Major in Natural Sciences, Physical Science Concentration

Program Overview

The Physical Science concentration at Colorado State University provides a broad foundation in the physical sciences, with a strong emphasis on calculus, chemistry, and physics. Students specialize by completing two minors from a range of options, preparing them for careers in scientific fields, graduate studies, or entry into medical or veterinary programs. The program requires a minimum of 120 credits, with 42 upper-division credits, and includes a capstone course and a focus on using competencies within the field.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The Physical Science concentration within the Natural Sciences major at Colorado State University provides a broad foundation in the physical sciences. It emphasizes a strong base in calculus, chemistry, and physics, along with a semester of biological science. Students then specialize by completing two minors from a list of options including Biochemistry, Chemistry, Computer Science, Geology, Mathematics, Physics, Statistics, or Applied Statistics. This double minor approach offers a unique breadth of knowledge in the physical sciences. The program aims to prepare students for careers in scientific fields or for further graduate studies and research. It also serves as a strong foundation for entry into medical or veterinary professional programs.

Outline:

The program is structured over four years, with a detailed course schedule outlined for each semester.

Freshman Year:

• Semester 1:
• CO 150 College Composition (GT-CO2) - 1A3 credits
• Social and Behavioral Sciences - 3C3 credits
• Minor Requirement Courses - 6 credits
• Semester 2:
• CHEM 111 General Chemistry I (GT-SC2) - 3A4 credits
• CHEM 112 General Chemistry Lab I (GT-SC1) - 3A1 credits
• MATH 255 Calculus for Biological Scientists II or MATH 161 Calculus for Physical Scientists II (GT-MA1) - 1B credits
• Elective - 3 credits
• Minor Requirement Course - 3 credits

Sophomore Year:

• Semester 3:
• CHEM 113 General Chemistry II - 3 credits
• CHEM 114 General Chemistry Lab II - 1 credit
• Elective - 3 credits
• Minor Requirement Courses - 4 credits
• Semester 4:
• PH 142 Physics for Scientists and Engineers II (GT-SC1) - 3A5 credits
• STAT 301 Introduction to Applied Statistical Methods - 3 credits
• Minor Requirement Courses - 4 credits

Junior Year:

• Semester 5:
• Advanced Writing - 2 credits
• Arts and Humanities - 3B3 credits
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion - 1C3 credits
• Minor Requirement Courses - 6 credits
• Semester 6:
• Select one group from the following:
• Group A: BZ 104 Basic Concepts of Plant Life (GT-SC2) and BZ 105 Basic Concepts of Plant Life Laboratory (GT-SC1) - 6 credits
• Group B: BZ 110 Principles of Animal Biology (GT-SC2) and BZ 111 Animal Biology Laboratory (GT-SC1) - 6 credits
• Group C: BZ 120 Principles of Plant Biology (GT-SC1) - 3 credits
• Group D: LIFE 102 Attributes of Living Systems (GT-SC1) - 3 credits
• Historical Perspectives - 3D3 credits
• Minor Requirement Courses - 9 credits

Senior Year:

• Semester 7:
• Arts and Humanities - 3B3 credits
• Building Foundations/Perspectives - 4B3 credits
• Elective - 3 credits
• Minor Requirement Courses - 6 credits
• Semester 8:
• Capstone Course - 4C3 credits
• Using Competencies - 4A3 credits
• Elective - 3 credits

Careers:

The program prepares students for careers in scientific fields, graduate studies and research, and entry into medical or veterinary professional programs.

Other:

• Students must complete a minimum of 120 credits, with at least 42 credits being upper-division (300- and 400-level).
• Students must declare and complete two minors from the list provided.
• Students must complete a 3-credit course satisfying AUCC category 4B, 4C, and 4A, each offered within a major that is the same as one of the minors they will complete.
• Students must select enough elective credits to reach the minimum 120 credit requirement.