Bachelor of Science - General Science

Program Description

The General Science major is designed to help students gain a broad scientific background and develop fundamental skills in mathematics and science. Few students choose General Science initially. Instead, they transfer into it after finding one of the other natural or physical science majors to be more demanding or more narrowly focused than expected.

The major in General Science is appropriate for students who are preparing for careers in some health professions (Pre-Occupational Therapy, Pre-Physical Therapy, Pre-Nursing, Pre-Medical Laboratory Science, etc.) for those who wish to enter graduate school programs at the Masters or Doctoral degree levels, for those students who wish to attain Teacher Certification, and those preparing for employment in a variety of science or science-related career areas.

The B.S. in general science is offered with a concentration in medical laboratory science for students planning to apply to UNMC’s Medical Laboratory Science Program (MLS). This program was designed in collaboration with UNMC to allow a student to complete two bachelor’s degrees in as little as 122 credits. Students will apply to UNO’s General Science program and add on the medical laboratory science concentration. Following the guide below allows the student to complete UNO’s general education requirements and UNMC’s MLS pre-requisite coursework in no more than three years. Near the beginning of the student’s third year of UNO studies, they will need to apply to UNMC’s MLS program. Provided that the student has followed the curriculum as laid out below, and maintained a cumulative or math/science GPA of 3.0, he/she will be guaranteed an interview with UNMC’s MLS program. Upon acceptance into UNMC’s MLS program, students will complete 11 months of studies in specific MLS courses. After completion of the MLS program at UNMC, students may transfer their UNMC coursework back to UNO to earn a dual degree of BS MLS from UNMC/ BS GSCI-MLS concentration from UNO. Students must have a minimum of 30 credits in residence at UNO and of those, 15 credits must come from the natural and physical sciences.

When combined with other more specific majors or minors, a degree in general science can also be excellent preparation for careers in law, business, public relations, and writing careers in science, technology or natural history.

Career options include, but are not limited to

• Healthcare
• Technical Writing
•  Research
• Environmental Science
• Natural History
• Business
• Public Relations
• Law
• High School Science Teacher