The Stephens College Natural Sciences department provides students with a solid science foundation and the skills needed to successfully enter professional careers in health and other related sciences.

QUICK FACTS

• Benefit from small class sizes with lectures and laboratories taught by faculty;“hands-on, minds-on” learning; and personalized advising
• With the guidance of faculty, complete collaborative and investigative research, write research articles and present findings at professional conferences such as the National Undergraduate Research Symposium at Argonne Research Laboratory and the Missouri Academy of Sciences
  
• Gain firsthand experience through required internships, where you apply knowledge, interpret data and conduct research or spend time with a health professional of your own choosing
  
• Choose to minor in chemistry, which offers advanced study in organic chemistry and instrumental analysis; or forensic science, which will introduce you to the application of biology and psychology in the legal field. Courses include: Introduction to Crime Scene Analysis, Forensic Biology and Forensic Psychology.
  
• Participate in Beta Beta Beta (Tri-Beta), the biology honor society that provides you with professional connections and opportunities to attend regional and national meetings

B.S. in Biology
This degree provides individualized, specialized training for those interested in medical and veterinary schools, dentistry, graduate school, laboratory research or other professional careers. You will conduct your own research projects, and use the most advanced computer techniques for interpreting and presenting results of the data.
Core courses emphasize the general understanding of biological concepts, experimental design, active learning, critical thinking and problem-solving skills that will ensure success. With a flexible curriculum, you will tailor courses to your specific interest area. Our cross-discipline approach involves exploration of biology, chemistry, physics and mathematics that provides broad preparation for advanced study.

Cooperative Programs
A B.A. in Biology is available to students preparing for one of our cooperative programs. You will take courses that blend the social sciences with biology, chemistry, physics and mathematics.

Students complete required courses at Stephens during the first three or four years; then, provided they meet the entrance requirements of the designated institution, they finish their master’s or doctorate degree at that institution. Students who do not meet the criteria for guaranteed admission also may apply under the preferred admissions policy.

3:2 Master of Occupational Therapy Program, Washington University (St. Louis); 3:2 Master of Physician Assistant Studies Program, Chatham College (Pittsburgh)
Accepted students earn a B.A. in Biology from Stephens after three years and after completing their first year at the partner school. A master’s degree is earned from the partner school after an additional year.

Doctor of Physical Therapy Program, Chatham College
Students enroll in four years at Stephens and seven semesters at Chatham. Successful candidates earn a B.S. from Stephens and a doctorate from Chatham.

Sample Internships

• Biological research, Argonne Research Laboratory, Argonne, Ill.
  
• Biological research, Cancer Research Center, Columbia, Mo.
  
• Analytical chemistry research, Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, Mo.
  
• Lab assistant, Boone County Medical examiner, Columbia, Mo.
  
• Animal drug development, Boehringer Ingleheim, St. Joseph, Mo.
  
• Animal conservation, Gulf Breeze Zoo, Gulf Breeze, Fla.
  
• Pediatric occupational therapy, Kids Upward Bound, Columbia, Mo.
  
• Biological research, Oklahoma State University Summer Research Program
  
• Park ranger intern, St. Charles County (Mo.) Parks and Recreation
  
• Veterinary reproductive technology, Equine Medical Services, Missouri
  
• Biomedical research, University of Texas Medical Branch’s Summer Undergraduate Research Program

Facilities
You will work in the Pillsbury Science Center, which houses four biology labs, two chemistry labs, an undergraduate research lab and a computer lab. Each computer offers current, cutting-edge scientific software used to simulate chemical reactions and structures, human anatomy and dissections, human physiological processes, population dynamics, and evolutionary processes.

The Johnson Plant Science Lab houses research labs and a large greenhouse containing a diverse collection of plant species. In addition, Stephens is a member of a consortium that provides student access to Reis Biological Station in the Southern Missouri Ozark Mountains. These field stations provide hands-on research experience both in and out of class as well as opportunities to enroll in summer field courses.

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