School of Physical and Life Sciences

Dr. Richard R. Cohoon, Dean
McEver Hall, Room 45
(479) 9680498
Richard.Cohoon@mail.atu.edu
Fax: (479) 964-0837

The School of Physical and Life Sciences is subdivided into three administrative units: The Departments of Biological Science, Physical Science, and Nursing. These departments offer a variety of major programs leading to baccalaureate and associate degrees. The School also serves a special role in providing the principal curricular needs of students seeking to enter professional schools of medicine, dentistry, medical technology, optometry, pharmacy, chiropractic, and others. A secondary service is that of contributing to the general education of those students majoring outside of the School of Physical and Life Sciences.

Students earning degrees in the School of Physical and Life Sciences are in a particularly enviable position. Their undergraduate education makes them eligible to compete for immediate employment in a variety of professional positions or for entry into graduate school.

The School of Physical and Life Sciences offers programs of study leading to baccalaureate and associate degrees as listed below:

Bachelor of Science
Biology, also with an Environmental option
Chemistry with A.C.S. Approved, Environmental, and General options
Engineering Physics
Fisheries and Wildlife Biology
Geology with Professional and Environmental options
Health Information Management
Medical Technology
Physical Science with General, Physics, and Nuclear Physics options
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Nursing
Associate of Science
Medical Assistant

Environmental Science

Three environmental science degree options are available as follows: B.S. in biology-environmental option, B.S. in chemistry-environmental option, and B.S. in geology-environmental option. The student interested in environmental science should choose the program that best suits his or her interest based on background, competencies, and career objectives.

Arkansas Tech University's location in the Arkansas River Valley between the Ouachita and Ozark mountains is ideally suited to environmental programs. With the diversity of ecosystems and geological formations found, the area serves as an outdoor laboratory encompassing habitats that range from wetland and riparian ecosystems to upland coniferous and mountaintop deciduous forests. Swamps, streams, rivers, and lakes dot the landscape. Geological formations ranging in age from Ordovician to Pennsylvanian are within easy field trip distance from the University. Crop farming, hog and poultry production, a nuclear-powered electricity generating plant, coal strip mining, urban centers, and a multi-use national forest provide ample opportunities for studying the impact of modern society on ecosystems and the natural environment.

The employment opportunities in environmental science are good and projected to continue to increase. Graduates may find employment with environmental consulting companies, local, state, or federal governmental agencies, and private companies that have significant environmental impact. Environmental scientists are involved in the following types of studies: environmental impact analysis, pollution assessment and control, solid waste landfill location and management, ecosystem analysis, surface and groundwater resources, and air quality, and many others.

The student interested in a specific environmental science curriculum should refer to the appropriate section of this book. For example, the B.S. in biology-environmental science option is listed with the other biology curricula.

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