University of Texas at San Antonio College of Sciences
This article contains promotional content. (September 2011) |
The College of Sciences at the University of Texas at San Antonio is a fast-growing college in research and science education. The college hosts more than 5000 students enrolled in twelve undergraduate and fourteen graduate programs. The six departments employ 130 tenure and tenure track faculty members committed to continually expanding knowledge in their scientific fields through research.
The college offers advanced degree programs in every department including Doctorates in Computer Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Geological Sciences . Students are exposed to collaboration through programs with local external research institutions including UT Health Science Center, Southwest Research Institute and the Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research.
Departments and Degrees
There are various degrees offered by 6 major programs at the College of Sciences.
Computer Science
The Computer Science department is one of the leading and fast-growing departments at the University that offers exciting, groundbreaking research in many areas including Compilers, Programming languages, Software Engineering, Networking, Bioinformatics, Algorithms, Artificial intelligence, Cyber Security, High-performance computing, Computer vision, and Distributed computing. The department has doubled in size and in funding over the last few years, and now has 24 faculty members, brand new state-of-the-art computer labs, and many computing facilities and wireless networks.
The Computer Science department offers several degrees such as B.S. in Computer Science, M.S. in Computer Science, and Ph.D. in Computer Science.
Biology
The Biology department conducts research in a wide variety of areas including two of the college's focus areas of Neuroscience and Infectious Disease. The largest department in number of faculty members and students, biology accounts for 25 percent of the College’s funding.
The Biology department offers B.S. in Biology, B.S. in Clinical Laboratory Sciences (joint with the UT Health Science Center), M.S. in Biology, M.S. in Biotechnology, Ph.D. in Biology with emphasis in either Cell & Molecular Biology or Neurobiology.
Chemistry
The Chemistry department conducts active research programs under the major sub-disciplines of Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Materials Chemistry, and Physical Chemistry as well as through interdisciplinary collaborations. The search for a molecular-scale understanding of chemical reactions and properties of nature underlie the research programs of the departmental faculty.
The Chemistry department offers B.A., B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees in Chemistry.
Physics and Astronomy
The Physics and Astronomy department offers opportunities for research including in the focus area of Nanotechnology. The department provides students the chance to interact with outstanding scientists in Experimental physics, Theoretical physics, Space physics, and Astrophysics and to collaborate with scientists from the Space Science and Engineering Division at Southwest Research Institute.
The Physics and Astronomy department offers B.A., B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees.
Mathematics
The Mathematics department has nationally recognized research scholars in Ordinary differential equation, Partial differential equation, Functional Analysis, Numerical Analysis, Algebra, Statistics, Analytic Number Theory, Applied Mathematics, and Mathematics Education. Several faculty members serve as editors of national and international journals and have held leadership positions in a variety of professional organizations.
The Mathematics department offers B.S. and M.S. degrees in Mathematics and M.S. in Applied and Industrial Mathematics.
Geological Sciences
The Geological Sciences department has been at UTSA from the earliest days of the University’s history. Its research facilities include Biogeochemistry, Environmental microbiology, Hydrogeology, Isotope geochemistry, Micropaleontology, Remote sensing, Spatial analysis, and X-ray diffraction.
The Geological Sciences department offers some degrees such as B.A. in Geology, B.S. in Geology, B.S. in Multidisciplinary Sciences, and M.S. in Geology.
Research
Of the $34 million expended on research for the fiscal year 2008 in the University of Texas at San Antonio, the College of Sciences received 71 percent. Allowing students to participate in the growth of their fields through research enables them to succeed both in academia as well as in the applied sciences.
The 227,000-square-foot (21,100 m2) Biotechnology, Sciences, and Engineering Building is one of the largest research-related educational centers in Texas. The building includes 70 research and instructional laboratories that facilitate interdisciplinary research and collaboration between scientists and engineers.
Centers & Institutes
- Center for Advanced Computing and Network Research
- Center for Research and Training in the Sciences (CRTS)
- Center for Water Research (CWR)
- Institute for Cyber Security (ICS)
- Center for Infrastructure Assurance and Security (CIAS)
- San Antonio Institute for Cellular and Molecular Primatology (SAICMP)
- South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases (STCEID)
- UTSA Neurosciences Institute
Future
As a part of the shared vision for UTSA 2016,[1] the College of Sciences has a strategic plan and aims to:
- Advance scientific literacy through excellence in education and community outreach.
- Conduct cutting-edge research to expand the frontiers of science and mathematics.
- Establish broad partnerships to enhance scientific competence at all levels.
- Provide leadership in the education of underrepresented and disadvantaged groups.
Besides, it's going to expand its programs to offer more graduate degrees with new concentrations and open new opportunities in new research fields.
Student organizations
There are many science organizations on campus.
- Beta Beta Beta Biological Honor Society
- Mu Alpha Tau Mathematics Honor Society
- Upsilon Pi Epsilon National Computing Science Honor Society
- Chemistry Club - American Chemical Society Student Affiliate Chapter
- Computer Security Association
- Earth, Environmental Engineering Society
- Graduate Society of Physics Students
- Society of Physics Students
- Society of Undergraduate Neuroscience
- Statistics Club
- Macintosh Exchange Activity - for students interested in automotive engineering
- Physical Therapy Society
- Physician Assistant Society
- Pre Nursing Society - for engineering honors students
- Pre Dental Society
- Pre-Medical Society
- Pre-Pharmacy Student Organization
- Society of Mexican-American Engineers and Scientists
- Alpha Epsilon Delta - Pre-medical Society
References
- ^ UTSA 2016 Strategic Plan UTSA 2016 A Shared Vision