UC biologist and ornithologist Ron Canterbury at the Center for Field Studies with helpers banding birds for research.

Natural Sciences

The natural sciences at the College of Arts and Sciences focuses on the physical world around us, ranging from neutrons and atoms to cells and organisms, to explain and understand processes that impact our society today. We encompass the fields of biology, chemistry, geosciences, geography, mathematics, physics, and psychology. By emphasizing experimental techniques, quantitative analysis, and critical thinking, the natural sciences equip students with skills essential for careers in research, healthcare, technology, and mental health services. 

Our faculty of accomplished scientists and dedicated educators, as well as supportive staff guide students through innovative coursework, hands-on laboratory experiences, and optional co-op opportunities, fostering scientific inquiry to prepare tomorrow’s leaders. Through interdisciplinary studies and collaborative projects, the natural sciences at the College of Arts and Sciences inspires students to solve today’s global challenges.

Latest News

1

What is a Master in Public Administration?

April 10, 2026

Whether you are freshly out of undergraduate school or already working in the public sector, the University of Cincinnati offers a Master in Public Administration for those looking to further pursue public policy, societal innovation or serve in the public, or private sector.

3

UC professor leads film students to the future

April 6, 2026

As a kid, at the age of 10, Marty Schiff’s dad gave him a Kodak Brownie movie camera, and that led to a lifetime of creating stories on film. He spent his summers with that camera, making eight-millimeter movies, with a camera that taught him how to thread a projector, change the film in a closet, and tell stories with the medium he loved. “I always wanted to go to Hollywood,” Schiff says. So later he did, with $200 in his pocket, and began a career that has spanned acting, directing, producing—pretty much everything with the exception of costumes (“I’m not really good with a sewing machine,” he says).

5

On track: Hoffman Honors Scholar studies public transit

April 2, 2026

Public transit is where Zane Sawyer’s lifelong passion for travel meets his commitment to making an impact. The University of Cincinnati first-year geography major in the College of Arts & Sciences and member of the second cohort of Hoffman Honors Scholars (HHS) has hit the ground running, designing a research project intended to capture both how public transit works and how its users perceive it.

6

Tiny forests make big impact on and off campus

March 31, 2026

With Earth Day less than a month away, students and faculty at the University of Cincinnati (UC) are taking the first steps at making the city greener through the installation of tiny forests off campus. What started as a group project between students has grown into a sustainable option for carbon reduction and elimination in Cincinnati, which is one of the only cities in Ohio to have tiny forests.


Natural Sciences in the News

2

What is a Master in Public Administration?

April 10, 2026

Whether you are freshly out of undergraduate school or already working in the public sector, the University of Cincinnati offers a Master in Public Administration for those looking to further pursue public policy, societal innovation or serve in the public, or private sector.

4

The psychological weight of money

April 7, 2026

Psychology and neuroscience website PsyPost highlighted research led by Sharmeen Merchant, doctoral candidate in UC’s Carl H. Lindner College of Business, that suggests a man’s sense of fulfillment at work is intertwined with his partner’s views on money.

5

'Born to Bowl' docu-series from CCM alum Brian Lazarte airs on HBO

April 7, 2026

The HBO Original five-part documentary series "Born to Bowl," directed by CCM Media Production alumnus Brian Lazarte and James Lee Hernandez, from A24 and executive produced by Ben Stiller, and narrated by Liev Schreiber, airs its final episode on Monday, April 13. It will be available to watch on HBO as well as stream on HBO Max.

6

'My health is priceless'

April 7, 2026

Weight loss drugs, including Ozempic and Wegovy, are changing more than waistlines — they're quietly transforming how people spend money, what they prioritize and who can afford better health. As Local 12/WKRC-TV recently reported, for some patients, the medications are life-changing. For others, the cost can be overwhelming.