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Natural Sciences (BA/BS)

The course offerings in the Natural Sciences curriculum are designed to introduce students to a wide variety of science courses, including biology, chemistry, geology, and physics.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Natural Sciences Department at Dallas Baptist University is to produce knowledgeable individuals who understand and appreciate the field of science as it manifests the power of God through His natural laws, and who are equipped to share that knowledge. The academic information is presented in a Christian context to enhance the ability of the students to serve as servant leaders in their field. 

Goals of the Natural Sciences Major

The students majoring in Natural Sciences should be able to:

  • Process an understanding of the key science concepts in the four primary fields of science.

  • Understand the interrelationships between the fields of science and the impact that these interrelationships have on society and the individual.

  • Communicate their understanding both verbally and in written form in such a way that others gain an understanding as well.

  • Appreciate the field of science as a manifestation of the power of God and His natural laws.

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

courses

credit hours (ba)

credit hours (bS)

Developing A Christian Mind
DCM 2301 - Developing a Christian Mind

3

3

English

12

9

ENGL 1301 - Composition and Rhetoric I

ENGL 1302 - Composition and Rhetoric II

ENGL 2301 - World Literature I

and/or

ENGL 2302 - World Literature II

Fine Arts
FINE 1306 - Introduction to Fine Arts

3

3

Foreign Language
*Six hours at the 2000 level if adequate requisites are met

14*

0

Foundations for Excellence

1

1

FOUN 1101 - Foundations for Excellence

is required of all first-year and transfer students with fewer than 15 credit hours.

(AP, CLEP, IB, or dual/concurrent credit earned while in high school does not count toward these 15 credit hours.)

History

6

6

Choose two:

HIST 1301 - U.S. History to 1865

HIST 1302 - U.S. History Since 1865

HIST 2301 - World Civilization I

HIST 2302 - World Civilization II

Kinesiology

2

2

KNES 1101 - Fitness for Living

and one additional activity course (KNES 1102-1122); for veterans or those 25 years of age or older prior to enrollment at DBU, KNES courses are waived.

Mathematics

3

3

Choose one:

MATH 1303 - College Algebra

MATH 1307 - Finite Math for Business Analysis

MATH 1405 - Calculus and Analytic Geometry I

If Physics Concentration is selected, then MATH 1405 and 1406 are required

(8)

(8)

Religion

9

9

RELI 1301 - Old Testament Survey

RELI 1302 - New Testament Survey

and

three additional credit hours depending on credit hours transferred at time of initial enrollment

Social Science (1000 or 2000 level courses only)

6

6

POLS 2301 - American National Government

and an additional three credit hours may be selected from Economics, Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology, or Sociology. 

TOTAL GENERAL STUDIES HOURS

59

42

TOTAL GENERAL STUDIES HOURS (if Physics Concentration is selected)

64

47

Natural Science Major

Core Classes

36

36

The following courses constitute the core, or foundation classes, and are required by all Natural Sciences Program students.

Biology
BIOL 1405 - Modern Concepts in Biology I

BIOL 1406  - Modern Concepts in Biology II

8

Chemistry
CHEM 1401 - General Chemistry I

CHEM 1402 - General Chemistry II

8

Geology
GEOL 1301 - Physical Geology

GEOL 1401 - Meteorology and Space Science

7

Physics
PHYS 1401 - General Physics I

PHYS 1402 - General Physics II

8

Upper-Level Biology
BIOL 3101 - Introduction to Scientific Literature

BIOL 3402 - Ecology (S-L)

5

CONCENTRATIONS
Each student must choose one concentration area and complete the courses in that concentration.

Biology Concentration

12

BIOL 3404 - Genetics (S-L)

BIOL 3407 - General Botany

BIOL 3408 - General Zoology

Chemistry Concentration

12

CHEM 3401 - Biochemistry

CHEM 3402 - Organic Chemistry I

CHEM 3403 - Organic Chemistry II

Physics Concentration

13

PHYS 3301 - Classical Mechanics*

PHYS 3303 - Modern Physics

PHYS 3304 - Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics*

PHYS 3402 - Electrodynamics*

*MATH 2407 is strongly recommended for these courses.

Electives

Biology or Chemistry Concentrations

Upper-Level
Lower or Upper-Level

25
0

25
5

Physics Concentration

Upper-Level
Lower or Upper-Level

24
0

24
0

TOTAL CREDIT HOURS REQUIRED

Biology or Chemistry Concentration

132

120

Physics Concentration

137

120

A 120-credit-hour minimum for a bachelor's degree is required, including 42 upper-level credit hours.

No minor in Natural Sciences is permitted.

Minimum GPA Required for Graduation from Dallas Baptist University: DBU requires a minimum institutional cumulative, major, and minor GPA of 2.0.

(S-L) = Course(s) with field-based service-learning component.

Refer to individual course descriptions for course requisites.

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

Find course descriptions by category under the Undergraduate Course Descriptions section in the navigation panel.