How many majors are in CNS?

We offer 15 majors in CNS, so lots of options!

I want to study Astrophysics and go to graduate school, but I don’t see that as an option. How can I major in this?

Our Astronomy major contains sufficient physics for graduate school. Physics majors take two or three additional physics courses. Many of our Astronomy majors are able to complete both degrees in four years with careful planning with their Advisor.  

How can I be an Environmental Science Major?

Environmental Science (EVS) is a very competitive major, both as an incoming first year student, internal transfer, and external transfer. EVS is also housed within three Colleges – CNS (Biological Sciences), Jackson School of Geosciences (Geological Sciences), and the College of Liberal Arts (Geographical Sciences). If you are interested in studying Applicants must meet calculus readiness requirements for EVS. Here are the prerequisites for first year students and transfer students in EVS and our College. You are also able to see the prerequisites of the other Colleges on that site as well.

What score do I need on my AP exam to claim credit?

You will need to check the Student Testing Services (STS) website for more information on the exams and scores.

Before claiming any credits, students will need to speak with their advisor at orientation to determine what their best options are moving forward and determine whether to claim credit or not. The reason for this is that depending upon what you are hoping to study, your degree, your future plans all make a difference in what you decide to do with your credits and it is a very unique from person to person.

I want to double major when I attend UT. How does that work?

Incoming first year students are able to double major in Plan II (which is an Honors program within the College of Liberal Arts) and a major within CNS. Another option is through the Texas Honors Computer Science and Business Honors Program where a student admitted to the program would be admitted to both Computer Sciences and Unspecified Business (the entry major for all Business students). Otherwise, if a student is interested in a major in another College/School, the student will need to follow the internal transfer process for the other College/School and be admitted for the other major to be added.

Do I need to be a Biology major if I want to go to medical school?

No. As this is really important, we want to stress this. No, you can major in anything that you are interested in. You have so much flexibility with what you would like to study and pursue. If you are enrolled within CNS and are interested in a pre-medical pathway, please choose a major you are excited about and interested in. It really makes a difference when you are taking your challenging advanced courses ands for your mental health and well-being, as well as how you do in your courses. Plans can change, so it is important that you choose a major you will be content with upon graduation. You can major in anything at the university and you will need to take the required pre-requisite courses to take your entrance exam and apply for medical school. We have so many wonderful pre-health student organizations on campus to provide support and resources as well. Please speak with the Health Professions Office (HPO) for more information and visit their website as they have so much information available there. You are welcome to schedule a prospective student appointment by emailing them at HPO@austin.utexas.edu.

I am interested in Pre-Pharmacy. What does that mean for me?

In the College of Natural Sciences, our students will be considered Undeclared/Pre-Pharmacy with the understanding that the student will select a major by the end of their first year. The growing trend is that students are completing a 4-year degree and then attending Pharmacy school. Plans can change, so it is important to choose a major that will resonate with your interests and goals. You can still apply for Pharmacy school prior during your second year at UT and you will work with Health Professions Office (HPO).

UT is a huge place and CNS is a large College. Will I ever meet anyone?

Yes! We take great lengths in CNS to make UT an intimate experience. We accomplish this through our Cornerstones Communities. These are small cohorts/communities of students with similar majors and/or interests. Our students take linked introductory courses together which is helpful when entering a large introductory course because our students already know each other and can study together. These communities are led by faculty or staff and provide students with opportunities to explore, think outside of the box, learn about research, industries, other majors, and much more.

I’m interested in pursuing research. What are my options?

We offer different pathways for our students to be involved in research. For our incoming first-year students, we offer our nationally recognized Freshman Research Initiative (FRI). Students have the opportunity to begin working in a lab their second semester of their first year.

We also offer the Accelerated Research Initiative (ARI) for students who are CNS sophomores and juniors who did not participate in FRI, as well as transfer students.

Additionally, students are welcome to connect with faculty on their own. The Eureka database allows students to search for faculty who are involved in research that matches the students’ interests The School of Undergraduate Studies hosts information sessions to guide students through the process.

External transfer students: What can I do to be accepted into CS?

It is helpful to show a strong background with good grades in math (especially Calculus), majors level sciences, and in any CS courses you may have taken. Experience in CS (inside and/or outside of the classroom) is also helpful. 

Internal transfer students: What can I do to be accepted into CS?

Please attend one of the internal transfer information sessions to learn more about the process and the requirements needed. The internal transfer website has a wealth of information about the process. For CS, it is helpful to show a strong background with good grades in math (especially Calculus) and majors level science, and in any CS courses you may have taken. Experience in CS (inside and/or outside of the classroom) is helpful.  CS 312: Intro to Programming is typically open to non-C S majors in spring and summer semesters; it is not open to non-CS majors in fall semesters. 

Is it possible to externally transfer into CS in the spring?

Unfortunately, this is not an option. CS is only available for external transfer in fall semesters.

Is it possible to take CS courses as a non-major?

Absolutely! You can take courses through the Elements of Computing certificate. This will be listed on your transcript upon completion.  CS 312 is also typically open to non-C S majors in spring and summer semesters.

I am currently a CS major at another University/College. My goal is to become a CS major and I have been accepted to another major at UT. Should I transfer to UT and then attempt an internal transfer? Will that increase my chances of getting accepted?

It is not advisable to externally transfer into UT Austin to then apply to internally transfer into the Dept. of Computer Science. The internal transfer process for CS is extremely competitive, and there is no guarantee of acceptance into the major. For questions about the internal transfer process, please email: cns.internal.transfer@austin.utexas.edu. If you wish to attend UT under a different major, please choose a major that you would be fine with graduating just in case. If you are currently studying CS and enjoy it, please consider all of your options.

I would like to speak with someone in CS and schedule a visit. How can I arrange this?

If you are a high school junior or senior, you have the opportunity to meet with a CS Ambassador during the fall and spring semester.  They will meet with transfer students on a case by case basis, but this is not a guarantee depending on their schedule. Please visit this page for more information. Please note that during the spring semester, priority is given to admitted students.  CS Ambassador tours are not available in summers.

Schedule a visit >>

I have a bachelor’s degree in another discipline, but I want to study Computer Science. How does that work?

Congratulations on your degree! Generally speaking, the CS department gives priority to students who have not completed their undergraduate education yet. Another option is looking at the graduate program. It does not require that a student have a CS degree, though it is helpful. They will also consider work experience. It does require having a background in certain courses, but there are no prerequisites for admission. For more information, click here.

2. Do I have to be a specific major to be eligible for a particular honors program?

It depends. College-wide programs are open to all CNS students, while departmental honors programs are specific to certain CNS majors. All CNS honors students must be pursuing a CNS major in order to remain in a CNS honors program.

3. Can I be in more than one honors program?

CNS students may only be in one college-wide honors program (DS, HSS or PS).  However, they may choose to be in a college-wide honors program in addition to a departmental honors program (Turing, CSB, Nutritional Sciences, Human Development & Family Sciences). They may also choose to be in a CNS college-wide honors program and/or a CNS departmental honors program in addition to an honors program outside of the college —Plan II, Business Honors Program, etc. — if the non-CNS program permits it.  As a reminder, students must be pursuing a CNS degree to be eligible for CNS honors programs. 

4. Are honors programs for entering freshmen only?

No. Current UT students and transfer students can apply to any of the CNS honors programs before their fourth long semester of college. See each program's website for application instructions.

5. Is the Honors Application a separate application from the ApplyTexas and Coalition applications?

Yes and no. Students interested in applying to Honors Programs are able to apply through the general application and they can also submit it separately through the Honors Application. 

6. When can I apply to an honors program?

Entering freshmen can begin their honors application while completing the general application through ApplyTexas and the Coalition application. The honors application deadline is December 1st. Honors applicants are encouraged to apply by November 1st. Transfer application cycles typically take place at the end of each semester. Transfer application requirements and deadlines vary by program. Details can be found on each of the programs’ websites.

7. Is there an advantage to submitting the honors application by November 1st?

Applicants who submit their honors application by November 1st will have their applications reviewed earlier than those who submit later, and some may find out about their program's decision as early as mid-December. 

8. Can I be in an honors program if I plan to graduate in three years?

CNS honors programs require substantial investments of time outside of their coursework, making a three-year degree difficult. These pursuits can include independent research, studying abroad, conference presentations, substantial theses, internships, health care practicums, campus leadership, and extensive community service. While graduating in three years is not prohibited, it is not encouraged.

9. Do I have to be in an honors program to take honors courses?

Not necessarily. Students who are not in a CNS honors program can take honors courses if space permits, and if they meet prerequisites. These vary from course to course, but typically they include a minimum AP score and/or a minimum GPA. Academic advisors can provide details about registering for honors courses.

10. Do I have to be in an honors program to be an honors student?

No. The college offers honors opportunities for non-honors program students, including:

• GPA/Rank-based honors opportunities offer recognition for academic success.  
• Departmental Honors is awarded at graduation based on thesis completion.

11. What are the benefits of being in an honors program?

The benefit is having the best of two worlds: the close-knit community of a small college, and access to the ample intellectual and physical resources of one of the world's leading research universities. And at UT-Austin, students have the additional benefits of affordable tuition and several notable diversities—of faculty and students above all, but also of research and internship opportunities, courses, and degrees. CNS honors programs offer a supportive, inspiring community of scholars and provide students priority access to a variety of university resources.

12. If I am in an honors program, are all of my courses honors-level courses?

No. Honors program students will take both honors and non-honors courses.

13. How do honors courses differ from regular courses?

Honors courses are smaller than non-honors courses. Generally, instructors dive more deeply into content and encourage critical analysis, problem solving, inquiry, and individual thought. Subject competency is often tested through open-ended problem solving, case studies, and/or real-world analysis.

14. What do you value when considering students for an honors program?

There is no formulaic combination of scores, grades, and achievements that guarantees admission to any of the programs. Faculty and staff evaluate students’ academic merit and potential by reviewing test scores, GPA, class rank, signs of a committed interest in science or math, and success in advanced classes in those subjects. They also assess applicants' writing, work ethic, leadership, critical thinking, and maturity, and they look for evidence that they've researched and understand the target program. The materials that permit this assessment include essays, resumes that document extracurricular involvements and honors, and letters of recommendations, one of which must be from a science or math instructor. Evaluators also assess whether an applicant appears appropriate for the target program and reserve the right to recommend that an applicant be admitted to a different honors program. 

15. How do I schedule my interview for the honors program?

Our honors programs do not offer interviews as part of the application process.

16. When will I be notified if I’ve been accepted into an honors program?

Entering freshmen will be notified between mid-December and late March. Transfer applicants will be notified within 10 days prior to the start of classes of the next semester.

17. Will I be notified if I am not accepted into an honors program?

Yes. All honors applicants will hear a decision.