School of Natural and Social Sciences
School of Natural and Social Sciences
Dr. Robert T. Kasper, Dean
• Areas of Study
– Biology
– Chemistry/Physical Science
– Computer Science
– Criminal Justice
– Mathematics
– Psychology
– Sociology
– Pre-medical programs
Main questions for this session
1. Where could you go as an MVNU
graduate after finishing a major in the
sciences?
2. What should you expect to be
successful
– as a college student?
– with a major in the sciences?
Where could I go with a degree in Biology?
• Meet Dr. Jim Radcliffe
• MVNU ’76 Biology
• Earned M.D. from the Ohio State
University
• Has practiced surgery in the
Nazarene Hospital in Kudjip,
Papua New Guinea since 1985
• Received the International Award
in Medicine from the American
Medical Association in 2007
• Returned to MVNU as missionary
in (2000 and 2006)
Biology at MVNU
Departmental Programs
• Bachelor of Science in Biology
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Environmental Track
General Track
Graduate School/Industry Track
Pre-Medical/Pre-Dental Track
Pre-Occupational Therapy Track
Pre-Physician Assistant Track
Pre-Physical Therapy Track
• Bachelor of Science in Life Science Education
 prepare to teach science at high school level
Biology
Faculty
Dr. Beal
Dr. Madtes
Dept. Chair
Dr. Fuller
Dr. Mendel
Prof. Ingersol
Dr. Mosher
Where could I go with a degree in Chemistry?
• Meet Aaron Gruver, M.D., Ph.D.
• Son of MVNU Professor Daryl
Gruver (Business Dept.)
• MVNU ’99 Chemistry
• Earned M.D. and Ph.D. at
University of Toledo
• Conducting medical research
at The Cleveland Clinic
Chemistry and Physical Science at MVNU
Departmental Programs
• Bachelor of Science in Chemistry
– Graduate School/ Industry Track
– Biochemistry/Molecular Biology/Pre-Medical Track
– Forensic Science Track (new program with Criminal Justice)
• Bachelor of Science in Physical Science Education
 prepare to teach science at high school level
• Pre-Professional Programs
– Pre-Pharmacy
– Pre-Engineering
– Medical Technology (B.S. degree)
Chemistry
and
Physical
Science
Dr. Lechner
Dept. Chair
Faculty
Prof. Harvel
Dr. Miller
Pre-Medical students at MVNU
• Medical schools allow any major
• All pre-medical students must complete a common core of
science courses (Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics)
• Most major in Biology or Chemistry
• Pre-medical mentoring group available with any major
• Over 100 alumni from MVNU science programs have completed
medical school
• Professions requiring similar preparation:
Allopathic physician (M.D.), Osteopathic physician (D.O.),
Dentist (D.D.S.), Optometrist (O.D.), Veterinarian (D.V.M.),
Pharmacist (Pharm.D.), Podiatrist (D.P.M.), Chiropractor (D.C.)
Where could I go with a degree in
Psychology, Sociology, or Criminal Justice?
• Meet Laurie (Rison) Wells
• MVNU ’92 Psychology and Sociology
• Served as an adult probation officer,
and mediator for Licking County
Common Pleas Court
• Completed J.D. degree in 2005, and
now serves as an attorney
• Mother of two children: Christ gives
strength to balance work and family
Psychology, Sociology and Criminal Justice
Departmental Programs
• Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice
 Prepare for careers in law enforcement, corrections,
investigations, security …
• Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
 Prepare for careers in counseling, human resources,
mental health services, public relations, …
• Bachelor of Arts in Sociology
 Prepare for careers in public policy, human resources,
urban planning, community development, demographic
research, …
Social
Science
Faculty
Dr. Miner
Psychology,
Sociology,
Criminal
Justice
Prof. Bryan
Dept. Chair
Prof. Pickenpaugh
Dr. Caddell
Dr. Wright
Dr. Cronk
Where could I go with a degree in
Mathematics?
• Meet Sara (Bumpus) Brothers
• MVNU ’03 Integrated Mathematics
Education
• Led a team of MVNU students who
assisted with a camp for children
from Harlem, New York City
• Taught math in Bahrain in the
middle east (2004-2006)
Mathematics at MVNU
Departmental Programs
 Bachelor of Science in Integrated Mathematics Education
 Prepare to teach Mathematics at high school level
 Bachelor of Science in Mathematics
 Prepare for careers serving as
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Actuary
Statistician
Biostatistician
Marketing Analyst
Operations Research Manager
Computer Programmer/Analyst
Mathematics Professor
Dr. Noonan
Dept. Chair
Mathematics
Faculty
Prof. Parks
Dr. Strayer
Dr. Whitaker
Where could I go with a degree in
Computer Science?
• Meet Todd Manion
• MVNU ’01 Computer Science
• Program Manager for
Collaboration Technologies
• Windows Networking Division,
Microsoft, Corp.
(Redmond, Washington)
• Received MVNU’s 2001 Service
Above Self Award
Computer Science at MVNU
Departmental Programs
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
 Includes Mathematics minor
Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science
 Choose a minor in any other subject at MVNU
Both majors prepare graduates for careers in software
development and information technology
Computer
Science
Faculty
Dr. Skon
Dept. Chair
Dr. Beutel
Dr. Kasper
• What should you expect
as a college student
in the Natural and Social Sciences?
• University level learning is different from
high school
– Less reliance on memorizing facts and more emphasis on
analysis, synthesis, application and evaluation of information
– More self-directed learning is expected
• High School: about 30 hours/week in class
 10-15 hours outside class
• College: about 15 hours/week in class
 30 hours expected outside class
– At least two hours of study for each hour in class
– Projects may extend over a longer period of time
– Cultivate your intellectual curiosity!
• University level learning is different
from high school
– You have more choices about which courses to
take, BUT …
– many courses have prerequisites, so you will need
to plan ahead with your advisor to avoid delays by
taking courses in the wrong order.
Working with Professors
• Build relationships with professors
– We are here to help you learn.
– We are interested in discussing your plans.
• Remember: YOU are responsible for learning. Professors are
here to guide students in what and how to learn, and to create
an environment in which learning can occur.
• For Science majors: Participate as a lab assistant whenever
possible. You may learn as much in this way as in your regular
classes.
Faculty Advisors
– At orientation (later today) you will schedule courses for Fall
and January term with a professor who is familiar with your
expected major.
– You will be assigned a faculty advisor, and meet during the
fall semester to discuss your goals and schedule courses
for spring.
– Contact your faculty advisor whenever you need to change
your courses or discuss your plans.
– If you change majors, you will be assigned a new advisor in
that academic area.
Scheduling Courses
• Fall and Spring semesters
– Full time students take 12-15 credit hours
– Need to average about 14 credit hours per semester to
graduate in 4 years
– Most courses are 3 or 4 credit hours
• January term
– Full time students take 3-4 credit hours
– One or two courses for only 3 ½ weeks
– Many off-campus course options for sophomore-senior years
Scheduling Courses
• General Education courses (43-44 hours)
– provide a foundation to become a well informed citizen in the
twenty-first century
– develop a Christian worldview
• Major (40-80 hours)
• Minor (17-21 hours)
– Some majors require certain cognate courses instead of a minor.
– You may complete a second major instead of a minor.
• Elective courses
– Schedule when time permits according to your goals and interests.
Consult the MVNU Academic Catalog for details:
http://www.mvnu.edu/catalog/
We are a learning
community
 We work together, as faculty and
students, to learn and grow together.
 Competition between students is not
usually encouraged. Rather, our goal is
to help all students achieve their best.
What does it take to do well in
the natural and social sciences
at MVNU?
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A desire to understand how things work
Hard work
Consistent effort
A commitment to be the best you can be in
preparation for life and service to God and
others.