University of Texas at El Paso Academic Catalog

Academic Catalog

College of Science

The College of Science is the home of the University's first doctoral degree program, the Doctor of Geological Sciences, which was approved in 1974. In 1991, the designation of the degree was changed to PhD in Geological Sciences. The College now offers the PhD programs in Biological Sciences, Chemistry and Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, and also participates in three interdisciplinary PhD programs. The Departments of Chemistry and Physics are participants in a program leading to the PhD degree in Materials Science and Engineering and the Departments of Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Geological Sciences, Mathematics, and Physics are participants in a program leading to the PhD degree in Environmental Science and Engineering. Information about admission to these programs and degree requirements is found in the Interdisciplinary Programs section of this catalog.

Doctoral Degrees

Doctor of Philosophy in Biosciences

The educational objective of the doctoral program in Biosciencesis to prepare students for research on the pressing pathobiological problems of the region, with an emphasis on the pathogenesis of infectious diseases, the toxic and carcinogenic effects of environmental pollutants, and neurological and metabolic disorders.

Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry 

The doctoral program in chemistry embraces a variety of advanced disciplines, which is a natural outcome of our research faculty’s expertise. These areas include physical, computational, inorganic, organic, biochemistry, and environmental and materials chemistry. Through the adept leadership of the President of the University of Texas at El Paso and the dedication of the Chair of Chemistry, a new building for the Department of Chemistry was completed at the time the new Ph.D. in Chemistry program began. This was fortunate and because of the good timing, the new building has had a very positive effect on increasing the quality of the Ph.D. program, the quality of the facilities, and the quality of new professors that can be attracted to the department. Facilities that support Ph.D. research now include state of the art NMRs, LC-MS, EPR, GFAAS, BET, MALDI-TOF MS, TEM, SEM, SPR, HPLC, Confocal microscopy, ICP-OES, ICP-MS, XRF, FTIR. UV-Vis, light scattering particle analyzer, high powered computing for modeling, AFM, and Raman IR and many others.

Doctor of Philosophy in Computational Science 

The doctoral program in computational science combines Computer Science, Applied and Computational Mathematics, and Science and Engineering disciplines. CPS is an interdisciplinary program, crossing departmental and college boundaries, that yields an integrated knowledge base for the effective solution of complex systems in which computer usage plays a fundamental role. A CPS student is to acquire an integrated understanding of techniques such as mathematical modeling, algorithmic design, computer simulation, scientific visualization, statistical processing of large data sets, and high-performance computing on parallel and distributed systems.

Doctor of Philosophy in Data Science

The PhD program in Data Science will prepare and train individuals who can immediately obtain positions in industry using data to guide decision-making, it can be applied to an array of industries which includes enterprise management, marketing, medical treatment options, scientific research and development services, aerospace product and parts manufacturing, securities, commodity contracts, and financial investment activities. The program is open to individuals from many backgrounds.

Doctor of Philosophy in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology 

The EEB doctoral program provides a training environment in ecological and evolutionary science for future scientists and societal leaders that focuses on research that challenges and/or improves current theory and knowledge and has the capacity to be relevant to society. Faculty in the EEB program work on scales ranging from molecules to global change, in terrestrial and aquatic systems both regionally and around the world. In particular, our research focuses in two key areas: Biodiversity and Global Change Ecology.​

Doctor of Philosophy in Environmental Science and Engineering

The University of Texas at El Paso presents both an extraordinary setting and excellent capabilities for the interdisciplinary doctoral program in Environmental Science and Engineering. Located on the U.S.-Mexico border and one of the most environmentally-impacted areas of North America, and with a global research footprint, UTEP has established itself as a hub for environmental science and engineering research and education. Our faculty and students have received support from multiple federal and state agencies, and foundations. The program is administered out of the Graduate School and includes the participation of faculty from more than 12 departments spanning four colleges, and numerous research centers (CERM, CyberShARE and, CIDS), and active collaboration with agencies, national labs, and industry. For information regarding admission and degree requirements, students should refer to the Interdisciplinary Programs section.

Doctor of Philosophy in Geological Sciences

The PhD in Geological Sciences was approved in 1974 as the first doctoral degree program of the University. The PhD program embraces a variety of advanced disciplines in Earth and Environmental Sciences, with research themes focused in Earth System Geochemistry, Geospatial Research, Professional and Entrepreneurial Geosciences, Science Learning and Education, Solid Earth and Geophysics, and Tectonics and Sedimentation, although PhD degrees may be obtained in any field of the geological sciences. The program has a vibrant group of ~20 tenured and tenure-track faculty, with a research portfolio addressing global challenges in the environment and natural resources, while taking advantage of the unique and excellent geological settings in our region for research and education. The PhD program is hosted in the attractive Geological Sciences Building with 90,000-sq.ft spaces for offices, laboratories, and classrooms. The department facilities that support our PhD research include a variety of geochemical instruments for advanced isotope and element analysis (MC-ICP-MS, ICP-MS, ICP-OES, IRMS, Laser isotope analyzer, electron microprobe, laser diffraction particle size analyzer and many others), geophysical research infrastructure (seismometers, gravimeters, magnetometers, differential GPS receivers, surface and downhole conductivity and resistivity tools, ground-penetrating radar), geospatial facility, and extensive computational and software resources. 

Doctor of Philosophy in Materials Science and Engineering

The PhD in Materials Science and Engineering is an interdisciplinary doctoral program coordinated by the Materials Research and Technology Institute (MRTI) to prepare scientists and engineers to address the rapidly expanding opportunities and problems created by emerging materials-related industries. The program emphasizes a cross-disciplinary perspective of this vital field with a range of skills linking materials, structure, properties, synthesis and processing, and performance. For information regarding admission and degree requirements, students should refer to the Interdisciplinary Programs section.

Master’s Degrees

The College of Science offers 11 graduate degrees at the master’s level. These include Master of Science (MS) degrees in Bioinformatics, Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Computational Science, Environmental Science, Geological Sciences, Geophysics, Mathematics, Physics, and Statistics & Data Science. Five-year BS-MS programs are offered in Chemistry and Physics. The Department of Mathematical Sciences offers a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) with a major in Mathematics and the Office of the Dean houses a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) with a major in Science. For information regarding admission and degree requirements for these degrees, students should refer to the individual department sections. The College of Science also offers a Master of Science in Professional Science composed of two graduate certificates:  one 15-18 hour graduate certificate must be taken in the College of Science; the second 15-18 hour graduate certificate can be taken in any college at UTEP or outside UTEP online or in-person as long as both the institution and the certificate are accredited.

Graduate Certificates

The College of Science offers 15-18 graduate certificates in Bioinformatics, Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Geospatial Information and Technology, Applied and Computational Mathematics, Applied Statistics, Big Data Analytics, and Physics.

Dean

Dr. Robert Kirken

Associate Dean

Dr. Nancy C. Marcus, Associate Dean

Dr. Michael J. Kenney, Associate Dean for Research

Dr. Deana D. Pennington, Associate Dean

Dr. Kristine M.  Garza, Associate Dean for Student Success

Professor

Robert Kirken
Contact Information: rkirken@utep.edu; 915-747-5536
Education: BA, Olivet College; Ph D, Wright State University; Postdoctoral Research Fellowship, National Institutes of Health/National Cancer Institute

Mourat Tchoshanov
Contact Information: mouratt@utep.edu; 915-747-7668
Education: Specialist Degree, Turkmen State Pedagogical Institute; Candidate of Sciences Degree, Kazan State Pedagogical Institute; Ph D, Kazan State Pedagogical University

Fast Track to Graduate Programs

When a student is within 30 hours of graduating and has met the departmental requirements.  This permits students to take graduate courses while an undergraduate that count toward both their undergraduate program and graduate program.  The College of Science offers the follow fast track programs:

Biological Sciences

Any M.S. degree in the Biological Sciences department/Any Undergraduate degree implemented by the Biological Sciences Department
BIOL 5130Seminar1
BIOL 5131Ethical, Soc/Pol Dimensions1
BIOL 5301Select Adv Topics Biol Science3
BIOL 5305Herpetology3
BIOL 53073
BIOL 5308Rsrch Funding & Prof Developmt3
BIOL 5313Biogeography3
BIOL 5316Biosystematics3
BIOL 53183
BIOL 5322Advances/Evolutionary Theory3
BIOL 53233
BIOL 53243
BIOL 5326Advances Immunological Concept3
BIOL 5327Advances in Ecological Theory3
BIOL 5328Biostatistics3
BIOL 5329Physiology of Bacterial Cell3
BIOL 5340Structure/Funct Macromolecules3
BIOL 53423
BIOL 53433
BIOL 5344Molecular Pathogenesis3
BIOL 53463
BIOL 5351Intro Bio I:Basic Seq. Comp.3
BIOL 5352Intro Bio II: Gene Find/Compar3
BIOL 53543
BIOL 5360Aquatic Ecology3
M.B.A. - Master of Business Administration / B.S. in Biomedical Sciences
ACCT 5304Accounting Analysis3
BLAW 5306Business Law and Ethics3
ECON 5311Managerial Economics3
FIN 5311Financial Management3
MGMT 5311Organizational Mgmt Seminar3
MKT 5311Marketing Management3
QMB 5311Quantitative Methods-Business3
OSCM 5308Concepts of Production Mgmt3
M.B.A. - Master of Business Administration  / B.S. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
ACCT 5304Accounting Analysis3
BLAW 5306Business Law and Ethics3
ECON 5311Managerial Economics3
FIN 5311Financial Management3
MGMT 5311Organizational Mgmt Seminar3
MKT 5311Marketing Management3
QMB 5311Quantitative Methods-Business3
OSCM 5308Concepts of Production Mgmt3
M.B.A. - Master of Business Administration  / B.S. in Microbiology
ACCT 5304Accounting Analysis3
BLAW 5306Business Law and Ethics3
ECON 5311Managerial Economics3
FIN 5311Financial Management3
MGMT 5311Organizational Mgmt Seminar3
MKT 5311Marketing Management3
QMB 5311Quantitative Methods-Business3
OSCM 5308Concepts of Production Mgmt3
M.S. in Bioinformatics / B.S. in Biomedical Sciences; B.S. in Microbiology
BINF 5351Intro. Bioinformatics I3
BINF 5352Intro. Bioinformatics II3
BIOL 5351Intro Bio I:Basic Seq. Comp.3
BIOL 5352Intro Bio II: Gene Find/Compar3
BIOL 5316Biosystematics3
BIOL 5326Advances Immunological Concept3
BIOL 5329Physiology of Bacterial Cell3
BIOL 5340Structure/Funct Macromolecules3
BIOL 5342
BIOL 5343
BIOL 5344Molecular Pathogenesis3

M.S. in Biological Sciences / B.S. in Biomedical Sciences 

BIOL 5131Ethical, Soc/Pol Dimensions1
BIOL 5301Select Adv Topics Biol Science3
BIOL 5305Herpetology3
BIOL 5307
BIOL 5308Rsrch Funding & Prof Developmt3
BIOL 5313Biogeography3
BIOL 5316Biosystematics3
BIOL 5318
BIOL 5322Advances/Evolutionary Theory3
BIOL 5323
BIOL 5324
BIOL 5326Advances Immunological Concept3
BIOL 5327Advances in Ecological Theory3
BIOL 5328Biostatistics3
BIOL 5329Physiology of Bacterial Cell3
BIOL 5340Structure/Funct Macromolecules3
BIOL 5342
BIOL 5343
BIOL 5344Molecular Pathogenesis3
BIOL 5346
BIOL 5351Intro Bio I:Basic Seq. Comp.3
BIOL 5352Intro Bio II: Gene Find/Compar3
BIOL 5354
BIOL 5360Aquatic Ecology3
M.S. in Biomedical Engineering ​/ B.S. Biomedical Sciences; B.S. in Cellular and Molecular Biochemistry; B.S. in Microbiology
BIOL 5301Select Adv Topics Biol Science *3
BIOL 5308Rsrch Funding & Prof Developmt3
BIOL 5311Neurobiology of Brain Diseases3
BIOL 5320Endocrinology3
BIOL 5330Cancer Biology3
BME 5301BME for Global Health3
BME 5302Telemedicine & Imaging Info.3
BME 5303Research & Lab Methods3
BME 5304BME Device Design & Regulation3
BME 5310Biomaterials3
BME 5313Tissue Engineering3
BME 5321Biomechatronics3
BME 53533
BME 5390Special Topics in BME3
*

Advisor approval needed

Chemistry

M.S. in Bioinformatics  / B.S. in Chemistry
BINF/CHEM 5341Anal./Model of Bio Structures3
CHEM 5321Advanced Organic Chemistry I3
CHEM 5322Advanced Organic Chemistry II3
CHEM 5329Contem Topics Organic Chemistr3
CHEM 5339Contemp Topics in Biochemistry3
M.S. in Chemistry / B.S. in Chemistry
CHEM 5322Advanced Organic Chemistry II3
CHEM 5351Advanced Physical Chemistry I3

Earth, Environmental and Resource Sciences

M.B.A. - Master of Business Administration  / B.S. in Geological Sciences 
ACCT 5304Accounting Analysis3
BLAW 5306Business Law and Ethics3
ECON 5311Managerial Economics3
FIN 5311Financial Management3
MGMT 5311Organizational Mgmt Seminar3
MKT 5311Marketing Management3
QMB 5311Quantitative Methods-Business3
OSCM 5308Concepts of Production Mgmt3
M.S. in Environmental Sciences / B.S. in Environmental Sciences 
BINF 5341Anal./Model of Bio Structures3
BINF 5351Intro. Bioinformatics I3
BINF 5352Intro. Bioinformatics II3
BINF 5354Post-Genomic Analysis3
BIOL 5130Seminar1
BIOL 5131Ethical, Soc/Pol Dimensions1
BIOL 5301Select Adv Topics Biol Science3
BIOL 5305Herpetology3
BIOL 53073
BIOL 5308Rsrch Funding & Prof Developmt3
BIOL 5313Biogeography3
BIOL 5316Biosystematics3
BIOL 53183
BIOL 5322Advances/Evolutionary Theory3
BIOL 53233
BIOL 53243
BIOL 5326Advances Immunological Concept3
BIOL 5327Advances in Ecological Theory3
BIOL 5328Biostatistics3
BIOL 5329Physiology of Bacterial Cell3
BIOL 5340Structure/Funct Macromolecules3
BIOL 53423
BIOL 53433
BIOL 5344Molecular Pathogenesis3
BIOL 53463
BIOL 5351Intro Bio I:Basic Seq. Comp.3
BIOL 5352Intro Bio II: Gene Find/Compar3
BIOL 53543
BIOL 5360Aquatic Ecology3
CHEM 5321Advanced Organic Chemistry I3
CHEM 5322Advanced Organic Chemistry II3
CHEM 5329Contem Topics Organic Chemistr3
CHEM 5339Contemp Topics in Biochemistry3
CHEM 5341Anal./Model of Bio Structures3
CHEM 5351Advanced Physical Chemistry I3
GEOL 5101Graduate Seminar1
GEOL 51021
GEOL 5115Selected Topics in Geol Scien1
GEOL 5162Directed Study in Geology1
GEOL 5289Graduate Research in Geol Sci2
GEOL 5303Computer Appl in Earth Sci3
GEOL 53073
GEOL 5308Planetary Geology3
GEOL 5310Intro Entrepreneurial Geosci3
GEOL 53113
GEOL 5315Selected Topics-Geological Sci3
GEOL 5317Hydrogeology3
GEOL 5318Petroleum Geology3
GEOL 5320Environmental Tracers in Water3
GEOL 5321Introduction to GIST3
GEOL 5322Advanced GIST3
GEOL 5323Spat Analysis Earth/Env Sci3
GEOL 5324Geocomputation3
GEOL 5343Isotope Geology3
GEOL 5344Advanced Petrology3
GEOL 53453
GEOL 53483
GEOL 5362Directed Study in Geology3
GEOL 5363Sandstone Petrography3
GEOL 5364Sedimentary Depositional Envir3
GEOL 5365Basin Analysis3
GEOL 5375Quantit Techniq Geological Sci3
GEOL 5376Low Temperature Geochemistry3
GEOL 5378Global Biochemical Cycles3
GEOL 53793
GEOL 5381Paleoclimatology3
GEOL 53843
GEOL 53873
GEOL 5389Graduate Research in Geol Sci3
GEOL 53923
GEOL 5397Geol/Mineral Resources Mexico3
GEOL 5401Fundamentals of Earth Science4
GEOL 5402Fundmtls/Fld Meth in Earth Sci4
GEOP 5163Directed Study in Geophysics1
GEOP 5263Directed Study in Geophysics2
GEOP 5306Atmospheric Processes3
GEOP 5336Digital Image Processing3
GEOP 5352Geophysical Inverse Theory3
GEOP 5353Reflection Seismic Data Proces3
GEOP 5354Seismology3
GEOP 5356Topics in Geophysics3
GEOP 5357Well Logging3
GEOP 5361Plate Tectonics3
GEOP 53623
GEOP 5363Directed Study in Geophysics3
GEOP 53643
GEOP 5460Geop App-Digital Signal Proces4
MATH 5310
MATH 5311Topics in Applied Mathematics3
MATH 5314
MATH 5315
MATH 5321Principles of Analysis3
MATH 5325Principles of Algebra3
MATH 5329Numerical Analysis3
MATH 5330Comp Methods of Linear Algebra3
MATH 5331Real Variables3
MATH 5335Techniques in Optimization3
MATH 5341General Topology3
MATH 5343Numer Solution Part Diff Equat3
MATH 5345Numerical Optimization3
MATH 5346
MATH 5351Complex Variables3
PHYS 5196Graduate Research in Physics1
PHYS 5321Mechanics3
PHYS 5325Mathematical Physics3
PHYS 5341Electrodynamics3
PHYS 5361Quantum Mechanics3
PHYS 5365Advanced Statistical Mechanics3
PHYS 5371Solid State Physics3
PHYS 5393Special Topics in Physics3
PHYS 5396Graduate Research in Physics3
STAT 5329Statistical Programming3
STAT 5354Post-Genomic Analysis3
STAT 5428Intro to Statistical Analysis4

M.S. in Geological Sciences / B.S. in Geological Sciences

GEOL 5101Graduate Seminar1
GEOL 51021
GEOL 5115Selected Topics in Geol Scien1
GEOL 5162Directed Study in Geology1
GEOL 5215Selected Topics in Geol Scienc2
GEOL 5262Directed Study in Geology2
GEOL 5289Graduate Research in Geol Sci2
GEOL 5303Computer Appl in Earth Sci3
GEOL 53073
GEOL 5308Planetary Geology3
GEOL 5309Mineral Resrcs, Econ & Environ3
GEOL 5310Intro Entrepreneurial Geosci3
GEOL 53113
GEOL 5315Selected Topics-Geological Sci3
GEOL 5317Hydrogeology3
GEOL 5318Petroleum Geology3
GEOL 5320Environmental Tracers in Water3
GEOL 5321Introduction to GIST3
GEOL 5322Advanced GIST3
GEOL 5323Spat Analysis Earth/Env Sci3
GEOL 5324Geocomputation3
GEOL 5343Isotope Geology3
GEOL 5344Advanced Petrology3
GEOL 53453
GEOL 53483
GEOL 5362Directed Study in Geology3
GEOL 5363Sandstone Petrography3
GEOL 5364Sedimentary Depositional Envir3
GEOL 5365Basin Analysis3
GEOL 5375Quantit Techniq Geological Sci3
GEOL 5376Low Temperature Geochemistry3
GEOL 5378Global Biochemical Cycles3
GEOL 53793
GEOL 5381Paleoclimatology3
GEOL 53843
GEOL 53873
GEOL 5389Graduate Research in Geol Sci3
GEOL 53923
GEOL 5397Geol/Mineral Resources Mexico3
GEOL 5401Fundamentals of Earth Science4
GEOL 5402Fundmtls/Fld Meth in Earth Sci4
GEOP 5163Directed Study in Geophysics1
GEOP 5263Directed Study in Geophysics2
GEOP 5306Atmospheric Processes3
GEOP 5335Intro to Remote Sensing3
GEOP 5336Digital Image Processing3
GEOP 5352Geophysical Inverse Theory3
GEOP 5353Reflection Seismic Data Proces3
GEOP 5354Seismology3
GEOP 5356Topics in Geophysics3
GEOP 5357Well Logging3
GEOP 5361Plate Tectonics3
GEOP 53623
GEOP 5363Directed Study in Geophysics3
GEOP 53643
GEOP 5460Geop App-Digital Signal Proces4

Mathematics

M.B.A. - Master of Business Administration  / B.S. in Mathematical Sciences
ACCT 5304Accounting Analysis3
BLAW 5306Business Law and Ethics3
ECON 5311Managerial Economics3
FIN 5311Financial Management3
MGMT 5311Organizational Mgmt Seminar3
MKT 5311Marketing Management3
QMB 5311Quantitative Methods-Business3
OSCM 5308Concepts of Production Mgmt3

M.B.A. - Master of Business Administration  / B.S. in Mathematical Sciences (Actuarial Concentration) 
ACCT 5304Accounting Analysis3
BLAW 5306Business Law and Ethics3
ECON 5311Managerial Economics3
FIN 5311Financial Management3
MGMT 5311Organizational Mgmt Seminar3
MKT 5311Marketing Management3
QMB 5311Quantitative Methods-Business3
OSCM 5308Concepts of Production Mgmt3
M.B.A. - Master of Business Administration  / B.S. in Mathematical Sciences (Applied Concentration) 
ACCT 5304Accounting Analysis3
BLAW 5306Business Law and Ethics3
ECON 5311Managerial Economics3
FIN 5311Financial Management3
MGMT 5311Organizational Mgmt Seminar3
MKT 5311Marketing Management3
QMB 5311Quantitative Methods-Business3
OSCM 5308Concepts of Production Mgmt3
M.B.A. - Master of Business Administration  / B.S. in Mathematical Sciences (Statistics Concentration) 
ACCT 5304Accounting Analysis3
BLAW 5306Business Law and Ethics3
ECON 5311Managerial Economics3
FIN 5311Financial Management3
MGMT 5311Organizational Mgmt Seminar3
MKT 5311Marketing Management3
QMB 5311Quantitative Methods-Business3
OSCM 5308Concepts of Production Mgmt3
M.S. in Bioinformatics / B.S. in Mathematics
BINF/STAT 5354Post-Genomic Analysis3
MATH 5330Comp Methods of Linear Algebra3
MATH 5335Techniques in Optimization3
STAT 5329Statistical Programming3
STAT 5428Intro to Statistical Analysis4
M.S. in Mathematical Sciences / B.S. in Mathematical Sciences
MATH 5310
MATH 5311Topics in Applied Mathematics3
MATH 5314
MATH 5315
MATH 5321Principles of Analysis3
MATH 5325Principles of Algebra3
MATH 5329Numerical Analysis3
MATH 5330Comp Methods of Linear Algebra3
MATH 5331Real Variables3
MATH 5335Techniques in Optimization3
MATH 5341General Topology3
MATH 5343Numer Solution Part Diff Equat3
MATH 5345Numerical Optimization3
MATH 5346
MATH 5351Complex Variables3
MATH 5370Special Topics3
M.S. in Statistics / B.S. in Mathematical Sciences
MATH 5321Principles of Analysis3
STAT 5329Statistical Programming3
STAT 5428Intro to Statistical Analysis4

Physics

M.B.A. - Master of Business Administration  / B.S. in Physics - Applied Physics Concentration 
ACCT 5304Accounting Analysis3
BLAW 5306Business Law and Ethics3
ECON 5311Managerial Economics3
FIN 5311Financial Management3
MGMT 5311Organizational Mgmt Seminar3
MKT 5311Marketing Management3
QMB 5311Quantitative Methods-Business3
OSCM 5308Concepts of Production Mgmt3
M.S. in Physics / B.S. in Physics
PHYS 5196Graduate Research in Physics1
PHYS 5321Mechanics3
PHYS 5325Mathematical Physics3
PHYS 5341Electrodynamics3
PHYS 5361Quantum Mechanics3
PHYS 5365Advanced Statistical Mechanics3
PHYS 5371Solid State Physics3
PHYS 5396Graduate Research in Physics3

College of Science

The University of Texas at El Paso
Chemistry and Computer Science Building
500 W University
El Paso, Texas 79902

Email: science@utep.edu
Phone: 915.747.8027

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