drew Science Scholars

The Charles Drew Science Scholars program was created to help students currently underrepresented in the sciences achieve the best possible preparation for pursuing their educational goals in science and mathematics. The program is designed to: a) assist students with the transition from high school to college and b) to expose them to the vast number of career opportunities in the sciences.

These goals are attained, in part, through problem-solving courses, specially designed courses in mathematics, and designated sections of biology and chemistry courses.  In addition, academic coaching and tutoring is available and students are exposed to both successful undergraduate and graduate role models.

The purpose of this program is, through advising and focused academic support, to help interested and motivated students develop the foundation for successful careers in science.  Students are encouraged to contact the College of Natural Science for additional information about this program.


Pre-Health Preparation

All professional health colleges and programs have established minimum requirements in selected areas of knowledge for admission (hereafter referred to as admission requirements). Although fulfilling these requirements does not in itself guarantee admission, their fulfillment is a necessary first step for those who aspire to enter a professional health college or program. 
 
At Michigan State University, students can take the courses necessary to meet the admission requirements for professional health colleges and programs. Since the admission requirements of various professional health colleges and programs vary, it is not feasible to establish a single undergraduate degree program that satisfies the admission requirements of all colleges or programs leading to a given profession. However, for the fields of dentistry, allopathic and osteopathic medicine, chiropractic medicine, physical therapy, occupational therapy, physician assistant/associate, podiatry, public health, pharmacy, genetic counseling, and optometry, the pre-health advisors in the College of Natural Science can assist students in planning their coursework to meet the minimum admission requirements of most professional colleges in a field while also meeting the requirements for their chosen bachelor’s degree program in four years. Admission requirements for professional health colleges and programs can change, and it is the student’s responsibility to determine whether the planned courses meet the minimum admission requirements of a particular professional health college or program at the time of their application.             
 


Integrated Science-Secondary Education - Bachelor of Science

The Bachelor of Science Degree in Integrated Science-Secondary Education is designed for persons who want a broad background in biology, chemistry, earth and space science, and physics and to understand the interrelationships between these disciplines. This major is designed primarily for persons who plan to teach science (life science, chemistry, earth and space science, or physics) in secondary schools.
 
Requirements for the Bachelor of Science Degree in Integrated Science-Secondary Education

  1. The University requirements for bachelor's degrees as described in the Undergraduate Education section of this catalog; 120 credits, including general elective credits, are required for the Bachelor of Science degree in Integrated Science-Secondary Education.

    The University's Tier II writing requirement for the Integrated Science-Secondary Education major is met by completing Integrated Science Education 401.  That course is referenced in item 3. below.

    Students who are enrolled in the College of Natural Science may complete the alternative track to Integrative Studies in Biological and Physical Sciences that is described in item 1. under the heading Graduation Requirements in the College statement.  Certain courses referenced in requirement 3. below may be used to satisfy the alternative track.

    Students may substitute Teacher Education 101 and 102 for two ISS requirements.

    Students may substitute Teacher Education 341 for the first-level IAH requirement (courses numbered 201 through 210). Those courses are referenced in item 3. below.
  2. The requirements of the College of Natural Science for the Bachelor of Science degree.

    The credits earned in certain courses referenced in requirement 3. below may be counted toward College requirements as appropriate.
  3. The following requirements for the major:
    a. One of the following groups of courses (9 or 10 credits):
    (1) BS 161 Cell and Molecular Biology 3
    BS 162 Organismal and Population Biology 3
    BS 171 Cell and Molecular Biology Laboratory 2
    BS 172 Organismal and Population Biology Laboratory 2
    (2) BS 181H Honors Cell and Molecular Biology 3
    BS 182H Honors Organismal and Population Biology 3
    BS 191H Honors Cell and Molecular Biology Laboratory 2
    BS 192H Honors Organismal and Population Biology Laboratory 2
    (3) LB 144 Biology I:  Organismal Biology 4
    LB 145 Biology II:  Cellular and Molecular Biology 5
    b. One of the following groups of courses (9 or 10 credits):
    (1) CEM 141 General Chemistry 4
    CEM 142 General and Inorganic Chemistry 3
    CEM 161 Chemistry Laboratory I 1
    CEM 162 Chemistry Laboratory II 1
    (2) CEM 151 General and Descriptive Chemistry 4
    CEM 152 Principles of Chemistry 3
    CEM 161 Chemistry Laboratory I 1
    CEM 162 Chemistry Laboratory II 1
    (3) CEM 181H Honors Chemistry I 4
    CEM 182H Honors Chemistry II 4
    CEM 185H Honors Chemistry Laboratory I 2
    (4) LB 171 Principles of Chemistry I 4
    LB 171L Introductory Chemistry Laboratory I 1
    LB 172 Principles of Chemistry II 3
    LB 172L Principles of Chemistry II-Reactivity Laboratory 1
    c. One of the following groups of courses (8 or 10 credits):
    (1) PHY 173 Studio Physics for Scientists and Engineers I 5
    PHY 174 Studio Physics for Scientists and Engineers II 5
    (2) PHY 183 Physics for Scientists and Engineers I 4
    PHY 184 Physics for Scientists and Engineers II 4
    PHY 191 Physics Laboratory for Scientists, I 1
    PHY 192 Physics Laboratory for Scientists, II 1
    (3) PHY 221 Studio Physics for Life Scientists I 4
    PHY 222 Studio Physics for Life Scientists II 4
    (4) PHY 231 Introductory Physics I 3
    PHY 232 Introductory Physics II 3
    PHY 251 Introductory Physics Laboratory I 1
    PHY 252 Introductory Physics Laboratory II 1
    (5) LB 273 Physics I 4
    LB 274 Physics II 4
    d. All of the following courses (14 credits):
    IBIO 355 Ecology 3
    ISE 322 Foundational Earth Systems for Secondary Science Education 4
    ISE 401 Science Laboratories for Secondary Schools (W) 4
    ISE 420 Integrated Science Research 3
    e. The following Professional Education Courses in the College of Education (36 credits):
    (1) All of the following courses from the shared professional sequence (18 credits):
    CEP 240 Diverse Learners in Multicultural Perspective 3
    TE 101 Social Foundations of Justice and Equity in Education 3
    TE 102 Pedagogy and Politics of Justice and Equity in Education 3
    TE 150 Reflections on Learning 3
    TE 302 Literacy and Adolescent Learners in School and Community Contexts 3
    TE 341 Teaching and Learning of (Bi)Multilingual Learners 3
    (2) All of the following courses from the subject-specific professional sequence (18 credits):
    TE 321 Clinical Experience in Science Education I 3
    TE 421 Clinical Experience in Science Education II 3
    TE 422 Seminar in Science Education I 3
    TE 423 Seminar in Science Education II 3
    TE 424 Student Teaching Internship in Science  6
    f. One of the following concentrations:
    Biology
    (1) One course from group (a) and one course from group (b) (6 to 8 credits):
    (a)  MTH 124 Survey of Calculus I 3
    MTH 132 Calculus I 3
    MTH 152H Honors Calculus I 3
    LB 118 Calculus I 4
    (b)  MTH 126 Survey of Calculus II 3
    MTH 133 Calculus II 4
    MTH 153H Honors Calculus II 3
    LB 119 Calculus II 4
    STT 201 Statistical Methods 4
    STT 231 Statistics for Scientists 3
    STT 351 Probability and Statistics for Engineering 3
    STT 421 Statistics I 3
    (2) One of the following groups of courses (3 or 6 credits):
    (a) CEM 144 Organic Chemistry and Applications 3
    (b) CEM 251 Organic Chemistry I 3
    CEM 252 Organic Chemistry II 3
    (c)  CEM 351 Organic Chemistry I 3
    CEM 352 Organic Chemistry II 3
    (3) All of the following courses (7 credits):
    IBIO 341 Fundamental Genetics 4
    IBIO 355L Ecology Laboratory (W) 1
    IBIO 445 Evolution (W) 3
    (4) One of the following courses (3 or 4 credits)
    BMB 401 Comprehensive Biochemistry 4
    FW 417 Wetland Ecology and Management 3
    IBIO 408 Histology 4
    IBIO 425 Cells and Development (W) 4
    MMG 301 Introductory Microbiology 3
    NEU 300 Neurobiology 3
    PLB 415 Plant Physiology 3
    PLB 418 Plant Systematics 3
    PLB 441 Plant Ecology 3
    PSL 250 Introductory Physiology 4
    PSL 310 Physiology for Pre-Health Professionals 4
    Chemistry
    (1) One course from group (a) and one course from group (b) (6 to 8 credits):
    (a)  MTH 132 Calculus I 3
    MTH 152H Honors Calculus I 3
    LB 118 Calculus I 4
    (b) MTH 133 Calculus II 4
    MTH 153H Honors Calculus II 3
    LB 119 Calculus II 4
    (2) One of the following groups of courses (6 credits):
    (a) CEM 251 Organic Chemistry I 3
    CEM 252 Organic Chemistry II 3
    (b)  CEM 351 Organic Chemistry I 3
    CEM 352 Organic Chemistry II 3
    (3) All of the following courses (9 credits):
    CEM 255 Organic Chemistry Laboratory 2
    CEM 262 Quantitative Analysis 3
    CEM 383 Introductory Physical Chemistry I 3
    CEM 444 Chemical Safety 1
    (4) One of the following courses (3 or 4 credits):
    BMB 401 Comprehensive Biochemistry 4
    CEM 311 Inorganic Chemistry 3
    CEM 384 Introductory Physical Chemistry II 3
    Physics
    (1) One course from group (a) and one course from group (b) (6 to 8 credits):
    (a)  MTH 132 Calculus I 3
    MTH 152H Honors Calculus I 3
    LB 118 Calculus I 4
    (b) MTH 133 Calculus II 4
    MTH 153H Honors Calculus II 3
    LB 119 Calculus II 4
    (2) One of the following groups of courses (3 or 6 credits):
    (a) CEM 144 Organic Chemistry and Applications 3
    (b) CEM 251 Organic Chemistry I 3
    CEM 252 Organic Chemistry II 3
    (c)  CEM 351 Organic Chemistry I 3
    CEM 352 Organic Chemistry II 3
    (3) All of the following courses (14 credits):
    CMSE 201 Computational Modeling and Data Analysis I 4
    MTH 234 Multivariable Calculus 4
    MTH 235 Differential Equations 3
    PHY 215 Thermodynamics and Modern Physics 3
    (4) One of the following courses (3 or 4 credits):
    PHY 321 Classical Mechanics I 3
    PHY 431 Optics I 3
    PHY 440 Electronics 4
    PHY 481 Electricity and Magnetism I 3
    Earth Science
    (1) One course from group (a) and one course from group (b) (6 to 8 credits):
    (a)  MTH 124 Survey of Calculus I 3
    MTH 132 Calculus I 3
    MTH 152H Honors Calculus I 3
    LB 118 Calculus I 4
    (b)  MTH 126 Survey of Calculus II 3
    MTH 133 Calculus II 4
    MTH 153H Honors Calculus II 3
    LB 119 Calculus II 4
    STT 201 Statistical Methods 4
    STT 231 Statistics for Scientists 3
    STT 351 Probability and Statistics for Engineering 3
    STT 421 Statistics I 3
    (2) One of the following groups of courses (3 or 6 credits):
    (a) CEM 144 Organic Chemistry and Applications 3
    (b) CEM 251 Organic Chemistry I 3
    CEM 252 Organic Chemistry II 3
    (c) CEM 351 Organic Chemistry I 3
    CEM 352 Organic Chemistry II 3
    (3) The following course (4 credits):
    GLG 201 The Dynamic Earth 4
    (4) Two of the following courses (6 to 8 credits):
    GLG 303 Oceanography 3
    GLG 304 Physical and Biological History of the Earth 4
    GLG 321 Mineralogy and Geochemistry 4
    GLG 361 Igneous and Metamorphic Geochemistry and Petrology 4
    GLG 401 Global Tectonics and Earth Structure (W) 4
    GLG 411 Hydrogeology 3
    GLG 412 Glacial Geology and the Record of Climate Change 4
    GLG 421 Environmental Geochemistry 4
    GLG 435 Geomicrobiology 4
    GLG 440 Planetary Geology 3