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 C, 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, 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 121 hours without teacher certification and 136 hours with teacher certification.
All candidates seeking this degree must fulfill the Core Curriculum requirements and the degree requirements, which are listed below.
Core Curriculum requirements: Students seeking the Bachelor of Science degree in Multidisciplinary Science must fulfill University Core Curriculum requirements in the same manner as other students. The courses listed in the table below satisfy both major requirements and Core Curriculum requirements; however, if these courses are taken to satisfy both requirements, then students will 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 5–9 of this catalog.
| Core Curriculum Component Area | Courses that Satisfy Core Curriculum and Degree Requirements |
|---|---|
Communications |
English Rhetoric/Composition (6 semester credit hours) |
Mathematics |
Mathematics (3 semester credit hours) |
Natural Sciences |
Science (6 semester credit hours) |
Humanities & Visual and Performing Arts |
Literature (3 semester credit hours) |
Social and Behavioral Sciences |
United States History and Diversity (6 semester credit hours) |
World Society and Issues |
(3 semester credit hours) |
Degree Requirements
NOTE: All coursework must be completed with a grade of “C” or better.
- 40 semester credit hours of required science courses:
AST 1013, 1031 Introduction to Astronomy and Laboratory BIO 1122 Laboratory Investigations in Biology BIO 1404 Biosciences I BIO 1413 Biosciences II CHE 1103 General Chemistry I CHE 1113, 1132 General Chemistry II and Laboratory GEO 1103, 1111 Introduction to Earth Systems and Laboratory GEO 1123, 1131 Earth History and Laboratory MAT 1093 Precalculus 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
* Physics for Scientists is the required option for concentration in chemistry or physics. Note that the prerequisites for Physics for Scientists are Calculus I and II (MAT 1214 and MAT 1223). These can be included among the elective courses in sciences and mathematics.
- MDS Degree with Certification (composite science emphasis):
- 30 semester credit hours of required science courses:
BIO 2313 Genetics BIO 3283 Principles of Ecology BIO 3292 Principles of Ecology Laboratory BIO 3323 Evolution BIO 3413 Physiology BIO 3422 Physiology Laboratory GEO 3153 Paleontology and Stratigraphy GEO 3162 Paleontology and Stratigraphy Laboratory GEO 3163 Oceanography GEO 4193 Field-Based inquiry STA 1053 Basic Statistics
- 33 semester credit hours of electives to satisfy certification requirements as follows:
BBL 3403 Cultural and Linguistic Diversity in a Pluralistic Society SPE 3603 Introduction to Exceptionality COM 1043 Introduction to Communication or COM 2123 Oral Interpretation UTE 1011 UTeach Mathematics/Science I UTE 1021 UTeach Mathematics/Science II UTE 1031 UTeach Mathematics/Science III or IDS 2013 Introduction to Learning and Teaching in a Culturally Diverse Society and 21 semester credit hours of professional education courses
- 30 semester credit hours of required science courses:
- MDS Degree without Certification:
48 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.