Division of Natural Science and Mathematics
Jason Taylor, Chair
The Division of Natural Science and Mathematics fosters learning through instruction, research, and field experiences in a variety of programs. It includes the departments of biology, biochemistry, chemistry, computer science, mathematics, and physics. There is a special advisor for students in pre-professional programs such as medical technology, medicine, dentistry, veterinary, pharmacy, and physical therapy. In addition, Roberts has cooperative engineering programs with Clarkson University, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and Rochester Institute of Technology and a 3+4 Chemistry-PharmD agreement with the University of Buffalo. The Division's course offerings support programs in other disciplines, as well as the College's General Education Program. The faculty values a personal and interactive environment, as evidenced in small classes and opportunities for research with faculty, independent study, or teaching/laboratory assistantships. Diverse opportunities are available for research experiences, internships, and employment within the Division. Several majors are interdisciplinary, such as Forensic Science (with Criminal Justice), Information Systems Management (with Business) and teaching certification (with Education). Graduates are successful in obtaining summer research opportunities, gaining admission to graduate schools, and obtaining employment after graduation. The Division promotes intellectual growth and the integration of Christian faith with the academic disciplines, in order to prepare students to live and serve responsibly in society.
Students who complete a program within the Division have three degree options available: the Associate of Science degree, the Bachelor of Arts degree, or the Bachelor of Science degree. The rationale of the Division for these degrees is given in the following three paragraphs.
The Associate of Science degree is conferred on students who complete the two-year program in either Natural Science or Physical Science. Graduates generally transfer to a professional program such as pharmacy, engineering, or forestry.
The Bachelor of Arts degree is given to those students who have taken a broader base of course work than those who are specializing to obtain the Bachelor of Science degree. It is expected that students will major in a given area to evidence a capacity for doing sufficient "in-depth" higher-level coursework to merit the College’s bestowing a degree upon them. The students, therefore, choose an area of interest and pursue a greater number of courses in that area. It is understood that such students might not be prepared to take graduate work in that area without deepening their background but would have sufficient depth to teach that subject on an elementary, junior high, or secondary level if the appropriate education courses were taken. They may also work as technicians in the field.
The Bachelor of Science degree represents extensive work, taken primarily in one general field. It is expected that these individuals have the interest and also the capabilities to continue in a graduate program in that specialized field. Even though they are at a liberal arts institution, they are taking a majority of their electives in a specialized field, realizing that they must sacrifice some general knowledge in other areas.
Double Majors within the Division
Double majors are allowed within the Division as follows:
| First Major | Second Major |
| Biology | Computer Science, Information Systems Management, Math, or Physics |
| Biochemistry | Computer Science, Information Systems Management, Math, or Physics |
| Chemistry | Computer Science, Information Systems Management, Math, or Physics |
| Math | Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Computer Science, Information Systems Management, or Physics |
| Physics | Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Computer Science, Information Systems Management, or Math |
| Forensic Science | Biology, Computer Science, Information Systems Management, Math, or Physics |
In the double majors listed above, any course that overlaps can be used for both majors. Since the Biochemistry major is a blend of the Biology and Chemistry majors, students are not allowed to double major in Biology and Chemistry.
In the Adolescence Education majors, double majoring with the discipline is allowed with the following stipulations:
| First Major | Second Major |
| Adolescence Education-Biology | B.S. Biology (+ 12 unique credit hours in BIO) |
| Adolescence Education-Chemistry | B.S. Chemistry (+ 12 unique credit hours in CHM) |
| Adolescence Education-Math | B.S. Math (+ 12 unique credit hours in MTH) |
| Adolescence Education-Physics | B.S. PHY (+ 12 unique credit hours in PHY) |
To speak with a representative in the Division of Natural Science and Mathematics, call 585.594.6310.