2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog
School of Natural and Environmental Sciences
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Phone: 843.953.5991
Seth Pritchard, Interim Dean
Sofia Agrest, Assistant Dean
The role of the School of Sciences, Mathematics, and Engineering is two-fold: to provide the study of the natural world for a liberal arts education to all students in the College and to equip majors in the sciences and mathematics to enter careers, graduate schools, or professional schools. Students are afforded opportunities for significant involvement in learning in the classroom as well as individual attention by faculty in research in their academic areas. Students in all disciplines learn not only the facts, methods and boundaries of mathematics and science, but learn to question and to think analytically.
Students are encouraged to take advantage of opportunities for research and independent study with faculty to develop creativity and an understanding of scientific inquiry. Activities that offer close interactions with faculty increase student satisfaction with their college experience. Students considering a career in science should take mathematics and at least one science course during their first semester.
Mission Statement
Our mission is to integrate discovery, innovation, and education in order to serve our students, our state and our nation.
Vision
Our vision is to be a community of scholar-teachers committed to creating an environment of distinctiveness and excellence that supports and nurtures students as scholars and encourages learning through inquiry, all within the framework of a broad liberal arts and sciences education.
School of Natural and Environmental Sciences Special Programs
School of Natural and Environmental Sciences Non-Degree Programs
In addition to degree programs, the School of Natural and Environmental Sciences houses in its various departments several special programs listed below.
Pre-Allied Health Programs
The College of Charleston provides pre-professional program education that prepares a student to enter a wide variety of allied health education programs. This includes, but is not limited to: physician assistant, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, perfusion, health administration and medical laboratory science. After completing their prerequisites, and in most cases a four year degree, students apply to the allied health program of their choice at an institution where it is offered. Acceptance to specific programs requires an above average GPA, strong standardized test scores and exposure to the profession during their college experience. For additional information, please go to http://healthprof.cofc.edu.
Pre-Professional Nursing Curriculum
The College of Charleston does not grant nursing degrees, but offers pre-professional advising and coursework that prepare students for acceptance to the Accelerated BSN Program offered at the Medical University of South Carolina and other nationally accredited nursing programs. Typically a pre-nursing student at the College of Charleston should expect to complete the following courses:
Coursework
For additional information, please go to https://healthprof.cofc.edu.
Dual Degree Program for Nursing with USC Upstate Mary Black School of Nursing
College of Charleston is partnered with the University of South Carolina Upstate Mary Black School of Nursing to offer a dual degree program that is an option for a small number of entering freshmen in Fall 2020. This partnership will allow a student to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from CofC and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from USC Upstate in 5 years.
Dual Degree Program for Nursing with MUSC
CofC is partnered with the Medical University of South Carolina to offer a dual degree program that is an option for a small number of entering freshmen in Fall 2021. This partnership will allow a student to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from CofC and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from MUSC in 4.5 years.
Pre-Professional Curriculum for Dentistry, Medicine, Optometry, Osteopathy, Podiatry and Veterinary Medicine
843.953.6460
Edie Hering, Director
The College of Charleston offers courses that prepare students for entry into professional schools while completing a major that best fits their goals and interests. Students are reminded that there is no actual “pre-med” major. Majoring in science is the traditional approach; however, students can major in any field including business, psychology or the arts as long as the course of study includes the general coursework required by the intended professional school and prepares them for the required standardized tests. A broad range of degrees offered in Biology, Chemistry & Biochemistry, Geology & Environmental Geosciences and Physics will prepare students for entry into professional schools. Coursework must include:
Coursework
- Biology (8)
- Chemistry (2 semester of general chemistry, 2 semesters of organic chemistry) (16)
- Mathematics - two courses, including calculus (statistics is recommended) (6-8)
- Physics (8)
- *Biochemistry (3)
- Introductory Psychology and Sociology
- *Genetics, microbiology, histology, molecular biology
*Recommended for dentistry, medicine, and veterinary medicine.
Students should take these courses as early as possible in their academic career by including mathematics and at least two science sequences (biology, chemistry, and physics) in their freshman year.
For additional information, please go to https://healthprof.cofc.edu.
Pre-Pharmacy Curriculum
The College of Charleston offers courses that prepare students for entry into pharmacy school after three years of study. Interested students should consult individual schools of pharmacy for specific coursework and standardized test requirements. Typical prerequisites for pharmacy schools include the following courses:
Coursework
- Biology (8)
- Chemistry (2 semesters of general chemistry, 2 semesters of organic chemistry)) (16)
- Economics (3)
- ENGL 110 (4) plus one additional English course (7)
- Anatomy/Physiology (8)
- Verbal Skills/Public Speaking (3)
- Liberal arts electives (9)
- Mathematics (including calculus and statistics) (6-8)
- Physics (4)
- Psychology (3)
Students planning to apply to pharmacy school should take these courses as early as possible in their academic career by including mathematics and at least two science sequences (biology and chemistry) in their freshman year.
For additional information, please go to https://healthprof.cofc.edu.
LS-AMP
843.953.5276
Vijay Vulava, Director
The Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LS-AMP) is an academic four-year enrichment program at the College of Charleston for under-represented minorities planning to declare a major in the School of Sciences and Mathematics.
Minority students who want to become science or mathematics teachers are also eligible. Visit here for more information.
Undergraduate Research
A key component of the undergraduate career of a student majoring in science or math is participating in undergraduate research. This allows students to see what performing cutting edge research is like and possibly kindle a fire for a life-long passion. Students are mentored by our faculty in our state-of-the-art labs or in the field on projects such as designing and synthesizing new molecules, discovering exoplanets and black holes, mapping the ocean floor, improving cybersecurity, and studying organisms in a variety of habitats. Academic credit can be received and financial support may also be available. Students are encouraged to speak with faculty about available projects and to participate in our research recruiting event each fall. Projects are showcased each spring at our poster session.
SEA Semester
843.953.5586 or 843.953.9194
SEA Semester is a program sponsored by the Sea Education Association (SEA), a non-profit organization located in the oceanographic research community of Woods Hole, Massachusetts. Affiliated with the College of Charleston, Cornell University, Boston University, and others, SEA Semester is a 12-week, full-credit undergraduate program focusing on oceanographic and maritime studies. At SEA’s Woods Hole campus, students undertake coursework in oceanography, nautical science, and maritime literature and history, followed by a practical component of marine science and blue-water sailing aboard one of SEA’s sailing oceanographic research vessels (either of the 134-foot steel brigantine tall ships, the SSV Corwith Cramer or SSV Robert Seamans). For more information, please go to http://www.sea.edu.
NOTE: Any student at the College of Charleston is eligible to apply for participation in SEA Semester. No sailing experience is necessary for enrollment in SEA Semester.
Grice Marine Laboratory
843.953.9200
http://grice.cofc.edu/
Located at Fort Johnson on James Island, about 10 miles from the main campus, the Grice Marine Laboratory houses classrooms, student and faculty research laboratories, faculty offices, an aquarium room, and a research collection of marine invertebrates and fishes. The Grice Lab supports teaching and research in marine sciences, including coursework and independent study for the undergraduate marine biology major and the marine biology graduate program. The Grice Lab also maintains important educational and research collaborations with partner institutions at Fort Johnson.
Marine Resources Library
843.953.9370
The Marine Resources Library at Fort Johnson houses the extensive marine science holdings of the College of Charleston, the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources Marine Resources Division, and NOAA/NOS/CCEHBR/Charleston Laboratory.
Departments/Programs
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