Biology | Chemistry | Environmental Science | General Science | Mathematics | Physics

Biology
Biology is a science that considers the processes of life at the molecular, cellular, organismal, populational and evolutionary levels. Students of biology will learn fundamental concepts within each of these areas. Once the foundation of biological concepts has been achieved, students will select courses from three key areas of biology. Science involves the search for understanding by proposing hypotheses and testing them to determine if they are valid. In classes starting in the freshman year through the senior year, students will be asked to conduct research projects based upon a hypothesis testing method.

As seniors, students will consider the role of science in society as well as the limits of science in a capstone seminar. Minor Requirements >>

Chemistry
Chemistry is the science that strives to understand the properties of materials and the transformations they undergo. Called the “Central Science,” chemistry plays a key role in many different fields: agriculture, food, medicine, geology, energy production, metallurgy, polymers and plastics, to name a few. The chemistry program at Buena Vista University offers courses in the traditional areas: inorganic, organic, analytical, physical and biochemistry, and some in newer fields, such as environmental and materials. Chemistry graduates have entered several of the above fields, more recently in areas such as medicine, pharmaceuticals, research, forensic science, teaching, chemical engineering and industry, often after pursuing graduate education. Minor Requirements >>

Environmental Science
This program is open to both science and non-science majors who have an interest in or wish to work in areas related to the environment. Such areas could include: analytical chemistry, conservation biology, environmental law, public policy/planning, regulatory agency work and environmental education. Minor Requirements >>

General Science
General science is selected by students planning to enter a wide variety of vocations. A number of pre-professional students will major in general science prior to entering schools of medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, medical technology, physical therapy, etc. The major is also designed for students interested in teaching science in the public schools by encouraging a broad acquaintance with biology, chemistry, general physical science, physics and mathematics. Minor Requirements >>

Mathematics
Mathematics is the discipline that analyzes the quantitative behavior of naturally occurring as well as human-designed systems. Through mathematical analysis we gain a more complete understanding of such diverse areas as motion of objects within systems from planetary to subatomic levels, growth and decline of populations from human to cellular levels, the flow and growth of money within financial systems, the secure dissemination and retrieval of information in communications systems, and many other such applications. With a firm grounding in mathematics, we are better prepared to more thoroughly understand the nature of the world and society in which we live and work, and to predict the future behavior of the systems with which we interact on a daily basis.

Through the study of mathematics at Buena Vista University, students learn the broad array of concepts and techniques required for studying the quantitative behavior of the varied systems of the world in which we live. A major in mathematics can lead to careers in areas such as actuarial science, statistical analysis, computer science, financial analysis, cryptography, a cognate field such as physics or engineering, and teaching. Minor Requirements >>

Physics
Physics is the discipline that studies the natural behavior of the physical universe. It considers phenomena as large as clusters of galaxies to smaller than a proton. Some examples of the branches of physics are: Astronomy, Astrophysics, Optics, Solid State, Nanotechnology, Computational, Nuclear, Medical Physics and Biophysics. Graduates of this program can work in engineering, computer science, and other technical fields. Graduates also go onto graduate programs in any branch of physics, engineering or computer science. Also, graduates enter professional fields such as medicine or law where problem-solving skills are essential. Minor Requirements >>

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