Natural Sciences

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David S. Conant, Professor (Botany)
Theresa Conant, Laboratory Technician 
Alan Giese, Assistant Professor (Biology)
Alison S. Lathrop, Associate Professor (Geology)
Elizabeth Wilkinson, Assistant Professor (Chemistry) 
Metin Yersel, Professor (Physics, Environmental Science)

B.S. Environmental Science
B.S. Natural Sciences
Liberal Studies Concentrations (see Liberal Studies)
Licensure in Secondary Education (See Secondary Education)
Minors: Biology, Chemistry, Geology, Physics
Pre-Engineering Curricula
Pre-Health Professional Curricula
Pre-Nursing Curricula

Program Mission Statement

The Department of Natural Sciences serves the college community by offering general courses that introduce non-science majors to the various areas of scientific knowledge and endeavors, and by providing majors with the foundation of knowledge and experience they need to pursue careers or further education in the natural sciences.

Program Goals

The Department of Natural Sciences offers programs which lead to a B.S. with majors in Environmental Science, Natural Sciences or Natural Sciences-Secondary Education, and a Master of Science for Teachers (MST). The goals of the department are to:

• prepare students for careers in both the physical and the biological aspects of environmental science. In particular this means our graduates must be competent in all aspects of laboratory work and safety and that they have a broad-based education in the sciences.
• provide training for secondary school science teachers. In particular this means that students who choose this path must be provided a curriculum that allows them to meet the state requirements for licensure.
• prepare students for careers in the earth, physical or life sciences by offering a broad spectrum of courses that will give them the basic background for further graduate study. In particular this means that we must provide specialized upperdivision course work in addition to a broad-based education in the sciences.

Program Assessment

As is evident from our goals, preparation of our majors for careers in the environmental sciences, natural sciences, science education, and graduate school is our objective. In order to evaluate the success we have in meeting these objectives, continued contact with our graduates is essential. This is accomplished both informally and formally. A formal survey of graduates is taken on a regular basis, and informal feedback is collected on an on-going basis.

Requirements for the Science Majors

The requirements set forth in each of the majors are minimal criteria. In general, majors should pursue as academically rigorous a program as their capabilities dictate. Priority in scheduling should be given to required courses in a major.

Students in the Secondary Science Education major must achieve eligibility for practice teaching (see requirements).

All science majors are strongly recommended to take a computer science course.

Residency Requirement for Science Education Students

Students must ordinarily fulfill a residency requirement of one year of full-time study within the Natural Sciences department, under the advisorship of the Science Education Coordinator, before enrolling in Student Teaching, EDU-4040. Candidates demonstrating acceptable preparation in science may request that the requirement be waived.

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