Mission Statements
The School of Natural Sciences & Mathematics provides curricula fulfilling general education and degree requirements. Areas of study include Biochemistry, Biology, Biotechnology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Pre-Engineering, Pre-Nursing, and Radiologic Technology. The school and its faculty are committed to professionalism and excellence within the framework of a Christian worldview and within the mission of the University as a whole.
Biology: Biology courses are offered to serve the needs of students in major and minor fields, as well as students in allied health and professional majors and non-science majors, fulfilling general education and degree requirements. Majors will be prepared to face regional competition for employment and academic placement. In accord with the general mission of the University, courses are taught with a Christian worldview while maintaining a perspective of objective analysis and rigorously discriminating between observation and derived theories.
Biotechnology: The biotechnology program is designed to serve those students interested in pursuing a career in research or higher academic degrees. Majors will be well-equipped to compete for employment in major pharmaceutical or industrial laboratories, governmental laboratories, or not-for-profit research institutions and will be competitive for academic placement in graduate degree programs. In accordance with the general mission of the University, courses are taught from a Christian worldview.
Chemistry: Chemistry courses are offered to serve the needs of students in major and minor fields as well as students in allied health professional majors and non-science majors fulfilling general education and degree requirements. Majors will be prepared to face regional and national competition for employment and academic placement. In accordance with the general mission of the University, courses are taught from a perspective of objective analysis while discriminating between observation and derived theories. It is intended that the student will see that a truly objective observation of the science demonstrates the glory of Christ through His creation.
Mathematics: Mathematics plays a key role in understanding the principles of our physical environment and is an important tool in successful utilization and conservation of human, physical, and financial resources. The mission of the Mathematics department is to instill in its students an understanding of the mathematical concepts necessary to be productive members of society, and to provide the mathematics foundation necessary for graduate study in mathematics and careers in mathematics, education, business, finance, science, medicine, and engineering. This mission follows from our Christian worldview which states, in part, that we are to live in harmony with the physical environment God has created for us and utilize its resources intelligently and conservatively.
Physics: The physics courses, in accordance with the Missouri Baptist University mission statement, seek to prepare students to live in harmony with the physical environment by becoming aware of its basic principles and the means for intelligent use and conservation of its resources. An understanding of the principles of physics, designed and implemented by God, is a key factor in fulfilling this purpose. The physics courses are designed to provide this understanding and give science and mathematics students the physics background required for success in those careers.
Pre-Nursing: The Associate of Science degree with a concentration in Pre-Nursing is designed to provide students with a solid foundation in the basic skills needed to prepare for a career in nursing. Obtaining this degree gives students a broad basis in the liberal arts tradition, from a Christian worldview, for pursuit of more advanced nursing degrees. Following the Associate of Science – Pre-Nursing with two years of clinical study will complete a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and prepare the student for a successful career in the critically important nursing profession.
Associate of Science in Pre-Nursing
A minimum of 64-69 semester hours is required to earn the Associate of Science degree with a concentration in Pre-Nursing (ASPN), including the general education and major courses listed below.
Transfer credits will be accepted into this program from an accredited college or school up to a maximum of 42 semester hours of credit, up to 15 hours of which may be earned through credit by examination and/or portfolio assessment of prior learning. Portfolio credit is only available to those students who have completed a minimum of 12 semester hours in residency at Missouri Baptist University. Students must complete a minimum of 22 semester hours in residency at Missouri Baptist University to earn the Associate of Science degree.
A student must earn a grade of C or better in all major courses, and achieve an overall grade point average of 2.5 or better for the awarding of the associate degree.
A student must earn a grade of B or better in all science courses in order to apply to MBU’s School of Nursing.
Biochemistry Minor
Biochemistry applies the ideas and theories of chemistry to the complex realm of biological systems. The minor is designed for students who want a strong background in biochemistry to complement their major area of study. Students who are enrolled in pre-professional programs may also find a minor in biochemistry to be helpful to their professional preparation.
Biology Major
This degree is recommended for students planning to pursue careers in biology, fields related to biology, or medical sciences. Students considering post-graduate education should evaluate prerequisites required for those programs to ensure timely progress and graduation.
Students pursuing a B.S. in Biology will complete the Biology core curriculum and will then select one of two concentrations: Biology with a concentration in Biomedical Sciences or Biology with a concentration in Ecology and Plant Sciences.
Students who desire certification to teach biology in high school (grades 9-12) are required by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to complete specific courses both in education and the sciences. For more information, see the Biology Education major under the School of Teacher Education section of this catalog.
For other degree options, MBU undergraduate programs in biology can lead to a Doctor of Physical Therapy at Southwest Baptist University. See D.P.T. in Physical Therapy under the Academic Programs page for more information.
Biotechnology Major
The biotechnology program provides students with scientific background and laboratory experience necessary for employment in biotech and pharmaceutical industries, for advanced studies in applications of biotechnology such as biochemistry or molecular biology, or to pursue advanced professional degrees with emphasis in biotechnological issues. Career opportunities in the field of biotechnology include university teaching and research or biomedical research in hospital, academic, governmental, or industrial research laboratory settings. Students taking business courses, along with their biotechnology training, would also represent ideal candidates for jobs in management, sales, or marketing in biotechnological or pharmaceutical industries. The biotechnology program is an ideal preparatory tool for students planning to go to graduate school or other professional degree programs, or those students interested in pursuing a career as a research associate.
Chemistry Major
The Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry degree is available for those interested in pre-medicine. The Bachelor of Science in Chemistry degree is available for those planning to enter graduate school or professional employment in chemistry.
Students who desire certification to teach chemistry in high school (grades 9-12) are required by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to complete specific courses both in education and the sciences. For more information, see the Chemistry Education major under the School of Teacher Education section of this catalog.
Many developments in modern biological sciences rely extensively on techniques and principles of chemistry and physics. The importance of this relationship has led to the design of the Biochemistry major, which prepares students for advanced study in biochemistry, medicinal chemistry, molecular biology, molecular genetics, structural biology, genetic engineering, and cell biology through the understanding of the fundamentals of chemistry, biology, physics, and mathematics. It provides the basic science background necessary for applying to health professional schools including medical, dental, veterinary, and pharmacy schools. Majors in the field are employed by pharmaceutical, biotech, and medical industries to develop new medicines and research the causes of disease. Biochemists also work in agriculture, developing pest-resistant crops and other technologies, as well as in government labs and educational institutions.
Chemistry Major with a Concentration in Forensic Science
This major prepares students for employment in forensic science and criminal investigation laboratories or for applying to graduate forensic chemistry programs. Forensic chemistry deals with the application of chemistry to criminal investigation. A forensic scientist, specializing in the area of chemical analysis of forensic evidence, will require a strong background in the different methods of laboratory analysis and must be able to effectively communicate the findings of the laboratory analyses in lab reports and in the courtroom. The curriculum provides a strong theoretical and experimental background in chemistry, analytical chemistry techniques and modern instrumentation. Students in this program also develop skills in areas such as criminal investigation, criminal law and procedure, evidence collection and communication.
Geoscience Minor
This minor allows students to work on many of society’s most important challenges, but it also unlocks lucrative and personally rewarding careers in industry, academia, research and government.
Physics Courses
The courses in physics and physical science are offered to fulfill general education, elective or additional physics credits, and/or Missouri science certification requirements.
Plant Minor
A minor in Plant Biology is a viable option for students pursuing the BA in Biology and who wish to pursue non-research based careers related to Botany, Plant Biology, and related disciplines. This minor may also be relevant to students in other degree programs who have an interest in the plant sciences.
Selection of Plant Biology Minor not applicable for students pursuing a BS in Biology-Ecology and Plant Sciences Concentration.
4+1 Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry, Biology, Biotechnology, or Chemistry to Master of Business Administration
Missouri Baptist University offers an accelerated program for students to complete their Master of Business Administration (MBA) at an accelerated rate. Upon completion of their four-year undergraduate program, students may complete their MBA in less than one year. Undergraduate students will complete 6 credit hours of senior permission courses from the MBA curriculum. These senior permission courses will contribute to the student’s graduate coursework. The student will then take two semesters at 12 credit hours each to complete their MBA.
Two-Plus-Two Degree in Nursing
Missouri Baptist University and the Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes-Jewish College have teamed to offer a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Through this agreement, two years of study in the Associate of Science degree in Pre-Nursing program will be completed at MBU and the final two years of clinical studies will be completed at Barnes. An articulation agreement between MBU and Barnes was signed in March 2010.
The MBU Associate of Science degree in Pre-Nursing is a 64-69 hour program, and 55 of those hours are fully transferable to Barnes. Students must maintain a 3.0 cumulative grade point average at MBU to gain admissions to Goldfarb School of Nursing.
Programs of Study
Specific course requirements can be found on the corresponding program page.
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