Natural Sciences Program
203 DeGrace Hall
http://www.case.edu/artsci/natsci/
Phone: 216-368-3566
Peter J. Whiting, Director
E-mail: peter.whiting@case.edu
Undergraduate Programs
Major
The natural sciences major is an interdepartmental science program that leads to the Bachelor of Arts degree. It is intended to serve students whose interests and objectives call for a major in the humanities or social sciences (e.g., the major in history and philosophy of science) that is best accompanied by a broad background in the natural sciences.
Natural sciences is available as a second major for the B.A.; the first major must be in a department or program within the arts, humanities, or social sciences, excluding the programs in American Studies, Asian Studies (Track 2), Environmental Studies, Gerontological Studies, Pre-Architecture, and Women’s and Gender Studies. For a student who completes a B.S. degree in management or accounting, natural sciences may serve as the sole major for the B.A. degree.
The program requires a minimum of 50 semester hours of work in natural sciences and mathematics. The departments included in the major are Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry, Geological Sciences, and Physics. The student must complete a minimum of 20 hours in one of these departments, a minimum of 8 hours each in two of the other departments, and 3 hours each in the remaining two departments. In addition, all natural sciences majors must complete MATH 125 and 126 or MATH 121 and 122. The courses used to satisfy the natural sciences major should be courses that would satisfy requirements of an existing science major. However, any 200-level or higher astronomy course is acceptable for the natural sciences major.
Minor
A minor is achieved through completion of the requirements listed below in any four of the six participating departments.
Astronomy
One of the following sequences:
- ASTR 201 and any other 200-level ASTR course
- ASTR 221 and 222
Biology
Any two of the following:
- BIOL 214 and 214L
- BIOL 215 and 215L
- BIOL 216 and 216L
Chemistry
One of the following sequences:
- CHEM 105, 106, 113
- CHEM 111, 113, ENGR 145
Geological Sciences
Any one of GEOL 101, 110, 115 or 117; and GEOL 119; and any one additional GEOL course (can be one of those listed or any other GEOL course)
Mathematics
One of the following sequences:
- MATH 125 and 126
- MATH 121 and 122
Physics
One of the following sequences:
- PHYS 115 and 116
- PHYS 121, 122, 221
