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Natural Sciences

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Three Main
Degree Programs

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Biology

The wide-ranging scientific study of living organisms, from single cells to complex ecosystems.

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Chemistry

The scientific study of substance.

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Physics

The scientific study of the structure of the universe.

Find your degree

In LTU’s Department of Natural Sciences, you’ll have the opportunity to tackle real-world problems in multimillion-dollar, state-of-the-art laboratories.

Your challenging courses will provide you a rich background in cutting-edge science topics focused on solving society’s greatest challenges. With a wide range of curriculum options available, you have the flexibility to tailor your course of study to fit your interests and career plans.

Extensive hands-on learning experiences, including a multitude of research and internship opportunities, can prepare you to compete with the best to succeed in the career of your dreams.

Featured Programs

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Bachelor of Science in Chemistry

Concentration in Environmental Chemistry

Environmental chemists solve complex problems, including pollution prevention, hazardous waste management, chemical health and safety, environmental analysis, and the synthesis of biodegradable materials all within the context of chemical systems.

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Minor in

Nanotechnology

Nanotechnology Engineers study and manipulate individual atoms and molecules, studying at the smallest scale. Nanotechnology is revolutionizing nearly every field of science, including Biology, Physics, Medicine, Materials, and Engineering.

Why Science at LTU

Unlike large research universities, Lawrence Technological University is first and foremost an institution dedicated to teaching. The education and mentoring of students is the principal function of all Lawrence Tech faculty. The faculty of the Department of Natural Sciences is fully committed to this purpose.

As an undergraduate student in Natural Sciences at Lawrence Tech, you will:

  • Receive individual attention from all the faculty in your discipline.
  • Each will know you by face and by name, long before you graduate.
  • You will never be taught by a graduate student teaching assistant—even in your earliest laboratory courses.
  • A member of the teaching faculty will always be the principal supervisor in the laboratory, sometimes assisted by advanced Lawrence Tech undergraduates.
  • Adjunct faculty will teach in the advanced courses only when they bring a special expertise to the program.
  • You will always be advised by the chair of the department or by a director or coordinator of your program.

You will always be advised by the chair of the department or by a director or coordinator of your program.

The university is committed to providing the department and its students with the advanced instrumentation that they are likely to use in their future careers. All the instrumentation is available for undergraduate use and is often introduced at Lawrence Tech far earlier than at other institutions.

Multiple tracks of study are available in both chemistry and physics to enable students to tailor their programs to specific career goals such as biophysics or material sciences. Details of these programs can be found under the descriptions of the individual programs.

Natural Sciences students are encouraged to pursue co-op and internship opportunities in industry while earning college credit. In several programs an independent senior project is required for graduation. These projects can be carried out by a student individually or as a member of an interdisciplinary team, both of which are expected of technical workers in an industrial setting.

Facilities

The Department of Natural Sciences is housed on the second and third floors of the Science Building at Lawrence Tech. This is a modern facility designed with the needs of the sciences at the forefront. Physics laboratories are on the second floor and chemistry laboratories are on the third floor. Faculty members usually have offices near their teaching labs. Some joint instrumental laboratory space is on the third floor.

Instrumentation

The department is fully equipped with all the instrumentation needed for thorough training in all our major programs. A partial list of major equipment includes:

  • X-ray diffraction apparatus
  • Scanning electron microscope
  • A variety of lasers, diffractometers and detection devices
  • Digitizing, computer-compatible oscilloscopes
  • Several visible-ultraviolet spectrometers
  • Several infrared spectrometers, including Fourier transform devices Multiple gas chromatographs, some with automatic sampling and mass spectrometer detection
  • High Pressure Liquid Chromatography facilities
  • Fourier Transform Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectrometer

The department policy is to introduce advanced instrumentation at the earliest opportunity in a student’s education.

Objectives

Lawrence Tech’s undergraduate Natural Sciences programs are intended to produce scientists who:

  • Have sound command of the fundamental concepts in their field.
  • Have the experience and training to apply those concepts in industry.
  • Have the ability to teach themselves new skills as needed.
  • Possess the problem-solving and critical judgment skills required of competent citizens in an increasingly technological society.
  • Are able to undertake productive assignments in industry.
  • Are prepared to undertake graduate study in their field or in related disciplines.
  • Are well prepared for admission and success in medicine, dentistry or related fields.
  • Are fully prepared for graduate work in business or law.
  • Understand and adhere to the ethical standards of their discipline and of society as a whole.
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Meet the Faculty + Staff

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Shannon Timmons

Chair, Department of Natural Sciences
Associate Professor of Chemistry

Dr. Shannon Timmons joined the LTU faculty in the fall of 2008 and teaches organic chemistry and biochemistry courses in the Department of Natural Sciences. Dr. Timmons has a keen interest in the chemistry of biologically active organic molecules. In her research laboratory at LTU, her undergraduate student researchers have recently synthesized aspirin analogs for anticancer and antibacterial testing, bisphenol A analogs for toxicity and hyperactivity testing in zebrafish, and cationic contrast agents for micro-CT imaging applications related to the study of degenerative disc disease.

News with the College of Arts + Sciences

LTU students can participate in a wide range of exciting activities that elevate the learning experience.