Natural Sciences

In the Natural Sciences Department we believe that the best way to learn science is by doing it — by involvement in thoughtfully designed laboratory work which includes self-designed experiments and by exposure to current methods and questions in the field. We believe that this is important even for non-science majors, because of both the understanding of science that comes from it and the teamwork and analytical skills that are developed — skills that are valuable in any setting.

Peter Ruiz-Haas, Co-Chair, Chemistry

Maria Craig, Connor Koellner, Peter Ruiz-Haas

Mary Baldwin University offers minors in Chemistry and Physics. These disciplines are central to science and provide backgrounds for pursuing careers in biology, medicine, applied mathematics, and scientific research.

Mary Jane Epps, Co-Chair, Biology

Kadrin Anderson, Paul Callo, Paul Deeble, Rebecca Haberman

Students who major in Biology integrate technique and theory. Whether they are contributing to faculty research or working on a self-designed project, Biology majors have access to equipment and the opportunity to conduct hypothesis-driven research at a high level intended to make an impression in graduate school and beyond. It is expected that this research will incorporate sophisticated techniques and instrumentation and skill in using the primary research literature; this culminates in an original and substantial senior research project and the presentation and defense of a thesis.

Paul Deeble, Rebecca Haberman, Coordinators, Clinical Laboratory Science

Clinical laboratory science is the allied health profession of those who perform the major laboratory diagnostic tests in hospitals, clinics, and research laboratories.