Majors in the Natural Sciences utilize scientific methods, empirical data, and research to test hypotheses and propose theory to further an understanding of the natural world. The Natural Sciences provide a solid foundation for science practitioners as well as individuals seeking advanced degrees in related fields.

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  • About the major: Applied Math combines our love of math with the application of math to real-world problems. Students emerge from this program with strong analytical and problem-solving skills that are useful in a variety of fields.
    Other majors in the Department of Mathematics: Mathematics, Economics/Mathematics

    Department of Mathematics Website

    Advisor: Logan McCraley
    Office: KAP 357

    Education: B.A. Anthropology, UC Santa Cruz
    Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
    Fun fact: I have been sky diving twice

     

    Advisor: Tiffany Chen 
    Office: KAP 357

    Education: B.A. Education Sciences & B.A Criminology, UC Irvine; M.S. Higher Education, CSU Fullerton
    Hometown: Orange, CA
    Fun fact: I lived abroad for 15 years.

     

  • About the major: Astronomy helps us understand how the universe works. Students emerge from this program with strong analytical and problem-solving skills that are useful in technical and non-technical careers.
    Other majors in the Department of Physics and Astronomy: Biophysics, Physical Science, Physics, Physics/Computer Science

    Department of Physics and Astronomy Website

    Advisor: Samantha Nava
    Office: ACB 439H

    Education: BA in Psychology and Minor in Health, Medicine, and Human Values from the University of New Mexico; MA in Social Work (MSW) from NYU
    Hometown: Abilene, TX and Oxnard, CA
    Fun fact: I don’t like coffee.

     

  • About the major: Combines core foundational backgrounds from chemical, biological and molecular sciences to offer an integrated program focusing on the chemistry and molecular mechanisms of biology, with rigorous coursework and hands-on laboratory experiences. The biochemistry major prepares students to pursue professional careers in chemistry and/or biology or for advanced studies in the field of biochemistry and molecular biology.
    Other majors in the Department of Chemistry: Chemistry, Chemistry (Chemical Biology), Chemistry (Chemical Nanoscience), Chemistry (Research)

    Department of Chemistry Website

    Advisor: Jonathan Wood
    Office: SGM 455

    Education: B.A History & Kinesiology Minor, Cal State Fullerton; M.S. Education, Cal Baptist University
    Hometown: Riverside, CA
    Fun Fact: My favorite travel destination is Rome, Italy.

     

  • About the major: It’s all about life; from bacteria to man.

    Other majors in the Department of Biological Sciences: Human Biology, Quantitative Biology

    Department of Biological Sciences Website

    Advisor: Ashlyn Kirkpatrick
    Office: AHF 107

    Education: B.A Management and Human Resources, University of Wisconsin-Madison; M.Ed  Postsecondary Administration and Student Affairs, USC
    Hometown: St. Louis, MO
    Fun fact:  I competed on Team USA as a synchronized figure skater.

     

  • About the major: Biophysics helps us understand living things through the principles of physics. Students in this program emerge prepared for medical school and careers in the biophysics industry.
    Other majors in the Department of Physics and Astronomy: Biophysics, Physical Science, Physics, Physics/Computer Science

    Department of Physics and Astronomy Website

    Advisor: Samantha Nava
    Office: ACB 439H

    Education: BA in Psychology and Minor in Health, Medicine, and Human Values from the University of New Mexico; MA in Social Work (MSW) from NYU
    Hometown: Abilene, TX and Oxnard, CA
    Fun fact: I don’t like coffee.

     

  • About the major: Combining rigorous coursework, hands-on training with the latest chemical instrumentations, as well as a rich independent research experience, our graduates pursue professional careers in the field of chemical and molecular sciences or continue their studies towards advanced degrees, usually the Ph.D., in chemistry or a related field in the molecular sciences.
    Other majors in the Department of Chemistry: Chemistry, Chemistry (Chemical Biology), Chemistry (Chemical Nanoscience), Chemistry (Research)

    Department of Chemistry Website

    Advisor: Jonathan Wood
    Office: SGM 455

    Education: B.A History & Kinesiology Minor, Cal State Fullerton; M.S. Education, Cal Baptist University
    Hometown: Riverside, CA
    Fun Fact: My favorite travel destination is Rome, Italy.

     

  • About the major: The study of small molecules as targets to effect, manipulate, or interrogate biological processes. The major builds on solid groundings in general, organic, analytical, and physical chemistry and integrates core knowledge contents from the interface between chemistry and biology, combined with practical laboratory experience and access to the latest chemical instrumentations.
    Other majors in the Department of Chemistry: Chemistry, Chemistry (Chemical Biology), Chemistry (Chemical Nanoscience), Chemistry (Research)

    Department of Chemistry Website

    Advisor: Jonathan Wood
    Office: SGM 455

    Education: B.A History & Kinesiology Minor, Cal State Fullerton; M.S. Education, Cal Baptist University
    Hometown: Riverside, CA
    Fun Fact: My favorite travel destination is Rome, Italy.

     

  • About the major:  Focuses on the synthesis of nanoscale materials, as well as the understanding of their chemical, structural, and physical properties, and prepares students for a career in the rapidly growing field of nanoscience.

    Other majors in the Department of Chemistry: Chemistry, Chemistry (Chemical Biology), Chemistry (Chemical Nanoscience), Chemistry (Research)

    Department of Chemistry Website

    Advisor: Jonathan Wood
    Office: SGM 455

    Education: B.A History & Kinesiology Minor, Cal State Fullerton; M.S. Education, Cal Baptist University
    Hometown: Riverside, CA
    Fun Fact: My favorite travel destination is Rome, Italy.

     

  • About the major: One of the first undergraduate programs in the country that offers a research-focused undergraduate degree in Chemistry. The major provides a rich research experience for those students whose goal is to pursue research careers in various fields of the chemical and molecular sciences.

    Other majors in the Department of Chemistry: Chemistry, Chemistry (Chemical Biology), Chemistry (Chemical Nanoscience), Chemistry (Research)

    Department of Chemistry Website

    Advisor: Jonathan Wood
    Office: SGM 455

    Education: B.A History & Kinesiology Minor, Cal State Fullerton; M.S. Education, Cal Baptist University
    Hometown: Riverside, CA
    Fun Fact: My favorite travel destination is Rome, Italy.

     

  • About the major: The marriage of Computer Science and Natural Science with an emphasis on mimicking cognitive brain processes.

    Other majors in the Undergraduate Neuroscience Program: Neuroscience

    Undergraduate Neuroscience Program Website

    Students: Last Names A-L
    Advisor: Pablo Lopez
    Office: AHF 107

    Education: B.A. Chicana/o Studies and B.A. Spanish, UCSB; M.Ed. Postsecondary Administration and Student Affairs, USC
    Hometown: Oxnard, CA
    Fun fact: I am the youngest out of 11 brothers and sisters.

     

     

     

     

    Students: Last Names M-Z
    Advisor:  Mia Kirsten Santos
    Office: AHF 107

    Education: Sociology, UC Davis; M.Ed. Postsecondary Administration and Student Affairs, USC
    Hometown: Lomita, CA
    Fun fact:

     

  • About the major: Data Sciences teaches students to understand, design, and implement effective solutions to meet organizational, societal, and management needs for information and decision support. Coursework focuses on computer programming, statistics/analytics, information systems and technology fundamentals, and web technologies.
    Data Sciences Program Website

    Advisor: Morgan Ponder
    Office: DMC 327D

    Education: B.A. Communication, USC; M.A. Communication Management, USC; Ed.D., Educational Leadership, UCSD
    Hometown:
    Fun fact:

     

     

     

  • About the major: Earth Sciences unravels the layers of the earth, from the core to the crust. In this program, we make an effort to better understand the Earth so that we can better understand our impact on it.

    Other majors in the Department of Earth Sciences: Geological Sciences

    Department of Earth Sciences Website

    Advisor: Darlene Garza
    Office: ZHS 117

    Education: B.S. Business Administration, USC; M.A. Higher Education, University of Redlands
    Hometown: Grand Terrace, CA
    Fun fact: I love the smell of new books.

     

  • About the major: A combination of interdisciplinary courses on sustainability and environmental social science with traditional biology and chemistry courses to provide options for students preparing for one of the health professions with an emphasis on environmental sustainability. The B.S. degree incorporates recommended preparation for medical schools. The B.A. degree may be appropriate for students preparing for other graduate or professional training, as well as students pursuing double majors.

    Other majors in the Environmental Studies Program: Environmental Studies

    Environmental Studies Program Website

    Advisor: Natalie Inouye
    Office: AHF 107

    Education: B.A. Psychology, Chapman University; M.S. Counseling: Student Development in Higher Education, California State University, Long Beach
    Hometown: La Palma and Laguna Hills, CA
    Fun fact: I played on the women’s soccer team at Chapman University.

     

     

  • About the major: The Environmental Studies Program offers a thoughtfully-designed, interdisciplinary curriculum, which emphasizes the complex nature of environmental problems. Semester long surveys of biology, earth science, and chemistry provide the background for advanced course work in environmental problems ranging from political, legal, economic, and international perspectives.

    Other majors in the Environmental Studies Program: Environmental Science and Health

    Environmental Studies Program Website

    Advisor: Natalie Inouye
    Office: AHF 107

    Education: B.A. Psychology, Chapman University; M.S. Counseling: Student Development in Higher Education, California State University, Long Beach
    Hometown: La Palma and Laguna Hills, CA
    Fun fact: I played on the women’s soccer team at Chapman University.

     

  • About the major: Earth Sciences unravels the layers of the earth, from the core to the crust. In this program, we make an effort to better understand the Earth so that we can better understand our impact on it.

    Other majors in the Department of Earth Sciences: Earth Sciences

    Department of Earth Sciences Website

    Advisor: Darlene Garza
    Office: ZHS 117

    Education: B.S. Business Administration, USC; M.A. Higher Education, University of Redlands
    Hometown: Grand Terrace, CA
    Fun fact: I love the smell of new book.

     

  • About the major: This major focuses on the study of physiology, metabolism, health and disease, human movement, and human evolution. It is a good fit for students pursuing pre-professional education in the fields of medicine, physical therapy, dentistry, physician assistant, nursing, nutrition, kinesiology, biomechanics, athletic training, human evolution, primatology, evolutionary biology, etc.

    Other majors in the Department of Biological Sciences: Biology, Quantitative Biology

    Department of Biological Sciences Website

    Students: Last Names A – K
    Advisor: Jiwoo Ann
    Office: AHF 253B

    Education: B.S. Early Childhood Education, Temple University; M.S.Ed. School Counseling, CUNY-Hunter College
    Hometown: Seoul, South Korea
    Fun fact: I was a tattoo studio receptionist in NYC for 3 years.

     

     

     

    Students: Last Names L – Z
    Advisor: Ashley Grant
    Office: AHF 253B

    Education: B.A. Human Biology and Cinematic Arts, USC
    Hometown: Bellflower, CA
    Fun fact: I was a first-gen college student and had always wanted to go to UCLA before I got my USC acceptance.

     

     

  • About the major: The basis for other sciences and ideal study for those interested in the theory of math. Students emerge from this program with strong analytical skills and are prepared for graduate school or a wide range of careers
    Other majors in the Department of Mathematics: Applied and Computational Mathematics, Economics/Mathematics

    Department of Mathematics Website

    Students: Last Names A – L
    Advisor: Logan McCraley
    Office: KAP 357

    Education: B.A. Anthropology, UC Santa Cruz
    Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
    Fun fact: I have been sky diving twice

    Students: Last Names M – Z
    Advisor: Tiffany Chen
    Office: KAP 357

    Education: Education Sciences & B.A Criminology, UC Irvine; M.S. Higher Education, CSU Fullerton
    Hometown: Orange, CA
    Fun fact: I lived abroad for 15 years!

  • About the B.A.: A taste of introductory natural science with a solid foundation of biological and psychology-based Neuroscience coursework. This major is ideal for students wanting to double major or add multiple minors.
    About the B.S.: Solid foundation of natural science and biological/psychological-based Neuroscience coursework. This major is ideal for students intending to attend graduate school or pre-health focused programs such as pre-med, pre-PA, etc.

    Undergraduate Neuroscience Program Website

    Students: Last Names A-L
    Advisor: Pablo Lopez
    Office: AHF 107

    Education: B.A. Chicana/o Studies and B.A. Spanish, UCSB; M.Ed. Postsecondary Administration and Student Affairs, USC
    Hometown: Oxnard, CA
    Fun fact: I am the youngest out of 11 brothers and sisters.

     

     

     

     

    Students: Last Names M-Z
    Advisor:  Mia Kirsten Santos
    Office: AHF 107

    Education: Sociology, UC Davis; M.Ed. Postsecondary Administration and Student Affairs, USC
    Hometown: Lomita, CA
    Fun fact:

     

     

  • About the major: Physical Sciences helps us understand the principles of astronomy, physics, chemistry, and geology. Students emerge from this program with a broad understanding of physical sciences.

    Other majors in the Department of Physics and Astronomy: Astronomy, Biophysics, Physics, Physics/Computer Science

    Department of Physics and Astronomy Website

    Advisor: Samantha Nava
    Office: ACB 439H

    Education: BA in Psychology and Minor in Health, Medicine, and Human Values from the University of New Mexico; MA in Social Work (MSW) from NYU
    Hometown: Abilene, TX and Oxnard, CA
    Fun fact: I don’t like coffee.

     

  • About the major: Physics challenges our imagination while helping us understand the world around us. At the end of their studies, students have an in-depth understanding of physics and strong analytical skills that can be applied to both technical and non-technical careers.

    Other majors in the Department of Physics and Astronomy: Astronomy, Biophysics, Physics, Physics/Computer Science

    Department of Physics and Astronomy Website

    Advisor: Samantha Nava
    Office: ACB 439H

    Education: BA in Psychology and Minor in Health, Medicine, and Human Values from the University of New Mexico; MA in Social Work (MSW) from NYU
    Hometown: Abilene, TX and Oxnard, CA
    Fun fact: I don’t like coffee.

     

  • About the major: Physics/Computer Science gives students a core understanding of both fields. Students emerge from this program equipped to apply the principles of computer science to physics and are prepared for careers in scientific research or fields related to computer science.

    Other majors in the Department of Physics and Astronomy: Astronomy, Biophysics, Physics, Physics/Computer Science

    Department of Physics and Astronomy Website

    Advisor: Samantha Nava
    Office: ACB 439H

    Education: BA in Psychology and Minor in Health, Medicine, and Human Values from the University of New Mexico; MA in Social Work (MSW) from NYU
    Hometown: Abilene, TX and Oxnard, CA
    Fun fact: I don’t like coffee.

     

  • About the major: Where life and analytical skills meet.

    Other majors in the Department of Biological Sciences: Biology, Human Biology

    Department of Biological Sciences Website

    Advisor: Morgan Ponder
    Office: DMC 327D

    Education: B.A. Communication, USC; M.A. Communication Management, USC; Ed.D., Educational Leadership, UCSD
    Hometown:
    Fun fact: