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Additional Sciences Classes to Begin at Southwestern College
Course Completion to Enable Students to Prepare
for Medical Study and Careers
Overview
Qualified students enrolling at Intentionally Christian Southwestern College in fall 2010 will benefit from expanding course offerings in science to help prepare them for post-baccalaureate and/or graduate work in medicine, dental, veterinary science, optometry, pharmacy, physician assistant, and other health related fields. These additional courses in biology, physics, and chemistry combined with Southwestern’s existing academic majors, biblical, and liberal studies opportunities offer students a breadth of intellectual pursuit providing robust and meaningful preparation for a variety of careers, ministry, and for fulfilling lives as Christian witnesses in today’s world. New courses include:
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These courses will be rolled out over the next three to four years, starting in fall 2010 with Biology 181, General Biology with Lab, followed by Biology 182 with Lab. Chemistry 151 and 152 will follow; then Physics 111, Physics 112 and then Organic Chemistry I and II. Faculty developers are exploring additional science courses, such as in forensics, based on student interest and demand.
Pre-medical preparation at Southwestern College provides a wealth of academic opportunity for students, as they earn a major of their choice, while working with their academic advisor to take the required science courses as part of general education and electives in their targeted areas. As a result, students are broadly prepared for life and work since they are not only ready for graduate medical programs; they also possess intellectual and practical experience in exciting disciplines such as business administration, Christian ministry, behavioral studies, biblical studies, or education. Career and ministry opportunities are enhanced by this intellectual and experiential breadth, in medical fields and beyond.
Adding science courses to its existing general studies curriculum is a strategic priority for the College, as it nears completion of its current strategic plan and is gearing up for its next strategic plan, which is expected to take Southwestern College from 500 to 1,250 students. Adding additional undergraduate majors in a variety of areas, such as science, humanities, and social sciences are expected to be a part of the plan as Southwestern extends its regional and national reputation for quality, Christian, liberal arts education.
Plans to enhance and expand the existing science lab are underway, with construction to be completed in the summer of 2010 in time for fall 2010 classes. Resources for the expansion are coming from donors and already designated institutional funds sat aside for capital investments to augment student learning.
This expansion builds on existing resources and talent. Leading the development of this academic expansion are three existing, full-time faculty of the College. Dr. William Perry Baker, Academic Dean has an earned doctorate in microbiology, with many years of experience teaching in graduate medical school, at the undergraduate level, has an extensive background in research, and is a published writer. Dr. Warren Pettitt, full-time faculty in science and Chair of General Studies, just celebrated 10 years of full-time teaching at the College, and has 40 years experience teaching science and in research. With a D.D.S. and a divinity degree and serving as Chair of Biblical Studies, Dr. Jerry Burnette has an extensive background in science, serving as a maxillofacial surgeon, complemented with years in ministry in medical missions.
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