The Department of Natural Sciences offers a challenging curriculum in biology or chemistry. Also, in cooperation with the Department of Education, the Department of Natural Sciences offers courses that certify graduates to teach science in secondary schools. The department provides classes and support activities that prepare students for standardized tests required for successful program completion and entry into graduate and professional schools. Classes also are offered in the department for non-majors to complete general physical and life science requirements.
The Department of Natural Sciences offers two (2) Bachelor of Arts degrees: one in Biology and one in Chemistry.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the Biology major, students will be able to do the following:
Program Outcomes
As a result of successful completion of the Biology Program, graduates will be able to do the following:
The major in chemistry consists of a minimum of thirty-three (33) credit hours in chemistry and sixteen (16) credit hours of cognate courses in Physics and Calculus.
BIO 141: General Biology I
BIO 142: General Biology II
BIO 231: Zoology
BIO 232: Plant Organization
BIO 334: Principles of Genetics
BIO 420: Senior Seminar in Biology
BIO 448: Cell Physiology
9 credits in BIO Electives
MAT 132: Trigonometry and Analytic Geometry
CHM 141: General Chemistry I
CHM 142: General Chemistry II
CHM 343: Organic Chemistry I
CHM 344: Organic Chemistry II
PHY 243: Physics I
PHY 244: Physics II
CHM 141: General Chemistry I
CHM 142: General Chemistry II
CHM 247: Analytical Chemistry I
CHM 248: Analytical Chemistry II
CHM 343: Organic Chemistry I
CHM 344: Organic Chemistry II
CHM 420: Seminar in Chemistry
PHY 243: Physics I
PHY 244: Physics II
MAT 145: Calculus I
MAT 146: Calculus II
Physical Chemistry or Biochemistry Sequence
For the chemistry major, students must select between a sequence in Physical Chemistry or Biochemistry:
CHM 345: Physical Chemistry I and CHM 346: Physical Chemistry II
OR
BIO 343: Biochemistry I and BMS 434: Biochemistry II Metabolic Pathways and Clinical Applications
BIO 131: Life Science 3 credits
BIO 141: General Biology for Majors I 4 credits
BIO 142: General Biology for Majors II 4 credits
BIO 143: Biology for Education Majors I 4 credits
BIO 144: Biology for Education Majors II 4 credits
BIO 231: Zoology 3 credits
BIO 232: Plant Organization 3 credits
BIO 332: General Ecology 3 credits
BIO 334: Principles of Genetics 3 credits
BIO 335: Human Anatomy and Physiology I 3 credits
BIO 336: Human Anatomy and Physiology II 3 credits
BIO 343: Biochemistry I 4 credits
BIO 349: Microbiology 4 credits
BIO 420: Senior Seminar in Biology 2 credits
BIO 431: Special Topics in Biology I 3 credits
BIO 432: Special Topics in Biology II 3 credits
BIO 433: Environmental Science 3 credits
BIO 448: Cell Physiology 4 credits
BMS 235: Introduction to Biostatistics 3 credits
BMS 430: Public Health 3 credits
BMS 434: Biochemistry II Metabolic Pathways & Clinical Applications 3 credits
BMS 435 : Medical Terminology 3 credits
CHM 141: General Chemistry I 4 credits
CHM 142: General Chemistry II 4 credits
CHM 247: Analytical Chemistry I 4 credits
CHM 248: Analytical Chemistry II 4 credits
CHM 343: Organic Chemistry I 4 credits
CHM 344: Organic Chemistry II 4 credits
CHM 345: Physical Chemistry I 4 credits
CHM 346: Physical Chemistry II 4 credits
CHM 420: Seminar in Chemistry 2 credits
PHY 131 : Physical Science 3 credits
PHY 141 : Physical Science 4 credits
PHY 243 : Physics I 4 credits
PHY 244 : Physics II 4 credits
BIOLOGY MINOR | CHEMISTRY MINOR |
A minor in biology consists of a minimum of twenty (20) credit hours. | A minor in chemistry consists of a minimum of twenty (20) credit hours. |
MINOR AREA REQUIREMENTS IN BIOLOGY | MINOR AREA REQUIREMENTS IN CHEMISTRY |
BIO 141: General Biology I | CHM 141: General Chemistry I |
BIO 142: General Biology II | CHM 142: General Chemistry II |
BIO 231: Zoology | CHM 343: Organic Chemistry I |
BIO 334: Principles of Genetics | CHM 344: Organic Chemistry II |
6 credits in BIO Electives | 4 credits in CHM Elective |
CAREER OPTIONS IN BIOLOGY | CAREER OPTIONS IN CHEMISTRY |
Industrial, academic, or government laboratory technician | Industrial, academic, or government laboratory technician |
Biology educator | Chemistry educator |
Dentistry | Pharmaceutical specialist |
Optometry | Medicine |
Physical therapy | Meteorologist |
Public health | Forensic science technician |
Veterinary medicine | Toxicologist |
Civil and mechanical engineering | |
Epidemiologist | |
Health administration |
Stillman’s Biomedical Science (Pre-Medicine) Program provides a broad-based course of study in the liberal arts that makes it possible for a student to meet the requirements for biomedical graduate and professional programs (medical, dental, pharmacy, optometry, etc.) while majoring in a specific discipline. To pursue a biomedical science course of study at Stillman, one may elect a program leading to a biology or chemistry degree. Stillman College students who successfully complete its rigorous Biomedical Science Program will meet the requirements for admission to both medical school and other professional programs and will possess the skills necessary for further success in that direction.
Criteria for admission to the Biomedical Sciences Program are listed below:
A few courses to consider when pursuing a biomedical sciences course of study are listed below:
Students interested in additional information about the Biomedical Sciences Program should contact the Chair of the Department of Natural Sciences, Dr. Moses Darpolor at mdarpolor@stillman.edu.
Stillman College Undergraduate Biomedical Academy (SCUBA) is designed to help students build strong foundations in the core courses required for success in the biomedical and health sciences. The goal of SCUBA is to create exceptionally prepared and academically strong students ready to apply and matriculate in biomedical and health sciences’ professional degree programs after graduating from Stillman College.
As a part of SCUBA, students will engage in activities to increase their exposure and understanding of biomedical and health sciences’ careers, be introduced to professionals whose life experiences might parallel the students’ and how students can learn from the professionals’ journeys, and gain insight into academic preparedness in areas, such as testing-taking, communication, and critical thinking.
For more information about the Stillman College Undergraduate Biomedical Academy, please contact Dr. Charlene Walton, Director of SCUBA, at cwalton@stillman.edu.
The Alabama Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation (ALSAMP) Summer Bridge Program is a six-week academic opportunity funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) for underrepresented minority students accepted to Stillman College for the fall and who plan to major in Biology, Chemistry or Mathematics.
The ALSAMP summer bridge program provides the following assistance to students:
A student must qualify according to the following:
Admitted students must fulfill the following requirements:
Persons interested in additional information about the Alabama Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation Summer Bridge Program should contact the director of ALSAMP at Stillman and Assistant Professor Dr. Lorra Hill at lhill@stillman.edu.
Dr. Moses Darpolor
Chair and Associate Professor of Biology
Dr. Charlene Walton
Director, Undergraduate Biomedical Academy
(205) 773-2848 ext 8133
Stillman College participates in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements.
