Academics

Working together to achieve our aspirations.

CNS academic programs

About

The College of Natural Sciences (CNS) is dedicated to student-driven, inquiry-based laboratory and classroom experiences.

The world-class research at CNS informs our teaching and student mentoring, and is the backbone of the high-quality educational experience that’s possible only at a research-intensive university. Our undergraduates are encouraged to do independent research in faculty labs and they are high achievers—36 percent of CNS students make the Dean’s List, and 33 percent of CNS seniors graduate with honors. The college has numerous award-winning instructors as well; half of all UMass Distinguished Teaching Awards go to CNS faculty.