Majors

Applied Physics is designed for students interested in real-world problem-solving.  This is an ideal major for students aiming for careers in engineering, data science, public policy, medicine, or other sectors where a broad physics knowledge is integrated into complex, multi-disciplinary problem solving.

The Astronomy Department offers a B.S. degree in a program which is designed to prepare students for graduate work or professional employment in astronomy, astrophysics and related fields. The curriculum combines courses and research in astronomy and astrophysics with a strong foundation in physics and mathematics. The major requires 36 units of coursework.

The discipline of Biochemistry uses chemistry as a tool to examine and explore the processes of life. Biochemical and chemical knowledge provides an underpinning for many disciplines including medicine, agriculture, and engineering. The questions that biochemists and chemists address encompass many critical challenges that humans face today.

The major in Bioinformatics provides students with the biological knowledge and computational skills to leverage the large variety of biological data being generated. Bioinformatics majors will be prepared to meet the growing demand for individuals who understand core biological concepts and the computational approaches needed for 21st century biology.

The major in Biology provides a solid foundation in modern biology. As opposed to majors with an emphasis on specific fields of biology (e.g., Molecular and Cellular Biology, Biochemistry, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology), Biology offers broad training in biological systems from their component parts, biological molecules and cells, up through organisms to communities to whole ecosystems, as well as the biological processes that organize such systems and allow their development and evolution.

Chemistry is often called the central science as it provides the connection between mathematics and the physical, life and applied sciences. Chemistry is the science of molecules and their transformations. Chemists study the composition, properties and reactivity of matter and synthesize and discover new molecules and materials. Since the transformation of matter is integral to the modern world, the study of chemistry can lead to a diverse variety of careers.

Computer science emerges from the interaction of two powerful kinds of machines: computers and the human brain. Computer scientists are inventive, innovative, collaborative thinkers creating software solutions and synergies on the cutting edge of technology. The Information Age is here; computer scientists are shaping it.

Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (EEB) deals with the integration of biological systems across all levels of organization, from molecules within cells up through global ecosystems. As such, the department covers a very wide range of topics, from the genetic analysis of complex traits, evolution at the molecular level, phylogenetic analysis, organismal form and function, population and community ecology, genomics, and mathematical modeling.

Geoscientists study the Earth. We look at the Earth’s origins and how it has changed, and continues to change, over time. We study all of the Earth’s components, from its core to the highest mountains; from its thousands of different minerals to its interaction with the rest of our solar system. UA Geosciences students and faculty are involved in everything from predicting earthquakes, to finding and extracting minerals from mines, to monitoring coral reefs.

Students in Geosciences and Society will be uniquely qualified to lead in careers that promote and communicate an understanding urgent issues such as protecting water resources, natural hazards to communities, degradation of important biomes, and the impacts of climate change, from the geoscientist perspective. Offered with an emphasis in Law; Public Policy; and Science Communication.

The Hydrology and Atmospheric Science major provides students with a fundamental knowledge of the water cycle, from below the Earth's surface to above Earth's surface, in both theory and application. Students in the HAS major choose a subplan of either Environmental Hydrology and Water Resources or Atmospheric Sciences. 

The Mathematics program programs allow the student to choose a major and emphasis that best suit the individual's talents, interests, and career goals. A student may prepare for a variety of careers by selecting the appropriate degree, major, emphasis, and minor. Students choosing a mathematics or SDS major can take advantage of the full range of mathematical resources available on campus.

University of Arizona Molecular and Cellular Biology students learn cutting edge biology through innovative teaching methods and hands-on research experiences. The MCB degree provides students the strong foundation in genetics, development, and biotechnology they need to pursue careers in medicine and other health care fields, pharmaceutical and biology research, and education. 

The Neuroscience & Cognitive Science program is designed on a strong foundation in the basic sciences, in psychology and philosophy, and in mathematics.  This foundation is followed by a substantial set of core courses that expose students to the breadth of concepts and methods of scientific inquiry in the highly interdisciplinary fields of Neuroscience and Cognitive Science. In addition, students choose their electives in the major from emphasis areas that enhance their understanding of core concepts and that allow them to delve into specific sub-areas in accord with their personal interest.

Study Physics to gain a broad knowledge base and a problem-solving skill set that is in demand across a variety of exciting industries. Physics is the study of matter and energy and how they interact. Students seeking a Bachelor of Science in Physics study topics such as computational physics, electricity and magnetism, quantum theory and scientific computing. They also gain expertise in calculus and other advanced math courses to develop critical thinking and reasoning skills they can apply to their physics courses and future careers.

The Planetary Geoscience degree will prepare students for science and industry careers in the rapidly expanding field of planetary science and exploration. The curriculum will build on a foundation of mathematics, physics and chemistry; it will comprise fundamental training in Earth materials, structures, and processes; and it will provide advanced study of the physical and chemical evolution of the Solar System and advanced course options focused on particular planetary bodies and planetary topics.

The BA in Psychology emphasizes the fundamental principles of Psychology that can be applied to solve practical problems related to human behavior and society. You’ll gain a broad education in Psychology that is relevant to many fields, including counseling and therapy, social work, education, physical health and wellness, marketing and sales, law and forensics, environmental sustainability, and human resources. The BA program emphasizes real-world applications through community engagement, and is designed for students who want marketable skills they can use to enter the workforce immediately upon graduation.

The BS in Psychological Science prepares students for careers that require an in-depth understanding of the research methods used to study the mind, brain, and behavior. With special topic seminars and intensive hands-on research opportunities, the BS program emphasizes critical thinking, analytical thinking, and quantitative skills that prepare students for a Ph.D. program in Psychology or for other advanced training programs that require a strong background in science, such as medicine, nursing, public health, education, business, or public policy.

Our undergraduate Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences program is designed to provide foundational information to develop critical thinking skills, the ability to evaluate scientific information, and to facilitate the development of writing skills. For students wishing to pursue clinical or research careers in Audiology or Speech-Language Pathology, the undergraduate degree provides the prerequisite coursework required for graduate study. 

The mathematics department offers degrees in two different majors: Mathematics and Statistics & Data Science (SDS). Our programs allow the student to choose a major and emphasis that best suit the individual's talents, interests, and career goals. A student may prepare for a variety of careers by selecting the appropriate degree, major, emphasis, and minor. Students choosing a mathematics or SDS major can take advantage of the full range of mathematical resources available on campus.