Academic Opportunities
Small Learning Communities
The University and College of Natural Sciences provides a variety of programs for freshmen to join small learning communities, making the large campus environment more friendly and less intimidating. Some opportunities are for only 1 semester; other opportunities may span the entire college career.
The following links are all external 
Available to all freshmen who are not part of other learning community experiences:
Entry by application or invitation:
- Emerging
Scholars Program (ESP), provides motivated students with an opportunity
to study mathematics or chemistry in a challenging but friendly environment
- Texas Interdisciplinary
Plan (TIP), provides the advantages of a small college environment
within a large research institution to a select group of exceptionally motivated and
persistent students through a 4 year program
- Dean's
Scholar Program, offers exceptional science majors the unique opportunity
to enrich their undergraduate education by being introduced to cutting-edge research
and being in contact with superior students with similar aptitudes and
interests
- Turing Scholar Program, provides an honors curriculum culminating in computer science research for highly talented students who are intrigued by the potential of computing and the excitement of problem solving.
Interdisciplinary Study
The University offers many opportunities for students to study multiple intellectual areas, either within their degree plans or by seeking additional undergraduate degrees:
- Forum Seminars, offering a range of approaches to contemporary social and intellectual issues
- Bridging Disciplines Program, an interdisciplinary certificate program
- Connexus Clusters, co-registration in 2-3 courses that approach a common topic from different disciplinary perspectives
- Study
Abroad, providing over 450 UT sponsored study abroad programs.
Professional Preparation
The University prepares students for a variety of professional activities through special academic programs incorporated into the degrees they seek:
Simultaneous Majors
Students may declare 2 official majors at the University if they are interested in seeking more than 1 degree in a process known as declaring a simultaneous major.
Many students refer to this status as being a double major. The benefits of being a simultaneous major are:
- Registration access to classes in both declared majors
- Easy identification of major status by 2 different academic departments
(ex. for scholarship and other opportunities limited to that major)