Prospective Students

Information for Prospective Undergraduate Students

Thanks for your interest in the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics (NSM)! Applying to college can be overwhelming—here are some useful information and links.

Office of Undergraduate Admissions

All prospective students must apply through the UMass Amherst Office of Undergraduate Admissions, where you can also ask questions and request information.

Financial Aid

If you wish to apply for Financial Aid, you must fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The UMass code for the FAFSA is 002221. See Financial Aid Services for more detailed information.

Campus Visit

Many UMass Amherst students will advise you to take a campus tour for an inside look at academics, student life, and the campus. The student guides are happy to answer your questions, from the best study spot in the library to which activities to get involved in as a first-year student. Spend an afternoon taking a tour, mingling with student groups in the Campus Center, and experiencing what NSM and UMass Amherst have to offer.

NSM Departments and Majors

The College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics offers several degree options in each of our 8 departments. For specific information about each undergraduate program, please see the Requirements by Major page.

NSM Programs

For undergraduates, the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics offers a Pre-Medicine/Pre-Dental program and Five College programs in Astronomy and Marine Studies. For specific information about each program, please see the Programs page.

Learning Commons at the W.E.B. Du Bois Library

The W.E.B. Du Bois Library is open 24 hours a day. Inside, you'll find great resources, including the Learning Commons, with comfortable places to study, wireless internet and network ports, multiple print and computer workstations, and laptop rentals, and a popular café. You can also access library assistance, academic advising, and technical support. The Learning Resource Center offers talented peer advising in a comfortable environment to assist with academic challenges. The University Writing Center has tutors who provide free assistance to develop better writing skills.

Honors Program

Commonwealth College is the honors college on campus, which offers a tightly knit community for students seeking more academic rigor in their field of study. All NSM students who meet the eligibility requirements can join Commonwealth College, which offers a rewarding opportunity to meet students who share the same intellectual enthusiasm, work more closely with professors, and pursue independent research as part of a Capstone Experience.

Academic Community Program

Residential Academic Programs (RAP) offer unique living and learning opportunities designed to help first-year students transition to college. Once you've joined a RAP, you become part of a small community on a large campus, living in a designated residence hall with other students who share similar academic interests or majors and enrolling in specific classes together. There is a specific RAP for Astronomy, Biology, Computer Science, and Physical Sciences, as well as more general options.

Scholarships

NSM offers more than 50 scholarships for students majoring in NSM disciplines. Please see our Scholarships page for information about the individual awards and how to apply.

Undergraduate Research Opportunities

To find out more about opportunities to do research during the semester or the summer, check out the NSM Undergraduate Research Opportunities page.