Department of Natural Sciences

Faculty: L. Beltz, D. Chen (Chair), K. Collie, J. Courter, S. Diakoff, J. Goff, K. Huisinga, C. Johnson, S. Wirick

The Malone University Department of Natural Sciences exists to engage students in the study of God’s majesty and character by exploring His handiwork as it is revealed in nature, both animate and inanimate; to promote the wise and thoughtful stewardship of the natural resources He has entrusted to us; and to encourage students to demonstrate God’s love in their respective communities by using the knowledge and skills they acquire here.

The Bible claims that the universe is the product of God’s creativity; it is ultimately the work of His hands (Psalm 19). Although Christians may disagree about the details, they agree that the universe serves as an incessant and eloquent testimony of God’s power. Mainstream science, although it may not give God credit for the universe, still rightfully recognizes the wonders and beauties of the earth and of the heavens beyond. Studying the Natural Sciences helps us understand God’s majesty (Romans 1:20), our own relative insignificance (Romans 8:3, 4), and God’s love for us in spite of our insignificance (Luke 12:27, 28; Matthew 10:29, 31). In light of the powerful testimony to God’s character revealed in the universe, we have a moral responsibility to appreciate the splendor of God’s works.

The Bible goes further. Although the Earth is the Lord’s (Psalm 24:1), He has entrusted it to us (Genesis 1:26, Psalm 8:6); we have a moral responsible to care for the earth on God’s behalf. It is impossible to fulfill this mandate without studying the intricacies of the creatures we care for and understanding both how they impact the environment and how the environment impacts them.

There are also practical reasons for studying the Natural Sciences. Our individual lives and society in general are being increasingly affected by science and technology. Therefore, a significant goal during collegiate years should be to acquire a working knowledge of this growing field, an appreciation of the methods by which such knowledge is obtained and classified, and increased skills in problem solving related to scientific inquiry.

In addition to the wonders seen in the world around us, the psalmist has written that we ourselves are marvelous and wonderfully complex creations of God (Psalm 139:14). The apostle Paul teaches us that we are obligated to glorify God in our bodies (I Corinthians 6:19, 20) and calls our bodies His sanctuary. One of the ways we glorify God in our bodies is by living lifestyles that support healthy bodies. The Wellness Center at Malone provides an opportunity for students, faculty, and staff to glorify God in this way by fostering a lifelong love of activity and physical fitness.

Wellness Center

In addition to being a beautiful facility that enhances campus life and improves the wellness of students, faculty, and staff, the Wellness Center provides academic opportunities as well. The cardio floor includes a high-tech, computerized program that assesses many components of fitness including blood pressure, body composition, cardiovascular fitness, and upper-body strength and flexibility. Many faculty and staff members have already taken advantage of this fitness assessment and have used it as a motivator to begin workout programs in the Wellness Center.

Along with the assessment, an orientation describing proper use of the cardio and weight equipment and personal training suggestions is available. Twenty-eight Life Fitness cardio machines are available including total body trainers, steppers, treadmills, upper-body ergometer, recumbent and upright bikes, and cable machines. In addition, dumbbells, fitness balls, and a stretch area are available for the workout enthusiasts.

Majors

The Department of Natural Sciences offers majors in Biology (General Biology Track, Pre-Medicine Track, Pre-Optometry Track, Pre-Physician Assistant Track, Pre-Veterinary Medicine Track), Biology-Clinical Laboratory Science , Chemistry (Forensic Chemistry Track, Graduate School Track, Pre-Dentistry Track, Pre-Medicine Track, Pre-Pharmacy Track), Exercise Science (Pre-Physical Therapy Concentration, Exercise Physiology Concentration, Fitness Promotions and Personal Training Concentration), and Zoo and Wildlife Biology . A unique Biology & Community Health Education - Epidemiology program is also offered which prepares the student to pursue a Masters of Science in Epidemiology (M.S.) or a Masters of Public Health (M.P.H.). All Natural Sciences majors are required to meet a minimum 2.25 major GPA and complete all of the internal/external assessment instruments employed by the department in order to be eligible for graduation. A comprehensive list of these assessments and a timeline for their completion may be obtained from the chair of the Department of Natural Sciences.

In conjunction with the School of Education and Human Development, the Department of Natural Sciences offers majors and licensure programs in Integrated Science Education , Life Science/Chemistry Education , Life Science Education , and Physical Science Education . These areas of specialty prepare students for secondary teaching licensure for grades 7-12. Periodic assessment of students pursuing these majors/programs is crucial for the purposes of obtaining/maintaining accreditation by NCATE (National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education). Several assessments have therefore been built into the required coursework for each of these majors, either in specific education classes (EDUC 443, 460, and 497) or specific content classes (CHEM 201, SCI 360). However, two assessments must be completed by each teacher education major independently of specific coursework in collaboration with a natural sciences instructor. A comprehensive list of these assessments and a timeline for their completion may be obtained from the chair of the Department of Natural Sciences.

Notes: 1) Students pursuing any of the above-mentioned teacher education programs must maintain a minimum 2.75 major and cumulative GPA to progress through the teacher licensure program. To register for education courses at the 300 level or above, acceptance into Teacher Education is required. See details of the assessment requirements and criteria for teacher licensure programs in the School of Education and Human Development . 2) A $50 laboratory fee is assessed for each laboratory course within this department. 3) Students wishing to pursue the Forensic Chemistry track will need to receive a series of three Hepatitis B vaccinations prior to their internships at the Canton-Stark County Crime Lab. The immunization series is administered over a 6-month period, so students should visit the Health Center in their sophomore year.

Pre-Professional and Allied Health Programs

Pre-Dental, Pre-Medicine, Pre-Veterinary Medicine, Pre-Optometry, Pre-Pharmacy, Pre-Physical Therapy, Pre-Physician Assistant

Entrance into professional study requires significant preparation in science and mathematics. Professional schools are not usually interested in the particular major a student has obtained, but they are extremely interested in the individual coursework a student has completed. All professional schools have specific course prerequisites for admission. The various tracks contained within the biology, chemistry, and exercise science majors have been designed to prepare students in such a way that they will have met these curricular prerequisites for the vast majority of professional schools. The tracks have been named accordingly. Nevertheless, professional schools periodically adjust their course prerequisites and a specific professional school might therefore require a course that has not been included in the relevant track described in this catalog. A student planning to complete entrance requirements for professional study should therefore confer with the pre-professional committee for the most up-to-date curricular requirements of particular programs.

Entrance into professional study is also extremely competitive. In most cases, a student’s cumulative GPA must be very high (3.5-4.0) to be considered for acceptance into a professional school. Most professional schools also require that each applicant take a standardized exam such as the MCAT, DAT, OAT, GRE, or PCAT. Competitive scores on these standardized tests are required for admission into these professional schools. While Malone students have historically performed very well on these tests and Malone graduates have a proven record of acceptance into professional schools, a degree from Malone does not guarantee acceptance into one of these programs. However, students that meet certain criteria are guaranteed interviews with the College of Pharmacy at NEOMED in Rootstown, Ohio.

AuSable Institute for Environmental Studies

Malone participates in the Environmental Studies extension program available through AuSable Institute in three different locations: AS-Great Lakes in the Great Lakes Forest, Michigan; AS-Pacific Rim on Puget Sound, Washington; and AS-India in Tamil Nadu, South India. There is also a May-term course, Tropical Agriculture and Missions, located in Costa Rica. Courses are offered primarily during the summer. Interested students should contact the Chair of the Department of Natural Sciences. Complete course descriptions for available courses can be found in the AuSable Institute of Environmental Studies Official Bulletin. Additional information is available at www.ausable.org. Enrollment in any of the AuSable courses is by permission of the Chair of the Department of Natural Sciences.

Assessment

The Department of Natural Sciences regularly assesses the learning outcomes that are intended by its various programs. Several assessment instruments have been embedded into required coursework for each major (i.e., internal assessments), but a few assessments must be completed by each student independently of specific coursework (i.e., external assessments). One such external assessment tool employed by the department is an ETS major field test in biology or chemistry. A comprehensive list of these assessments and a timeline for their completion may be obtained from the chair of the Department of Natural Sciences.

Each student must complete all of the internal/external assessment instruments employed by the department in order to be eligible for graduation. Therefore it is essential to meet with the chair of the Department of Natural Sciences to arrange a schedule for completing all external assessments. By March 1 of the final spring semester prior to intended graduation, each Senior should inform the department chair that he/she has applied for graduation so that the appropriate test can be ordered and received with sufficient time for its completion.

The department has developed 20 Program-Intended Learning Outcomes (PILOs) that are distributed over its programs in unique combinations delineated in the table following the list below:

Demonstrate a comprehension of the central concepts of chemistry including the major theories and laws which govern chemical phenomena.
Demonstrate an understanding of the relationships between structure and behavior of the chemical elements in their various forms and combinations.
Demonstrate safe laboratory practices and an environmental ethic as it pertains to chemical use and disposal.
Demonstrate an ability to analyze various kinds of experimental data used in the chemical disciplines including the output of various instrumental techniques.
Demonstrate an understanding of the biological characteristics of each of the major kingdoms.
Demonstrate an understanding of the fundamental concepts of molecular biology and genetics.
Demonstrate an understanding of the various factors that impact biological populations.
Demonstrate the capability of integrating data and assessing phenomena within a Christian paradigm.
Demonstrate an ability to properly relate biological structure and function.
Demonstrate the capability of working with animals in safe and ethical ways that conform to state and national guidelines.
Demonstrate the capability of analyzing and reporting empirical data from the biological sciences.
Demonstrate a balanced concept of molecular, micro, and macro levels of biological phenomena in the context of human systems.
Demonstrate the ability to properly relate biological structure and function in the context of human systems.
Demonstrate the level of content mastery required for potential successful performance in graduate school biology programs or professional schools.
Demonstrate the level of content mastery required for potential successful performance in secondary science education.
Demonstrate the level of content mastery required for potential successful performance in chemical industry, graduate school chemistry programs, or professional schools.
Demonstrate understanding of anatomical, kinesiological, and physiological concepts of exercise science.
Demonstrate knowledge of the prevention, care, treatment, and rehabilitation of injuries.
Demonstrate ability to assess fitness needs of individuals and groups.
Demonstrate ability to plan effective exercise prescriptions for various populations.

Major, Program, or Concentration	Appropriate Student Learning Outcomes
Biology (General Track)	A, B, F, G, H, I, K, N
Biology (Pre-Medicine Track)	A, B, C, E, F, G, H, I, K, L, N
Biology (Pre-Optometry Track)	A, B, C, E, F, G, H, I, K, L, M, N
Biology (Pre-Physician Assistant Track)	A, B, C, E, F, G, I, K, L, M
Biology (Pre-Veterinary Medicine Track)	A, B, C, E, F, G, I, J, K, L, M, N
Biology-Clinical Laboratory Science	A, B, C, D, G, K, L, M, N
Chemistry (Forensic Chemistry Track)	A, B, C, D, E, P
Chemistry (Graduate School Track)	A, B, C, D, E, P
Chemistry (Pre-Dentistry Track)	A, B, C, D, E, F, L, M, N, P
Chemistry (Pre-Medicine Track)	A, B, C, D, E, F, P
Chemistry (Pre-Pharmacy Track)	A, B, C, D, E, F, G, L M, P
Integrated Science Education (life science emphasis)	A, B, C, D, F, G, H, I, J, K, N, O
Integrated Science Education (chemistry emphasis)	A, B, C, D, E, F, H, I, J, K, O
Life Science/Chemistry Education	A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, N, O
Life Science Education	A, B, D, F, G, H, I, J, K, N, O
Physical Science Education	A, B, C, D, E, J, O
Zoo and Wildlife Biology	A, B, F, G, H, I, J, K, N
Exercise Science (Pre-Physical Therapy and Exercise Physiology Concentrations)	B, L, M, Q, R, S, T
Exercise Science (Fitness Promotions and Personal Training Concentration)	Q, R, S, T

Programs

Undergraduate Major

Undergraduate Minor

Pre-Professional

Courses

Biology

Chemistry

Exercise Science

Physics

Science

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