Mission / Vision

The School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences comprises the disciplines of biology, chemistry, mathematics, physics, astronomy, and earth science.

The mission of the School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences is to offer specialization in biology, chemistry, mathematics, and natural science and to provide opportunities for all students to enhance their understanding of science and mathematics. Curricula offered in the School prepare graduates for careers in industry and teaching, for graduate studies, and for admission to professional programs including allied health, dentistry, medicine, optometry, and pharmacy. This mission is fulfilled through the following goals:

To provide academic programs which promote the development of professional scientists and mathematicians and provide opportunities for all students to enhance their understanding of the natural sciences and mathematics.
To prepare individuals for successful careers in industry and teaching, and for graduate studies in science and mathematics.
To provide curricula for pre-professional studies in dentistry, medicine, optometry, pharmacy, and allied health (physical therapy, radiological technology, respiratory therapy, medical technology, occupational therapy, and dental hygiene).
To provide technical and analytical courses to support studies in agriculture, forestry, nursing, physical education, pre-veterinary medicine, psychology, and wildlife management.
To serve the General Education program through courses in astronomy, biology, chemistry, earth science, mathematics, physics, and physical science that provide a basic background for a baccalaureate degree.

Unlimited Opportunities

A degree in mathematics or one of the natural sciences will open the door to a nearly limitless list of career opportunities--from careers in industry to environmental science, from education to government agencies, from research and public service to numerous health-related fields.

The School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences at UAM has designed an academic program to help our students take advantage of these opportunities.

Degree Programs

The School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences offers undergraduate programs that lead to the bachelor of science degree in four major areas:

We also offer minors in five areas:

The School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences is also home to pre-professional programs in:

Allied Health
Pre-Dentistry
Pre-Engineering
Pre-Medicine
Pre-Optometry
Pre-Pharmacy

Three Reasons

We can think of three very good reasons for choosing UAM for a degree in math or science.

Our faculty

At UAM, our classes are not taught by graduate assistants, but by a group of dedicated, highly-qualified instructors who are committed to classroom teaching. Our faculty is always available to encourage you in your educational goals.

Small classes

Our classes are small so you can receive the individual attention you need to excel-attention you won't get at larger universities. In most of the upper level courses, the student to teacher ratio is approximately 15 to 1.

Quality academics

Our academic program is the equal of any in the state or region. Students who excel in our pre-medicine program have a high acceptance rate to medical school, an indicator of the strength of our teaching program.

Career Options

Each of our degree programs offers a wide variety of career options. You may also choose first to further your education in a graduate or professional school.

Biology and pre-professional studies

Many biology students enter the medical profession as doctors, dentists, or optometrists. Others choose careers in natural resource management, environmental studies, and parks and tourism, while others become teachers.

Chemistry

A chemistry degree will prepare you for careers in industry and government research laboratories, federal and state regulatory agencies, and secondary teaching.

Natural Science

The natural science degree provides a well-rounded education in the life and physical sciences that allows for flexibility in career choices. You may work in industry or government, or you may wish to teach.

Mathematics

This degree has traditionally been used to train math instructors for public schools, but now many of our undergraduates are taking advantage of the unlimited opportunities available to them in insurance companies and high-tech industry.

Allied health and pre-pharmacy

Our allied health programs require two to three years of undergraduate study and are completed after transfer to a professional school. UAM students have traditionally enjoyed a high acceptance rate to programs in radiology, respiratory therapy, physical therapy, dental hygiene, and pharmacy.

Research Opportunities

If you have an interest in cutting-edge research, we offer opportunities for undergraduate students to assist with projects such as the creation of superconductors and a NASA-funded study to develop coatings for the space shuttle and another space craft to dissipate static electricity.

Pomeroy Planetarium

The Pomeroy Planetarium at UAM was installed in the mid `70's with the help of a NSF grant obtained by Joe Guenter. Since that time, over 60,000 patrons have attended programs at the planetarium. At this time it is the only regularly operating planetarium in the UA system.

Turner Neal Museum of Natural History

The Turner Neal Museum of Natural History features displays on subjects ranging from the plants and animals of our forest ecosystems to archaeological artifacts of regional Indian groups. The museum is also home to UAM's teaching and research collections of fishes, amphibians, reptiles, mammals, and vascular plants. The Turner Neal Museum is a unique and valuable resource for both the campus and the community.