An Interdepartmental Major Program

Charles Cunningham, Chair (Physics), Jackie Brown (Biology), Tom Moore (Mathematics and Statistics), Nancy Rempel-Clower (Psychology), Elizabeth Trimmer (Chemistry), Henry Walker (Computer Science)


The major in General Science has been designed to accommodate students who wish to pursue a combination of courses in several sciences. Students take six courses including work in at least three of the five sciences (biology, chemistry, computer science, physics, and psychology) and a year's work in mathematics. Additional study beyond the introductory level in one of these fields is also required.

General Science may serve those who plan to teach science in secondary school, but students are strongly encouraged to contact the College's education department to verify current licensure requirements. It may also lead to graduate work in such interdisciplinary fields as biophysics and psychobiology, or a career in environmental science, medicine, law, or engineering. The chair of the department in which the student expects to take at least four courses will designate a departmental faculty member to serve as the student's adviser.

The General Science major may not be combined with a second major in a Division of Science department, and credits for independent study (297, 387, and 397) may not be used to fulfill major requirements.

A minimum of 48 credits, including:

A. 24 credits from courses in the departments of biology, chemistry, computer science, physics, or psychology, creditable toward those majors, with no more than eight credits in any one of these five disciplines. Environmental Studies 111 (Geology) may be used to count for four of the 24 credits.

B. Eight credits from courses in mathematics creditable toward the mathematics major, including calculus through Mathematics 133.

C. Sixteen additional credits from courses numbered 200 or above in the departments of the Division of Science. Biological Chemistry 262 or a four-credit mentored scientific research project (299, 399, or 499) may be used to count for four of the 16 credits. However, research credits cannot be used to satisfy the additional specialized requirements listed below:

1. For a concentration in biology: 251, 252, and one additional course from courses numbered 300 or above.

2. For a concentration in chemistry: Three courses numbered 200 and above, at least one of which must be numbered 300 or above.

3. For a concentration in computer science: Three courses in computer science numbered 200 or above, at least one of which must be numbered 300 or above.

4. For a concentration in mathematics: Three courses in mathematics numbered 200 or above, at least one of which must be numbered 300 or above.

5. For a concentration in physics: 234, 335, and four additional credits from courses numbered 200 and above.

6. For a concentration in psychology: One course from 243, 246, or 260; and one course from 214, 233, or 248; and one course numbered 300 or above.

To be considered for honors in general science, graduating seniors, in addition to meeting the College's general requirements for honors, must take at least two four-credit courses at the 300 level or above in their departments of concentration and must complete a scientific research project and publically present the results on campus.

Note: For the General Science Teaching Certificate, it is required that one full year of coursework (eight credits) be completed in biology, in chemistry, and in physics (requirement A) and that the 12 additional credits (requirement C) be selected from courses in biology, chemistry, or physics.