College of Natural Sciences

 

Listing of Academic Programs

BIOLOGY

Undergraduate majors/degrees

B.S. in biology: for students planning graduate study who want a bit more challenge; involves work with a professor doing original research.
B.A. in biology (general): can be customized to emphasize a student's special interests; can accommodate a broad interest in biology or specific areas.
B.A. in biology: biomedical emphasis: for those interested in continuing on to professional schools such as medical, physical therapy, podiatry, dentistry, optometry, pharmacy, veterinary, physician assistant schools, etc.; or graduate study in related areas.
B.A. in biology: teaching: prepares students to teach biology, life science, and other secondary science courses.
B.A. in biology: ecology and systematics emphasis: prepares students for careers with agencies involved in ecological restoration, endangered species recovery, biological surveys, or for work in zoos, nature centers, museums or botanical gardens.
B.A. in biotechnology: focuses on recombinant DNA; prepares students for technical positions in laboratories or for graduate study.
B.A. in biology: microbiology emphasis: provides a broad overview of microbiology, including virology and molecular biology.
B.A. in biology: plant bioscience emphasis: for students interested in careers in pharmaceutical production, genetic engineering, crop improvement, and plant-based biotechnology.


Minors

Minor in biology
Minor in biology: teaching
Minor in natural history interpretation

 

Graduate majors/degrees

Combined B.A./M.S. or B.S./M.S. in biology:
a five-year program that prepares students for doctoral studies in biology or for work in commercial/research laboratories.
M.S. in biology: for students seeking an extensive research experience.
M.A. in biology: provides a flexible program that can be tailored to fit students' interests.

Professional Science Master's (P.S.M.) in biotechnology: prepares students for career opportunities in biotechnology-related businesses and industries; emphasizes blending molecular and genetic engineering skills with an understanding of business and includes an internship.
Professional Science Master's (P.S.M.) in ecosystem management: prepares students for career opportunities in conservation and restoration-related businesses, nongovernmental organizations and government agencies; emphasizes blending ecosystem analysis, management and restoration skills with an understanding of business and other organizational environments and includes an internship.

 

For more information: Department of Biology, UNI, Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0421; 319-273-2456; www.bio.uni.edu



CHEMISTRY AND BIOCHEMISTRY

Undergraduate majors/degrees

B.S. in chemistry: prepares students for postgraduate work in chemistry or positions in industry; certified by the American Chemical Society.
B.S. in biochemistry: prepares students for postgraduate work or a career in the biomedical area; certified by the American Chemical Society.

B.S. in chemistry: environmental chemistry: positions students for career opportunities in the environmental area.
B.A. in chemistry: with appropriate choice of electives, meets the needs of pre-medical students and those preparing for additional study in related areas such as biochemistry, industrial hygiene, pharmacology and medicinal chemistry, clinical chemistry, and toxicology.

B.A. in chemistry: teaching: prepares students to teach chemistry at the high school level.
B.A. in chemistry: marketing: prepares students for a career in the area of technical sales.

 

Minors

Minor in chemistry
Minor in chemistry: teaching

 

Graduate majors/degrees

Combined B.A./M.S. in chemistry: 5-year B.A./M.S. track; provides training for students who will go into the chemical industry, teach at the community college level, or go on for further education.
M.S. in chemistry: prepares students for technical positions in industrial or government laboratories or for continued study in chemistry doctoral programs.
M.A. in chemistry: prepares students interested in careers in secondary or community college education.

Professional Science Master's (P.S.M.) in applied chemistry and biochemistry:  prepares students to work in the chemical/biochemical industry at the interface between the lab and the boardroom, with chemistry coursework featuring advanced topics and use of modern instrumentation and business coursework focused on problem solving and decision making; includes an internship.

 

For more information: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, UNI, Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0423, 319-273-2437; www.chem.uni.edu



COMPUTER SCIENCE


Undergraduate majors/degrees

B.S. in computer science: prepares students with more depth of knowledge, compared with the B.A. degree; particularly well suited for those students planning graduate studies.
B.S. in bioinformatics: interdisciplinary degree that prepares students to use computer technologies to solve complex problems involving the interface of computer science and biology.
B.S. in networking and system administration: prepares graduates for careers and research opportunities in fields related to reliable and distributed network computing.
B.A. in computer science: prepares students for a wide variety of careers and specialties within computer science.
B.A. in computer information systems: prepares students for a career in which computer science and a knowledge of common business practices are employed.

 

Minors/certificate

Minor in computer science
Minor in computer information systems
Certificate in computer applications: prepares students with knowledge of common software applications used in academic, business, and computer networking.

 

Graduate majors/degrees

M.S. in computer science: prepares students for applied professional careers in computer science.
M.A. in computer science education: prepares students for educationally related professional careers in computer science.

 

For more information: Department of Computer Science, UNI, Cedar Falls, 50614-0305; 319-273-2618; www.cs.uni.edu



EARTH SCIENCE

Undergraduate majors/degrees

B.S. in air quality: designed for students who wish to be employed in government agencies, industry and consulting firms; focuses on measurement and analysis of air quality.

B.S. in geology: for students who wish to become professional geologists and who plan to enter graduate school in geology.
B.A. in geology: provides a wider choice of electives than the geology B.S. major; prepares students for additional study in geology, paleontology, and related earth science areas.
B.A. in geology with environmental science emphasis: designed for students wishing to prepare for an environmentally oriented geoscience career.
B.A. in earth science: designed as a broad liberal arts major that can build a strong foundation for a variety of career plans; also provides supportive background as a second major for students majoring in other disciplines such as mathematics, computer science, industrial technology, anthropology, geography, biology, chemistry or related areas.
B.A. in earth science: teaching: designed to prepare secondary earth science teachers.
B.A. in earth science: interpretive naturalist emphasis: designed to prepare students to work as professional interpreters with park systems, nature centers, museums, and other areas requiring field skills in the natural sciences and natural history communication skills.

 

Minors

Minor in earth science
Minor in earth science: teaching
Minor in geology
Minor in astronomy
Minor in meteorology

 

For more information: Department of Earth Science, UNI, Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0335, 319-273-2759; www.earth.uni.edu


 

ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMS

Combined B.A./M.S. or B.S./M.S. in environmental science/technology and health:
affords students an opportunity to begin an M.S. degree while classified as seniors; approval of department head needed to register for graduate courses, which will be counted for graduate credit only if the student actually earns the bachelor's degree at the end of the semester or summer session in which the course is taken; M.S. prepares students for positions with environmental consulting firms, government agencies, and environmental departments within large companies specializing in environmental technologies.
M.S. in environmental science/technology and health: emphases in environmental science, environmental technology, or environmental health: provides academic and research opportunities for students seeking terminal master's degrees; prepares students for positions with environmental consulting firms, government agencies, and environmental departments within large companies specializing in environmental technologies.

 

For more information: Environmental Sciences, UNI, Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0421, 319-273-7147; www.uni.edu/envprogs

 


INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY

Undergraduate majors/degrees

B.S. in construction management: focuses on a strong understanding of mathematics and science, engineering principles, architecture, business, liberal arts and construction sciences, coupled with summer work experience, to prepare graduates for entry-level positions in the construction industry; graduates can handle marketing, financing, computer applications and decision making, as well as construction operations and procedures in a variety of office and field settings.
B.S. in electrical and information engineering technology: prepares students for application-oriented engineering technology careers in conventional and renewable electrical power, analog/digital electronics, microcomputer, telecommunications, instrumentation and networking areas; also covered are mechanical, hydraulic, and pneumatic systems.
B.S. in manufacturing technology: focuses on applications of materials science, manufacturing design, automated systems, processes, operations and quality management, and industrial safety in an integrated curriculum preparing students for entry-level technical managerial positions in manufacturing and related industries; emphasis on automation and production, design, and metal casting.
B.A. in graphic communications: for students interested in career areas such as entry-level supervision, management, sales, estimating, customer service and publication design positions.
B.A. in technology management: prepares students for a career in the use of technology as well as management associated with harnessing the human, material, and information resources needed in an organization.
B.A. in technology education and training: prepares students to teach industrial technology in Iowa grades 7-12.

 

Minors

Minor in electrical and electronics technology
Minor in graphic communications
Minor in technology education and training
Minor in technology management

 

Graduate majors/degrees

Combined B.A./M.A. or B.S./M.A. in technology: affords students an opportunity to begin an M.A. degree while classified as seniors; approval of department head needed to register for graduate courses, which will be counted for graduate credit only if the student actually earns the bachelor's degree at the end of the semester or summer session in which the course is taken.
M.A. in technology: emphases in industrial management, industrial training, manufacturing process development, energy management, or technology education: affords students the five technical emphases listed above from which to select; a nonthesis or thesis option is available for each of the first four options, nonthesis only for technology education.
Doctorate in Industrial Technology: a program unique to UNI; emphasizes developing the intellectual and creative tools necessary to pursue scholarly research and applied practices for leadership positions in industrial supervision, training, and technology assessment as well as to prepare faculty and administrators for positions in the area of technology in two- and four-year postsecondary education institutions.

 

For more information: Department of Industrial Technology, UNI, Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0178, 319-273-2561; www.uni.edu/indtech/

 



MATHEMATICS

Undergraduate majors/degrees

B.A. in mathematics: provides a broad educational experience with mathematical skills that will enhance many career opportunities.
B.A. in mathematics: applied: prepares students for careers that involve mathematical modeling.
B.A. in mathematics: statistics and actuarial science: prepares students for careers involving data and statistics.
B.A. in mathematics: teaching: prepares students to teach secondary mathematics.

 

Minors

Minor in mathematics
Minor in mathematics: teaching
Minor in mathematics: teaching (K-6)
Minor in statistics and actuarial science

 

Graduate majors/degrees

M.A. in mathematics: emphases in nonteaching or secondary teaching: prepares students for continued graduate study or careers involving broad mathematical skills.
M.A. in mathematics for the middle grades (4-8): develops classroom expertise and leadership skills for mathematics teachers in the middle grades.

Professional Science Master's (P.S.M.) in industrial mathematics: includes technical training in applied mathematics/statistics, experiential learning via an internship or industrial project and exposure to business principles and practices; degree options are PSM in continuous quality improvement, PSM in mathematical computing and modeling or certificate in continuous quality improvement.

 

For more information: Department of Mathematics, UNI, Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0506; 319-273-2631; www.math.uni.edu



PHYSICS

Undergraduate majors/degrees

B.S. in physics:
prepares students for graduate study in physics, engineering, and other sciences such as geophysics, astronomy, biophysics and medical physics.
B.S. in applied physics: suitable for students seeking industrial or other applied employment after the B.S. degree; can also serve as a background for graduate study in some applied science or engineering areas.
B.S. in applied physics/B.S. in engineering: leads to a B.S. applied physics degree from UNI and a B.S. engineering degree from the University of Iowa or Iowa State University.
B.A. in physics: for students desiring a broad background in science or who are taking a substantial amount of work in other areas.
B.A. in physics: teaching: for students preparing to be physics teachers at the secondary level.

 

Minors

Minor in physics
Minor in physics: teaching

 

Graduate major/degree

Professional Science Master's (P.S.M.) in applied physics: gives students practical experience in areas such as computer simulations for applications, investigation methods for materials using nanotechnology, computer interfacing and signal processing and methods of experiment design; emphasizes examples and projects drawn from industry and includes an internship.
Combined B.A./P.S.M. or B.S./P.S.M. in applied physics: a five-year program offered on the no-thesis option only; prepares students for careers in applied physics or engineering businesses or industries.

 

For more information: Department of Physics, UNI, Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0150; 319-273-2420; www.uni.edu/physics

 


SCIENCE EDUCATION

Undergraduate majors/degrees

B.A. in middle/junior high school science teaching: leads to Iowa endorsement in general science and physical science; for students who wish to teach science at the middle school or junior high school level.

B.A. in all science teaching: leads to Iowa endorsements in biology, chemistry, earth science, physics, general science and physical science; prepares students to teach at the secondary level in all areas of science.

 

Minor

Minor in basic science: teaching (K-6)


 

Graduate majors/degrees

M.A. in science education: for secondary science teachers seeking to strengthen content and pedagogy; contains core courses in theory, offered on the ICN, as well as content and classroom application; thesis and nonthesis options available.
M.A. in science education: emphasis in earth science education or physics education available; each emphasis stresses the discipline area and requires 40 hours of content between B.A. and M.A. programs; thesis and nonthesis options available for secondary teachers.
M.A. in science education for elementary schools (K-6): for teachers who want to increase their science backgrounds or to specialize in science teaching; common core courses are the same as those for the secondary M.A. program.

 

For more information: Science Education, UNI, Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0296; 319-273-6049; www.science-ed.uni.edu