Natural Sciences and Mathematics Programs

AS Biology
The associate program in biology is aimed at allowing students to complete the first two years of study towards matriculation into the baccalaureate biology program at Mesa State or for transfer to another 4 year biology program in Colorado. AS seeking students complete a "common core" for Colorado institutions that allows them to easily transfer if they so choose. The AS degree also affords students a competitive edge when seeking employment.

AS Computer Science
Classes use several programming languages including C++, Java, and .NET, and cover many areas of interest including computer architecture, operating systems, software engineering, algorithms and applications development, database systems, computer networks, artificial intelligence, and theoretical areas concerning computation and formal language theory.

AS Engineering
Students who successfully complete Mesa State College's two-year Engineering program are prepared to transfer to a university to complete the requirements for a baccalaureate degree in any of the various branches of engineering. Mesa's two-year engineering transfer program provides students with a solid background in mathematics, physics, humanities, and social sciences together with courses in engineering mechanics, circuit analysis, and thermodynamics. To best enable a faculty advisor to recommend appropriate course options within this transfer program, the student should identify his/her intended choice of university and branch of engineering as early as possible. Mesa State awards an Associate of Science degree to students who successfully complete the prescribed program of study.

AS Geology
An Associate of Science (AS) Degree in geology is offered through the Physical and Environmental Sciences Department. This degree prepares students for employment as geological technicians in government and industry, or for entrance into the geology baccalaureate program at Mesa State College or other four-year institutions. The curriculum includes basic courses in geology as well as general-education courses, which all apply to the “common core” for Colorado institutions. All of the geology courses place emphasis on the spectacular geologic features in western Colorado and eastern Utah.

AS Mathematics
Mathematics has often been called the "Queen of Science" and historically it has functioned, as its title suggests, as an indispensable partner to scientific discovery and technological development. The mathematics program at Mesa State trains students to think logically, critically and creatively. Problem solving is part of the day-to-day routine of mathematics courses and flexibility in thinking is a necessary component of success in mathematics. Employers recognize these traits in mathematics graduates and find these qualities desirable. Furthermore, the Information Age in which we find ourselves requires a familiarity with the basics of computing, and the logical skills acquired in mathematics are well suited for these needs.

AS Physics
The associate program in physics is aimed at allowing students to complete the first two years of study towards matriculation into the baccalaureate program at Mesa State or for transfer to another 4-year physics program in Colorado. Students complete a "common core" for higher-ed institutions in Colorado that allows them to easily transfer if they so choose. Students can work as technicians after an AS degree.

BS Biological Sciences Biology
The baccalaureate program in biology offers a diversity of courses and learning opportunities that can lead to employment, graduate education or matriculation into professional schools. Students can study in areas that include tropical ecology, marine biology, systematics and evolution or cell and molecular biology. Many or our senior students go on to Ph.D. programs and medical/veterinary schools. There are also avenues for participation in research with faculty. Our department houses state of the art biological equipment and laboratory facilities and we have the only electron microscope facility between Denver and Salt Lake City. The interests of our students range from ecology and wildlife biology to molecular genetics and medicine.

BS Biological Sciences Biology, Teacher Certification
The program for teacher certification in biology is aimed at preparing biology and science teachers for middle school and high school Our majors seeking certification take a variety of science courses that include chemistry, geology and physics as well as biology. The biology requirements are broad and cover areas from cell biology to ecology. In addition majors seeking a teaching license take several education courses and are also required to spend one semester as student teachers in one of our local schools before graduation.

BS Computer Science
The Computer Science program at Mesa State College is designed to provide students with a strong background in theory along with practical training. Graduates of the program can either go on to attend a graduate program in Computer Science or pursue a career in any number of computer-oriented fields. The program has a strong mathematics component in part to help students learn to think abstractly. Recent graduating computer science majors have found employment with large corporations such as TRW, E-Systems, Hewlett-Packard, Walt Disney Enterprises, Rust Geotech as well as the US Government and many smaller companies.

BS Environmental Science & Technology
Environmental Science addresses an array of complex, challenging problems, from local to global, that affect our personal well-being and the integrity of our environment. Environmental scientists apply concepts and tools from biology, chemistry, geology, and math to the study of humanity's impacts on other organisms and the non-living physical environment. In our Environmental Science program at Mesa State, we balance theory and practice, and emphasize hands-on work in the field. Our courses include group projects and integrate computer and communication skills. Graduates of our program work as environmental professionals (in private firms, government agencies, advocacy groups, and education) and go to graduate school in Environmental Science and related disciplines. There are three concentrations within this field.

BS Environmental Science & Technology Education w/Option in early Adolescence/Young Adult
In conjunction with courses in the Teacher Education and Licensure program, this concentration prepares the student to teach general and environmental science in middle and high schools.

BS Environmental Science & Technology Environmental Restoration & Waste Management
This concentration focuses on assessment and cleanup of contaminated sites, pollution treatment, pollution prevention, and regulatory compliance.

BS Environmental Science & Technology - Environmental Science
We offer a flexible program of study in basic Environmental Science for students who plan to attend graduate school or do work in the protection and restoration of natural resources.

BS Mathematics
Mathematics has often been called the "Queen of Science" and historically it has functioned, as its title suggests, as an indispensable partner to scientific discovery and technological development. The mathematics program at Mesa State trains students to think logically, critically and creatively. Problem solving is part of the day-to-day routine of mathematics courses and flexibility in thinking is a necessary component of success in mathematics. Employers recognize these traits in mathematics graduates and find these qualities desirable. Furthermore, the Information Age in which we find ourselves requires a familiarity with the basics of computing, and the logical skills acquired in mathematics are well suited for these needs.

BS Mathematics Secondary Certification
This concentration is a program of study leading to Colorado licensure to teach mathematics in the secondary schools (grades 7 -12). The program includes completing a Bachelor of Science program with a mathematics major and a concentration in secondary teaching.

Licensure to teach mathematics in secondary public schools in the State of Colorado requires each teacher candidate to complete a baccalaureate degree in mathematics and a sequence of professional education courses that include extensive field experiences.

Licensure is a separate process from the degree although both may be pursued concurrently. Students pursuing this program of study will have advisors in both the Department of Teacher Education and the Department of Mathematics, Computer Science, and Statistics.

BS Mathematics Statistics
The Statistics program at Mesa State emphasizes the application of Statistics but also provides a strong background in theory. Students with a minor or concentration in statistics will obtain insight into the relationship of this discipline and real world applications. The courses in Probability and Statistics or Business Statistics as well as courses in Statistical Methods, Correlation and Regression, Sampling Techniques, Experimental design, and Topics in Statistics such as Biological Sampling and Environmental Statistics will aide in obtaining this goal. Students will be exposed to theoretical statistics through courses in Mathematical Statistics including distribution theory. Independent Study is also available for work on projects of special interest to students or undergraduate research projects.

BS Physical Sciences Applied Physics
The Applied Physics program has been essentially designed as a blend of the first two years of the engineering program and basic physics required for a baccalaureate physics degree. Students learn a variety of topics in quantum mechanics, electrodynamics, classical mechanics, modern physics, engineering mechanics, circuit analysis, thermodynamics and acquire a solid background in mathematics. They have the option to go to graduate school either in physics or in certain branches of engineering. Students usually get a job as an engineer/technician if they decide to work after completing B.S.

BS Physical Sciences Chemistry
Chemists study the properties of matter and try to figure out how and why different types of matter interact. Because these studies cause chemistry to broadly intersect with biology, geology, physics, and other sciences, chemistry is often referred to as the central science. Progress in chemistry is made through both basic and applied research, and opportunities for research experience can be found right here at Mesa State College. A major or minor in chemistry can be useful in any number of different careers, ranging from medical degrees to patent law, forensic science, editing scientific journals, pharmaceutical research, education or laboratory work. Many chemistry majors choose to pursue graduate degrees in chemistry and begin careers in chemical industry or academics.

BS Physical Sciences Geology
The baccalaureate degree program in geology is robust. Recent graduates are attending graduate programs at major universities or have entered the work force as geological technicians or professional geologists. Geology instruction takes place in a new, state-of-the-art, science complex, which houses several instructional laboratories, a projects room, computer-applications laboratory, class preparation room, petrology-mineralogy laboratory, rock-storage facilities, and a sample preparation room. Most classes have a strong field component so that students can enjoy the diverse geological setting of the Grand Junction area. The program is supported by five tenure-track faculty members, plus three adjunct faculty members. Equipment available includes research petrographic microscopes, binocular microscopes, a computer-assisted x-ray diffractometer, several scanning-electron microscopes (available through the Biology Department), GPS units, short-period and long-period seismometers and a magnetometer. Computer facilities include modern PC systems with software for communications, database management, word-processing, geographical information systems (GIS), and geostatistics.

BS Physical Sciences Geology, Environmental
The baccalaureate degree program in environmental geology has the same basic framework as the baccalaureate geology program. Classes take advantage of the geological setting of Grand Junction area, including frequent field trips and laboratory exercises that deal with real-world situations and conditions. The specific focus of the environmental geology program is different from the geology program, in that a stronger emphasis is placed on geologic hazards, ground-water and surface-water hydrology, low-temperature geochemistry, biological systems, and environmental science. Students completing the environmental geology degree commonly go on to graduate school at major universities, or take professional and technical positions in private industry and government.

BS Physical Sciences Geology, Teacher Certification
The earth science licensure baccalaureate degree is structured so that graduates can pursue teaching careers at the middle- and high-school level. The basic curriculum includes all of the major topics within a traditional geology program, but also incorporates mandated teacher-education courses required by the State of Colorado. The curriculum includes a variety of courses in basic chemistry, physics, and biology, thus, allowing graduates to teach sciences courses other than geology.

BS Physical Sciences Physics
Physics is the study of the laws of nature. Most modern technology has evolved from the applications of the laws of physics. Mesa State offers three concentrations within the degree of physical science: physics, applied physics and physics with teaching licensure. Our physics syllabus is consistent with the national trend and is continuously updated. Students learn a variety of topics such as subatomic particles (quarks etc), black holes, relativity, quantum mechanics, superconductors, semiconductors, lasers etc. In the process, they are trained to solve scientific problems. According to a recent survey of the American institute of Physics, the type of employment of physics bachelors (5 to 7 years after earning their degree) is as follows. Software: 28%, Engineering: 17%, Science & Lab Technician: 10%, Management, Owner and Finance: 19%, Education: 12%, Active Military: 5%, Service and other Non-Technical: 9%.

BS Physical Sciences Physics, Teacher Certification
More information will soon be available.

BS Selected Studies Natural Sciences & Mathematics
More information will soon be available.

MINORS
Biology
Chemistry
Computer Science
Environmental Science and Technology
Geographic Information Systems
Geology
Mathematics
Physics

*This listing is for information purposes only. For the most accurate information consult the current Academic Catalog.