Bachelor of Science Degree in Multidisciplinary Science

The Bachelor of Science degree in Multidisciplinary Science (MDS) is designed for future scientists or future secondary science teachers, and gives students broad training across the sciences. The MDS degree, coupled with a concentration at the upper-division level in a single science field (major requirements A and B(2), below), is ideal for future scientists interested in an interdisciplinary approach in science. The MDS degree also offers a composite science certification track through the College of Education and Human Development (COEHD), which is designed to prepare students for a career in teaching secondary school science (major requirements A and B(1), below). Students seeking teacher certification should contact the COEHD Advising and Certification Center as early in their educational program as possible, but no later than their fourth semester of study, for information about certificate requirements and admission procedures. Undergraduates seeking elementary teacher certification must complete the Interdisciplinary Studies degree.

The minimum number of semester credit hours required for this degree, including the Core Curriculum requirements, is 120 hours, at least 39 of which must be at the upper-division level.

All candidates seeking this degree must fulfill the Core Curriculum requirements and the degree requirements, which are listed below.

Core Curriculum Requirements (42 semester credit hours)
Students seeking the Bachelor of Science degree in Multidisciplinary Science must fulfill University Core Curriculum requirements in the same manner as other students. If courses are taken to satisfy both degree requirements and Core Curriculum requirements, then students may need to take additional courses in order to meet the minimum number of semester credit hours required for this degree. For a complete listing of courses that satisfy the Core Curriculum requirements, see pages 3-5 of this catalog.

The core requirements in Mathematics and Natural Sciences are automatically fulfilled in obtaining a B.S. degree in Multidisciplinary Science.

Degree Requirements

NOTE: All coursework must be completed with a grade of “C-” or better.

1. 66 semester credit hours of required science courses:
   
   AST  1013           Introduction to Astronomy
   BIO  1122            Laboratory Investigations in Biology
   BIO  1404            Biosciences I
   BIO  1413            Biosciences II
   BIO  2313            Genetics
   BIO  3153            Physiology of Human Systems
   BIO  3283, 3292   Principles of Ecology and Laboratory
   BIO  3323            Evolution
   CHE  1103, 1121  General Chemistry I and Laboratory
   CHE  1113, 1131  General Chemistry II and Laboratory
   CHE  3214           Analytical Chemistry
   GEO  1103, 1111  Introduction to Earth Systems and Laboratory
   GEO  3004           Rocks, Fossils, and Global Tectonics
   GEO  3163           Oceanography
   MAT  1093           Precalculus
   PHY  3003           Current Research Topics in Physics
   STA  1053           Basic Statistics
   
   Either
   PHY  1603, 1611  Algebra-based Physics I and Laboratory
   PHY  1623, 1631  Algebra-based Physics II and Laboratory
   or
   *PHY  1943, 1951  Physics for Scientists I and Laboratory
   *PHY  1963, 1971  Physics for Scientists II and Laboratory
   
   *Note that the prerequisites for Physics for Scientists are Calculus I and II (MAT 1214 and MAT 1224). These can be included among the elective courses in sciences and mathematics.
   
   

MDS Degree with Certification (composite science emphasis):

B(1). 21 semester credit hours of electives to satisfy certification requirements:

C&I   4203   Models of Teaching in the Content Areas of the Secondary School
C&I   4646   Student Teaching: Grades 8-12
EDP  3203   Learning and Development in the Secondary School Adolescent
EDP  4203   Assessment and Evaluation
GEM  1011   GEEMS Mathematics/Science I
GEM  1021   GEEMS Mathematics/Science II
GEM  1031   GEEMS Mathematics/Science III

MDS Degree without Certification:

B(2). 21 semester credit hours of approved electives in geology, biology, chemistry, physics, environmental science, and/or mathematics, including a sufficient number of upper-division hours to meet the UTSA minimum of 39 upper-division hours.

Students seeking an MDS degree as preparation for a graduate degree in science should follow as closely as possible the degree requirements of their chosen science as those courses are most likely to be required by graduate schools in that field. Non-certification-seeking students should, at a minimum, pursue a minor in any one or more science. It is possible through careful planning to achieve a double major in MDS and another science. All MDS students should create a four-year plan through the College of Sciences Undergraduate Advising Center as early as possible in their course of study, and continue to check in on a course-by-course basis should those plans change.

Course Sequence Guide for B.S. Degree in Multidisciplinary Science (without teacher certification)

This course sequence guide is designed to assist students in completing their UTSA undergraduate Multidisciplinary Science degree requirements. This is merely a guide and students must satisfy other requirements of this catalog and meet with advisors in the College of Sciences Undergraduate Advising Center for individualized degree plans. Progress within this guide depends upon such factors as course availability, individual student academic preparation, student time management, work obligations, and individual financial considerations. Students may choose to take courses during Summer terms to reduce course loads during long semesters.

B.S. in Multidisciplinary Science - Recommended Four-Year Academic Plan

FIRST YEAR
Fall		Spring
GEO 1103/1111 (core and major)	3/1	BIO 1122	2
MAT 1093 (core and major)	3	BIO 1404 (core and major)	4
STA 1053	3	CHE 1103/1121*	3/1
WRC 1013 (core)	3	WRC 1023 (core)	3
U.S. History & Diversity core	3	Visual & Performing Arts core	3
Total semester hours	16	Total semester hours	16
SECOND YEAR
Fall		Spring
BIO 1413	3	BIO 2313	3
CHE 1113/1131*	3/1	BIO 3283/3292	3/2
POL 1013 (core)	3	GEO 3163	3
Literature core	3	Economics core	3
Social & Behavioral Science core	3
Total semester hours	16	Total semester hours	14
THIRD YEAR
Fall		Spring
AST 1013	3	GEO 3004	4
BIO 3323	3	PHY 1623/1631 or PHY 1963/1971	3/1
CHE 3214	4	Approved elective**	3
PHY 1603/1611 or PHY 1943/1951	3/1	Approved elective**	3
Total semester hours	14	Total semester hours	14
FOURTH YEAR
Fall		Spring
PHY 3003	3	BIO 3153	3
POL 1133 or 1213 (core)	3	Approved elective**	3
Approved elective**	3	Approved elective**	3
Approved elective**	3	Approved elective**	3
U.S. History & Diversity core	3	World Society & Issues core	3
Total semester hours	15	Total semester hours	15

* These laboratory courses include a lecture component as indicated on the University Schedule of Classes.

** Approved Electives in BIO, CHE, GEO, PHY, ES, and/or MAT.

Note: Some courses are only offered once a year; Fall or Spring. Check with the Department of Geological Sciences for scheduling of courses.

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