Natural Sciences

Contact Information

phone: (716) 839-8541
daemen.edu/naturalsciences

Chair

Diane Ramos
(716) 839-8560

Degrees Offered

Minors

3+ 4 Program with Lincoln Memorial University College of Veterinary Medicine

Daemen University and Lincoln Memorial University College of Veterinary Medicine http://vetmed.lmunet.edu have partnered to offer highly qualified students an opportunity to earn their Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 7 years. Up to 20 students are accepted as first-year students into this accelerated program annually and are guaranteed seats in the LMU-CVM program as long as they meet program requirements, including a specified grade point average.  After 3 years of classes at Daemen University and successful completion of their first year of veterinary medical school at LMU, a B.S. in Natural Science will be conferred by Daemen University.

Lincoln Memorial University’s College of Veterinary Medicine is located in the beautiful rolling hills of Harrogate, Tennessee with state-of-the-art facilities. Students begin hands-on training with animals in their first semester with a wide variety of species located at LMU-CVM’s DeBusk Veterinary Teaching Center housed on 700 acres in Ewing, Virginia (12 miles from the main campus). Fourth-year clinicals are offered off-site, including locations in Western New York.

3+ 4 Program with the University of Buffalo School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

Daemen University and the University of  Buffalo School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences have partnered to offer highly qualified students an opportunity to earn their Doctor of Pharmacy degree in 7 years. Two students are accepted as first-year students into this program annually and are guaranteed seats in the UB School of Pharmacy Pharm.D program as long as they meet program requirements, including a specified grade point average. The student will spend three years at Daemen, then complete their fourth undergraduate year at UB in the Pharmacy program.   After the successful completion of the first year of pharmacy school, a B.S. in Natural Science/Health Sciences Specialization will be conferred by Daemen University.

The UB Pharmacy School,  the only pharmacy school in the SUNY system, is ranked among the top pharmacy schools in the U.S. and one of the top departments in the world in pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and biopharmaceutics.

Interested applicants and students need to consult with Daemen UniversityAdmissions as well as the faculty in the Department of Natural Sciences regarding requirements for admission and program details.

3 + 4 Program with the D’Youville College School of Pharmacy

Daemen University and the D’Youville College School of Pharmacy have partnered to offer highly qualified students an opportunity to earn their Doctor of Pharmacy degree in 7 years. The student will spend three years at Daemen, then complete their fourth undergraduate year at D’Youville in the Pharmacy program.   After the successful completion of the first year of pharmacy school, a B.S. in Natural Science/Health Sciences Specialization will be conferred by Daemen University.

Interested applicants and students need to consult with Daemen University Admissions as well as the faculty in the Department of Natural Sciences regarding requirements for admission and program details.

Requirements for Admission of First-Year Students

High school chemistry and mathematics through trigonometry.

Admission to Upper Division Requirements (all majors and specializations except Adolescence Education: Biology – see separate section)

  1. A completed application with an essay must be submitted to the Natural Sciences Department by the date published in the academic calendar.
  2. An overall grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 was earned at the end of the sophomore year. Biochemistry majors pursuing pre-professional studies must earn an overall grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 at the end of their sophomore year.
  3. A minimum grade of C earned in lectures and labs is as follows:
ALL BIOLOGY PROGRAMS
  • BIO109-110
  • CHE110-111; 301-302
  • MTH134 (if required as a prerequisite to MTH144)
  • NSC231
  • Six credits of 300-level Biology may be substituted for CHE301-302. An additional 3 credits of 300-level Biology may be substituted for NSC231.
BIOCHEMISTRY PROGRAM
  • BIO109-110
  • CHE110-111; 301-302
  • MTH134 (if required as a prerequisite to MTH144)
  • NSC231
  • Biochemistry majors pursuing pre-professional studies must also earn a minimum of C in MTH144.
  • NOTE: In place of NSC231, an additional 3 credit hours of Chemistry at the 300 level, with a grade of C or better, may be substituted.
NATURAL SCIENCE PROGRAMS
ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES SPECIALIZATION
  • BIO109-110
  • CHE110-111; 301-302
  • MTH134 (if required as a prerequisite to MTH144)
  • NSC231
  • Six credits of 300 level Biology may be substituted for CHE301-302.
  • An additional 3 credits of 300 level Biology may be substituted for NSC231.
FORENSIC SCIENCE SPECIALIZATION
  • BIO109-110
  • CHE110-111
  • MTH134
  • NSC231
  • 6 credit hours of Biology or Chemistry at the 300-level or above.
HEALTH SCIENCES SPECIALIZATION
  • BCH317
  • BIO109-110
  • CHE110-111
  • MTH134
  • NSC231
  • 3 credit hours of 300-level or above Biology or Chemistry.
  • An additional 3 credit hours of 300-level Biology or Chemistry with C or better may be substituted for NSC231.
INDIVIDUALIZED STUDIES TRACK
  • BIO109-110
  • CHE110-111
  • MTH134 (if required as a prerequisite to MTH144)
  • NSC231
  • 6 credit hours of Biology or Chemistry at the 300-level or above.
  • An additional 3 credit hours of Biology or Chemistry at the 300-level may be substituted for NSC231.

Admission to Upper Division – Adolescence Education: Biology

  1. An overall grade point average of 2.75 or better for all completed university courses.
  2. A grade point average of 2.75 or better in all education courses (ECSE, EDU & SED prefix).
  3. A Dispositional Interview.
  4. Compile and submit, for Education Department faculty review, a comprehensive emerging e-portfolio, the contents of which include the following exhibits: artifacts, facsimiles, projects, and grades. Projects must be scanned originals submitted to the professors and, therefore, include the professors’ comments/corrections/annotations.
  • A researched, scholarship-based paper submitted for EDU 203.
  • An outline of an instructional unit, including a fully designed 3-lesson learning segment, prepared for EDU 237.
  • A researched, scholarship-based paper submitted for SED 270.
  • A written emerging professional resume.
  • A written emerging philosophy of education
  • A written emerging comprehensive reflective narrative detailing perception of current status, skills gained during coursework, targets or goals for continuing professional development, and expectations for the future (i.e., intended career choice).
  • A completed Disposition Self-Assessment (DSA) containing narrative reflection showing examples to support the ranking of each of the criteria.

The absence of any of these items or an overall GPA lower than 2.75 will constitute an incomplete submission, and the portfolio will not be accepted for review. If you are missing assignments, please see your advisor before the submission date to seek advice about your options.

  1. Traditionally admitted students (non-transfer students) who are seeking admission to upper division status must apply by March 19th of the second year of study.
  1. Transfer students must apply by March 19 during the semester in which they are completing EDU 267 or ECSE 280. Transfer students who enter Daemen University with an associate degree must submit a portfolio that includes an emerging professional resume, a written emerging philosophy of education, a comprehensive reflective narrative, and, if available, artifacts from comparable courses taken at other institutions, indicating where they were taken and the grade earned.
  1. In the event of a resubmission due to extenuating circumstances approved by the department chair, the GPA will be considered closed as of the end of the spring semester. The review process will be complete by August 31st before the start of the new fall semester.
      Requirements for Student Teaching:
  1. An overall grade point average (GPA) of 2.75.
  2. A grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 in all courses in the major.
  3. Apply for Student Teaching, usually at the end of the third year.
  4. Be recommended for student teaching by the Chairs of the Education and Natural Sciences departments.

Pre-Professional Studies

Although no specific major is required to apply for postgraduate study in any of the medical fields (e.g. medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, podiatry, osteopathy, optometry), certain courses are recognized as beneficial to students considering such career options. These are the basis for the Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry with a Pre-Professional specialization. Professional programs in medically related fields give preference to students who have completed courses in biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, and English. Also helpful are courses in biochemistry, biostatistics, and genetics.

Requirements for Recommendation for Admission to Professional Schools

Senior Status in Pre-Professional program; a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0, and an average of B earned in mathematics and science courses in the first three years.

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

  1. A minimum grade of C in all Science courses and MTH144.
  2. An overall grade point average (GPA) of 2.00. Biochemistry majors pursuing pre-professional studies must earn an overall grade point average (GPA) of 3.00.
  3. TEACHER CERTIFICATION MAJORS: A minimum GPA of 2.75.

Departmental Mission Statement

The Daemen University Natural Sciences Department prepares students for life and leadership in a rapidly changing, technological society. Science is an integral part of the liberal arts reflecting the creative and dynamic interplay that exists among experimentation, theory, logic, symmetry, and language. Emphasis is placed on developing the critical thinking and problem-solving skills necessary to understand and apply scientific concepts to real-world problems. In this spirit, the faculty and students collaborate in the exploration of our changing world through classroom and research opportunities.

Student Learning Objectives for Natural Sciences

OUR DEPARTMENTAL GOALS ARE AS FOLLOWS:
  1. Students will acquire an understanding of the interdisciplinarity of the sciences and mastery of scientific vocabulary.
  2. Students will gain proficiency in experimental design using appropriate controls according to the scientific method and will be able to:
    1. perform experiments;
    2. generate data using appropriate field and/or laboratory techniques;
    3. analyze and interpret experimental data.
  3. Students will be able to critically read the current scientific literature and will be able to perform literature searches using all available sources.
  4. Students will be able to communicate scientific knowledge both orally and in writing.
  5. Graduates will be prepared for further education in the sciences, for teaching science, or for direct entry into the workforce in a science-related career.
GOAL 1

Students will acquire an understanding of the interdisciplinarity of the sciences and mastery of scientific vocabulary.
Objectives:

  1. Students will understand the similarities and differences among the major scientific disciplines in terms of methods, acquired knowledge, and collective understanding (e.g., be able to explain the similarities and differences between physics and biology, or inorganic and organic chemistry).
  2. Students will understand how the scientific method unifies all disciplines in the natural sciences and distinguishes these disciplines from other areas of human inquiry (e.g., art history).
  3. Students will acquire a basic knowledge of scientific terms in the major scientific disciplines as well as specific and more profound knowledge in one or more specialized areas.
GOAL 2

Students will gain proficiency in the process of experimental science and will be able to: design experiments with appropriate controls according to the scientific method; perform experiments and generate data using appropriate field and/or laboratory techniques, and analyze and interpret experimental data.
Objectives:

  1. Students will conduct research in their junior or senior year under the guidance of a faculty research advisor, during which they will:
    1. Select a research topic from those available at Daemen University or at neighboring facilities (e.g., University at Buffalo, Roswell Park Cancer Institute).
    2. Read widely through primary and secondary literature in that research area.
    3. Design an experiment in their research area with the help and guidance of their faculty research advisor with the aim of generating new knowledge and understanding.
    4. Perform experiment(s) which generate data.
    5. Use appropriate laboratory and/or field techniques and instrumentation to obtain experimental data.
    6. Analyze/interpret that data by appropriate statistical methodologies or other methods of analysis.
    7. Draw conclusions based on generated data and analysis of that data.
GOAL 3

Students will be able to critically read the current scientific literature and will be able to perform literature searches using all available sources.
Objectives:

  1. Students will increase their information literacy by reading widely in the primary literature in their chosen research area. As such, they will:
    1. Obtain appropriate journal articles at libraries in the area by the visitation of those libraries.
    2. Obtain journal articles from libraries through interlibrary loans.
    3. Search databases online for appropriate materials.
    4. Read available primary or other literature online.
    5. Attend appropriate seminars (when scheduled).
    6. Critically evaluate research articles for experimental design and conclusions.
GOAL 4

Students will be able to communicate scientific knowledge both orally and in writing.
Objectives:

  1. Written:
    1. Students will recognize the different writing styles of newspapers, popular science magazines, and scientific journals and will be able to provide effective written communication in each format.
    2. Students will prepare graphs and tables to clarify and supplement the presentation of scientific results in their writing.
    3. Students will write a senior thesis based on their research project which will demonstrate:
      1. Good background knowledge of their chosen research field.
      2. Thorough knowledge of the primary literature in their research area.
      3. A thorough understanding of the methodologies employed in their research.
      4. Proper data presentation (if data available).
      5. Adequate analysis of any generated data and conclusions drawn from that data.
      6. Clear, well-organized writing in the correct scientific format.
      7. Proper citations and credits.
  2. Oral Presentation:
    1. Students will orally present scientific topics to their peers and faculty in the science seminar courses using PowerPoint or other visual aids.
    2. Students will orally present their research to students, family, and faculty at the end of their senior semester using appropriate presentation technology (e.g., PowerPoint) and demonstrating:
      1. Good public speaking skills.
      2. Good organization of presented material.
      3. Good visual presentation including appropriate graphs, tables, and photographs.
      4. Good knowledge and understanding of their research in terms of what was accomplished and why it was important.
      5. Good ability to answer questions in a public setting.
GOAL 5

Graduates will be prepared for further education in the sciences, for teaching science, or for direct entry into the workforce in a science-related career.
Objectives:

  1. Students will have adequate knowledge in one or more scientific areas.
  2. Students will have a thorough knowledge of the scientific method and its application.
  3. Students will have the resources (knowledge, understanding, skills) to be life-long learners in the sciences and all fields of knowledge.
  4. Students will have sufficient skills in biology, chemistry, and other areas to allow them to be reasonably marketable.
  5. Students will have strong written and oral skills to allow them to effectively communicate with other professionals.
  6. Students will be able to work with groups of diverse individuals in problem-solving, experimentation, and presentation.
  7. Students will have technological competency to be effective in the workplace.