Sciences undergraduate at Spring Hill College
Sciences Division
The Division of Sciences offers courses in biology, chemistry, environmental chemistry, mathematics, physics, and engineering.
Majors are offered in biology, chemistry, environmental chemistry, and mathematics. In addition, the division offers a special dual degree program in engineering. All of these majors lead to the degree of Bachelor of Science. Special options are available for students interested in medicine, dentistry, and marine biology.
Division of Sciences
Pre-Dental, Pre-Medical and Pre-Optometry
Students who plan a career in dentistry, medicine, or optometry need not pursue a major in one of the sciences; but the majors which can most easily be adapted to their needs are in biology and chemistry. The professional schools will require basic biology and chemistry courses for admission. Other helpful courses are physical chemistry, embryology, genetics, and calculus. These are most easily taken by students majoring in biology or chemistry.
Chairs of departments other than biology and chemistry are prepared, upon request from the academic vice president for accommodation of students desiring it, to draft special programs of study which will satisfy at the same time the graduation requirements of their own departments and the particular entrance requirements of professional schools.
Most professional schools require applicants to take special admissions tests, preferably at the end of the junior year. An early decision regarding preparation for these professional schools is therefore necessary in order to fulfill the requirements in their proper sequence and on schedule, to prepare for this test, and to meet the deadline for application to the various professional schools. Full cooperation and frequent conferences with the student’s academic advisor are essential.
Post-Baccalaureate Premedical Studies Program
The Postbaccalaureate Premedical Studies program is a highly selective program designed for graduates who typically have non-science backgrounds and who seek admission into medical, dental, veterinary, and other health care professional schools. The program involves basic science courses, takes two full years to complete, requires application for admission through a special committee, and carries the Continuing Studies undergraduate tuition rate. Access to this program is available via Continuing Studies admission. [More Info]
Biology
Departmental Web site for Biology
The general objectives of the Department of Biology are (1) to provide all students of the College with the opportunity of learning the general principles of the life sciences necessary for a complete liberal education, and (2) to provide a major for those students who wish to acquire a more detailed knowledge of biology.
The first of these objectives is attained by offering courses in general biology (including the major groups of living organisms) and in human biology. The second objective is realized by offering a major designed to prepare students for graduate studies in the life sciences, the health professions, or teaching. The department provides three concentrations: cellular and molecular biology, marine biology, and pre-health science (for those preparing for a career in the life sciences such as medicine, dentistry, optometry, veterinary medicine and other paramedical fields).
Chemistry, Physics and Engineering
Chemistry
The purpose of the Chemistry Program is to provide an opportunity for all students to learn the fundamentals of chemistry and to offer a series of courses which, together with the College’s core curriculum, will give a broad education and prepare students for a wide range of career opportunities. A clear understanding of chemical laws and theories is emphasized in all courses. Experimental techniques and powers of observations are developed through carefully conducted laboratory work. For answers to questions about the major, contact the program coordinator.
Biochemistry
This is an interdisciplinary major offered by the Division of Sciences. Its purpose is to enable students to acquire a strong background in the chemical underpinnings of biology, one of the fastest growing and most important areas of scientific and medical research today. Courses in biology, chemistry, mathematics, and physics provide a solid foundation in the basic sciences. Upper-level courses are designed to integrate these disciplines into a meaningful synthesis. Together with the College’s core curriculum, this program provides students with a broad education and a strong, interdisciplinary background in the sciences, and prepares them for numerous careers, including graduate programs in biochemistry and related fields, medical and allied health professional schools, and the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries.
Engineering (dual degree program)
The purpose of the engineering dual degree program is to prepare students for acceptance at an engineering school. Spring Hill College does not have a school of engineering, but it does have courses in all the areas which are fundamental to engineering training. The courses in mathematics, physics, chemistry, computer programming, etc., which form the basic curriculum of the early years of any engineering program are offered regularly by various departments. Engineering students who make satisfactory progress in their liberal arts education and acquire the engineering fundamentals during three years of study at Spring Hill will be eligible for enrollment in an engineering program with whom Spring Hill College has a dual degree agreement. When all course requirements are completed at one of these engineering schools, Spring Hill College will award a Bachelor of Science degree at the same time as the engineering school awards a Bachelor of Engineering degree.
The engineering dual degree program is sufficiently flexible to accommodate students should they decide to stay at Spring Hill College and major in one of the sciences or a completely non-scientific field. During the entire program the students’ academic counselors will assist the students in finding and preparing for the particular fields for which they are best qualified.
In the engineering dual degree program, emphasis is placed on courses in general physics, general chemistry, analytical geometry and calculus, engineering graphics, and computer programming. This essential core of engineering subjects is rounded out at Spring Hill with courses in English, history, philosophy, theology, social science and fine arts.
Particular programs of study may be tailored to fit individual needs. Mechanical, electrical, and aerospace engineers will need more courses in physics. Chemical engineers will require more concentrated effort in chemistry. Adjustments in students’ programs may be suggested by their academic counselors as need arises.
Mathematics
The goal of the Mathematics Department is to provide Spring Hill students with mathematical ideas and abilities which will help their careers, broaden their minds and enable them to meet the challenges of a lifetime where the understanding of mathematical concepts is necessary for success.
The Mathematics Department offers a program leading to the degree of Bachelor of Science in Mathematics with concentrations possible in the following areas: actuarial mathematics, applied mathematics, pure mathematics and computer analysis.
For those interested in a career in teaching mathematics at the high school level (grades 7-12), the Division of Teacher Education offers a program leading to certification in secondary education combined with a major in mathematics.
Physics
The objective of the physics course offerings is to provide an opportunity for all students to study physics in courses which emphasize physical principles and theories of classical and modern physics. Presently Spring Hill College does not offer a major in physics, but it does offer elementary and advanced courses in physics. Students desiring to study physics should major in mathematics and use the elective hours in the mathematics program for courses in physics.
The courses in physics make available to students of all departments a coherent, comprehensible, and rigorous account of the current state of one of the most stimulating and satisfying intellectual adventures of today. Clear understanding of physical principles and theories is emphasized. Modern experimental techniques and powers of observation are developed in the laboratory.
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