Introduction
The Natural Science
major and the Natural Science
Broad-Field minor are interdisciplinary
programs offered in cooperation with all
the science departments. Three distinct
emphases are available for the major:
Earth Science, Life Science, and
Physical Science. A Natural Science
major consists of fifty-four credits,
including a minor in the area chosen for
emphasis. A Natural Science Broad-Field
minor consists of twenty-five credits,
with at least five credits taken from
each of the three emphasis areas
mentioned above. Students majoring in
Elementary Education will qualify for
certification to teach science by
completing the Natural Science
Broad-Field minor plus two additional
courses, Education 325 and Natural
Resources 370 for a total of thirty-one
credits.
Why Study Natural Science at UW-Stevens Point?
This area of
study is designed as either a comprehensive major or
minor for students seeking a broad working knowledge of
all the sciences, as opposed to those who would major in
only one science. This major is of special interest to
students preparing for junior and senior high school
teaching, but is equally valid for students in the
College of Letters and Science who desire a broad
knowledge in the area of science.
High School Preparation
To prepare to study
Natural Science, high school students should enroll in
science courses (chemistry, biology, physics, earth
science), mathematics, and computer science.
Department Features
The courses in
this program are taught by faculty members from all of
the university science departments. Instructors are
matched with courses to take advantage of their
specialization within the various fields of science. The
facilities of the various departments are available to
meet the needs of the students. Facility highlights
include a planetarium and observatory, an electron
microscope, a nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer,
controlled environmental labs, a neutron howitzer, and a
weather tabulation machine, to name a few.
Employment Opportunity
Employment
prospects after graduation with this major are very
bright. There is a definite demand for science teachers
at the junior and senior high school levels. A student
who completes this major will qualify for Department of
Public Instruction (DPI) certification to teach, not
only the subject covered by the chosen minor, but also
any of the remaining three science areas in which she/he
has earned fifteen credits. The Dean of the College of
Professional Studies is the local certifying officer.
Those students not interested in teaching are able to
find employment in private industry or with local,
state, and federal agencies that emphasize laboratory
science.
Sample Program of Study for the Natural Science Major
|
FRESHMAN YEAR
|
SOPHOMORE YEAR
|
|
First Sem |
Credits |
Second Sem |
Credits |
First Sem |
Credits |
Second Sem |
Credits |
|
English |
3 |
English |
3 |
History |
3 |
Science/Humanities (NW) |
3 |
|
Humanities |
3 |
Communication |
2 |
Science |
5 |
Science |
5 |
|
Science |
5 |
Science |
5 |
Science |
5 |
Science |
5 |
|
Math 100 &
106 |
4 |
Humanities |
3 |
Social Sci
(Psych 110 recommended) |
3 |
Elective |
2-3 |
|
Physical Ed |
1 |
Social
Science |
3 |
|
|
Physical Ed |
1 |
|
Total
|
16 |
Total |
16 |
Total
|
16 |
Total |
16-17 |
|
|
|
|
For teacher certification : JUNIOR
YEAR
|
For teacher certification : SENIOR
YEAR
|
|
Humanities |
3 |
Science |
5 |
Electives |
15 |
Education
(practice teach or internship) |
15 |
|
Natural
Resources 370 |
3 |
Education 380 |
3 |
|
|
|
Science |
5 |
Education 381 |
3 |
|
|
|
|
|
TCI |
3 |
Elective |
4-5 |
|
|
|
|
|
Health
Enhancement |
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
16 |
Total |
15-16 |
Total
|
15 |
Total |
15 |
|
|
|
|
Non-teaching majors: JUNIOR YEAR
|
Non-teaching majors: SENIOR YEAR
|
|
Science |
5 |
Science |
5 |
Electives |
15 |
Electives |
15 |
|
Social
Science |
3 |
Humanities |
3 |
NOTE: Out of
the elective credits, 12 must be selected to
complete a minor in one of the areas of
emphasis. These courses should be selected
after consultation with an advisor.
|
|
Social
Science |
3 |
Humanities |
3 |
|
Foreign
Language |
4 |
Foreign
Language |
4 |
|
TCI |
3 |
Physical
Education |
2 |
|
|
|
Elective |
3 |
|
Total
|
15 |
Total |
17 |
Total
|
15 |
Total |
15 |
