Dorothy A. Kerzel, Interim Head of Division

BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES FACULTY
Professors/ Jon R. Fortman, R. Bruce Lacey (Emeritus), William S. Parker, Harry L. Sherman (Emeritus)
Associate Professors/ Jimena Aracena, Marty L. Harvill
Assistant Professors/ Nora L. Howell (Emerita), Supreetha Hegde Kumar, Ross Whitwam

MATHEMATICS FACULTY
Professor/ Jane Hurley Wenstrom, Shaochen Yang
Associate Professors/ Dorothy A. Kerzel, Bonnie Oppenheimer

PHYSICAL SCIENCES FACULTY
Professor/ Carl J. Doumit
Associate Professor/ Nancy Bryson
Assistant Professor/ Dionne I. Fortenberry
Instructor/ Willard Collier

PURPOSE STATEMENT

  The Division of Science and Mathematics serves all MUW students by providing high quality academic programs in the sciences and mathematics. Interaction with faculty members through classroom, laboratory, and research experiences prepares students for being productive members of society. Students are well prepared to enter the classroom as teachers, continue on for graduate degrees, enter professional programs, or find suitable employment. Strong communication, technology, and critical thinking skills allow for continued personal and intellectual growth upon graduation.

PROGRAM GOALS

Graduates of the Mathematics program will possess:

 1. competence with operations of calculus, such as differentiation and integration, and computational techniques in
     upper level courses such as linear algebra and differential equations.
 2. competence with mathematical theory in advanced courses such as abstract algebra.
 3. competence with proof techniques such as mathematical induction.
 4. competence using appropriate technology in mathematics courses.

  In addition to the four outcomes above for the math program, Mathematics Education graduates will:
 5. understand the concepts, tools of inquiry, and professional standards in secondary mathematics.
 6. understand how to teach and model problem solving in grades 7-12.
 7. successfully complete required classroom observations and supervised student teaching.
 8. successfully complete the Praxis I and II.

  Graduates of the Chemistry program will:
 1. understand the principles and central theories of physical, organic, inorganic, and analytical chemistry.
 2. be able to use instrumentation to analyze chemical samples.
 3. be able to apply chemical techniques and principles to solve new problems.
 4. understand how professional chemists serve society.

  Graduates of the Microbiology program will:
 1. understand principles of microbiology and the physical sciences.
 2. be able to use laboratory technology.
 3. understand how professional microbiologists serve society.
 4. participate in extracurricular science-related activities.
 5. be able to write scientific papers.

  Graduates of the Biology program will:
 1. be competent in the required biology and physical science courses.
 2. be competent with laboratory technology.
 3. understand how professional biologists serve society.
 4. participate in extracurricular science-related activities.
 5. have an understanding of the primary science literature and how to write a scientific paper.

  In addition to the five outcomes above for the Biology program, graduates of the Biology Eduation program will:
 6. successfully complete required classroom observations and supervised student teaching.
 7. successfully complete the Praxis I and II.

  Graduates of the Physical Science Education program will:
 1. understand principles and theories of the physical sceinces.
 2. demonstrate competence with technology.
 3. understand how scientists serve society.
 4. participate in extracurricular science-related activities.
 5. successfully complete required classroom observations and supervised student teaching.
 6. successfully complete the Praxis I and II.

MAJOR PROGRAMS AND DIVISIONAL REQUIREMENTS

The Division of Science and Mathematics offers majors in the areas of Biology, Microbiology, Mathematics, Chemistry and Physical Science.
  All majors within the Division will be required to meet the following graduation requirements:
     1.    Successful completion of one upper-level course within the major designated as a “writing course.” These courses are
            indicated by a “W” following the course number.
     2.    Completion of all courses required for the major with a grade of “C” or better
     3.    Meet or exceed a pre-determined minimum score on a comprehensive exit exam in their major field during the senior
            year.
     4.    Complete an exit questionnaire and return the questionnaire to the division office after taking the senior comprehensive
            exit exam.
     5.    Satisfy all University core (designated as “C” in the sample curricula) and general degree requirements (see “Academic
            Policies and Procedures” and “Academic Programs” in this catalog) as well as all major requirements. Specific
            requirements  for each Divisional major (and minor) are found on the following pages.

  Before a student is allowed to register for upper-level courses (those numbered 300 or above) within the division, the student must:
     1.    Have successfully completed at least 48 hours of course work
     2.    Have a 2.0 average for all courses taken within the Division (including transfer credit)
     3.    Have completed all prerequisites for upper-level courses with grades of “C” or better
     4.    Have successfully completed EN 101 and COM 101
 Exceptions to any of the above requirements require approval of the division head.

  SCIENCE/MATHEMATICS SEMINAR

  Students majoring in all Science/Mathematics programs are required to pass four semesters of Science/Mathematics Seminar (SM 100) for graduation. An announcement of scheduled seminars, and the number of attendances required to pass that semester, will be in the syllabus handed out by the Division at the beginning of each semester.

PRE-PROFESSIONAL PROGRAMS
 For students interested in health-related professional schools, a B.S. degree at the W allows the students to tailor their course selection to ensure all requirements are met for the professional school of their choice. Such professional schools include:
 Medical Pharmacy
 Dental  Medical Technology
 Veterinary
 The Division of Science and Mathematics at the W has full-time faculty members who closely advise our pre-professional students in their academic selections as well as in the application and interview process.
  It is strongly recommended that all students interested in any of these professional schools register for both General Biology and General Chemistry in the freshman year.

ENGINEERING DUAL-DEGREE PROGRAM
  The Division of Science and Mathematics has joined with the School of Engineering at Auburn University and the College of Engineering at Mississippi State University in offering a Dual-Degree program in Liberal Arts and Engineering. In this program a student attends MUW for three years and one of the other institutions for at least two additional years. After completing the academic requirements of the cooperating universities, the student will be awarded a baccalaureate degree from MUW and one of several designated engineering baccalaureate degrees from the second institution.
  For those students who prefer only the engineering degree, the prerequisite courses are available for transfer to any engineering program.

BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES

  GENERAL MAJOR REQUIREMENTS
 All majors (biology and microbiology) will be required to complete at least 34 hours of biological sciences.  General Biology, BSB 101-102, is a core course whose hours are not included in the major. Required courses are:

 BSB 230 GENERAL GENETICS (Biology Majors)
 BSM 241 MICROBIAL GENETICS (Microbiology Majors)
 BSB 310W GENERAL ECOLOGY
 BSB 322 ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY
 BSB 332 CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
 BS 400 SENIOR SEMINAR IN BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES

 All majors must also complete:
 PSC 111-112 (with labs) GENERAL CHEMISTRY
 and one sequence:
 PSC 211-212 (with labs) ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
 PSP 211-212 GENERAL PHYSICS
 PSP 213-214 GENERAL PHYSICS (CALCULUS-BASED)
  (both Organic Chemistry and Physics are highly recommended and are required for many health-related professional programs.  See list under “Pre-Professional Programs”.)

 6 hours of mathematics (not to include MA 100-111-112)
 3 hours of computer science.

Any student graduating with a major in biology or microbiology will be required to have at least a 2.0 average for all courses attempted in the major and at least a 2.0 average for all courses attempted within the Division. No more than 8 hours of “D” grades will be accepted in the required BU, MA, PSC, PSP, or SM courses. No grade less than “C” will be accepted for any BS, BSB, or BSM course used to meet the requirements of the major.

  BIOLOGY MAJOR
 In addition to the courses listed under Biological Sciences General Major Requirements, biology majors must complete any four of the advanced courses listed below:

Advanced courses (pick 4):
 BSM 231 GENERAL MICROBIOLOGY
 BSB 251 GENERAL BOTANY
 BSB 303 COMPARATIVE ANATOMY
 BSB 351W PLANT PHYSIOLOGY
 BSB 367W INVERTEBRATES OR BSB 368W VERTEBRATES
 BSM 452W IMMUNOLOGY
 BSB 453W DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
 BSB 454W PARASITOLOGY
 BSB 459 HISTOLOGY
 BSB 467W BIOCHEMISTRY
 
 

*The 9 hours in Literature and Fine Arts must include at least 3 hours from Literature and at least 3 hours from Fine Arts. Some courses chosen in this area may also fulfill the Intercultural Studies requirement of the core.
**If GEO 101 is chosen in this area, it will also fulfill the Intercultural Studies requirement of the core.
***Students following this sample curriculum need to have taken a combined total of at least 20 credit-hours of Advanced Biology courses by the end of the Senior year.  How many of those 20 credit-hours are taken in the Fall and how many are taken in the Spring is up to the individual student as long as, by the end of the Senior year, the student has taken at least 20 credit-hours of Advanced Biology.
****Students should take appropriate number of electives to ensure that, after fulfilling core and major requirements, they have the required total number of degree hours.
 

Total Degree Hours Required = 128
 
 

*The 9 hours in Literature and Fine Arts must include at least 3 hours from Literature and at least 3 hours from Fine Arts.
**Students following this sample curriculum need to have taken a combined total of at least 20 credit-hours of Advanced Biology courses by the end of the Senior year.  How many of those 20 credit-hours are taken in the Fall and how many are taken in the Spring is up to the individual student as long as, by the end of the Senior year, the student has taken at least 20 credit-hours of Advanced Biology.
***Students should take appropriate number of electives to ensure that, after fulfilling core and major requirements, they have the required total number of degree hours.
 

Total Degree Hours Required = 128
 

BIOLOGY MAJOR:  TEACHER CERTIFICATION IN LIFE/GENERAL SCIENCE

 The student must satisfactorily complete the hours listed below in addition to all education certification requirements.

BSB 101-102 (with Labs) GENERAL BIOLOGY (Core)
BS  400 SENIOR SEMINAR

BSB 220 HUMAN PHYSIOLOGY OR BSB 322 ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY
BSB 230 GENERAL GENETICS OR BSM 241 MICROBIAL GENETICS
BSB 251 GENERAL BOTANY
BSB 303 COMPARATIVE ANATOMY OR BSB 221 HUMAN ANATOMY
BSB 310W GENERAL ECOLOGY
BSB 313 METHODS AND MATERIALS IN THE TEACHING OF SCIENCE IN THE  SECONDARY SCHOOL
BSB 332 CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
BSM 231 GENERAL MICROBIOLOGY
PSC 111-112 (with Labs) GENERAL CHEMISTRY
PSP 211-212 GENERAL PHYSICS
PS  103 INTRODUCTORY GEOLOGY
PS  106 INTRODUCTORY ASTRONOMY

Select one:
BSM 452W IMMUNOLOGY
BSB 459  HISTOLOGY
BSB 467W  BIOCHEMISTRY
BSB 367W INVERTEBRATES OR BSB 368W VERTEBRATES
BSB 453W DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
BSB 454W PARASITOLOGY

Select one:
BU  257 INFORMATION SYSTEMS USING MICROCOMPUTERS
SM  250 SCIENTIFIC APPLICATIONS OF MICROCOMPUTERS
ED  497 THE COMPUTER AND THE CLASSROOM

  For secondary general certification course requirements and professional education requirements, see "Education and Human Sciences" in this catalog.  Where appropriate, these courses also may be used to satisfy University core and BS degree requirements.
 
 

*A course chosen in this area may also fulfill the Intercultural Studies requirement of the core. The 9 hours in Literature and Fine Arts must include at least 3 hours from Literature and at least 3 hours from Fine Arts.
** BSB 313 is offered in alternate years, so is taken either junior or senior year.

  BIOLOGY MINOR
20 hours, not including BSB 101-102.
May include 4 hours for BSM 231 with lab.

  MICROBIOLOGY MAJOR
   In addition to the courses listed under General Major Requirements, microbiology majors must complete BSM 231 GENERAL MICROBIOLOGY, and 12 hours of upper-level courses selected from the following two groups:

(1) BSM group - Select two:
 BSM 342  FOOD MICROBIOLOGY
 BSM 452W IMMUNOLOGY
 BSM 456  PATHOGENIC MICROBIOLOGY

(2) BSB group - Select one:
 BSB 251  GENERAL BOTANY
 BSB 454W PARASITOLOGY
 BSB 467W  BIOCHEMISTRY

  At least one of the advanced course selections must be a designated writing (W) course.
 
 

*The 9 hours in Literature and Fine Arts must include at least 3 hours from Literature and at least 3 hours from Fine Arts. Some courses in this area may also fulfill the Intercultural Studies requirement of the core.
**If GEO 101 is chosen in this area, it will also fulfill the Intercultural Studies requirement of the core.
***Students following this sample curriculum need to have taken a total of at least eight (8) credit-hours of advanced BSM courses and at least eight (8) credit-hours of advanced BSB courses. How many of those advanced BSM and BSB courses are taken in the Fall and how many are taken in the Spring is up to the individual student as long as by the end of the senior year, the student has taken eight (8) credit-hours of advanced BSM courses and eight (8) credit-hours of advanced BSB courses.
****Students should take the appropriate number of electives to ensure that, after fulfilling core and major requirements, they have the required total number of degree hours.
 

Total Degree Hours Required = 128
 
 

*The 9 hours in Literature and Fine Arts must include at least 3 hours from Literature and at least 3 hours from Fine Arts. Some courses in this area may also fulfill the Intercultural Studies requirement of the core.
**Students following this sample curriculum need to have taken a total of at least eight (8) credit-hours of advanced BSM courses and at least eight (8) credit-hours of advanced BSB courses. How many of those advanced BSM and BSB courses are taken in the Fall and how many are taken in the Spring is up to the individual student as long as by the end of the senior year, the student has taken eight (8) credit-hours of advanced BSM courses and eight (8) credit-hours of advanced BSB courses.
***Students should take the appropriate number of electives to ensure that, after fulfilling core and major requirements, they have the required total number of degree hours.

Total Degree Hours Required = 128
 

MATHEMATICS

B.S. in Mathematics: Must complete at least 14 hours of Science, which must include PSP 211 or PSP 213.

B.A. in Mathematics: Must complete Foreign Language 101-102 and Foreign Language 201-202. To fulfill this language requirement, a student must earn a minimum of six hours of college credit in a foreign language and complete the 202 level or above in the language chosen. For information on foreign language placement, see “Division of Humanities” in this catalog.

  Any student graduating with a major in Mathematics, with or without teacher certification, will be required to have at least a 2.0 average for all courses attempted in the major and at least a 2.0 average for all courses attempted within the Division of Science and Mathematics. No grade less than “C” will be accepted for any mathematics or programming course required for the Mathematics major, with or without teacher certification.

  For mathematics majors and mathematics with teacher certification majors, after the successful completion of Calculus I (MA 181), no mathematics courses below MA 114 can be applied toward graduation.
 

  MATHEMATICS MAJOR
 Students majoring in mathematics must complete 36 semester hours in mathematics including:
MA 181    CALCULUS I
MA 182    CALCULUS II
MA 283    CALCULUS III
MA 284    CALCULUS IV
MA 301    CONCEPTS OF ABSTRACT MATHEMATICS
MA 304W  MODERN ALGEBRA
MA 305     LINEAR ALGEBRA
MA 306     DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
MA 310     PROBABILITY AND STATISTICS
MA Elective numbered above 300 (3 hours)

Select one:
MA 303W MODERN GEOMETRY
MA 454W FOUNDATIONS OF MATHEMATICS

Select one:
MA 455W ADVANCED CALCULUS
MA 461W GENERAL TOPOLOGY

All mathematics majors must complete one of the following:
SM 125 FORTRAN
SM 135 PROGRAMMING IN C++
 
 

MATHEMATICS MAJOR WITH TEACHER CERTIFICATION
    Students must satisfy all requirements for the mathematics major, as well as all education requirements for certification. See “Education and Human Sciences” in this catalog for secondary general certification course requirements and professional education requirements.

  Students must complete 39 semester hours in mathematics, including:

 MA 181 CALCULUS I
 MA 182 CALCULUS II
 MA 283 CALCULUS III
 MA 284 CALCULUS IV
 MA 301 CONCEPTS OF ABSTRACT MATHEMATICS
 MA 303W  MODERN GEOMETRY
 MA 304W MODERN ALGEBRA
 MA 305 LINEAR ALGEBRA
 MA 306 DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
 MA 310 INTRODUCTION TO PROBABILITY AND STATISTICS
 MA 319 MATERIALS AND METHODS IN THE TEACHING OF SECONDARY MATHEMATICS
 MA Elective numbered above 300 or MA 212 (3 hours)

 Select One:
 MA 455W ADVANCED CALCULUS
 MA 461W GENERAL TOPOLOGY

 All mathematics majors must complete one of the following:
 SM 125 FORTRAN
 SM 135 PROGRAMMING IN C++
 
 

MATHEMATICS MINOR
21 semester hours in mathematics including MA 181 Calculus I, MA 182 Calculus II, and MA 283 Calculus III. No course below MA 181 can be counted toward a minor in mathematics.  No grade less than “C” will be accepted for any mathematics course applied to the mathematics minor.
 

PHYSICAL SCIENCES

GENERAL MAJOR REQUIREMENTS
 Any student graduating with a major in Chemistry or Physical Science will be required to have at least a 2.0 average for all courses attempted in the major and at least a 2.0 average for all courses attempted within the division. No grade less than “C” will be accepted for any course listed as required for the chemistry and physical science majors.
 Physical Sciences 107 and 108 cannot be counted toward a major or minor in either chemistry or physical science.

  CHEMISTRY MAJOR
 Students majoring in Chemistry must have 38 semester hours, including:
PSC 111-112 (with labs) GENERAL CHEMISTRY
PSC 211-212 (with labs) ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
PSC 312 QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS
PSC 450-451 PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY
PSC 461W INSTRUMENTAL ANALYSIS
PSC 465W ADVANCED INORGANIC CHEMISTRY

Select One:
PSC 466W ADVANCED ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
PSC 467W BIOCHEMISTRY

All Chemistry majors must also complete:
PSP 211-212 GENERAL PHYSICS or PSP 213-214 GENERAL PHYSICS (CALCULUS BASED)
MA 181 CALCULUS I
MA 182 CALCULUS II
MA 283 CALCULUS III

Select One:
SM 125 FORTRAN
SM 135 PROGRAMMING IN C++
 Highly recommended: MA 305 LINEAR ALGEBRA or MA 306 DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
 
 

CHEMISTRY MINOR
23 or 24 PSC semester hours. No grade less than a “C” will be accepted for any course applied toward the chemistry minor.

Required:
 PSC 111-112 (with Labs) GENERAL CHEMISTRY
 PSC 211-212 (with Labs) ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
 PSC 312 QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS
 PSP 211-212 GENERAL PHYSICS  OR  PSP 213-214 GENERAL PHYSICS (CALCULUS BASED)

Select one:
 PSC 461W INSTRUMENTAL ANALYSIS
 PSC 465W ADVANCED INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
 PSC 466W ADVANCED ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
 PSC 467W  BIOCHEMISTRY

Note: PSC 467W/BSB 467W may not be counted for both the chemistry minor and the biology or microbiology major.
 

PHYSCIAL SCIENCE MAJOR:  TEACHER CERTIFICATION IN CHEMISTRY/PHYSICAL SCIENCE

The student must satisfactorily complete the following:
 PSC 111-112 (with Labs) GENERAL CHEMISTRY
 PSC 211-212 (with Labs) ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
 PSC 312 QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS
 PS  313 METHODS AND MATERIALS IN THE TEACHING OF SCIENCE IN THE SECONDARY    SCHOOL
 PSP 211-212 GENERAL PHYSICS or PSP 213-214 GENERAL PHYSICS CALCULUS BASED
 PS  103 INTRODUCTORY GEOLOGY
 PS  106 INTRODUCTORY ASTRONOMY
 BSB 101-102 (with Labs) GENERAL BIOLOGY
 MA 123 STATISTICS

Chemistry Electives
Select Two:
 PSC 461W INSTRUMENTAL ANALYSIS
 PSC 465W ADVANCED INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
 PSC 466W ADVANCED ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
 PSC 467W BIOCHEMISTRY

Select one:
 SM 125 FORTRAN
 SM 135 PROGRAMMING IN C++

Select one:
 SM 250 SCIENTIFIC APPLICATIONS OF MICROCOMPUTERS
 BU 157 INFORMATION SYSTEMS USING MICROCOMPUTERS
 ED 497 THE COMPUTER AND THE CLASSROOM

  For secondary general certification course requirements and professional education requirements, see "Education and Human Sciences" in this catalog.  Where appropriate, these courses also may be used to satisfy University core and BS degree requirements.
 
 

Total Degree Hours Required = 133