B.S. in Biophysical Sciences

Introduction to the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures with an emphasis on biblical interpretation and application in the contemporary world. Importance and reliability of the Scriptures, genres of Scripture with representative readings, basics of biblical interpretation, and skills needed for application to the Christian life examined.

Exploration of core doctrinal and theological beliefs of the Christian faith. Emphasis placed upon the development of a Christian worldview in order to prepare students to face the challenges of their current culture. Prerequisite: BIBL 105.

Provides a broad overview of the historic roots and development of Christian thought.  Identifies and describes historical Christian doctrines, the basics of theological reasoning, significant Christian thinkers, and contemporary global trends and issues.

Philosophy and methods of science, biologic molecules, cell structure and function, metabolism, genetics, reproduction and molecular biology.  Three credit hours lecture with one credit hour lab.

Cosmogony and developmental biology, diversity of prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms and ecology.  Three credit hours lecture with one credit hour lab.  Prerequisite: Grade of C+ or better in BIOL 121.

Viruses and microorganisms: morphology, taxonomy, genetics, physiology, pathogenicity and biodiversity.  Three credit hours lecture with one credit hour lab.  Prerequisites: Grade of C+ or better in BIOL 122 and CHEM 121.

Physiology and genetics of the immune response: serology, cellular mechanisms and signaling, generation of diversity, immune dysfunction and diagnostics.  Three credit hours lecture with one credit hour lab.  Prerequisite: Grade of C+ or better in BIOL 321.

Qualitative and quantitative techniques and methods used in chemical experimentation. Three credit hours lecture with one credit hour lab.  Prerequisite:  B- in MATH 102 or equivalent or department chair approval.

Synthetic and analytic methods with organic and inorganic compounds.  Three credit hours lecture with one credit hour lab.  Prerequisite: Grade of C+ or better in CHEM 121.

Carbon-based compounds: separation, purification and analytic principles and applications in biologic and industrial processes.  Three credit hours lecture with one credit hour lab.  Prerequisite: Grade of C+ or better in CHEM 122.

Carbon-based compounds: synthesis, derivatives and characterization. Three credit hours lecture with one credit hour lab.  Prerequisite: Grade of C+ or better in CHEM 221.

Structure, function, analysis and cellular control mechanisms of proteins, carbohydrates, lipids and nucleic acids.  Three credit hours lecture with one credit hour lab.  Prerequisite: Grade of C+ or better in CHEM 222.

Introduction to the principles and practice of effective oral communication. Through formal and informal speaking activities, students develop skills at framing and articulating ideas through speech.  Students learn strategies for speaking extemporaneously, preparing and delivering presentations, formulating persuasive arguments, refining critical clarity of thought, and enhancing general facility and confidence at oral expression. Students gain practice in various speech types—including expositive and informative forms.

Survey of economic concepts and systems, including both micro- and macro-economics.  Students examine the American economic system while exploring the impact of the international market. Topics include markets and competition, price, supply and demand, aggregate performance, fiscal policy, and international trade and finance.  This course is not open to business majors.

Examines the concepts, principles, and business practices of market systems, demand and supply economics, market equilibrium, product and resource demands, consumer behavior, forms of competition, governmental policies, market failure and international economics.

Study and development of skills in planning, writing, and revising the expository essay, with attention given to developing a thesis, providing adequate support, and developing paragraphs with clear introductions and conclusions.  This course should be taken in the first year.

Introduction to research skills and academic writing.  Students learn and practice the common steps and formats in writing a university-level research paper, such as writing and submitting proposals, writing literature reviews, following general research paper formats, and using an annotated bibliography.  Prerequisite: Grade of "C-" or better in ENGL 101.

Great literary works in the Western tradition from the ancient to the present.

Explores the development of a Christian worldview and philosophy of life.  Studies some alternative worldviews from a Christian worldview perspective.  Investigates the sacredness of all spheres of human life and the relevance of a Christian worldview to all spheres of human life and action through the works of some of Christianity’s leading thinkers and writers.

Introduction to enduring questions of truth, goodness, and beauty through theological and philosophical investigation, including biblical apologetics and critical thinking.

Various aesthetic approaches for appreciating and evaluating visual art, drama, and music. Artistic creation in relation to a biblical understanding of the character of God and the image of God in human beings.

Explores a Christian worldview framework for leadership and studies the lives of exemplary Christian and non-Christian leaders from a global context and a wide spectrum of disciplines and professions.  Students participate in a ten (10) hour service-learning leadership experience.  Advisor approval required.  Pre-requisite: Senior Standing; IDS majors: Junior Standing.  Cross-listed with GENE 202.

Investigation of the spatial distribution of cultures and regions. Emphasis on defining key geographical concepts, identifying major political boundaries, illustrating current and recent national and ethnic conflicts, exploring economic and social processes that are leading to increasing global interaction, examining the variation religious practices and beliefs and assessing the basis for international disparities in economic development.

Study of the political, social, and economic development of American society from about 1607 through the end of the Civil War era in 1877.  Students consider native American perspectives and the interaction with Europeans.  Topics include the formation and establishment of the new nation as well as the international impact of the birth of a nation.

Study of the political, social and economic development of American society from the post-Civil War era to the present.  Students investigate the development of a party system of government, industrial development, labor issues, the impact of the reconstruction, American involvement internationally, and the present state of American society.

Study of the events, peoples, groups, ideas, institutions, and trends that shaped western civilization from the prehistoric era to 1650. Emphasis on the rise and fall of empires, the legacy those empires left and the impact of religion on the ancient, medieval, and early modern western world.  The multiple perspectives of gender, class, religion, and ethnic groups are explored.  Students investigate historical accounts of civilization and engage in personal reflection and response.

Study of the events, peoples, groups, ideas, institutions, and trends that shaped western civilization from 1650 to the present. The multiple perspectives of gender, class, religion, and ethnic groups are explored, including reference to the interaction among the peoples of the modern world.  Students investigate historical accounts of western civilization and its interaction with non-western cultures and engage in personal reflection and response.

Survey of the history of civilization from its beginnings in both the Middle East and Asia to the growing dominance of the West over non-western civilizations in Asia, Africa, and the Americas that began in the 16th century age of exploration.  Special attention given to the cultural exchanges, interactions, and adaptations that occurred among these civilizations.

Survey of the growth and interactions of civilizations across the world from the 16th century to the present.  Special attention given to their individual cultural vibrancy and to their responses to Western hegemony, modernization, and globalization in subsequent centuries.

Introductory study of basic descriptive and inferential statistics with an emphasis on real world applications and the use of current technology.  Topics include sampling, random variables, probability distributions, measures of central tendency and variation, and testing of hypotheses.  Cannot be applied to the mathematics major.

A second course in calculus and analytic geometry.  Techniques and applications of integration.  Introduction to differential equations.  Parametric equations and polar coordinates.  Infinite series and power series.  Prerequisite: MATH 211.

Structure, purposes and limitations of the scientific method; big questions pertaining to science since classical times; presuppositions and epistemology in a scientific world.

The origin, state, and physical aspects of the universe in general and the Earth in particular with concentration on research methods, assumptions, and current findings.  Prerequisite: GENE 100.

An exploration of probabilistic processes in biology and physical aspects of design. An examination of the role of truth in science and mathematical models as support. Prerequisites: PHYS 221 and 222.

Evolutionary theory, mechanisms of speciation, and phylogenetic evidence. Includes exploration of various theories pertaining to human origins, strengths and weaknesses of each.  Prerequisite: GENE 100.

Historical development and philosophies of bioethics especially in light of medical life extension and value, costs, in vitro fertilization, eugenics, and genetic modification of the human genome. A Christian perspective of bioethics is presented, including specific focus on the imago Dei.  Prerequisite: GENE 100.

Capstone course for the Biophysical sciences major which includes and the development of a culminating thesis based on research and a student portfolio developed through the student’s academic career.

Calculus based solutions in mechanics, heat, and sound.  Applied Newtonian mechanics in single and multiple dimensions, cosmology and astronomical organization. Three credit hour lecture with one credit hour lab.  Prerequisites: Grade of C+ or better in MATH 212.

Calculus based solutions in electricity, magnetism, and optics.  Three credit hour lecture with one credit hour lab.  Prerequisite: Grade of C+ or better in PHYS 221.

Introduction to the Spanish language using a communicative approach with an emphasis on developing introductory listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills as well as an appreciation for Hispanic culture.

Continuation of SPAN 102. Introduction to the Spanish language using a communicative approach with an emphasis on developing introductory listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills as well as an appreciation for Hispanic culture. Prerequisite: SPAN 101 or placement through Department of English.

Development of intermediate-level Spanish language skills and study of the diverse cultures of the Spanish-speaking world. Prerequisite: SPAN 102 or placement through Department of English.

Continuation of SPAN 210. Development of intermediate-level Spanish language skills and study of the diverse cultures of the Spanish-speaking world. Prerequisite: SPAN 210 or placement through Department of English.