Natural & Physical Sciences

Mechatronics is the combination of mechanical, electrical, and information systems engineering. Mechatronics engineers design, develop, and test automated production systems, transportation and vehicle systems, robotics, computer-machine controls, and other integrated systems. Mechatronics engineers also develop new technologies for use in the automotive and aviation industry, advanced manufacturing operations, and often specialize in areas like robotics, autonomous vehicles, and manufacturing systems.

The Data Science minor will offer a rigorous training in this interdisciplinary field, which combines scientific methods, processes, and algorithms to extract knowledge from data and the information it contains.

Pre-professional program for students interested in a career in podiatry.

Pre-professional program for students interested in being a physician assistant.

Pre-professional program for students interested in a career in physical therapy.

Pre-professional program for students interested in going to pharmacy school.

Pre-professional program for students interested in a career in optometry.

Pre-professional program for students interested in a career in occupational therapy.

Pre-professional program for students interested in going to nursing school.

Pre-professional program for students interested in going to medical school.

Pre-professional program for students interested in a career in genetic counseling.

Pre-professional program for students interested in going to dental school.

Pre-professional program for students interested in being a dental hygienist.

Individual Studies (IVSP) students enjoy broad academic freedom and flexibility to pursue their degrees in ways that best suit their intellectual interests and passions. Under the guidance of a faculty mentor and the IVSP staff, students create their own unique, interdisciplinary majors that approach important issues, questions, and problems from a range of disciplines and perspectives. 

Solve public health challenges through the lens of scientific inquiry! In this interdisciplinary major students study the intersection of the life sciences and public health. By mastering skills that recognize and address today’s public health issues, students can explore a wide range of careers in healthcare facilities, government agencies, nonprofits, research, healthcare consulting and health informatics.

The minor in Nuclear Engineering provides the engineering student with the understanding of nuclear engineering and its application to many different fields, such as power generation, reactor operation, and industrial uses. Students in the minor will learn the fundamentals of nuclear reactor engineering, radiation interactions and measurement, power plant design concepts, and reactor safety.

To meet the rapidly growing interest of students in nano, and to prepare students for careers in the exciting, rapidly growing field of nanoscale science and technology, we offer an innovative undergraduate program, the Interdisciplinary Minor Program in Nanoscale Science and Technology (NS&T).

Mechanical Engineering is a dynamic and expanding field with emphasis in such areas as energy, thermal sciences, and instrumentation. New programs in manufacturing, microelectronics, and nanotechnology prepare our graduates for the emerging technologies of the 21st century.

Many major advances in science and technology, from computer chips to hypersonic aircraft, are attributable to advances in the underlying materials systems. Materials Science and Engineering is a multidisciplinary field focused on developing materials and materials systems for future technological advancements.

Fire Protection Engineering provides graduates with the tools needed to safeguard lives and property from fire. Undergraduate students receive a unique education (see sidebar) that focuses on topics such as fire-related safety, suppression systems, and health and environmental issues.

Electrical engineers create innovative technology solutions in a wide range of areas from handheld communications to solar panels; from cardiac pacemakers to autonomous robots; from wireless networks to bio-engineered sensors that detect dangerous pathogens; and intelligent surveillance systems that perform face and motion recognition.

The overarching goal of the Cyber-Physical Systems Engineering program is to train the workforce in the areas of software, hardware, and applications involving widely deployed smart devices and their interactions with resources in the cloud.

Computer engineers apply the principles and techniques of electrical engineering, computer science, and mathematical analysis to the design, development, testing, and evaluation of the software and hardware systems that enable computers to perform increasingly demanding functions. Computer engineers design robots, develop microprocessors, design supercomputers and smart devices, create integrated circuits for semiconductor fabrication, program computer-vision capabilities, create security/cryptographic systems, and develop software systems and network protocols.

The Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering offers a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering, which combines chemical, physical and life sciences with engineering to solve a wide variety of problems. The graduate in this major finds interesting and diverse career opportunities in such fields as petroleum, pharmaceuticals, polymers and biotechnologies.

The undergraduate program in Bioengineering is founded in biology, driven by human health issues, and is forward-thinking. Our objective is to marry the principles and applications embedded in engineering with the sciences of biology, medicine, and health.

In the Biocomputational Engineering program, students will develop skills in computation and data science that can be applied to the modeling of complex biological systems and the analysis of complex biological data sets. Even more, students will have the opportunity to impact human health by applying skills in computer modeling, bioinformatics, analysis of large and complex data sets, and other important computational skills.

Understanding flight, exploring space and designing components, vehicles and systems are the abiding interests of the faculty and students at the Clark School's Department of Aerospace Engineering. Specializations include aeronautics, astronautics, rotorcraft and hypersonics.

Secondary Science Education students will receive a bachelor's degree in science with eligibility for teacher certification. Opportunities for students to teach science or math lessons in elementary and middle schools. A strong focus on research-based strategies that provides opportunities for students to engage in scientific research. Personal guidance from experienced school teachers and faculty from the university.

Secondary Mathematics Education students will receive a bachelor's degree in math along with teacher certification recommendation. Opportunities for students to teach science or math lessons in elementary and middle schools. A strong focus on research-based strategies that provides opportunities for students to engage in scientific research. Personal guidance from experienced school teachers and faculty from the university.

The Middle School Mathematics and Science program leads to a Bachelor of Science degree and eligibility for dual certification in mathematics and science grades 4-9. The program consists of courses in mathematics (problem solving, numbers and operations, algebra and geometry, and statistics and probability) and science (physics, chemistry, biology, and atmospheric and geological sciences). All candidates also take education courses in middle-level philosophy and pedagogy, equity and diversity, science and mathematics teaching methods, and adolescent development.

The world-class faculty in the University of Maryland’s Physics Department teach students to think analytically and empirically about the physical world. Whether you plan to continue to study physics in graduate school or work in fields such as engineering, software development, law, business, or education, a bachelor's degree in physics from Maryland provides an excellent foundation.

The Neuroscience major exposes students to rigorous training in the interdisciplinary study of brain and behavior through courses in mathematics, biology, chemistry, physics, and psychology. The Neuroscience major prepares students for a broad range of career paths including: scientific research, medicine, clinical psychology, allied health professions, or science-related government, nonprofit, or private sector employment.

The Department of Mathematics offers a Minor in Actuarial Mathematics for students whose majors are not mathematics. The goal of the Minor in Actuarial Mathematics is to provide the student with an introduction to statistics in general and actuarial mathematics in particular. This minor is closely related to the Minor in Statistics, but its focus is on actuarial mathematics.

The Department of Mathematics offers a Minor in Statistics for students whose majors are not mathematics. The goal of the Minor in Statistics is to provide the student with a substantial number of courses that are statistical in nature and involve a substantial amount of mathematics.

The Department of Mathematics educates its majors in a broad range of modern mathematics while instilling in them a strong ability to solve problems, apply mathematics to other areas, and create rigorous mathematical arguments. The program prepares the majors to further their mathematical education in graduate school, or to teach at the secondary school level, or to work in government or business.

This undergraduate minor recognizes concentrated study in Surficial Geology, a designated field in the College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences. The award of a minor will be noted on the student's transcript at the time of graduation.

The minor in Paleobiology will provide students with a broad understanding of the application of the methods of biology and geology to the study of the history of life, and develop students’ appreciation of how issues in the study of paleobiology connect with larger trends in those sciences. It is intended for all students with an interest in the study of the history of life, be it professional or avocational.

An undergraduate minor in Hydrology recognizes concentrated study in a designated field in the College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences. The award of a minor will be noted on the student's transcript at the time of graduation.

The undergraduate minor in Geophysics recognizes concentrated study in this designated field in the College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences. The award of a minor will be noted on the student's transcript at the time of graduation.

The undergraduate minor in Geochemistry recognizes concentrated study in this designated field in the College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences. The award of a minor will be noted on the student's transcript at the time of graduation.

The undergraduate minor in Earth Material Properties recognizes concentrated study in this designated field in the College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences. The award of a minor will be noted on the student's transcript at the time of graduation.

The undergraduate minor in Earth History recognizes concentrated study in this designated field in the College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences. The award of a minor will be noted on the student's transcript at the time of graduation.

The Department of Geology offers three major tracks addressing key aspects of Geology - the science of Earth. In its broadest sense, geology focuses on the formation and subsequent modification of the planets, emphasizing planet Earth. Geologists study Earth's internal and surface structure and materials, history, and the chemical and physical processes acting within and on it using the principles of mathematics, physics, chemistry, and biology.

Computer science is the study of computers and computational systems: their application, design, development and theory. A computer scientist is concerned with problem solving. Problems range from abstract questions of what problems can be solved with computers to practical matters such as the design of computer systems that are efficient, secure, and easy for people to use.

Chemists seek to understand how molecules (organic, inorganic, organometallic) interconvert and can be interconverted, how they behave under various conditions, and design new molecules that perform specific tasks (such as pharmaceuticals or for energy transfer or light harvesting). There are also theoretical chemists who use computers and calculations to better understand molecular behavior.

Biological Sciences students learn the foundations and applications of biology across multiple levels of organization: molecules, genomes, cells, organisms, and ecosystems. Students participate in research, learn modern experimental techniques, and become active learners to address real-world challenges. Students choose between five tracks: Cell Biology and Genetics, Ecology and Evolution, Microbiology, Physiology and Neurobiology, and General Biology (integrating all areas).

Biochemists are concerned with the structural and energy changes that occur during physiological process such as metabolism and catabolism - in a global sense, they are concerned with how one molecule is converted into another (and the sequence of these events) in living organisms. Understanding the process can pave the way for the development of new drugs.

This minor will provide the students with a general background in meteorology as offered by the lower level required courses, and a background on issues in atmospheric chemistry. This minor track is intended for students who might pursue careers where background in atmospheric chemistry is needed, such as air pollution, atmospheric chemistry, and environmental issues.

This minor will provide a general background in meteorology as offered by the lower level courses, and a solid background in atmospheric physics (AOSC431) and atmospheric dynamics (AOSC432), as offered by two required courses. It is aimed at non-majors who might consider graduate work in meteorology, or prepare them for the very favorable job market in the Washington, D.C. area, where a background in meteorology can be an important asset.

This minor will provide the students with a general background in meteorology as offered by the lower level courses, a broader background on a wide range of sub-fields in meteorology, and on current issues in climate research, as provided by the two required courses. This minor is aimed at students who wish to be informed about this field, who may not intend to pursue graduate work in this field, but who might pursue careers where a background in meteorology is important, such as environmental policy, government, and industry.

The Atmospheric and Oceanic Science B.S. program seeks to educate majors in the basic principles that control our weather and the interactions between atmosphere and ocean that regulate Earth’s climate. Students will be provided with practical experience as researchers and creators of knowledge, and equipped with the requirements for a full range of careers in Atmospheric and Oceanic Science, as well as for related areas in secondary education, graduate school, industry, and public service.

The minor in Planetary Sciences will provide students with a broad understanding of the application of the methods of astronomy and geology to the study of the Solar System, and develop the students' appreciation of how issues in the study of planets connect with larger issues in those sciences. It is intended for all students with an interest in the study of the Solar System, be it professional or avocational.

Astronomers study the mysteries of the universe, applying physics, math, and technology to understanding black holes, gravitational waves, exoplanets, stars, galaxies, and the formation of the universe. Students with degrees in astronomy often go on to fulfilling careers as researchers, educators, or a combination of the two. Many others work for the government, in industry, at observatories, museums, newspapers, and other careers including data science. A B.S. in Astronomy gives you a very solid foundation in mathematics and physics, and you normally gain hands-on experience with computer programming and statistics as well.

The field of Speech-Language Pathology deals with the diagnosis and remediation of speech, language, voice, swallowing, and fluency problems in children and adults. The Hearing and Speech Science major prepares students for graduate study by providing a strong foundation in the scientific fundamentals of both speech-language pathology and audiology, including causes and characteristics of disorders, prevention, assessment, and intervention.

The Entomology minor provides students with a broad understanding of insects, their interactions with people and society, and their role as model species for fundamental and applied research. It is intended for students with an interest in insects and their relatives, whether from a professional or hobbyist perspective. Students from a wide range of majors may be interested in incorporating Entomology with their majors.

The Plant Science major offers three unique concentrations: Plant Biology, Turf and Golf Course Management, and Urban Forestry. This program features world class faculty with diverse expertise and research that spans genetics, molecular biology, physiology, pathology, food safety and security, ecology, and conservation biology. Graduates enter into in-demand fields including biotech firms and startups, sports turf management, research labs, government management and policy, and much more.

Nutrition and Food Science prepares students for careers in global food and health systems including the food industry, state and federal regulatory agencies, healthcare, food and nutrition policy, community nutrition, and dietetics. Students can choose nutritional science, food science, and dietetics, all of which focus on the core concepts of health and wellness. Career opportunities include food product development, dietitian/nutritionist, pre-health (physician, dental) and more.

Environmental Science and Policy is a broadly multi-disciplinary, undergraduate major, drawing courses and faculty from 9 departments and three colleges exploring environmental systems and teaching students to address human-environment issues. The major prepares students to tackle environmental change such as global food security, environmental justice, and the development of green technologies.

Animal and Avian Sciences provides a challenging program for students interested in the application of biology and technology to the care, management, and study of domestic and aquatic animals. Many animal sciences graduates enter veterinary school, while others pursue careers such as research technicians, educators, sales or marketing reps and animal producers. Students receive hands on training with animals here on site at our campus farm.