Natural Sciences (BA/BS)
The course offerings in the Natural Sciences curriculum are designed to introduce students to a wide variety of science courses, including biology, chemistry, geology, and physics.
Mission Statement
The mission of the Natural Sciences Department at Dallas Baptist University is to produce knowledgeable individuals who understand and appreciate the field of science as it manifests the power of God through His natural laws, and who are equipped to share that knowledge. The academic information is presented in a Christian context to enhance the ability of the students to serve as servant leaders in their field.
Goals of the Natural Sciences Major
The students majoring in Natural Sciences should be able to:
Process an understanding of the key science concepts in the four primary fields of science.
Understand the interrelationships between the fields of science and the impact that these interrelationships have on society and the individual.
Communicate their understanding both verbally and in written form in such a way that others gain an understanding as well.
Appreciate the field of science as a manifestation of the power of God and His natural laws.
DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
courses | credit hours (ba) | credit hours (bS) |
|---|---|---|
Developing A Christian Mind | 3 | 3 |
English | 12 | 9 |
ENGL 1301 - Composition and Rhetoric I ENGL 1302 - Composition and Rhetoric II | ||
ENGL 2301 - World Literature I and/or ENGL 2302 - World Literature II | ||
Fine Arts | 3 | 3 |
Foreign Language | 14* | 0 |
Foundations for Excellence | 1 | 1 |
FOUN 1101 - Foundations for Excellence is required of all first-year and transfer students with fewer than 15 credit hours. (AP, CLEP, IB, or dual/concurrent credit earned while in high school does not count toward these 15 credit hours.) | ||
History | 6 | 6 |
Choose two: HIST 1301 - U.S. History to 1865 HIST 1302 - U.S. History Since 1865 HIST 2301 - World Civilization I HIST 2302 - World Civilization II | ||
Kinesiology | 2 | 2 |
KNES 1101 - Fitness for Living and one additional activity course (KNES 1102-1122); for veterans or those 25 years of age or older prior to enrollment at DBU, KNES courses are waived. | ||
Mathematics | 3 | 3 |
[Math Advising Tool (eMAT) required prior to registering for any Math class or any class for which the eMAT is a prerequisite.] Choose one: MATH 1303 - College Algebra MATH 1307 - Finite Math for Business Analysis MATH 1405 - Calculus and Analytic Geometry I | ||
If Physics Concentration is selected, then MATH 1405 and 1406 are required | (8) | (8) |
Religion | 9 | 9 |
RELI 1301 - Old Testament Survey RELI 1302 - New Testament Survey and three additional credit hours depending on credit hours transferred at time of initial enrollment | ||
Social Science (1000 or 2000 level courses only) | 6 | 6 |
POLS 2301 - American National Government and an additional three credit hours may be selected from Economics, Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology, or Sociology. | ||
TOTAL GENERAL STUDIES HOURS | 59 | 42 |
TOTAL GENERAL STUDIES HOURS (if Physics Concentration is selected) | 64 | 47 |
Natural Science Major Core Classes | 36 | 36 |
The following courses constitute the core, or foundation classes, and are required by all Natural Sciences Program students. | ||
Biology | 8 | |
Chemistry | 8 | |
Geology | 7 | |
Physics | 8 | |
Upper-Level Biology | 5 | |
CONCENTRATIONS | ||
Biology Concentration | 12 | |
BIOL 3404 - Genetics (S-L) BIOL 3407 - General Botany BIOL 3408 - General Zoology | ||
Chemistry Concentration | 12 | |
CHEM 3401 - Biochemistry CHEM 3402 - Organic Chemistry I CHEM 3403 - Organic Chemistry II | ||
Physics Concentration | 13 | |
PHYS 3301 - Classical Mechanics* PHYS 3303 - Modern Physics PHYS 3304 - Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics* PHYS 3402 - Electrodynamics* *MATH 2407 is strongly recommended for these courses. | ||
Electives | ||
Biology or Chemistry Concentrations | ||
Upper-Level | 25 | 25 |
Physics Concentration | ||
Upper-Level | 24 | 24 |
TOTAL CREDIT HOURS REQUIRED | ||
Biology or Chemistry Concentration | 132 | 120 |
Physics Concentration | 137 | 120 |
A 120-credit-hour minimum for a bachelor's degree is required, including 42 upper-level credit hours.
No minor in Natural Sciences is permitted.
Minimum GPA Required for Graduation from Dallas Baptist University: DBU requires a minimum institutional cumulative, major, and minor GPA of 2.0.
(S-L) = Course(s) with field-based service-learning component.
Refer to individual course descriptions for course requisites.
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
Find course descriptions by category under the Undergraduate Course Descriptions section in the navigation panel.