School of Arts and Sciences

Department of Natural Sciences

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Biology & Chemistry Degrees

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.

OUR BACHELOR’S DEGREES

The Department of Natural Sciences offers two (2) Bachelor of Arts degrees: one in Biology and one in Chemistry.

BIOLOGY MAJOR

Student Learning Outcomes Upon completion of the Biology major, students will be able to do the following:
  • Identify, describe, and explain the basic terminology, concepts, methodologies and theories used within the biological sciences (Content).
  • Analyze biological information and develop reasoned based solutions to problems using the    processes and applications of scientific inquiry using ethical behaviors (Critical Thinking).
  • Communicate knowledge, ideas, and reasoning clearly and effectively in written and oral forms appropriate to the biological sciences (Communication).
Program Outcomes As a result of successful completion of the Biology Program, graduates will be able to do the following:
  • Matriculate to graduate and professionals schools or accept employment within the field of biological sciences.
  • Have participated in an extracurricular research experience.
  • Pass the Senior Exit Examination on the first attempt.
A major in biology requires a minimum of thirty-two (32) semester hours of biology courses, three (3) hours of mathematics courses, sixteen (16) hours of chemistry courses, and eight (8) hours of physics courses.

CHEMISTRY MAJOR

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the Biology major, students will be able to do the following:

  • Identify, describe, and explain the basic terminology, concepts, methodologies and theories used within the biological sciences (Content).
  • Analyze biological information and develop reasoned based solutions to problems using the    processes and applications of scientific inquiry using ethical behaviors (Critical Thinking).
  • Communicate knowledge, ideas, and reasoning clearly and effectively in written and oral forms appropriate to the biological sciences (Communication).

Program Outcomes

As a result of successful completion of the Biology Program, graduates will be able to do the following:

  • Matriculate to graduate and professionals schools or accept employment within the field of biological sciences.
  • Have participated in an extracurricular research experience.
  • Pass the Senior Exit Examination on the first attempt.

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.

MAJOR AREA REQUIREMENTS IN BIOLOGY

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

MAJOR AREA REQUIREMENTS IN CHEMISTRY

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


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


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

SPECIAL PROGRAMS IN BIOLOGY

Biomedical Sciences (Pre-medicine) Program

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:

  • include a minimum GPA of 3.0
  • include appropriate high school courses in math, biology, chemistry, and physics.

A few courses to consider when pursuing a biomedical sciences course of study are listed below:

  • All Biology or Chemistry Major Required Courses
  • BMS 235: Introduction to Biostatistics
  • BIO 332: General Ecology
  • BIO 335: Human Anatomy and Physiology I
  • BIO 336: Human Anatomy and Physiology II
  • BIO 343: Biochemistry I
  • BIO 349: Microbiology
  • BMS 430: Public Health
  • BMS 434: Biochemistry II Metabolic Pathways and Clinical Applications
  • BMS 435: Medical Terminology

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)

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.

SCHOLASTIC PROGRAM IN THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL SCIENCES

Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation (Summer Bridge)

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.

Program Objectives:

The ALSAMP summer bridge program provides the following assistance to students:

  • Facilitate the transition of students from high school to Stillman To engage students early in Stillman academics
  • Prepare students for the rigorous schedule of STEM majors
  • Establish a faculty and staff support system for students
  • Establish a peer support group for students To increase the retention rate of students

Who Is Eligible?

A student must qualify according to the following:

  • Be an underrepresented minority high school senior accepted to Stillman for upcoming Fall Semester
  • Plan to major in Biology, Chemistry, or Mathematics
  • Have a cumulative high school grade point average of 3.0 or higher
  • Have an ACT score of 19 or higher

Program Requirements:

Admitted students must fulfill the following requirements:

  • Enroll in 9 hours of coursework: ENG 131, MAT 131, and REL 131
  • Participate in orientation, classes, workshops, and closing conference
  • Complete a career exploration project and poster
  • Hold no employment
  • Live in Stillman housing
  • Adhere to all Stillman policies and regulations and ALSAMP Bridge Program Guidelines
  • Participate in the Annual ALSAMP Conference (date to be determined)

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.

FACULTY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCSCI

Dr. Moses Darpolor

Chair and Associate Professor of Biology

(205) 349-4240 ext. 8937

mdarpolor@stillman.edu

Dr. Tasha Drake

Assistant Professor of Chemistry

(205) 349-4240 ext. 8914

tdrake@stillman.edu

Dr. Lisa Gary

Associate Professor, Biomedical Sciences

lgary@stillman.edu

Dr. Lorra Hil

Assistant Professor of Biology

(205) 349-4240 ext. 8898

lhill@stillman.edu

Dr. Sher Kannar

Professor of Physics

(205) 349-4240 ext. 8039

skannar@stillman.edu

Dr. Reginald Little

Associate Professor of Chemistry

rlittle@stillman.edu

Dr. Charlene Walton

Director, Undergraduate Biomedical Academy

cwalton@sitllman.edu

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