The Biology, Chemistry and Biochemistry Department strives to develop wise and honorable citizens capable of excelling as witnesses of Christ and in their vocations within the biological and physical sciences or elsewhere.
The study of Chemistry and Biochemistry endeavors to develop students who possess high-level numerical, computational, experimental, and analytical abilities seeking to prepare students to formulate, investigate, analyze and articulate solutions to major scientific, technological, environmental, and health problems in the natural sciences. In concert with the Great Commission, the study of physical sciences embraces the idea that its curricula should actively encourage and prepare students to develop theologically sound and scientifically solid connections between the Christian faith and the discipline.
The Biochemistry major will engage students at the interface of chemistry and biology. Students will apply the principles learned in chemistry to how biology works in the cell and at the organism level. Students will be able to specialize in different areas of biochemistry by choosing electives that are in line with their future goals.
Program Learning Outcomes:
- Chemical Knowledge: Describe and utilize key facts and concepts in chemistry.
- Literature Awareness: Read and critique peer-reviewed scientific literature.
- Scientific Method: Apply scientific methods to investigate, formulate, analyze, and solve problems involving chemistry.
- Problem Solving: Articulate and validate strategies and processes necessary to solve numerical and logical problems.
- Chemistry Writing: Construct a written cogent and logical scientific argument that adheres to an appropriate scientific style.
- Articulate Chemistry Concepts: Use multiple tools (e.g., graphs, numerical data, and mathematical/symbolic notation) to represent chemical ideas.
- Chemistry Presentation: Give a succinct oral presentation on a topic in chemistry.
- Faith-Science Integration: Identify and develop theologically sound and scientifically rigorous connections between the Christian faith and chemistry.
- Community Service: Collaborate on chemistry-themed community service projects.