Natural Sciences

Overview

Natural sciences programs are broad-based and provide a good foundation for many careers.

This broad-based program provides a good foundation for many careers. It is useful for students who plan to go on to graduate school or veterinary school, or to study medicine or dentistry. It also prepares students who want to earn a teacher certification in science. Some students complete this program before going into law or environmental science.

Schools

Some community colleges and other two-year schools offer associate degree programs in natural sciences. An associate degree usually takes two years to complete. Students may work as a lab technician with an associate degree, or transfer to a college or university for further study.

Many colleges and universities offer interdisciplinary bachelor's degrees in natural sciences. Interdisciplinary programs combine courses from several college departments. In natural sciences it may in biology, chemistry, or geology. A bachelor's degree usually takes about four years of full time study.

See schools that offer this program.

Related Educational Programs

Related Careers

Careers to Consider

Program Admission

You can prepare for this program by taking courses in high school that prepare you for college. This typically includes four years of English, three years of math, three years of social studies, and two years of science. Some colleges also require two years of a second language.

Below is a list of high school courses that will help prepare you for this program of study:

Algebra
Basic Computer
Biology
Chemistry
English Composition
Geometry
Origins of Science
Physical Science
Physics
Pre-Calculus
Trigonometry

Graduate Admissions

Admission to graduate programs is competitive. You need a bachelor's degree, good grades, and good test scores.

Additional requirements at some schools include:

Graduate Record Exam (GRE) General
Letters of recommendation

Typical Course Work

Program Courses

This program typically includes courses in the following subjects:

Analytical Chemistry
Astronomy
Biochemistry
Calculus
Ecology and the Environment
English Composition
General Biology
General Chemistry
Organic Chemistry
Physical Chemistry
Physical Geology
Physics
Probability and Statistics

No matter where you go to school, you're likely to take a set of "core" courses similar to the list above. In addition to these courses, you are usually required to take additional courses in one science as a concentration. If your goal is science teacher certification, you need to complete required education courses.

Graduate Program Courses

Graduate programs in natural sciences are usually for elementary and secondary science teachers. Typical courses vary by specialty. A list of common graduate requirements is below:

Required courses
Thesis (master's degree)

Things to Know

If you plan to become an elementary or secondary school science teacher, you will also need to take education courses and complete a practicum in student teaching.