Este currículo consiste de 130 créditos dentro de los cuales se incluyen 58 que corresponden a cursos de la Facultad de Ciencias Naturales .Se provee un currículo flexible con el propósito de tener un trasfondo general en todas las disciplinas de las ciencias naturales armonizado al desarrollo de una cultura general mediante asesoría individualiThe Program allows a flexible curriculum providing a general background in all Natural Sciences disciplines along with individualized academic counseling according to the student’s professional interests. Training obtained by our graduates allows them to pursue graduate studies or enter health-related professional schools, among others, and provides them with various workforce opportunities. In addition, they are able to contribute scientific solutions to Puerto Rico’s technological, environmental, socio-economic and political problems.Esta formación le permite incorporarse al mercado de trabajo, proseguir estudios graduados o ingresar a escuelas profesionales relacionados con la salud entre otrAdemás, los capacita para aportar soluciones científicas a los problemas tecnológicos, ambientales, socio-económicos y políticos de Puerto Rico.

Vision

The Natural Sciences General Program offers an excellent academic opportunity for students interested in a flexible, multidisciplinary and innovative curriculum that forms scientists committed to their profession, personal life and the environment.

Mission

The mission of the Natural Sciences General Program is to offer multidisciplinary training in the natural sciences and mathematics fields, an understanding of scientific methodology and information technology applications, and strengthening of effective communication skills in English and Spanish.

General description

The Natural Sciences General Program’s office provides information to students interested in continuing professional or graduate studies. The Program’s counselors give orientation on the particular curricular requirements for these schools. During the academic evaluation periods, counselors guide the students in the selection of courses which will help them complete the requirements for their particular professional school of interest.

Academic evaluation

All students at the College of Natural Sciences are required to visit their counselor each semester for an academic evaluation. This process allows the student and counselor to discuss study plans in order to determine if the pre requisites for specific courses have been completed, suggest courses which would enrich the students academic preparation for their chosen field of interest and provide general academic orientation in terms of the student’s performance at the University. The orientation received during the academic evaluation is of particular importance for graduation candidates in order to determine that all of the College’s requirements have been fulfilled.

Due to the large amount of students registered in the Natural Sciences General Program, students must make an appointment for their academic orientations with their counselor during the evaluation period. Counselor appointments are usually given from September to October for the first semester and from February to March during the second semester. Evaluation periods correspond to dates prior to registration for Fall, Spring and Summer sessions in order to help the students with their course selection. Course registration periods are usually during the last weeks of May for the Fall session, during November for Fall and in April for Summer.

Our goal is to be able to offer personalized attention to each of our students; therefore, it is of extreme importance that students punctually attend their appointments on the established date. Once the evaluation period is finished, if a student requires general orientation on a particular subject other than an academic evaluation, there is no need for an appointment.

Opportunities for students

Each year we provide orientation on the various academic opportunities to freshmen accepted at the College of Natural Sciences and to those still taking courses at the College of General Studies. Our counselors also provide information on the professional schools’ admission exams, review courses for these exams, school application dates, internship opportunities, etc. Internship and other student opportunities are also available through the UPR-RP Blackboard course “Internados y Oportunidades de Investigación”.

The Program also collaborates with companies such as Kaplan and the Almeida Institute in offering practice tests at the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras campus for several of the admission exams required by professional and graduate schools. These practice exams allow the students’ self assessment and helps them to adequately prepare for these tests.

Graduate Profile

At the end of their baccalaureate studies in the Natural Sciences General Program, graduates:

  • Critically integrate basic knowledge of different Science and Mathematics fields in order to find scientific solutions to our society’s problems.
  • Demonstrate knowledge in the use and application of technologies for data research, analysis and incorporate this information into their own knowledge base.
  • Integrate and establish connections with other disciplines, such as humanities, art and social sciences, among others, relevant to their field of study or work.
  • Demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills in both Spanish and English.
  • Apply scientific methodologies in a creative way in order to understand scientific theories and carry out research in pure and applied sciences.
  • Demonstrate ability to work in groups related to their specialty as well as in multidisciplinary teams.
  • Make decisions based on ethics in their profession and in their daily lives.
  • Show sensitivity in their interpersonal relationships and service to others.
  • Are able to pursue graduate studies in their scientific field of interest or professional schools.
  • Exercise leadership in serving as agents of change in society.
  • Are scholars in the constant quest for knowledge and truth.
  • Understand the importance of planning ahead in order to achieve their personal and professional goals.