College of Sciences at UCF: An Overview
The College of Sciences at the University of Central Florida (UCF) is a cornerstone of the university, providing a wide range of academic programs and research opportunities. UCF, a comprehensive research university, enrolls a diverse student body representing all 50 states and 149 countries. With over 69,500 students, UCF is one of the nation's largest universities. The College of Sciences plays a vital role in upholding the university's mission of offering educational and research programs that complement the economy.
Establishment and Structure
The College of Sciences was officially established in October 2005, emerging from a division of the former College of Arts & Sciences. The college is structured into two primary divisions: the Division of Natural Sciences and the Division of Social and Behavioral Sciences. The Division of Natural Sciences houses the National Center for Forensic Science, while the Division of Social and Behavioral Sciences includes the Nicholson School of Communication, one of the largest schools of communication in the nation. Additionally, the college is home to the Lou Frey Institute of Politics and Government.
Academic Programs
The College of Sciences offers a wide array of degree programs, encompassing disciplines from the physical and biological sciences to the social, behavioral, and computational sciences. These programs provide the foundations needed for critical thinking and career success. The college offers degrees in actuarial science, anthropology, biology, chemistry, forensic science, international and global studies, mathematics, physics, political science, psychology, social sciences, sociology, and statistics.
Experiential Learning
A key component of the College of Sciences' educational approach is the emphasis on experiential learning. Students have opportunities to participate in internships, research, and field work both locally and internationally. These experiences provide practical, real-world skills and complement classroom learning. UCF has established extensive partnerships with businesses and industry in the central Florida area and beyond that provide students with exceptional research and learning experiences. These partnerships bring practical learning environments to UCF students through co-op and internship programs, and joint curriculum development strategies are used throughout the university.
Research Opportunities
The College of Sciences is committed to advancing knowledge through research. Faculty members and students engage in research across a variety of fields, contributing to advancements in science and technology. The Institute for Simulation and Training gives students the opportunity to pursue undergraduate research. The College of Optics and Photonics allows faculty members and students to work directly with industrial personnel in conducting basic and applied research at the regional and national level. The Central Florida Research Park, located next to the UCF campus, houses more than 145 high-technology firms and agencies with approximately 10,000 employees. This proximity fosters relationships between industry and the University, which strengthens the academic programs at UCF.
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Student Life
The University of Central Florida is a member of the NCAA and the American Athletic Conference. All teams compete on the NCAA Division 1 Level. UCF's men's teams compete in intercollegiate baseball, basketball, football, golf, soccer, and tennis. Women's teams compete in basketball, cross-country, golf, rowing, soccer, softball, tennis, track and field, and volleyball. Intercollegiate coed club activities include championship cheerleading, crew, and waterskiing teams. The university offers an extensive intramural sports program. Students participate in over 650 organizations, including special interest clubs, multicultural associations, fraternities and sororities, honor societies, and academic and pre-professional organizations. The Office of Student Involvement schedules a wide array of extracurricular programs, including concerts, movies, and guest speakers.
Campus Environment
UCF's 1,415-acre Main Campus in East Orlando provides a safe and serene setting for learning, with natural lakes and woodlands. The university provides housing for approximately 12,140 students on campus and through affiliated housing. The many attractions of Orlando lie a short distance away: the Orlando Magic, the Orlando City Soccer Club, the Kennedy Space Center, major film studios, Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, Sea World, and sandy beaches are all nearby. In addition to the academic programs offered on the Main Orlando campus, the Rosen College of Hospitality Management campus, the UCF Downtown campus, and the Health Sciences campus, upper division students can work toward a degree at 11 UCF Connect Campuses around the central Florida area. These campuses work cooperatively with local state colleges to provide all four years of course work in many academic areas. The library houses over 1.8 million print volumes and subscribes to more than 50,000 periodicals and journals (49,000 in electronic format). Students have access to an online computer catalog that provides information on the collections of the State University System libraries. An extensive online network of more than 500 computer PC's, laptops and iPads cover the campus.
Admission and Costs
Admission to UCF is competitive. As an incoming first-year student, you should apply between September and November of your high school senior year if you plan to enroll the following summer or fall semester. By applying early, you may benefit from scholarship consideration and housing availability. A freshman applicant is a student with fewer than 12 hours of college coursework after high school graduation. The most important criteria in the admission decision for these applicants is the high school academic record, rigor of coursework, grade point average, grade trends, and SAT I or ACT test scores. UCF operates on a rolling admission basis. Students are generally notified of their initial admission decision within two to three weeks after receipt of the application and all supporting documents. If the number of qualified applicants exceeds the number that the university is permitted to enroll, a waiting list will be established. All applicants must have earned a minimum of 18 high school academic units (yearlong courses that are not remedial in nature). These include 4 units of English (3 must include substantial writing), 4 units of mathematics at or above algebra I, 3 units of natural science (2 must include a laboratory), 3 units of social science, 2 units of one world language, and 2 units of academic electives. Grades in honors courses, International Baccalaureate, Advanced Placement, AICE and dual enrollment courses are given additional weight in the GPA computation. Students must meet the Florida Board of Governors minimum eligibility to be considered for admission. Applicants should understand that the satisfaction of minimum requirements does not automatically guarantee admission to UCF. Admission requirements for Transfer applicants vary by the number of college credit hours the student has successfully completed prior to enrolling at UCF. A transfer credit summary evaluation is provided to students once they are offered admission to UCF. Students are encouraged to apply several months in advance. It is recommended that freshman students apply early during the fall semester of their senior year. Applications are accepted up to one year prior to the start of the term for which entry is desired. Priority application deadlines are May 1 for the fall term (July 1 for transfers), November 1 for the spring term, and March 1 for the summer term. The school's in-state tuition and fees are $6,368; out-of-state tuition and fees are $24,076. Forty-seven percent of first-year students receive need-based financial aid, and the average net price for federal loan recipients is $9,949.
Rankings and Recognition
In the 2026 edition of Best Colleges, University of Central Florida is ranked No. #117 in National Universities. It's also ranked No. #15 in Most Innovative Schools. The student-faculty ratio at University of Central Florida is 28:1, and it utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. University of Central Florida accepts the Common Application.
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