Gordon College Academic Catalog 2024-2025
Life, Health, and Physical Sciences Programs
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 Return to: Academic Schools (Undergraduate and Graduate)
Department Chair: Gregory Keller
Faculty: Liza Abraham, Dorothy Boorse, Sean Clark, Mina Lim, Kristen Siaw, Craig Story, Yi Sun, Oleksiy Svitelskiy, Yuanming Zheng. Part-Time: Donna Clark, Thomas Faulds, Garry Haacke, Greg Walker.
The Department of Life, Health, and Physical Sciences includes programs in the natural sciences: Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Engineering, Environmental Science and Sustainability, Health Science, Kinesiology and Physics. From the smallest nanoparticles to the grandeur of the universe, students in these disciplines explore patterns and processes in God’s world. With a consideration of how humans are shaped by and influence the breadth of natural processes, students gain deep understanding through holistic scientific literacy.
Biology Program
MISSION: The mission of the Biology Program is to prepare students with a foundational perspective of the diverse fields within biology and an awareness of their interrelations. A wide range of biology courses covering topics from molecular biology to human biology to ecosystem dynamics, together with extensive training in laboratory and field techniques provide students with the resources to be successful in the post-undergraduate world of work and continued academic pursuit. Student research experiences, off-campus internships, cooperative education, and summer work opportunities in biology are encouraged to clarify vocational direction. We provide a comprehensive and inclusive educational experience that prepares students to excel in the field of biology while fostering a strong sense of community, particulary through advising, mentoring and co-curricular engagement. Throughout the biology program a serious effort is made to engage students in careful exploration of the relationship of biology to the Christian faith and issues of global concern. Graduating students are well prepared for all graduate programs, research positions, industry positions and academia in all subfields of biology. Graduates recognize that biology is inherently intertwined with the world around us and are prepared to make an impact.
Biology Major
Honors in Biology
Students may graduate with honors in biology by conducting, writing, presenting and defending an honors thesis based on substantial research during their senior year. Under the guidance of a faculty advisor, candidates will develop a thesis proposal and register for 4-8 credits of research (BIO 471 , BIO 472 ). The candidate will select a thesis committee of three faculty members: the advisor as the chair of the committee and two other faculty members, one of whom must be from a program outside the student’s major. The role of the committee includes: first, to approve the research proposal from the candidate; second, to help shape and monitor the progress of the candidate’s research; and third, to read and approve the candidate’s final thesis. Completed research must be presented in the biology senior seminar class or in a scheduled seminar open to the public and defended orally with the Honors Thesis Committee prior to exam week. The minimum GPA for an honors candidate is 3.5 in the major and 3.0 overall.
Degrees Offered
The Biology Program offers two biology degrees: a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Arts. Within each degree program students may take one of 5 concentrations (Professional, Biotechnology, Ecology and Conservation, Human Biology or Marine Biology). The B.S. in biology is particularly appropriate for students wishing to enter graduate school, whereas the B.A. in biology is best for students with a double major outside the natural sciences. Students should consult with their advisor to determine the optimal degree and concentration for their vocational interests.
Special Collaborations
Marine Science Studies Consortium
Gordon is a member of the Marine Science Studies Consortium, which offers students the opportunity to take courses in marine biology through the Consortium, for an additional fee. Courses include Introduction to Marine Mammals, Coastal Zone Management, Biology of Fishes, Water Resources Planning and Management, etc. Courses are held at other New England sites. See http://marinestudiesconsortium.org/register.php. Arrangements made through Biology Department Chair.
Au Sable Institute of Environmental Studies
Gordon is one of the charter members of Au Sable Institute, an environmental science program that teaches field courses for a variety of Christian liberal arts colleges. Campuses are located in Michigan and Washington state, with additional courses offered in India and Costa Rica. Au Sable students can get certificates as naturalists or as land, water or environmental resources analysts. Offerings may vary annually. See Au Sable representative Dr. Dorothy Boorse. Course information is available on the Au Sable website at www.ausable.org.
Chemistry Program
MISSION: The Chemistry Program seeks to provide students majoring in chemistry with a broad understanding of the principal areas within the discipline. As a central scientific discipline, chemistry offers insight into the structure, properties and behavior of atoms and molecules. Students successfully completing the major are prepared either to complete their education in graduate programs in chemistry or to take professional positions in secondary education, industry or other scientific organizations. The program empowers students to engage the principles of green chemistry and materials science during their studies and in their careers. As part of a Christian liberal arts college, the program further seeks to develop within its students the conviction that scientific endeavor is worthy of Christian commitment and can be integrated with Christian faith. Students are encouraged to develop an appreciation for the place of the sciences in a liberal education and to gain an understanding of the relationship of the natural sciences to society and its challenges.
Honors in Chemistry
Students may graduate with honors in chemistry by conducting, writing, presenting and defending an honors thesis based on substantial research during their senior year. Candidates will develop a project in consultation with a faculty advisor and thesis committee (three members of the Department). For honors, the thesis must be high-quality and must be orally defended before department faculty and the public prior to exam week. To earn honors in chemistry a student will complete CHE 471 - Research I , CHE 472 - Research II as part of their elective requirements and write a holistic honors thesis (CHE 499 - Thesis ) based on their research. The minimum GPA for honors candidates is 3.5 in the major and 3.0 overall.
Kinesiology Program
MISSION: The mission of the Kinesiology Program is to foster a community of learners in which students and faculty engage in the study of physical activity and its impact on health, society and quality of life. The curriculum embraces a multidimensional approach to the study of human movement, exercise and sport and empahsiszes an understanding of the scientific foundations as well as the psychological and social dimensions of physical activity. Through a Christian worldview students consider scientific advancements, societal changes and ethical implications in topic areas such as physcial stewardship, performance enhancement and quality of life.The program emphasizes collaborative research with students as well as volunteer and internship experiences in a variety of professional settings. Kinesiology graduates are well prepared for post-baccalaureate study in kinesiology, clinical exercise physiology and physical and occupational therapy programs.
The curriculum in the Kinesiology major emphasizes the mechanical, neurological and physiological bases of human movement and is coupled with experiences to enhance critical-thinking skills essential to scientific inquiry. The course of study includes examination of both normal and healthy function as well as clinical conditions and disease states.
Honors in Kinesiology
In exceptional cases students may earn honors in Kinesiology by conducting research and writing an honors thesis during their senior year. In collaboration with a faculty advisor, candidates will enroll in KIN 471 in their junior or senior year to develop a thesis proposal and conduct pilot work on a selected topic. The proposal will be defended by the end of the fall semester of the student’s senior year. The proposal will be presented to the student’s thesis committee (three members of the Department) and defended no later than the end of the fall of the student’s senior year. The defense must include evidence of readiness to conduct a full study based on initial pilot work. Upon successful defense the candidate will enroll in KIN 472 and will conduct formal research and write a thesis. For honors the thesis must be holistic and of high quality and must be orally defended before department faculty and the public prior to exam week. The minimum GPA for honors candidates is 3.5 in the major and 3.0 overall.
Physics and 3-2 Engineering Program
MISSION: The mission of the Physics and Engineering Program is to create, maintain and develop a thriving and engaged community of students and faculty as they grow and learn the fields of physics and engieering. We inspire and educate our students to become critical thinkers who integrate their faith with scientific knowledge. Students are encouraged to engage with ethical questions that inform and enrich their perspective as Christians. Through rigorous, high-quality courses; independent research opportunities; and close mentoring relationships with faculty, we prepare our students to succeed in graduate school, secondary school teaching, industrial employment or government service.
All 4-year physics majors are required to undertake a yearlong research project, which may be experimental, computational or theoretical in aim. This research is done under the mentorship of a faculty member, and the expectations and deliverables are defined together with the student.
Honors in Physics
Students may graduate with honors in Physics by conducting, writing, presenting and defending an honors thesis based on substantial research during their senior year. Candidates will develop a project in consultation with a faculty advisor and thesis committee (two additional members of the Department). For honors the thesis must be holistic and of high quality and must be orally defended before department faculty and the public prior to exam week. The minimum GPA for honors candidates is 3.5 in the major and 3.0 overall.
Interdisciplinary Minors
Neuroscience Minor - This interdisciplinary minor (24 credits) draws from biology, psychology and kinesiology.
Environmental Studies Minor - An interdisciplinary minor focusing on the interactions between human systems and natural systems, with the objective of preparing students for employment or further studies in areas involving the environment. Usually taken by non-biology majors. See Dr. Boorse for more information.
ProgramsMajorMinorConcentrationsCoursesBiologyChemistryEngineering (Physics)Environmental Science and SustainabilityEnvironmental StudiesHealth ProfessionsHealth SciencePage: 1
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