The Klein College of Science (KCOS) was established in 2023, with Founding Dean Bernadette Donovan-Merkert, as part of a strategic reorganization to enhance the focus on scientific disciplines at UNC Charlotte. It is a community of faculty, staff, and students who are shaping the future through science. Science is at the heart of everything we do, including innovative research, inclusive teaching and mentoring, engagement with both local and global communities, leadership in professional organizations, entrepreneurship, and developing the leaders of tomorrow.
The college encompasses the departments of Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Mathematics and Statistics, and Physics and Optical Science, as well as the Botanical Gardens and McMillan Greenhouse. The college is committed to fostering a collaborative community that supports student success in science and mathematics, even for those whose majors lie outside these fields. The Klein College of Science is home to more than 2,000 undergraduate and graduate majors and also plays a crucial role in providing general education requirements for all UNC Charlotte students with specialized science and mathematics training.
Although faculty within the College are committed to departmentally based programs, increased emphasis is being placed on providing strong interdisciplinary programs. The College also strives to promote intercultural understanding through student exchanges and travel opportunities.
Departments
The Klein College of Science consists of these departments/offices:
Degree Programs
Majors
Minors
Undergraduate Certificates
Honors Programs
Graduate Early Entry Programs
Degree Requirements
General Education Requirements
Since all students entering the University must meet the same General Education requirements regardless of major, it is appropriate to concentrate on the completion of those requirements before committing to a specific major.
Undeclared students have time to enroll in courses in several disciplines, which allows them to make a more informed judgment about future career decisions. Academic advisors have a broad working experience with the requirements for majors and offer assistance as students search for the education choice best suited to their individual needs.
Degree Programs/Majors and Minors Requirements
Students in the Klein College of Science must satisfy the requirements for the degree program(s) in which they are enrolled. Students should consult with their chosen department to make certain they fully understand all degree requirements. Many students also pursue a second degree or even a minor(s) in conjunction with their major degree program. Students should be familiar with the requirements of any minor program of study they attempt to complete.
All program-level Admission and Progression Requirements are in addition to the University of North Carolina at Charlotte Admissions Requirements .
Foreign Language Requirement
College of Science Foreign Language Requirement
Advising
The College of Science offers academic advising for students who have enrolled in a major or pre-major within the college. Professional advisors are available to provide guidance on both major and/or pre-major requirements, as well as General Education requirements. Faculty mentors are available to provide guidance on a variety of other areas including undergraduate research and post-graduation preparation and planning,
The professional advising team is dedicated to establishing relationships with all KCOS majors and pre-majors to that help them achieve their academic, personal, and professional goals. The advisors are also dedicated to connecting students to enrichment opportunities within the departments as well as across campus and beyond.
Experiential Learning and Service Opportunities
The college aims to inspire innovative thinking in undergraduate students and contribute to the development of creative problem solvers, innovative leaders, and engaged citizens through an initiative called LEADS. Students are also encouraged to participate in undergraduate research and/or professional work experiences in support of their academic and career development through cooperative education, departmental undergraduate research, community-engaged research and service, and internship programs offered to them. The partnership with the University Career Center expands experiential learning offerings so more students graduate with career-related experience. The Office of Undergraduate Research provides support to assist students with finding undergraduate research opportunities both on and off campus as well as provides professional development sessions on a variety of areas related to research.
LEADS
LEADS is an innovative, transdisciplinary program designed to help students in the College of Science grow into critical thinkers, imaginative leaders, and engaged citizens who are well-prepared for their future careers.
With the opportunities provided through LEADS, students have access to unique classes that complement their major, enhance their personal and professional development, and encourage the development of an entrepreneurial mindset. LEADS classes focus on applied, experiential, and interdisciplinary learning, providing the opportunity to gain meaningful experience and develop competencies transferable to any setting. There are multiple points of entry for LEADS, and students have the flexibility to choose from the LEADS options that best meet their needs and interests. Participation in LEADS positions students to be well prepared for wherever their next steps take them.
LEADS provides programming that:
- fosters learning across disciplines
- embeds experiential learning opportunities into academic courses,
- allowing students to gain valuable experience
- encourages students to develop new lenses through which to view
- complex problems
- cultivates development of critical competencies and an
- entrepreneurial mindset
- supports personal and professional development
- prepares students for their next step after UNC Charlotte
LEADS is open to new freshmen, continuing students, and transfer students.
All program-level Admission and Progression Requirements are in addition to the University of North Carolina at Charlotte Admissions Requirements .