College of Sciences and Technology

Introduction

Dr. Jeff R. Wright, Dean

The College of Sciences and Technology consists of seven academic departments: biology, chemistry, computer science, engineering technology, geology, mathematics, and physics/astronomy. In addition to the academic departments, the college is home to Western’s Science, Mathematics, and Technology Education (SMATE) program and the Advanced Materials Science and Engineering Center (AMSEC). SMATE is dedicated to the enrichment and education of K-12 pre-service teachers and education reform. AMSEC’s mission is to educate students and promote interdisciplinary research in materials science and to assist regional companies solve their materials related challenges. The college is committed to excellence in teaching, fostering interdisciplinary research and study opportunities, enhancing diversity, enhancing the quality of science, mathematics and technology K-12 teaching, and the development of critical thinking. Western has extensively invested in new facilities for the sciences in recent years (biology, chemistry, engineering technology, and SMATE). Additionally, the communications facility opened in the spring of 2004 and houses both the computer science department and the physics/astronomy department. Thus, students in the college are engaged in high-quality classroom experiences that, when combined with laboratory experiences, foster a basic understanding of the scientific method and research methodologies. Students in the college are encouraged to participate in individual or team research projects with faculty members.

All the departments within the college are dedicated to providing a high-quality education for students by incorporating undergraduate research and practical laboratory-based experiences to stimulate intellectual curiosity, critical thinking abilities and application of the scientific method. Graduates from the college pursue graduate degrees, a wide variety of jobs in industry or governmental organizations, or become teachers. All of the graduates are expected to be excellent communicators and be vigorous throughout their lives in the active pursuit of knowledge.

Within the college, students will find a wide variety of majors and minors from which to choose, including many interdisciplinary majors or minors. Both bachelor’s and master’s degrees are offered. Graduates from many majors also seek certification in education. The College of Sciences and Technology partners with the College of Humanities and Social Sciences to provide students with a liberal education. Graduates from the College of Sciences and Technology are uniquely positioned, therefore, to contribute leading roles in their scientific, professional and technical lives in our increasingly complex world.

Academic Programs Leading to Undergraduate and Graduate Degrees

     *Interdisciplinary between the College of Humanities and Social Sciences and the College of Sciences and Technology.

Majors and Minors

In addition to the General University Requirements (GURs) and other common degree requirements of the University, the candidate for a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree must complete a major area emphasis which is usually accompanied by supporting courses. A minor is optional. A few concentrations are offered which encompass both a major and a minor. Students will confer with appropriate departmental advisors to plan study programs. Transfer students are expected to complete at least a portion of their work in the major and minor fields in this institution.

College Admission and Advisement

As the student completes the freshman year, which usually consists largely of courses that also meet the GURs, he or she is referred to the academic departments for continued personalized advisement in planning and selecting courses of study. Faculty within each department share responsibility for counseling students electing concentrations in their area. Faculty members may recommend to the department chair the waiving of certain course prerequisites (when it has been demonstrated that the student already has these competencies). Students who are undecided about a major may seek advisement through the Academic Advising Center in Old Main.

Department Chairs

Dr. Joann Otto, Biology
Dr. Steven D. Gammon, Chemistry
Dr. Geoffrey Matthews, Computer Science
Professor Todd Morton, Engineering Technology
Dr. Bernard Housen, Geology
Dr. Tjalling Ypma, Mathematics
Dr. Brad Johnson, Physics/Astronomy

Other College Information

Departments, Courses and Programs

Courses listed in this catalog constitute a record of the total academic program of the University. For an exact scheduling of courses at Western, students should consult the online Timetable of Classes and Extended Education  bulletins.

Interdisciplinary Sciences, Technology and Mathematics (ISTM)

Courses containing scientific, technological and/or mathematical topics without focusing on a particular discipline are offered under the Interdisciplinary Science(s), Technology and Mathematics designation. Courses are designed for both science and non-science students. Faculty will come from across the College of Sciences and Technology, and will offer a wide range of perspectives on the institutions, tools and practice of science, technology and mathematics. A new course on scientific literacy is an example of the type of course that will be offered with this new designation.