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Majors

Choosing your Major

In COSAM, the designation of your “major” may be confusing at first because of differing categories, options, and concentrations within majors.  The following points should help clear up the confusion:

  • The "mainline" majors are those that are not set up to provide prerequisites for a professional school, although many times students will wish to continue in the major in graduate school. These majors are classified by the department they are in.
    • Biological Sciences: Genetics, Marine Biology, Microbiology, and Organismal Biology
    • Chemistry: Biochemistry, Chemistry, Laboratory Science, and Medical Laboratory Science
    • Geosciences: Geography and Geology
    • Mathematics and Statistics: Applied Math and Mathematics
    • Physics: Physics
  • If you want to go into a human health profession, you will need to choose your "concentration" first. 
    • The concentrations you can choose from are:
      • Pre-Medicine
      • Pre-Dentistry
      • Pre-Optometry
      • Pre-Physician Assistant
      • Pre-Physical Therapy
      • Pre-Pharmacy
      • Pre-Anesthesiologist Assistant
    • Pre-Health concentrations are paired with one of the following majors: 
      • Biomedical Sciences
      • Chemistry
      • Microbiology
      • Physics
      • Organismal Biology
      • Genetics
      • Lab Sciences
    • If you want to go into veterinary medicine, options include Genetics, Organismal Biology, and Microbiology.

 

Applied Math:  Applied math requires both substantial coursework in mathematics and in another area in which the mathematical concepts can be applied.  Options include Discrete Math and Actuarial Science.

Biochemistry:  The study of general chemical processes with an emphasis on chemical processes in biological systems.

Biomedical Sciences: This is the most popular major for students planning for a career in health care.  Different versions of the major are available and are tailored to meet pre-requisite coursework for medical, dental, optometry, physical therapy, physician assistant, and pharmacy schools. 

Chemistry:  Two paths are available for this major. Bachelor of Arts option (great for student interested in chemistry, but not in research chemistry.  Suited for students leaning towards medical sciences and forensics).  Bachelor of Science option (great for students interested in chemistry who want to be industrial or research chemists and professors.  Studies chemical processes, organic and inorganic, physical, biochemical and analytical chemistry).

Genetics:  Students develop a foundation in heredity and genetic variation.  Students will study how evolutionary processes have shaped organisms at individual, population, community, and ecosystem levels. There is also a pre-medicine/pre-dentistry/pre-optometry option.

Geography:  Students will study the three main disciplinary focuses:  People, place and identity.  The basic goal of geography is to identify the characteristics of a place to determine how it functions and how it relates to, or compares with, other places.

Geology:  Study of the earth and the minerals, processes environmental features that comprise it.  Strong field-work component.  

Laboratory Sciences:  This program is housed in the department of Chemistry and Biochemistry.  Students prepare for a career in laboratory fields such a public health, bacteriology, environmental testing, industrial quality control, research, and forensic science.  If a student chooses to qualify as a certified medical technologists, a 12 month training period is a requirement.  This would fall under the Medical Laboratory Science Option (not laboratory Science). Other options include pre-physician assistant and pre-medicine.

Marine Biology:  This is the study of living organisms in the ocean (plants, algae, fish, mammals). Lots of marine biology work is done inside the laboratory. It's much more than "swimming with dolphins." Marine labs can be done at Dauphin Island through Auburn or through any lab affiliated with a university. 

Mathematics:  Students develop the critical thinking, reasoning, and analytical skills that are always in high demand in the job market.  This major is well suited for students who wish to pursue a career in teaching math in a university/college or who desire more flexibility or emphasis in liberal arts.

Microbial, Cellular, and Molecular Biology:  This study of biology emphasizes the understanding of life at the cellular and molecular level.  Options include Cell and Molecular Biology Option and Microbiology Option as well as pre-dentistry, pre-medicine, pre-optometry, pre-physical therapy, and pre-physician assistant. 

Organismal Biology:  The organismal biology major provides students with a solid foundation is basic biological concepts, such as evolution, ecology genetics, and cell biology and provides a foundation in physics, chemistry and mathematics.  Options include Conservation and Biodiversity; Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior Option; and Integrative Biology Option as well as pre-dentistry, pre-medicine, pre-optometry, pre-physical therapy, and pre-physician assistant. 

Physics:  Students study the nature of the universe at every level.  This major provides a versatile degree and essential problem-solving skills for broad spectrum of rewarding career. Pre-health options are available.

Click each Major to learn more!

About Applied Mathematics:

Applied math requires both substantial coursework in mathematics and in another area in which the mathematical concepts can be applied.  Options include Discrete Math and Actuarial Science.

Curriculum Models:

Undergraduate Minor:

Graduate Degrees:

About the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry:

COSAM’s Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry is inspiring the next generation. Three faculty have been recently recognized with National Science Foundation (NSF) CAREER Awards and a Department of Energy (DOE) Early CAREER Research Program Award. In 2018-2019, three faculty were recognized as Fellows of the American Chemical Society and Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Undergraduate Majors:

  • Chemistry: Two paths are available for this major. Bachelor of Arts option (great for students interested in chemistry, but not in research chemistry. Suited for students leaning towards medical sciences and forensics). Bachelor of Science option (great for students interested in chemistry who want to be industrial or research chemists and professors. Studies chemical processes, organic and inorganic, physical, biochemical, and analytical chemistry).
  • Biochemistry: The study of general chemical processes with an emphasis on chemical processes in biological systems.
  • Laboratory Sciences: This program is housed in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. Students prepare for a career in laboratory fields such as public health, bacteriology, environmental testing, industrial quality control, research, and forensic science.  If a student chooses to qualify as a certified medical technologist, a 12-month training period is a requirement. This would fall under the Medical Laboratory Science Option (not laboratory Science). Other options include pre-physician assistant and pre-medicine.

Undergraduate Minors:

Graduate Degrees:

  • MS - Chemistry
  • Ph.D. - Chemistry

About the Department of Geosciences:

Students in the Department of Geosciences receive individualized attention with small class sizes in addition to numerous hands-on research opportunities in geology and geography. Students from this department have received numerous honors including two students selected as 2018 National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships.

Undergraduate Majors:

  • Geography: Students will study the three main disciplinary focuses: People, place, and identity. The basic goal of geography is to identify the characteristics of a place to determine how it functions and how it relates to or compares with, other places.
    • BA - Geography Curriculum Model
  • Geology: Study of the earth and the minerals processes and environmental features that comprise it. Strong field-work component.  
    • BS - Geology Curriculum Model
    • BS - Geology: Earth System Science Curriculum Model

Graduate Degrees

  • Graduate Certificate - Geographic Earth Systems Science
  • MS - Geology
  • MS - Geography
  • Ph.D. - Earth System Science: Interdisciplinary

About the Department of Physics:

Auburn University’s Department of Physics inspires research with specialized programs in atomic, molecular and optical physics; space physics; and condensed matter physics/solid states. The Department of Physics received the 2017 University Senate Departmental Award for Excellence in Education.

Undergraduate Majors:

  • Physics: Students study the nature of the universe at every level.  This major provides a versatile degree and essential problem-solving skills for a broad spectrum of rewarding careers. Pre-health options are available.
    • BS - Physics Curriculum Model

Graduate Degrees:

  • MS - Physics
  • Ph.D. - Physics: Interdepartmental Program

Undergraduate Curriculum Models:

About the Department of Mathematics and Statistics:

The Department of Mathematics and Statistics offers undergraduate degrees in Mathematics, Applied and Discrete Mathematics, and Actuarial Mathematics. In addition, the department offers M.S. degrees in Mathematics, Applied Mathematics and Statistics and a Ph.D. in Mathematics. Students can choose from a large array of courses, from general math subjects to specialized programs in diverse areas of pure mathematics, applied mathematics and statistics.

Undergraduate Majors:

  • Applied Mathematics: Applied math requires both substantial coursework in mathematics and in another area in which the mathematical concepts can be applied. Options include Discrete Math and Actuarial Science
    • BS - Applied Mathematics
    • BS - Applied Mathematics: Actuarial Science Option
    • BS - Applied Mathematics: Discrete and Statistical Sciences Option
  • Mathematics: Students develop critical thinking, reasoning, and analytical skills that are always in high demand in the job market. This major is well suited for students who wish to pursue a career in teaching math in a university/college or who desire more flexibility or emphasis on liberal arts.
    • BS - Mathematics Curriculum Model

Graduate Degrees

  • MS/MAM - Applied Mathematics
  • MAM - Applied Mathematics: Applied Discrete Mathematics Option
  • MS - Mathematics
  • MS - Mathematics: Discrete and Statistical Sciences Option
  • MProbS - Probability and Statistics
  • Ph.D. - Mathematics

Undergraduate Curriculum Models:

About the Biomedical Sciences Degree in COSAM:

Students interested in careers in the health professions gain an advantage by taking the Pre-Health Orientation Course during the fall semester of the freshmen year. The course includes presentations by admissions deans and healthcare providers from a variety of health professions, guidance from dedicated pre-health advisors and mentoring by peer advisors who are pursuing similar careers.

The Pre-Professional Advisory Committee (PPAC) helps students with the application process to dental, medical and optometry schools. Students using PPAC gain acceptance to these types of programs at a rate that is 30 percent higher than the national averages. PPAC provides individual advice about completing the applications, feedback about personal statements and a committee letter from Auburn University, which is preferred by many schools.

Undergraduate Majors:

  • Biomedical Sciences: This is the most popular major for students planning for a career in health care.  Different versions of the major are available and are tailored to meet pre-requisite coursework for medical, dental, optometry, physical therapy, physician assistant, and pharmacy schools.
    • BS - Biomedical Sciences Curriculum Model
    • Students can select a specific concentration with this Biomedical Sciences degree.

Undergraduate Curriculum Models: