|Why
Natural Science?| |Generalist
Perspective on Science| |Overview
of Science Courses|
|The
Unified Curriculum| |4-year
plan| |Switching
Majors| |Pre-professional
Programs|
BS Natural Science Senior Capstone Course: GNSC 411 Cosmology
and Cultures
The Bachelor of Science in Natural Science degree is a generalist program that provides comprehensive experience in the natural sciences. Without sacrificing rigorous preparation in the sciences, this degree program emphasizes breadth of coverage across the major fields (biology, chemistry, physics, astronomy and geology) while at the same time allowing a greater latitude for elective courses and areas of emphasis, even in non-scientific subjects. The generalist philosophy of this program is particularly embodied in its broad curriculum which includes a Planetarium Operations, two History and Philosophy of Science, Earth Sciences and Cosmology and Cultures courses (i.e., particularly with the "General Science" catalog prefix, GNSC). OBU's unique BS program in Natural Science is designed to meet the needs of students who are undecided as to which discipline of science (if any) they would like to specialize in (Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Science Education majors at OBU), and to meet the needs of those students desiring specialized training at the graduate level, particularly in interdisciplinary fields such as the following:
Choose Minor or Electives From:* |
|
---|---|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
*Prerequisites for specific postgraduate programs vary; therefore, consult the academic catalog and/or degree counselors at the institution you plan to attend.
Begin your university career with the BS in Natural Science
program, and then you can switch to another program as your
interests become clear. This major, among other things, is
designed to facilitate easy transfer to degree programs in
Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Science Education. Students in
the BS in Natural Science program are asked to reassess their
major each year. See notes to the four year plan
below for details.
The B.S. in Natural Science is appropriate for students with a
clear professional focus that does not coincide with typical areas
of study in science. It is designed as preparation for graduate
programs in areas such as those listed in the table.
In most cases you would be co-advised by Dr. Mike
Keas and the appropriate faculty member in another discipline
(for example, a psychology professor and/or a biology professor,
if you are interested in psychiatry).
Most pre-med students will choose to major in Biology. However,
some pre-med students may elect the BS in Natural Sciences
program. It contains the course work necessary to prepare for the
MCAT while providing flexibility to broaden your experiences (as
encouraged by many medical school admissions committees). Those
who choose this approach to medical school will need to be
co-advised by one of OBU's science professors.
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
BIOL 203 Botany, 4 BIOL 204 Zoology, 4 BIOL 235 Human Anatomy, 4 BIOL 236 Human Physiology, 4 BIOL 227 Microbiology, 4 |
US 110 AND US 111 |
PHY 241-242College Physics, 4 hrs each OR PHY 251-252 General Physics, 5 hrs each |
|
Calculus I, (3 hrs) AND MATH 200 |
CHEM 310 AND CHEM 311 |
GNSC 312 OR GNSC 313 |
|||
|
GNSC 220 Earth Sciences, 3 AND GNSC 411 Cosmology and Cultures, 3 |
|||
BIOL 301 Molecular & Cellular Biology, 4 BIOL 432 Advanced Topics, 4 |
CHEM 304 Environmental Chemistry, 3 CHEM 305 Biochemistry, 4 CHEM 320 Advanced Lab, 3 |
PHYS 402 Advanced Lab II, 3 |
||
TOTAL: 12-16 hrs |
TOTAL: 16-21 hrs |
TOTAL: 8-13 hrs |
TOTAL: 10 hrs |
TOTAL: 6 hours |
MINIMUM CREDIT HOURS IN MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE: 2+12+8+8+8+1+2+6+6+6/9 = 59/62 hrs |
*Although Natural Sciences majors must take two of PSY 122,
US 121, and US 123, most health-field graduate programs require
all three courses.
BIOL 120: Biology Colloquium I (1 hr)BIOL 121: Biology Colloquium II (1 hr)
Three of:
- BIOL 203: Botany (4 hrs)
- BIOL 204: Zoology (4 hrs)
- BIOL 227: Microbiology (4 hrs)
- BIOL 235: Human Anatomy (4 hrs)
- BIOL 236: Human Physiology (4 hrs)
CHEM 310: Organic Chemistry I (4hr)
CHEM 311: Organic Chemistry II (4hr)
GNSC 250: Planetarium Operations (1 hr)
One of:
GNSC 312: History & Philosophy of Science to Newton (2 hr)GNSC 313: History & Philosophy of Science since Newton (2 hr)
GNSC 320: Earth Sciences (3 hr)
GNSC 411: Cosmology and Cultures (3 hr)
One of:
PHYS 241/242: College Physics I and II (8 hrs)PHYS 251/252: General Physics I and II (10hr)
Two of (each from a different discipline):
- BIOL 301: Molecular Cellular Biology, (4 hrs)
- BIOL 303: Environmental Biology (4 hrs)
- BIOL 432: Advanced Topics (4 hrs)
- CHEM 303: Quantitative Analysis (5 hrs)
- CHEM 304: Environmental Chemistry (3 hrs)
- CHEM 305: Biochemistry (4 hrs)
- CHEM 320: Advanced Lab (3 hrs)
- PHYS 401: Advanced Lab I (3 hrs)
- PHYS 402: Advanced Lab II (3 hrs)
*Fall only |
Total hrs: 0 |
*Spring only |
Only one semester of calculus, MATH 201, is required for a BS
in Natural Science (algebra-based physics, PHY 241-242, must be
your physics choice if you chooses to not take MATH 202).
However, before enrolling for the Sophomore year, reassess
whether you might transfer to a Science
Education, Biology, Chemistry,
or Physics degree:
Just like the BS in Natural Science, only MATH 201 is
required for a BSE in Science Education. Students in these
majors may take the algebra-based physics (PHY 241-242),
although they are encouraged to take the highest mathematics
(up to MATH 201-202) and physics (up to PHY 251-252) that
they are capable of attaining while at OBU.
MATH 201-202 are required for a BS in Biology. Take MATH
201-202 during the Freshman and/or Sophomore years in order
to be ready to take calculus-based physics (PHY 251-252)
during the Junior year with all the other biology
majors.
MATH 201-202 are required for a BS in Chemistry. MATH
203-204, though not listed as requirements in the academic
catalog, are prerequisites for the required calculus-based
Physical Chemistry courses taken in the Senior year. To keep
your options open take MATH 201-202 during the Freshman
and/or Sophomore years.
Four semesters of calculus are required for a BS in Physics
(MATH 201, 202, 203, and 204). The first two semesters (MATH
201-202) should be completed before the Sophomore year, in
order to take MATH 203-204 along with calculus-based physics
(PHY 251-252) during the Sophomore year.
Since many courses are not offered every semester, failing to take
a course (e.g., General Chemistry) in proper sequence may delay
progress for a full year if that course is a prerequisite for
other courses. Get your own copy of the OBU Academic
Catalog, read the course descriptions for your entire program,
then keep it handy and refer to it often. Here are some
important prerequisites to watch out for:
If you want the option of switching to the BS in Biology, plan
ahead
Year
Fall
Spring
Freshmen
.
Calculus II Sophomore Botany Zoology Junior Environmental Biology Molecular and Cellular
and MicrobiologySenior Genetics Developmental Biology
If you want the option of switching to the BS in Chemistry, plan
ahead
Year |
Fall |
Spring |
---|---|---|
Freshmen |
. |
|
|
Calculus III |
Calculus IV |
|
Quantitative Chemistry |
Biochemistry |
|
Advanced Laboratory |
Environmental Chemistry |
Year |
Fall |
Spring |
---|---|---|
Freshmen |
. |
|
|
Calculus III |
Calculus IV |
|
PHYS 305 Optics |
|
|
PHYS 401 Adv. Lab I PHYS 433 Electricity and Magnetism I |
PHYS 434 Electricity and Magnetism II |
Year |
Fall |
Spring |
---|---|---|
Freshmen |
. |
|
|
Human Physiology |
|
|
|
|
|
OR Quantitative Chemistry |
OR Biochemistry |
Look at a four year plan that reflects the above selections for Pre-Pharmacy students
Year |
Fall |
Spring |
---|---|---|
Freshmen |
. |
|
|
Human Physiology |
|
|
Psychology (3 hrs) |
|
|
AND Environmental Biology OR Quantitative Chemistry |
OR Biochemistry |
Look at a four year plan that reflects the above selections for Pre-Occupational Therapy students
Year |
Fall |
Spring |
---|---|---|
Freshmen |
. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
OR Quantitative Chemistry |
|
Look at a four year plan that reflects the above selections for Pre-Optometry students
Year |
Fall |
Spring |
---|---|---|
Freshmen |
. |
|
|
Human Physiology |
|
|
. |
|
|
OR Quantitative Chemistry |
Molecular and Cellular OR Biochemistry |
Look at a four year plan that reflects the above selections for Pre-Physical Therapy students
*Fall only Total hrs: 16 |
Total hrs: 0 |
*Spring only Total hrs: 16 |
Semesters in High School |
OBU Requirement |
---|---|
|
|
|
or I and II of a different language |
When enrolling for the Sophomore or Junior year, consider adopting
a minor and plan your course of electives accordingly. Minors
require 18 hours. There are already 20 hours of electives built-in
to this 4 year plan, however, be aware of
prerequisites. Because of prerequisites, you may need to
modify your 4-year plan and take some elective hours in the
sophomore year. See the list of required
courses for various minors at Oklahoma Baptist
University
*Fall only Total hrs: 16 |
Total hrs: 0 |
*Spring only Total hrs: 16 |
*Fall only Total hrs: 16 |
Total hrs: 0 |
*Spring only Total hrs: 16 |
*Note: Courses taken toward the BS Natural Science major cannot be applied toward minors in Biology and Chemistry.
Welcome to the Science website provided by Oklahoma Baptist University. These pages have been written by the faculty and students of the Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics. These web pages may be printed, copied, and distributed for educational use by any non-profit educational group, so long as they are not edited or altered in any way, nor distributed for profit, nor repackaged or incorporated into any other medium or product, and so long as full credit is given to the OBU Science Program.
Our web pages are never finished, but always under construction! If you find a link that does not work, please Email us.