Natural sciences

The engine of innovation and scientific discovery.

#1

in transdisciplinary, multidisciplinary and other sciences

#3

in geological and earth sciences

   

At The College division of natural sciences, you’ll explore the great unknowns of the Earth, our Solar System and the universe beyond. 

Uncover the mysteries and phenomena of the physical world and actively participate in research programs with internationally recognized organizations like NASA, the National Institutes for Health, the Mayo Clinic and more. 

Research at the cutting edge of innovation and discovery.

From Nobel Prize winners to young entrepreneurial thought leaders, faculty and scholars in the natural sciences are pushing the boundaries of scientific discovery to make ASU one of the world’s leading research institutions. 

 
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No. 1 in innovation — ahead of MIT and Stanford

For the ninth year in a row, Arizona State University was ranked No. 1 in innovation by U.S. News & World Report, a feat borne of a long history of creative reimagining.

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Immersive online undergraduate research

The Online Undergraduate Research Scholars (OURS) program offers research opportunities for online students, including hybrid in-person opportunities – experiences that are critical for pursuing careers in medicine and graduate programs in STEM.

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Visualizing a better world

Immersive virtual-reality experiences like Dreamscape Learn allow students to learn by exploring their surroundings and engaging directly, bringing scientific concepts to life in ways previously unimaginable.

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NASA missions led by students and faculty

Students and faculty build spaceflight hardware, collect and analyze data and lead NASA missions, such as the ASU-led Psyche Mission — the first to explore a metal asteroid.

Explore the great unknown.

The natural sciences test laws, principles and practices that directly impact society’s progress. Discover programs in biology, chemistry, physics, psychology and more that will equip you to become problem-solvers prepared to reimagine a better future. 

 

Your opportunities are endless.

Explore your interests and pursue a successful and meaningful career. Here are just a few examples of what you can do with a natural sciences degree grounded in cutting-edge research.

Astronomer

Climate change analyst

Counselor

Clinical trial manager

Crime scene investigator

Dentist

Insurance underwriter

Loan officer

Medical doctor

Park ranger

Physician assistant

Physicist

Psychologist

Secondary school teacher

Software developer

Soil scientist

Statistician

Veterinarian

Portrait of Dave Wilson.

 

I have the extreme privilege of working with the 574 federally recognized tribes to help them in any way that I can to improve the health, not only of this current generation, but of generations to come, through biomedical research.

Dave Wilson
Director, NIH Tribal Health Research Office
BS in microbiology, 1998. 
PhD in molecular and cellular biology, 2007.

Frequently asked questions

 

Can I make a difference with a natural sciences degree?

The natural sciences are the foundation for building healthy, safe, sustainable worlds. Check out this Nature article that features a COVID-19 vaccine developer, a public-health leader, an Arctic voyager and more.

 

What are the natural sciences?

Natural science seeks to understand natural phenomena and the processes we see in nature. The division of natural sciences at Arizona State University includes astronomy, biology, chemistry, earth science, math, physics, psychology and statistics.

 

Is a degree in the natural sciences right for me?

If you’re considering a degree in the natural sciences but aren’t sure if it’s right for you and your career goals, reach out to your advisor through your MyASU page.