The School of Arts and Sciences: Natural Science, Mathematics and Computer Science

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J. Barton Starr, Ph.D., Dean
Susan E. Jones, Ph.D., Associate Dean of Arts & Humanities
Raymond E. Waldner, Ph.D., Associate Dean of Sciences

The School of Arts and Sciences is a diverse community of Christian scholars committed to preparing students not only for a specific profession but for life itself – an examined life of intellectual, spiritual, and civic richness. This community assists students in forging a distinctively Christian worldview that recognizes all truth within the arts and sciences as God’s truth. United in their commitment to mature faith, rigorous learning, and uncompromised scholarship, the faculty of the School of Arts and Sciences seeks to shape future generations of Christian scholars, equipping them to think both critically and creatively so they can make a significant impact at Palm Beach Atlantic University and beyond.

Palm Beach Atlantic University’s largest school is the School of Arts and Sciences. The School of Arts and Sciences provides fourteen major academic programs and twelve minor programs from which students may choose in Humanities, Natural Science, Mathematics and Computer Science. Frequently students will complete a major in one of the other schools and a second major or a minor field of study in the School of Arts and Sciences. In addition, the School of Arts and Sciences offers a degree program in General Studies and an Associate of Arts degree in Pre-Engineering Studies. The General Education Program, for the most part, is composed of courses taught in the School of Arts and Sciences.

The challenge in the School of Arts and Sciences is to provide a balance between diversity and specialty, between providing breadth in study with the depth required to prepare students for vocations and further study. The varied skills of faculty members are combined to strengthen and afford students an appreciation for the interrelationships in learning.

Natural Science and Technology Credits

Natural Science and Technology courses completed more than 5 years prior to enrolling at PBA will not be accepted for transfer credit toward a major or minor. Natural Science and Technology courses may be counted toward General Education credits up to 7 years after completion.

Pre-Health Professional Program

Pre-health professional students prepare to gain entrance into a health professional program after graduation from PBA. These programs include Allopathic (M.D.) and Osteopathic Medicine (O.D.), Dentistry, Veterinary Medicine, Optometry, Podiatry, Physician Assistant and other specialized health care programs. The liberal arts degree that a student earns at PBA will help develop the communications, writing, critical thinking and decision-making skills that will be needed in the application process and for becoming a successful health care professional.

Because professional schools desire students with a broad range of academic interests, students can choose to major in any subject area. However, because health professional programs are science-based, and because the sciences are rigorous and academically demanding, a major in one of the sciences is a good choice for students planning to gain entrance into a health professional program.

As a result, the majority of pre-health professional students at PBA major in Biology (see Concentration in Pre-Health Professional Preparation within the Biology Department). Another science option is the Medicinal and Biological Chemistry major which also will provide a student with a solid science background. Students who choose a non-science major should be prepared to take the science courses required by the professional schools to which they plan to apply, and to consult with the Pre-Health Advisory Committee to set up a suitable curriculum that includes those science courses.

A minimal list of the courses which would be required for pre-health preparation is: Biology I and II, General Chemistry I and II, Organic Chemistry I and II, Physics I and II.

Formal admission into the Pre-Health Professional Program requires that students go through an application and screening process during the spring semester of the sophomore year.* The application and screening process is carried out by the Pre-Health Advisory Committee. The Pre-Health Advisory Committee meets with pre-health students at least twice a year on the first Friday of each semester at 11:00 a.m. in MAC 1291. The expectations of pre-health students, including the application and screening process, will be discussed at these meetings. Pre-health students must attend these meetings if they expect to be admitted into the Program.

*Junior or senior transfer students must apply during their first semester at PBA. Students who wish to enter this program after the sophomore year must contact the Pre-Health Advisory Committee immediately.

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