The School of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math is a blend of disciplines producing students prepared to enter roles as teachers, researchers, administrators, health care providers, and valuable members of society in a broad variety of modalities. The titles of the two divisions demonstrate the spectrum of fields represented within STEM:

Natural Sciences Division

Mathematics, Engineering, and Computer Science Division

Each of these divisions contains a number of specialized departments or majors that allow students to prepare for careers serving God by serving those He created. Our focus on equipping students for life-long learning means that the time spent within STEM results in the laying of a solid foundation on which all future learning can be built. The outstanding success of our graduates reflects the quality of the learning that has occurred during their time here.

Natural Sciences Division

The Natural Sciences Division offers the following majors and minors.

Biology Programs

Biology - B.S.

Biology Minor

Biology - A.S.

Biology Education

Environmental Science - B.S.

Environmental Science Minor

Medical Technology - B.S.

Chemistry Programs

Biochemistry - B.S.

Biochemistry ACS - B.S.

Chemistry - B.S.

Chemistry ACS - B.S.

Chemistry Minor

Chemistry - A.S.

Chemistry - A.B.

Chemistry Education

Physics Programs

Physics Major - B.S.

Physics Minor

Pre-Engineering Program

See the Mathematics, Engineering, and Computer Sciences Division section of the catalog for specific information regarding the Pre-Engineering program.

Pre-Health Care Sciences (Non-Nursing) Programs

Pre-Athletic Training

Pre-Chiropractic Medicine

Pre-Dentistry

Pre-Medicine (Allopathic/Osteopathic/Podiatric)

Pre-Occupational Therapy

Pre-Optometry

Pre-Pharmacy

Pre-Physical Therapy

Pre-Physician Assistant

Pre-Public Health

Pre-Speech Pathology/Audiology

Pre-Veterinary Medicine

Biology Programs

The curricula of the Biology Department support the efforts of a wide range of career opportunities. In addition to providing general background for minors in Biology and developing scientific competence in its own majors, the Biology Department provides curricula for Pre-Health Care Sciences (Non-Nursing) program and support courses for other divisional majors with science requirements. We seek to prepare students who major in Biology for (1) graduate studies in biology; (2) entrance into related professional schools of medicine, dentistry, optometry, pharmacy, physical therapy, etc.; and (3) entry-level positions in related fields as laboratory assistants or technicians. The complete biology curricular outline is available upon request.

Related Curricula

The Pre-Health Care Sciences (Non-Nursing) program curricula and the nursing curricula may be found in the Natural Sciences/Health and Human Performance and School of Nursing sections, respectively. In addition to the curriculum for majors, pre-health care science, and pre-nursing students, the Biology Department provides science curriculum to prepare students in other majors like science education, careers in business, or other careers that may demand a knowledge of scientific information. The Biology Department also offers a four-year medical technology program in cooperation with affiliated hospitals.

Science Education majors will complete certain courses within the Biology major as one of the possible content areas leading toward teacher certification. Professionalization of this certification occurs in the Division of Education curricula with the choice of either the single field Biology major or the dual field Biology/Chemistry major. Other campus divisions of study will advise students into service courses that meet their needs for science training related to other career paths.

Chemistry Programs

Purpose

The chemistry programs are designed to provide the student with a general background in chemistry and to develop skills so that one is prepared for (1) graduate studies in chemistry; (2) entrance into professional schools such as medicine, dentistry, optometry, pharmacy, or veterinary medicine; (3) entry-level positions in chemical research laboratories or environmental control laboratories; and (4) chemistry teaching positions.

General Education Competencies

The general education speech and intercultural requirements can be met by enrolling in COM-100, Principles of Communication, and any intercultural activity approved by the general education committee. For chemistry majors/minors, a grade of “C” is required in all chemistry and required cognate courses. Non-majors must obtain a grade of “C” in all prerequisite coursework. Only courses numbered 125 or higher will be counted toward the major or minor.