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Bachelor of Science in Natural Sciences
The Bachelor of Science in Natural Sciences helps you to build a solid foundation in biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, and earth science. This online science program gives you hands-on, at-home laboratory exercises to complement the concepts covered in the classroom. You’ll be taught the history and philosophy of science as well as the scientific method that is essential to research. This online bachelor’s degree helps you develop your skills in scientific analysis, research, communication, and documentation, and study the relationship between the human and the natural world. Knowledge gained from this program can be applied in a variety of fields or to pursue higher-level graduate study in the natural science fields.
In addition, the B.S. in Natural Science meets all content standards of the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA® ) for secondary science education. Therefore, upon completion of this program, you will be eligible to pursue teaching certification through a post-baccalaureate program in education if your goal is to become a high school or middle school science teacher. (This is not a teacher-preparation program and does not lead to licensure. It only covers the needed science content. Students are encouraged to contact their state licensing boards to determine if this program will help them meet their goals.)
This program has specific transfer credit requirements, including time limits on previous courses completed.
NSTA® is a registered trademark of the National Science Teaching Association.
Degree Program Objectives
In addition to the institutional and degree level learning objectives, graduates of this program are expected to achieve these learning outcomes:
- Demonstrate a solid foundation in the theory and application of the natural sciences.
- Apply the scientific method and appropriate tools to investigate and solve problems.
- Demonstrate critical thinking skills in assessing and evaluating problems.
- Formulate scientific models and apply them to solve problems or provide insights into complex issues.
- Apply qualitative and quantitative methods from the scientific domains.
- Use quantitative techniques to solve complex problems.
- Effectively communicate scientific findings verbally and in writing, to both scientific and lay audiences.
Degree at a Glance
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General Education Requirements
30
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Major Required
36
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General Concentration
28
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Final Program Requirement
6
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Elective Requirements
20
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Total Semester Hours
120
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Degree Program Requirements
General Education (30 semester hours)
| Arts & Humanities (6 semester hours) 1 |
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Select 1 course from the following:
3
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| Civics, Political & Social Sciences (6 semester hours) 2 |
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Select 2 courses from the following:
6
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| Communication: Writing, Oral, and Multimedia (9 semester hours) |
| History (3 semester hours) |
| Mathematics and Applied Reasoning (3 semester hours) |
| Natural Sciences (3 semester hours) |
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Total Semester Hours
30
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Major Required (36 semester hours)
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Select 1 course from the following:
4
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Elements of Physics I with Lab
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Physics I with Lab
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Select 1 course from the following:
4
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Elements of Physics II with Lab
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Physics II with Lab
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Total Semester Hours
36
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Concentration in Biology (28 semester hours)
In addition to the general biology courses required in this major, this concentration offers advanced courses to enable you to study biology at a deeper level across multiple scales. The concentration investigates the principles of genetics, heredity, and biological evolution, as well as the structure and function of organisms from the single cell to the complex mammals.
Objectives
Upon successful completion of this concentration, the student will be able to:
- Describe the organization, functions, and biochemical pathways required for life at the cellular level.
- Integrate the laws of chemistry and physics with the principles of cell biology.
- Relate the structures and functions of multicellular organisms with the maintenance of homeostasis.
- Integrate the principles of genetics, heredity, and biological evolution.
- Relate the survival of individual organisms with the principles of population biology, the environment, and biological evolution.
- Describe common research methods in biology.
Concentration Requirements (28 semester hours)
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Select 4 courses from the following:
12
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Total Semester Hours
28
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Final Program Requirement (6 semester hours)
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Total Semester Hours
6
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Elective Requirements (20 semester hours)
Students in the Biology concentration are encouraged to consider the following courses as part of their electives: BIOL201-Principles of Anatomy and Physiology with Lab, BIOL202-Principles of Microbiology with Lab, or the Human Anatomy and Physiology with Lab sequence (BIOL250 and BIOL251).
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Select any courses that have not been used to fulfill requirements listed above. Credits applied toward a minor or certificate in an unrelated field may be used to fulfill elective credit for the major.
20
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Total Semester Hours
20
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All literature courses require successful completion of ENGL101-Proficiency in Writing or ENGL110-Making Writing Relevant.
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All literature courses require successful completion of ENGL101-Proficiency in Writing or ENGL110-Making Writing Relevant.
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Prerequisite: SCIN400-Research Methods in Natural Sciences, senior standing, and completion of all major courses before enrollment. SCIN499 is to be taken as the last course before graduation.