University of Texas at San Antonio College of Sciences
Encyclopedia
University of Texas at San Antonio
The University of Texas at San Antonio, commonly referred to as UTSA, is a state university in San Antonio, Texas. With an enrollment of more than 30,000 students, it is the third-largest of nine universities and six health institutions in the University of Texas System and the eighth-largest in...
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
Computer science
Computer science or computing science is the study of the theoretical foundations of information and computation and of practical techniques for their implementation and application in computer systems...
, Biology
Biology
Biology is a natural science concerned with the study of life and living organisms, including their structure, function, growth, origin, evolution, distribution, and taxonomy. Biology is a vast subject containing many subdivisions, topics, and disciplines...
, Chemistry
Chemistry
Chemistry is the science of matter, especially its chemical reactions, but also its composition, structure and properties. Chemistry is concerned with atoms and their interactions with other atoms, and particularly with the properties of chemical bonds....
, Physics
Physics
Physics is a natural science that involves the study of matter and its motion through spacetime, along with related concepts such as energy and force. More broadly, it is the general analysis of nature, conducted in order to understand how the universe behaves.Physics is one of the oldest academic...
, Geological Sciences . Students are exposed to collaboration through programs with local external research institutions including UT Health Science Center, Southwest Research Institute
Southwest Research Institute
Southwest Research Institute , headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, is one of the oldest and largest independent, nonprofit, applied research and development organizations in the United States...
and the Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research
Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research
Texas Biomedical Research Institute , located in San Antonio, Texas, is an independent biomedical research institution, specializing in genetics and in virology and immunology...
.
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 EngineeringSoftware engineering
Software Engineering is the application of a systematic, disciplined, quantifiable approach to the development, operation, and maintenance of software, and the study of these approaches; that is, the application of engineering to software...
, Networking
Computer network
A computer network, often simply referred to as a network, is a collection of hardware components and computers interconnected by communication channels that allow sharing of resources and information....
, Algorithms, Artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence is the intelligence of machines and the branch of computer science that aims to create it. AI textbooks define the field as "the study and design of intelligent agents" where an intelligent agent is a system that perceives its environment and takes actions that maximize its...
, Cyber Security, High-performance computing
High-performance computing
High-performance computing uses supercomputers and computer clusters to solve advanced computation problems. Today, computer systems approaching the teraflops-region are counted as HPC-computers.-Overview:...
, Computer vision
Computer vision
Computer vision is a field that includes methods for acquiring, processing, analysing, and understanding images and, in general, high-dimensional data from the real world in order to produce numerical or symbolic information, e.g., in the forms of decisions...
, and Distributed computing
Distributed computing
Distributed computing is a field of computer science that studies distributed systems. A distributed system consists of multiple autonomous computers that communicate through a computer network. The computers interact with each other in order to achieve a common goal...
. 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, M.S. in Software Engineering, 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 NeuroscienceNeuroscience
Neuroscience is the scientific study of the nervous system. Traditionally, neuroscience has been seen as a branch of biology. However, it is currently an interdisciplinary science that collaborates with other fields such as chemistry, computer science, engineering, linguistics, mathematics,...
and Infectious Disease
Infectious disease
Infectious diseases, also known as communicable diseases, contagious diseases or transmissible diseases comprise clinically evident illness resulting from the infection, presence and growth of pathogenic biological agents in an individual host organism...
. 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 ChemistryOrganic chemistry
Organic chemistry is a subdiscipline within chemistry involving the scientific study of the structure, properties, composition, reactions, and preparation of carbon-based compounds, hydrocarbons, and their derivatives...
, Biochemistry
Biochemistry
Biochemistry, sometimes called biological chemistry, is the study of chemical processes in living organisms, including, but not limited to, living matter. Biochemistry governs all living organisms and living processes...
, Inorganic Chemistry
Inorganic chemistry
Inorganic chemistry is the branch of chemistry concerned with the properties and behavior of inorganic compounds. This field covers all chemical compounds except the myriad organic compounds , which are the subjects of organic chemistry...
, Analytical Chemistry
Analytical chemistry
Analytical chemistry is the study of the separation, identification, and quantification of the chemical components of natural and artificial materials. Qualitative analysis gives an indication of the identity of the chemical species in the sample and quantitative analysis determines the amount of...
, Materials Chemistry, and Physical Chemistry
Physical chemistry
Physical chemistry is the study of macroscopic, atomic, subatomic, and particulate phenomena in chemical systems in terms of physical laws and concepts...
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 NanotechnologyNanotechnology
Nanotechnology is the study of manipulating matter on an atomic and molecular scale. Generally, nanotechnology deals with developing materials, devices, or other structures possessing at least one dimension sized from 1 to 100 nanometres...
. The department provides students the chance to interact with outstanding scientists in Experimental physics
Experimental physics
Within the field of physics, experimental physics is the category of disciplines and sub-disciplines concerned with the observation of physical phenomena in order to gather data about the universe...
, Theoretical physics
Theoretical physics
Theoretical physics is a branch of physics which employs mathematical models and abstractions of physics to rationalize, explain and predict natural phenomena...
, Space physics
Space physics
Space physics, also known as space plasma physics, is the study of plasmas as they occur naturally in the universe. As such, it encompasses a far-ranging number of topics, including the sun, solar wind, planetary magnetospheres and ionospheres, auroras, cosmic rays, and synchrotron radiation...
, and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
Astrophysics is the branch of astronomy that deals with the physics of the universe, including the physical properties of celestial objects, as well as their interactions and behavior...
and to collaborate with scientists from the Space Science and Engineering Division at Southwest Research Institute
Southwest Research Institute
Southwest Research Institute , headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, is one of the oldest and largest independent, nonprofit, applied research and development organizations in the United States...
.
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 equationOrdinary differential equation
In mathematics, an ordinary differential equation is a relation that contains functions of only one independent variable, and one or more of their derivatives with respect to that variable....
, Partial differential equation
Partial differential equation
In mathematics, partial differential equations are a type of differential equation, i.e., a relation involving an unknown function of several independent variables and their partial derivatives with respect to those variables...
, Functional Analysis
Functional analysis
Functional analysis is a branch of mathematical analysis, the core of which is formed by the study of vector spaces endowed with some kind of limit-related structure and the linear operators acting upon these spaces and respecting these structures in a suitable sense...
, Numerical Analysis
Numerical analysis
Numerical analysis is the study of algorithms that use numerical approximation for the problems of mathematical analysis ....
, Algebra
Algebra
Algebra is the branch of mathematics concerning the study of the rules of operations and relations, and the constructions and concepts arising from them, including terms, polynomials, equations and algebraic structures...
, Statistics
Statistics
Statistics is the study of the collection, organization, analysis, and interpretation of data. It deals with all aspects of this, including the planning of data collection in terms of the design of surveys and experiments....
, Analytic Number Theory
Analytic number theory
In mathematics, analytic number theory is a branch of number theory that uses methods from mathematical analysis to solve problems about the integers. It is often said to have begun with Dirichlet's introduction of Dirichlet L-functions to give the first proof of Dirichlet's theorem on arithmetic...
, Applied Mathematics
Applied mathematics
Applied mathematics is a branch of mathematics that concerns itself with mathematical methods that are typically used in science, engineering, business, and industry. Thus, "applied mathematics" is a mathematical science with specialized knowledge...
, and Mathematics Education
Mathematics education
In contemporary education, mathematics education is the practice of teaching and learning mathematics, along with the associated scholarly research....
. 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 BiogeochemistryBiogeochemistry
Biogeochemistry is the scientific discipline that involves the study of the chemical, physical, geological, and biological processes and reactions that govern the composition of the natural environment...
, Environmental microbiology
Environmental microbiology
Environmental microbiology is the study of the composition and physiology of microbial communities in the environment. The environment in this case means the soil, water, air and sediments covering the planet and can also include the animals and plants that inhabit these areas...
, Hydrogeology
Hydrogeology
Hydrogeology is the area of geology that deals with the distribution and movement of groundwater in the soil and rocks of the Earth's crust, . The term geohydrology is often used interchangeably...
, Isotope geochemistry
Isotope geochemistry
Isotope geochemistry is an aspect of geology based upon study of the relative and absolute concentrations of the elements and their isotopes in the Earth. Variations in the abundance of these isotopes, typically measured with an isotope ratio mass spectrometer or an accelerator mass spectrometer,...
, Micropaleontology
Micropaleontology
Micropaleontology is the branch of paleontology that studies microfossils.-Microfossils:...
, Remote sensing
Remote sensing
Remote sensing is the acquisition of information about an object or phenomenon, without making physical contact with the object. In modern usage, the term generally refers to the use of aerial sensor technologies to detect and classify objects on Earth by means of propagated signals Remote sensing...
, Spatial analysis
Spatial analysis
Spatial analysis or spatial statistics includes any of the formal techniques which study entities using their topological, geometric, or geographic properties...
, 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 227000 square feet (21,089 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 SecurityCenter for Infrastructure Assurance and SecurityThe Center for Infrastructure Assurance and Security is an operational element of the Institute for Cyber Security of the University of Texas at San Antonio...
(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, the College of Sciences has a strategic plan and aims to:- Advance scientific literacyScientific literacyScientific literacy encompasses written, numerical, and digital literacy as they pertain to understanding science, its methodology, observations, and theories.-Definition:...
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 SocietyUpsilon Pi EpsilonUpsilon Pi Epsilon : International Honor Society for the Computing and Information Disciplines, is the first and only existing one of its kind....
- Chemistry Club - American Chemical SocietyAmerican Chemical SocietyThe American Chemical Society is a scientific society based in the United States that supports scientific inquiry in the field of chemistry. Founded in 1876 at New York University, the ACS currently has more than 161,000 members at all degree-levels and in all fields of chemistry, chemical...
Student Affiliate Chapter - Computer Security Association
- Earth, Environmental Engineering Society
- Graduate Society of Physics Students
- Society of Physics StudentsSociety of Physics StudentsThe Society of Physics Students is a professional association with international participation, granting membership through college chapters with the only requirement that the student member be interested in physics. All college majors are welcome to join SPS, but the highest representation tends...
- 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 SocietyAlpha Epsilon DeltaAlpha Epsilon Delta is a U.S. health preprofessional honor society. The organization currently has more than 144,000 members within 186 chapters at universities throughout the United States, making it the world's largest Honor Society serving all students from different backgrounds in the pursuit...