Foundational Sciences

Our division is committed to preparing students for success in their chosen fields by helping them build a strong foundation in mathematics, physics, chemistry and statistics.

Welcome to Foundational Sciences
Focused on Students

The faculty in Foundational Sciences are committed to the success of all the students at Texas A&M University at Galveston. We offer courses in chemistry, physics, mathematics and statistics, many of which are taken by first and second year students. These courses often set the bar for a student’s ability to progress through their chosen degree plan. Our department is founded in this belief, and we envision that all of our students will be challenged and be successful in the high quality courses offered. Our mission as the faculty of FSCI is to be engaged with our students, our colleagues and the university as a whole to offer academically excellent and pedagogically innovative classes.

We look forward to sharing our enthusiasm for our fields of expertise while providing you with a strong foundation for building your knowledge portfolio.

Major in Oceans & One Health

Our Oceans & One Health students take part in rigorous coursework from a variety of scientific disciplines to prepare them for whatever the future may hold.

Oceans & One Health




Minors

Students that meet the qualifications can complete any of the following minors at Galveston with the guidance of the Foundational Sciences Department (FSCI). Minors in chemistry and mathematics offered by the Departments of Chemistry and Mathematics, respectively, are available with coursework offered by FSCI. A minor in Clinical Lab Sciences (CLS) offered in collaboration with UTMB is available to Oceans and One Health majors that qualify. Additionally, eligible majors may earn a teaching certification in Texas (grades 7 - 12) with our Secondary Education (SEED) minor, offered in collaboration with the College of Education.

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Minor in Chemistry

A minor in Chemistry should represent course work taken in the discipline beyond courses that might be used to satisfy core curriculum science requirements (8 credits). Students must complete the pre-requisites listed below and choose from the courses offered to meet the requirements for the minor. Courses offered at TAMUG that will fulfill the chemistry minor are highlighted below. Chemistry minor information may also be found on the Department of Chemistry website.

The general requirements and process for obtaining a minor in Chemistry

To obtain a minor in Chemistry:

  • Complete the required Declaration of a Chemistry Minor form.
    Approval must be obtained prior to applying for graduation.
    If you have any questions, please contact us at gnelson@tamug.edu or moserm@tamug.edu.
  • Complete pre-requisites
  • Complete 5 lecture courses (14 – 15 credits) and 3 laboratory courses (3 - 5 credits) from categories A-E below.
  • Complete one course from four of the five categories (A-E) must be taken
  • Obtain at least a C average in all courses taken for the minor
  • Courses offered at Galveston are highlighted, all courses are offered in College Station
  • CHEM 491and CHEM 485 credits will not be allowed to count for the minor nor used in the Chemistry GPA calculation. 
  • Substitution of courses without the CHEM prefix will not be allowed.
  • When completed and approved, the minor will be designated on your transcript

A) Organic Chemistry

Course Code

Course Title

Credit Hours

Prerequisite

Offered at TAMUG

CHEM 227

Organic Chemistry I

3

CHEM 102 or CHEM 104

Yes

CHEM 237

Organic Chemistry Laboratory I

1

CHEM 112 or 114; CHEM 227 or registration therein

Yes

CHEM 228

Organic Chemistry II

3

CHEM 227

Yes

CHEM 238

Organic Chemistry Laboratory II

1

CHEM 237; CHEM 228 or registration therein

Yes

B) Analytical Chemistry

Course Code

Course Title

Credit Hours

Prerequisite

Offered at TAMUG

CHEM 315*

Quantitative Analysis

3

CHEM 102 or CHEM 104

 

CHEM 316*

Quantitative Analysis

2

CHEM 102 or CHEM 104

Yes

CHEM 317

Quantitative Analysis II

2

CHEM 316

 

CHEM 318

Quantitative Analysis Laboratory

1

CHEM 112 or 114; CHEM 315 or 316 or registration therein

Yes

CHEM 320

Instrumental Analysis Laboratory

1

CHEM 317 or registration therein; CHEM318

 

C) Physical Chemistry

Course Code

Course Title

Credit Hours

Prerequisite

Offered at TAMUG

CHEM 310

Elements of Physical Chemistry

3

CHEM 102 or CHEM 120; MATH 151 and MATH 152, MATH 140 and MATH 142, MATH 141 and MATH 142, or MATH 147 and MATH 148, or equivalent; PHYS 201 or PHYS 218, or PHYS 206 and PHYS 226; Galveston campus only.

 

CHEM 311

Physical Chemistry Laboratory

1

CHEM 310, CHEM 322, or CHEM 327, or concurrent enrollment; Galveston campus only.

 

CHEM 322**

Physical Chemistry for Engineers

3

CHEM 102 or 104; CHEN 205 and 354; MATH 152 or equivalent

Yes

CHEM 325

Physical Chemistry Laboratory I

1

CHEM 322 or 327 or registration therein

 

CHEM 326

Physical Chemistry Laboratory II

1

CHEM 328 or registration therein

 

CHEM 327**

Physical Chemistry I

3

102 or 104 and MATH 152 or 172; MATH 221, 251 or 253 encouraged; PHYS 208; PHYS 218

 

CHEM 328

Physical Chemistry II

3

CHEM 327

 

D) Inorganic Chemistry

Course Code

Course Title

Credit Hours

Prerequisite

Offered at TAMUG

CHEM 362

Descriptive Inorganic Chemistry

3

CHEM 102 or CHEM 104

 

CHEM 383

Environmental Chemistry (TAMUG only)

3

CHEM 102 or CHEM 104; junior or senior standing

Yes

E) Advanced Chemistry Courses (0-3 credits)

Course Code

Course Title

Credit Hours

Prerequisite

Offered at TAMUG

CHEM 415

Analytical Chemistry

3

CHEM 315

 

CHEM 433

Advanced Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory

2

CHEM 112 or 114; CHEM 362 or registration therein

 

CHEM 434

Analytical Instrumentation Laboratory

2

CHEM 112 or 114; CHEM 415 or registration therein

 

CHEM 446

Organic Chemistry III

3

CHEM 228

 

CHEM 456

Chemical Biology

3

CHEM 228

 

CHEM 462

Inorganic Chemistry

3

CHEM 328 and CHEM 362

 

CHEM 464

Nuclear Chemistry

3

CHEM 315 and CHEM 328 or approval of instructor

Yes

CHEM 466

Polymer Chemistry

3

CHEM 228 and CHEM 315

 

CHEM 470

Industrial Chemistry

3

CHEM 228; junior or senior classification

 

CHEM 483

Green Chemistry

3

CHEM228; junior or senior classification; CHEM362 recommended

Yes

CHEM 489

Special Topics

3

junior or senior classification; other prerequisites depend on topic

Yes

*Students may not count both CHEM 315 and 316

**Students may not count both CHEM 322 and 327

 


 

Minor in Mathematics

Students wishing to earn a minor in mathematics do not need to visit the Mathematics Department to do so. They should see their advisor, and inform them of their intention to earn a minor in mathematics, and to have that information entered into COMPASS.

A math minor can be completed entirely with courses offered by FSCI at TAMUG. Not all courses that satisfy the program requirements are available at TAMUG every semester. See the courses we offer on this page.

The mathematics department also wants to point out to students who are majoring in engineering or one of the sciences that it might not take more than another 18 to 24 hours to get a double major in mathematics. If that is of interest to you, contact Mathematics Undergraduate Program Office.

For more information please visit: https://www.math.tamu.edu/undergraduate/advising/

The general requirements and process for obtaining a minor in Mathematics

Non-math major can obtain a minor in mathematics by meeting the following requirements:

Code Title Semester credit hours
Select one from:   4
MATH 148 Calculus II for Biological Sciences  
MATH 152 Engineering Mathematics II  
MATH 172 Calculus  
Select from the following:   9
MATH 220 Foundations of Mathematics  
MATH 221 Several Variable Calculus 1  
MATH 251 Engineering Mathematics III 1  
MATH 253 Engineering Mathematics III 1  
300-400 level Mathematics course 2, 3 308, 311, 401 offered at TAMUG  
400 level Mathematics courses 3 401 offered at TAMUG

3

Total semester credit hours

 

16

 

1 Only one of MATH 221MATH 251, or MATH 253 can be taken to satisfy the minor, due to the course content. 
2 Only one of MATH 304MATH 309MATH 311 or MATH 323 can be taken to satisfy the minor, due to the course content.
3 All 300-400 level MATH courses MUST be taken at Texas A&M University. No transfer work will be accepted.

Students must make a grade of "C" or better in all courses.

MATH 131MATH 141MATH 142MATH 365MATH 366MATH 367MATH 368MATH 403, and MATH 485 may not be used to satisfy the requirements. MATH 485 will receive approval only under exceptional circumstances.

 

 


 

Minor in Clinical Lab Sciences (CLB)

The Department of Foundational Sciences offers a minor in Clinical Laboratory Sciences (CLBS) through a partnership with the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) in Galveston. Students who wish to obtain this minor must be University Studies, Oceans and One Health majors who have been admitted to the Clinical Laboratory Sciences program at UTMB. Seven hours of coursework taken during the first semester in that program will be applied towards the CLBS minor at TAMUG. More information is available from the Oceans and One Health advisor in Foundation Sciences. Contact gnelson@tamug.edu if you do not have an advisor in Oceans and One Health assigned to you already.

Program Requirements

 

Code Title Semester credit hours
TAMUG  
MARB 315 Natural History of Vertebrates  4
MARB 420 Comparative Animal Physiology  4
UTMB1  
CLLS 3200 Basic Operations Methods and Introduction to Clinical Lab  2
CLLS 3514 Clinical Chemistry  5

Total semester credit hours

 

15

 

1Admission to University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) for the two CLLS courses is required. Contact OOH advisor to apply.

This minor will be completed in 15 credit hours, 8 of which are taught at TAMUG and 7 are taught at UTMB.

 

 


 

Minor in Secondary Education Minor (SEED)

Our Secondary Education Minor is available to MARB, MARS, USGA OOH and CESS majors. For application and details follow this link: www.tamug.edu/cals/aggieteach/.


 

Division Guide

This guide provides an overview of our undergraduate degree, teaching certification, and admissions information.

Courses

Chemistry (CHEM)

 

Course number

Title

Credit hours

106

MOLEC SCIENCE FOR CITIZENS

3

107

GEN CHEM FOR ENGINEERS

3

116

MOLEC SCIENCE FOR CITIZENS LAB

1

117

GEN CHEM FOR ENGINEERS LAB

1

119

FUND OF CHEMISTRY I

4

120

FUND OF CHEMISTRY II

4

227

ORGANIC CHEMISTRY I 

3

228

ORGANIC CHEMISTRY II 

3

237

ORGANIC CHEMISTRY LAB

1

238

ORGANIC CHEMISTRY LAB

1

285

DIRECTED STUDIES

1 to 4

310

ELEMENTS PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY

3

311

PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY LABORATORY

1

316

QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS

2

318

QUANT ANALYSIS LAB

1

383

CHEM OF ENVIR POLLUTION

2

464

NUCLEAR CHEMISTRY

3

483

GREEN CHEMISTRY

3

485

DIRECTED STUDIES

1 to 16

489

SPECIAL TOPICS IN

1 to 4

 

Mathematics (MATH)

 

Course number

Title

Credit hours

141

FINITE MATH

3

142

BUSINESS MATH

3

147

CALC I BIOL SCI

4

148

CALC II BIOL SCI

4

150

FUNCTIONS, TRIG & LINEAR SYSTEMS

4

151

ENGINEERING MATH I

4

152

ENGINEERING MATH II

4

251

ENGINEERING MATH III

4

285

DIRECTED STUDIES

1 to 4

308

DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS

3

311

TOPICS IN APPLIED MATH I

3

401

ADVANCED ENGINEERING MATH

3

485

DIRECTED STUDIES

1 to 8

489

SPECIAL TOPICS

1 to 4

 

Physics (PHYS)

 

Course number

Title

Credit hours

201

COLLEGE PHYSICS

4

202

COLLEGE PHYSICS

4

206

NEWTONIAN MECHANICS ENGR & SCI

3

207

ELEC & MAGNETISM ENGR & SCI

3

208

ELECTRICITY AND OPTICS

4

216

EX PHYS ENG LAB II MECH

2

217

EX PHYS ENG LAB III ELEC MAGN

2

218

MECHANICS

4

226

PHYSICS OF MOTION LAB

1

227

ELECTRICITY AND MAGNETISM LAB

1

285

DIRECTED STUDIES

1 to 4

485

DIRECTED STUDIES

1 to 12

 

Statistics (STAT)

Course number

Title

Credit hours

303

STATISTICAL METHODS

3

Recitations

Recitation sessions are offered as an optional or required supplement to courses in mathematics. Students meet with the instructor and a teaching assistant outside of the scheduled lecture and laboratory times to practice solving problems, work on problem-solving and test-taking skills and have discussion about class material.

Recitations are offered for the following courses:

Mathematics

Functions, Trigonometry, and Linear Systems (MATH 150)
Engineering Mathematics I (MATH 151)
Engineering Mathematics II (MATH 152)

Faculty      


Chemistry

galanj@tamug.edu
(409) 741-4326
Bldg #3034 (MAIN), Office 408B


Mathematics

kangc@tamu.edu
(409) 741-4384
Bldg #3034 (MAIN), Office 412C


Mathematics

qiul@tamug.edu
(409) 740-4554
Bldg #3007 (CLB), Office 108H


Physics

rantschler@tamug.edu
(409) 740-4518
Bldg #3034 (MAIN), Office 412E


Mathematics

suenc@tamug.edu
(409) 740-4523
Bldg #3007 (CLB), Office 108A


Mathematics

warrenj@tamug.edu
Bldg #3007 (CLB), Office 108F


Chemistry

kleind@tamug.edu
(409) 740-4512
Bldg #3029 (OCSB), Office 161


Photo of Carmen E. Acero-Schertzer

Carmen E. Acero-Schertzer
Instructional Assistant Professor

Mathematics

aceroscc@tamug.edu
(409) 740-4938
Bldg #3007 (CLB), Office 108C


Photo of Leon Luxemburg

Leon Luxemburg
Associate Professor

Mathematics

luxembul@tamug.edu
(409) 741-4327
Bldg #3007 (CLB), Office 108D


Photo of Radhika Nair

Radhika Nair
Instructional Assistant Professor

Chemistry

nairr@tamug.edu
(409) 741-7135
Bldg #3034 (MAIN), Office 408C


Photo of Grace L. Townsend

Grace L. Townsend
Director of Chemistry Labs & Instructional Associate Professor

Chemistry

townseng@tamug.edu
(409) 741-7104
Bldg #3034 (MAIN), Office 414H


Mathematics

yie@tamug.edu
(409) 741-4386
Bldg #3034 (MAIN), Office 414F


Photo of Carl L. Aronson

Carl L. Aronson
Instructional Assistant Professor

Chemistry

aronson@tamu.edu
(409) 741-4312
Bldg #3034 (MAIN), Office 408A


Photo of Kathleen Schwehr

Kathleen Schwehr
Lecturer

Chemistry

schwehrk@tamug.edu
(409) 740-4452
Bldg #3034 (MAIN), Office 412F


Mathematics

fkadjei@tamug.edu
(409) 741-4523
Bldg #3007 (CLB),  Office 108A


Photo of Joel Gard

Joel Gard
Visiting Instructional Assistant Professor

jgard@tamug.edu
(409) 740-4554
Bldg #3007 (CLB), Office 108H




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Staff      


Glenda Nelson
Administrative Coordinator

gnelson@tamu.edu
(409) 740-4745
Bldg #3034 (MAIN), Office 414D




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