Natural Sciences

The Department of Natural Sciences

YC's Natural Sciences Department:

Gives students an awareness of the world in which we live and our responsibilities as inhabitants of this world.
Contains dynamic faculty that instruct and mentor students.
Prepares graduates with analytical and critical thinking skills necessary for most scientific careers.
Boasts graduates who have been accepted into some of the country's top universities and programs for the health professions and other graduate studies. Includes career preparation as physicians, veterinarians, optometrists, physician assistants, pharmacists, chiropractors, nurses, and more.
Develops an appreciation for our scientific heritage and the value of science as processes that are useful to our understanding of our world and ourselves.
Cooperates with the Education Department to offer secondary subject endorsements in Biology Education, Physical Science Education, and Natural Sciences Education, as well as endorsements in science for those majoring in middle school education.
Allows for any of these bachelor degree programs to be obtained with an Athletic Training Emphasis.

Majors

Biology

Chemistry

Natural Science (Engineering)

Pre-Professional

Be More in the York Science Department

Meet Our Faculty

Dr. Alex A. Williams
Chair of the Department of Natural Sciences
Associate Professor of Chemistry

Dr. L. Ray Miller II
Professor of Chemistry

Dr. Milton D. Eckhart
Associate Professor of Biology

Dr. Terence McAuley Kite
Professor of Physics

Mrs. Gail L. Miller
Associate Professor of Biology

Biology

There are two tracks for a biology major at York College. Students may pursue either a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science in Biology. A biology major provides significant career options including:

Various Medical fields
Laboratory work

Aside from graduate studies in biology, other advanced study options include:

Medicine
Veterinary Medicine
Optometry
Physician Assistant
Pharmacy
Chiropractics
Nursing

Courses

Some of the courses you may take include:

College Biology
General Zoology
General Botany
Medical Terminology
Nutrition
Cell Biology

Human Anatomy & Physiology I/ II
General Microbiology
Developmental Biology
Concepts of Biological Origins
Genetics

Chemistry

A Bachelor of Science in Chemistry provides career options in:

Forensic Science
Chemical Analysis and Research
Environmental Research
Pharmaceutical Research
Quality Control
Safety Analysis

Aside from graduate studies in chemistry, other advanced study options include:

Medicine or related health professions
Research
Education
Dentistry
Pharmacy

Courses

Some of the courses you may take include:

College Chemistry I/II
Analytical Chemistry
Organic Chemistry I/II

Physical Chemistry I/II
Biochemistry
Inorganic Chemistry

Natural Science (Engineering)

York College is partnering with several universities to offer a Dual Degree in engineering. In this program, you complete three years at YC, earning credits in science, math, computer science, and general education courses. Then you transfer to a partner school for two years of focused courses in engineering.

You will graduate with two bachelor’s degrees: a Bachelor of Arts in Natural Science from York College and an engineering degree from the second college.

Graduates of the Dual Degree program are highly sought after, as they are liberally educated engineers. Dual Degree students possess strong communication and problem-solving skills, and a broad background in the humanities and social sciences, as well as high-quality technical education.

Not only do you get to enjoy the benefits of attending a Christian college, but completing an engineering degree this way COSTS LESS, too!

The partner schools will offer a variety of engineering specializations including:

Electrical

CMI
Computer
Environmental
Mechanical
Biomedical
Chemical
Systems

Courses

Some of the courses you may take include

Introduction to Engineering
College Chemistry I/II
Introductory Physics I/II
Modern Physics
Analytical Chemistry
Computer Programming (C++)

Inorganic Chemistry
Organic Chemistry I/II
Analytical Geometry & Calculus I/II/III
Elements of Statistics
Differential Equations
Linear Algebra

Pre-Professional Programs

In addition, the Natural Sciences Department also offers the following pre-professional programs:

Pre-Chiropractic
Pre-Dentistry
Pre-Medical Technology
Pre-Medicine
Pre-Nursing
Pre-Pharmacy
Pre-Physician Assistant

Pre-Chiropractic

Each school of chiropractic has its own specific requirements. It usually requires two, three, or even four years to meet the pre-professional prerequisites for chiropractic colleges. Students planning to go into chiropractic work should work closely with their faculty advisor to insure that all pre-requisites are met.

A dual degree program leading to a Bachelor of Science in Biology from York College and a Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Palmer College of Chiropractic (PCC), located in Davenport, Iowa, is available to qualified students. The dual degree program requires a minimum of 90 semester hours in the three year Pre-Chiropractic program. Upon submission of a timely application which meets all of PCC’s criteria for Admission, a York College student shall be eligible to enroll at PCC. Upon graduation from PCC with a degree of Doctor of Chiropractic, York College will award the student a Bachelor of Science degree. Students who successfully complete the dual degree program will be eligible to participate in commencement ceremonies at both PCC and York College.

Pre-Dentistry

The student who is planning a career in dentistry should be familiar with the requirements of the specific professional school of their choice. Typical admissions requirements of schools of dentistry can only be met with at least three years of college work, with a strong preference for a baccalaureate degree. The student can meet admissions requirements with the B.S. in Biology degree plan.

Pre-Medical Technology

A student planning to enter medical technology must complete three years of college, a minimum of 90 semester-hours, before admission to the professional program. Such students should enroll in the general liberal arts program. In addition they should complete BIO 154, 312, 314, 324 and CHM 214, 224, 314, and 325, plus three hours of appropriate mathematics. Some of the science courses can be planned for the junior year. The student should be familiar with the requirements of the desired school of medical technology/allied health. York College offers a BS in General Science with an emphasis in Chemistry/Biology. Students are encouraged to consult closely with their faculty advisor in planning their programs to make sure that all pre-admission requirements are met.

Pre-Medicine

The student who is planning a career in medicine should be familiar with the requirements of the specific professional school of their choice. Typical admissions requirements of medical schools can only be met with at least three years of college work, with a strong preference for a baccalaureate degree. The student can meet admissions requirements with the BS in Biology program.

Pre-Nursing

The following is a typical pre-nursing curriculum. If the student knows which professional nursing program he/she will be attending, the prerequisites for that particular nursing school can be identified and the pre-nursing program can be tailored to fit.

Pre-Pharmacy

The student who is planning a career in Pharmacy should be familiar with the requirements of the specific professional school of their choice. Typical admission requirements to pharmacy programs can be met with three years of college work. The student can meet admissions requirements with the BS in Biology program.

Pre-Physician Assistant

The student who is planning a career as a physician assistant should be familiar with the requirements of the specific professional school of their choice. Typical admissions requirements of P. A. programs can only be met with at least three years of college work, with a strong preference for a baccalaureate degree. The student can meet admissions requirements with the B.S. in Biology program.

Program Learning Outcomes

The learner will investigate, evaluate, comprehend and communicate scientific content
The learner will understand and analyze biological, chemical, and/or physical systems.
The learner will demonstrate safe, responsible, and ethical laboratory techniques.
The learner will be prepared for entrance into scientific field, or graduate school, or professional programs.