College of Natural & Health Sciences
The College of Natural and Health Sciences is subdivided into four administrative units: the Departments of Biological Sciences, Mathematics, Nursing, and Physical Sciences. These departments offer a variety of major programs leading to masters and baccalaureate degrees.
The College also serves a special role in providing the principal curricular needs of students seeking to enter professional schools of medicine, dentistry, medical laboratory sciences, optometry, pharmacy, chiropractic, and others. A secondary service is that of contributing to the general education of those students majoring outside of the College of Natural and Health Sciences.
Undergraduate Programs of Study
Students earning degrees in the College of Natural and Health Sciences receive an undergraduate education that prepares them to compete for employment in a variety of careers or for entry into graduate or professional school. The College of Natural and Health Sciences offers programs of study leading to baccalaureate degrees as listed below:
Bachelor of Science
Biology with options in:
Biomedical
General
Chemistry with A.C.S. approved options in:
Biochemistry
Environmental
General
Professional
Engineering Physics
Environmental Science
Fisheries & Wildlife Science*
Geology with options in:
Environmental
Petroleum
Professional
Health Information Management*
Mathematics
Medical Laboratory Science
Nuclear Physics
Physical Science
Physics
Secondary Education with Teacher Licensure in:
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
*Graduate programs also available through the Graduate College.
Pre-Professional Options
Arkansas Tech University offers complete pre-professional education for students interested in medicine, dentistry, physical therapy, and pharmacy. Students who study at Arkansas Tech University are very successful at gaining entrance into these professional schools. Although the entrance requirements for medical schools reserve the ability to accept students meeting the minimum core courses, in practice students gaining admission will usually have completed a B.S. degree. Most of these students major either in biology or chemistry, but any field is acceptable as long as they complete specific courses required by their chosen professional school. The Biochemical Option of the Chemistry major and the Biomedical Option of the Biology major were specifically developed to serve these "Pre-med"students in addition to others with plans for post-graduate education. Faculty advisors in chemistry and biology are also available to guide students targeting a wide variety of other allied health sciences including optometry, radiology, dental hygiene, pharmacy technician, and others. Course schedules can be customized to meet pre-requisites specified by any professional school of the student's choice.
Environmental Science Options
Three environmental science degree options are available as follows: B.S. in environmental science, 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 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, air quality, and many others. The student interested in a specific environmental science curriculum should refer to the appropriate section of this catalog. For example, the B.S. in environmental science is listed with the other biology curricula, while the environmental options in geology and chemistry are with the physical sciences.
Transfer Students
Applicability of transfer credit to meet specific degree requirements depends on the major selected by the transfer student. The transfer student should review the Transfer Credit policy in the Admission section of this catalog and meet with their academic advisor to determine final transfer credit eligibility for the selected program of study.