General Science, Bachelor of Science
General Science, Bachelor of Science Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS - 34 Hours Required | ||
| Minimum of “C-“required | ||
| Fundamental Skills | 15 | |
Writing – 6 hrs. | ||
| ENGLISH COMPOSITION I | ||
| COLLEGE RESEARCH AND INFORMATION LITERACY | ||
Oral Communication – 3 hrs. | ||
| PUBLIC SPEAKING FUNDS | ||
or CMST 2120 | ARGUMENTATION AND DEBATE | |
Quantitative Literacy – 3 hrs. | ||
| INTRODUCTION TO MATHEMATICAL AND COMPUTATIONAL THINKING | ||
or MATH 1130 | QUANTITATIVE LITERACY | |
or MATH 1140 | QUANTITATIVE REASONING FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS | |
or MATH 1300 | COLLEGE ALGEBRA WITH SUPPORT | |
Data Literacy – 3 hrs. | ||
Select one from the following: | ||
| DATA LITERACY AND VISUALIZATION | ||
| ELEMENTARY STATISTICS | ||
Until Fall 2028, students can satisfy this requirement with an approved data literacy course, or any approved natural or social science general education course. | ||
| Breadth of Knowledge | 13 | |
Social Science – 3 hrs. | ||
Humanities – 3 hrs. | ||
Natural & Physical Science (must complete a lab) – 4 hrs. | ||
Arts – 3 hrs. | ||
| Individual and Social Responsibility | 6 | |
Cultural Knowledge – 3 hrs. | ||
Civic Knowledge and Engagement – 3 hrs. | ||
| MAJOR REQUIREMENTS | ||
| **Course will satisfy UNO's General Education requirement | ||
| ^Course requires pre-requisite(s) | ||
| General Science - 53-54 Hours Required | ||
| Required Coursework | 26 | |
| BIOLOGY I (**) | ||
| BIOLOGY II (^) | ||
| GENERAL CHEMISTRY I and GENERAL CHEMISTRY I LABORATORY (** ^) | ||
| GENERAL CHEMISTRY II and GENERAL CHEMISTRY II LABORATORY (^) | ||
| INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICAL GEOLOGY (**) | ||
OR | ||
| EARTH SYSTEM SCIENCE and EARTH SYSTEM SCIENCE LAB (**) | ||
| OUR DYNAMIC PLANET: INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY (**) | ||
| Select one of the following (PHYS) Physics Options | 10 | |
| PHYSICS FOR LIFE SCIENCE I and GENERAL PHYSICS LABORATORY I (** ^) | ||
| PHYSICS FOR LIFE SCIENCE II and GENERAL PHYSICS LABORATORY II (^) | ||
OR | ||
| GENERAL PHYSICS I - CALCULUS LEVEL and GENERAL PHYSICS LABORATORY I (** ^) | ||
| GENERAL PHYSICS II-CALCULUS LEVEL and GENERAL PHYSICS LABORATORY II (^) | ||
| Mathematics and Statistics Requirement - choose one option | 5-6 | |
Option 1 - select one of the following calculus courses: | ||
| CALCULUS FOR BIOMEDICINE (^) | ||
| CALCULUS I (^) | ||
| OR Option 2 - take both of the following courses: | ||
| CALCULUS FOR THE MANAGERIAL, LIFE, AND SOCIAL SCIENCES (^) | ||
AND one advisor-approved STATISTICS course | ||
| Select 12 additional credits of 2000-level coursework from at least two of the following subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Geography, Geology, and Physics. | 12 | |
| College Breadth (choose one option) | 15-30+ | |
| Option 1: Complete any UNO minor or undergraduate certificate - 15+ hours | ||
| Option 2: Additional General Education Requirements - 18+ hours | ||
Additional quantitative literacy - 3 hours | ||
Additional Social Science Gen. Ed. from another Discipline - 3 hours | ||
Additional Humanities Gen. Ed. from another Discipline - 3 hours | ||
Additional Nat. and Physical Science w/ or without Lab - 3-5 hours | ||
| Option 3: CAS comprehensive major (50+ hours) OR any second UNO major (30+ hours) | ||
| Bachelor of Science Cognate Requirement | 15 | |
Students pursuing the B.S. in General Science must complete 15 hours of cognate coursework—a field of specialization outside their major that aligns with their interests and career goals. Cognates are designed by the student in consultation with an undergraduate advisor. For General Science majors, 3000-4000 level coursework is recommended to fulfill this College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) requirement. | ||
| ELECTIVES | ||
| Elective hours as required to reach a total of 120 hours | ||
General Science, Bachelor of Science Four Year Plan
| Freshman | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| BIOL 1450 | BIOLOGY I | 5 |
| ENGL 1150 | ENGLISH COMPOSITION I | 3 |
| GEOG 1030 | OUR DYNAMIC PLANET: INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY | 4 |
| MATH 1930 | CALCULUS FOR THE MANAGERIAL, LIFE, AND SOCIAL SCIENCES or CALCULUS FOR BIOMEDICINE or CALCULUS I | 3-5 |
Attend Durango Days; other campus events. Set up a Handshake account and take the Pathway U career assessment. Attend the Student Involvement & Volunteer Fair to explore student organizations. Make advising appointment for spring: Sept-Oct. Work with your advisor to develop your Pathway in Stellic. | ||
| Credits | 15-17 | |
| Spring | ||
| BIOL 1750 | BIOLOGY II | 5 |
| ENGL 1160 | COLLEGE RESEARCH AND INFORMATION LITERACY | 3 |
| STAT 1530 | ELEMENTARY STATISTICS | 3 |
| General Education Course or Elective | 3 | |
Attend campus events such as major exploration week to get an idea of interests and career paths. Schedule a resume review with UNO Career Services. Visit faculty office hours and ask about undergraduate research opportunities. Make advising appointment for summer and fall: February – March. | ||
| Credits | 14 | |
| Sophomore | ||
| Fall | ||
| CMST 1110 or CMST 2120 | PUBLIC SPEAKING FUNDS or ARGUMENTATION AND DEBATE | 3 |
| PHYS 1110 or PHYS 2110 | PHYSICS FOR LIFE SCIENCE I or GENERAL PHYSICS I - CALCULUS LEVEL | 4 |
| PHYS 1154 | GENERAL PHYSICS LABORATORY I | 1 |
| General Education Course or Elective | 3 | |
| General Education Course or Elective | 3 | |
Attend the Career & Internship Fair to start networking with employers. Look for volunteer, research, or part-time work to gain experience. Join a student organization or club related to your field or interests. Make advising appointment for spring: Sept. - Oct. | ||
| Credits | 14 | |
| Spring | ||
| PHYS 1120 or PHYS 2120 | PHYSICS FOR LIFE SCIENCE II or GENERAL PHYSICS II-CALCULUS LEVEL | 4 |
| PHYS 1164 | GENERAL PHYSICS LABORATORY II | 1 |
| GEOL 1100 & GEOL 1104 or GEOL 1170 | EARTH SYSTEM SCIENCE (with corresponding lab) or INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICAL GEOLOGY | 4 |
| B.S. Cognate Course | 3 | |
| General Education Course or Elective | 3 | |
Attend a career fair for informational and networking purposes. Update your resume and LinkedIn profile with new experiences. Investigate and apply for summer internships, research, or study abroad programs. Make advising appointment for summer and fall: February – March. | ||
| Credits | 15 | |
| Junior | ||
| Fall | ||
| CHEM 1180 & CHEM 1184 | GENERAL CHEMISTRY I and GENERAL CHEMISTRY I LABORATORY | 4 |
| Advanced General Science Course at the 2000+ level | 3 | |
| B.S. Cognate Course | 3 | |
| General Education Course or Elective | 3 | |
| General Education Course or Elective | 3 | |
Apply for a paid internship or research assistantship. Attend a mock interview workshop or use online interview tools with Career Services. Start researching and visiting graduate programs or professional schools. Visit University Career Center or Health Careers Resource Center (if applying to professional health programs) continue updating resume. Make advising appointment for spring: Sept-Oct. | ||
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| CHEM 1190 & CHEM 1194 | GENERAL CHEMISTRY II and GENERAL CHEMISTRY II LABORATORY | 4 |
| Advanced General Science Course at the 2000+ level | 3 | |
| B.S. Cognate Course | 3 | |
| General Education Course or Elective | 3 | |
| General Education Course or Elective | 3 | |
Request letters of recommendation from faculty for jobs or grad school. Attend the All-Majors Career Fair with a plan to network. Meet with your advisor or submit for a graduation check-in to review remaining degree requirements. Make advising appointment for summer and fall: February – March. | ||
| Credits | 16 | |
| Senior | ||
| Fall | ||
| Advanced General Science Course at the 2000+ level | 3 | |
| B.S. Cognate Course | 3 | |
| General Education Course or Elective | 3 | |
| General Education Course or Elective | 3 | |
| General Education Course or Elective | 3 | |
Depending on post-baccalaureate plans, check in with Career Center for networking tips. Finalize graduate school applications or job search strategy. Attend a career fair and start applying for full-time jobs. Prepare for interviews and salary negotiations with Career Services. Make advising appointment for spring: Sept. - Oct. | ||
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| Advanced General Science Course at the 2000+ level | 3 | |
| B.S. Cognate Course | 3 | |
| General Education Course or Elective | 3 | |
| General Education Course or Elective | 3 | |
| General Education Course or Elective | 3 | |
Complete your final advising check before graduation. Polish your resume, cover letters, and LinkedIn profile. Stay connected by joining alumni networks and professional organizations. Apply for graduation via MavLink. | ||
| Credits | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 120-122 | |
College Breadth: Students should plan on using at least 15 hours of "Electives" to fulfill Option 1, 2, or 3, of the College of Arts and Sciences' breadth requirement.
Upper Level Credits: Students need 27 upper level credits throughout the degree with at least 18 upper level credits within the major. Electives may need to be selected at the 3000-4000 level to reach these minimums.
Additional Information About this Plan:
University Degree Requirements: The minimum number of hours for a UNO undergraduate degree is 120 credit hours. Please review the requirements for your specific program to determine all requirements for the program. In order to graduate on-time (four years for an undergraduate degree), you need to take 30 hours each year.
Placement Exams: For Math, English, World Language, a placement exam may be required. More information on these exams can be found at https://www.unomaha.edu/enrollment-management/testing-center/placement-exams/information.php
Transfer credit or placement exam scores may change suggested plan of study.
GPA Requirements: 2.0
Note: This plan provides a general guide, but your specific courses, experiences, and career goals may differ. Work with your academic advisor to ensure you’re meeting degree requirements and consult with career advisors to explore internships, research opportunities, and post-graduation plans. Regular check-ins will help you stay on track and make the most of your time at UNO!