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Show Text: Mikel Bowman "We don't have to hold a second candle to anyone. The quality of our programs is very, very good," said Dr. Dennis M. Travis, dean of the School of Natural Sciences. The school is divided into the life sciences and the physical sciences. Life sciences include botany, microbiology and zoology. Physical sciences include chemistry, geology, geography and physics. In addition to these seven departments, there is also the Center for Science Education and the Museum of Natural Sciences that is utilized by the school in teaching its students. The primary mission of the school, according to Dr. Travis, is to help increase a student's understanding in the scientific fields and technological knowledge that is available in America today. Standard lectures, laboratory work, a planetarium and field trips are some of the methods that are used to help students learn in the various science departments. Degrees are available to the 550 majors in five undergraduate categories. They include liberal arts programs, pre-professional programs, professional programs, vocational and technical education programs, and general education programs. The liberal arts programs in natural sciences are usually the most highly enrolled. The program is structured so a student is given a foundation in the natural science field of his choice. At the same time, he is able to take other course work that is offered across the campus. This enables students to find employment that is directly related to their natural science field or to pursue other fields with their additional training. The pre-professional programs are designed for the student who is interested in a specific professional career that will require additional training at another institution. Students do not always earn a degree in the pre-professional programs at Weber State College. They often transfer their credit after three years to another institution and qualify for a professional career there. Course work is more structured, and the dimension is narrower in an individual's field. The professional programs are used by the student who is seeking certification to teach in elementary and secondary schools. The Center for Science Education is used in conjunction with the professional program. The center teaches its students how to better teach pre-college students about science so they will have the knowledge and interest to enter the science field in college. Response to the center has been positive, not only from elementary and secondary schools but from the community as well. The vocational and technical education programs meet the needs of individuals seeking vocationaltechnical preparation to enter into employment. Plans are being made to expand the programs by developing courses that meet the special needs of the School of Allied Health Sciences and the School of Technology. A grant proposal has also been submitted to the state to help finance vocationaltechnical programs for high school students. The general education program is required of all students who receive a bachelor degree from WSC. The purpose of the general education program is to prepare the student for a useful contribution to society and to enrich the student's life through learning. Nearly all of the general education courses in natural sciences are offered at the freshman or rophomore levels. "We are a college in the School of Natural Sciences with these five programs, and we have a lot to offer students," said Dr. Travis. The faculty at the school, which includes 50 full-time and 18 part-time educators, is responsible for the success of the programs in the school, according to Dr. Travis. "I've taught and been an administrator at six different colleges and universities cross the nation. Our faculty at the School of Natural Sciences, with their credentials, as a whole, are without question as good or better than faculty anywhere in the nation." Dr. Travis praised the commitment and competence of his faculty, adding that a group of them are nationally and internationally known for their basic science research as well as for their science education research. To involve itself with campus activity, the school holds an annual Natural Sciences Week. This year, it was held in conjunction with National Science Week, which was May 11-17. During the week, the school opened its doors to students, faculty and the community and invited them in to experience what goes on in the various areas of the school. Visitors were allowed to walk through laboratories, the museum and the planetarium, and were also invited to listen to the guest lecturers that the school brought in to speak on various topics. There are hopes to expand Natural Sciences Week next year to make it more beneficial to all those who take part in it. The school is also looking for additional funds to help them purchase new equipment and help the school upgrade its programs. It is feeling the budget cuts and hopes it can continue to offer all that it has in the past, according to Dr. Travis. Natural Sciences MIRROR IMAGE: a tractor reflects itself in Morgan County during the early part of this year. The sun shone a little too brightly and melted part of the existing snowpack in the area. (Signpost photo: Scott Miller) ' - . . " -- . vi I . .: .. ,-- J -Ssl y. ; s. -A vV kV : ; '? |