Meet the College of Sciences
Posted: June 06, 2022 | Author: Kate Lyons | Read Time: 10 minutes
Innovative classes taught by expert faculty provide a stimulating scientific environment for all students in Southern Utah University’s Walter Maxwell Gibson College of Sciences. Home to the Department of Biology, the Department of Geosciences, and the Department of Physical Science, the College of Sciences offers an exciting education in a variety of subjects. No matter your past experience in science, you’ll be sure to receive hands-on experience, perform your own research projects, and may have the chance to apply for research grants through the college! If you’re intrigued by the life around us and within us, the College of Sciences is the place for your curiosity to take flight.
The college provides students with knowledgeable academic advisors, and offers undergraduate research where students are encouraged to participate in research symposiums, conferences, and more.
Not only is the college dedicated to the minds of those attending SUU, but it inspires students of all ages. Through the Cedar Mountain Science Center, SUU Prep, the Southern Utah Science & Engineering Fair, and the Utah Science Olympiad, the College of Sciences shares its expertise with the community and encourages the scientific minds of tomorrow.
College of Sciences Departments
Biology
SUU’s Biology Department helps students explore a variety of interests like biology education, botany, forensic science, and zoology. Small class sizes allow students to experience close instruction from their professors and work together on research projects and assignments. Students also have the opportunity to travel to the major ecoregions near campus. A winning combination of coursework and experiential learning prepares each biology student for their individual pursuits after earning their degree.
“We provide a unique student-centric experience where students learn about biology by doing science firsthand both in the classroom or in the unique environments of southern Utah,” said Dr. Fredric R. Govedich, department chair of Biology. “As a student, you will be challenged by our dedicated faculty to learn what it means to be a biologist and scientist, and how this will benefit you in your long-term goals.”
The College of Sciences offers both bachelor of arts and bachelor of science biology degrees, the department allows students to choose the best degree for them and their desired career. Students can also minor in biology and still spend quality time learning about ecology and genetics, as well as spend time in the biology lab. In addition, the department is home to a wealth of pre-health science professions programs: Pre-Allied Health Sciences, Pre-Dentistry, Pre-Medicine, Pre-Optometry, Pre-Pharmacy, and Pre-Veterinary Medicine.
The Department of Biology is committed to offering each of its students a personalized and participative education experience, no matter which program they choose. At graduation, students will be well-versed in critical thinking, communication, and empathy on top of academic knowledge and research skills.
Geosciences
Imagine what you can accomplish with the relevant knowledge and skills needed to help solve environmental challenges. Add in the field and lab-based learning, as well as active research on campus and across southern Utah, and you’ll discover the building blocks on which the Department of Geosciences has structured its degrees. They provide T-Birds with learning options in geology, geospatial science, environmental science, and geographic information systems through an interdisciplinary approach. Being a part of the geosciences department means you’ll be involved with community service and outreach, address relevant issues, and support diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
SUU’s location is ideal for the geology program due to the surrounding red rocks and unique geological structures. Explore the world around you by getting a bachelor’s degree in geology or geosciences. You can also add a geography minor, geography teacher education minor, or geology minor to your chosen major. Join your peers on field trips to places like Death Valley, Labyrinth Canyon, and Yosemite. You can even spend five weeks during the summer taking the field geology course and get hands-on experience in the field.
If you’re interested in information technology to understand the earth’s processes, then the geospatial program is for you. Earn a Bachelor of Science in Geospatial Science, where you’ll discover more about the natural environment, cartography, weather, oceanography, and even design. You can also earn a certificate in geographic information systems where you will participate in special projects on and off campus.
Being a fan of nature and finding yourself fascinated with our environment, SUU offers two degrees that are a fit for you. A Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science is all about natural systems and a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies is used to learn the interaction between humans and the natural world.
No matter which major, minor, or certificate you choose to pursue, you’ll find yourself immersed in field-oriented instruction by expert faculty and that you belong to a supportive and encouraging community in the Department of Geosciences.
Physical Science
Providing multiple disciplines for T-Birds to explore, the Department of Physical Science offers an uncharted world in chemistry and physics. Small class sizes offer students more time for a personalized education with a skillful and committed faculty.
With a strong focus on performing research and well-equipped labs with modern instrumentation, students will be equipped with appropriate skills for graduate schools and professional programs. SUU offers the world’s best backyard allowing students studying the physical sciences world-class research opportunities in southern Utah national parks.
The chemistry program offers a bachelor's degree in chemistry with four emphasis areas – health care, laboratory science, professional, and teacher education. The program also offers a minor in chemistry with an optional emphasis in teacher education. One of these programs is sure to satisfy your curiosity. The chemistry program at SUU routinely ranks above the 90th percentile of the nation according to the Education Testing Services filed exam.
Home to the Ashcroft Observatory, the physics program offers its students a telescopic view of celestial objects and a darkroom for photo development. The physics program is also home to two visionary minors, one in physics and the other in physics teacher education. Earning a minor in physics aids students interested in chemistry, mathematics, engineering, and more. The faculty aims for academic excellence and to help students shine by providing a quality education that stimulates curiosity and encourages creative and analytical thinking while also motivating student involvement in scholarly activities and service to the community.
College of Sciences Clubs
Animal Ambassadors is designed to educate members and the community on local and exotic animals and provide ample community service opportunities.
Beta Beta Beta Honor Society is an honor society geared towards students involved in biology and the expansion of human knowledge in science.
The Chemistry Club involves students studying the effects of chemistry in everyday life and getting students involved in activities that are educational and entertaining.
Geology Club is a place for members and the community to share knowledge about geology and the surrounding area of southern Utah.
Sigma Gamma Epsilon focuses on the earth sciences and recognizes professionalism and scholastic accomplishments.
Walter Maxwell Gibson College of Sciences Leadership Board organizes events and recruiting opportunities specifically for the college of sciences.
Women in Science and Engineering helps women interested in STEM programs and allows women to engage in these fields with the camaraderie of like-minded women and opportunities for service and volunteerism.
Faculty
Dr. Jacob Dean, professor of chemistry, conducted and recently published a study on light-capturing molecules in the collaboration with SUU’s Dr. MacKay Steffensen and a handful of SUU students. The findings have the potential to impact how materials for items like spray-on or flexible solar panels are designed. The research Dr. Dean and the team worked on demonstrates the potential ways to improve the lives of humans as well as the health of the planet. Dr. Dean is a testament to the dedicated and continued research of SUU faculty.
David Maxwell, assistant professor of geographic information systems (GIS), worked with students and Kolob Canyon Air Services, a local company, to process and map wildfire data for emergency response teams in 2021. Their work was crucial to containing wildfires from spreading. Dr. Maxwell’s team was able to help first responders prepare for the day by providing data and maps. To collect the data and supply maps took hours, sometimes overnight, in order to provide as much information as possible to first responders.
Dr. Carrie Bucklin, associate professor of biology, helped to construct and teach an interdisciplinary general education course on Women in Medicine. Dr. Bucklin took on the life sciences view and addressed biological basics and scientific topics related to women’s health. It covered topics ranging from the U.S. founding mothers to suffragettes and much more. The class was part of the integrated general education initiative and combined life science with the humanities, so the course fulfilled a general education requirement in both areas.
Dr. Fredric Govedich, Dr. Samuel Wells and Dr. Bonnie Bain of the SUU Biology Department are involved with the Conservation of the Coral Pink Sand Dunes Tiger Beetle. Together with biology faculty, they will work on the study with two SUU students each year—giving them practical, hands-on experience with data collection.
Dr. Jacqualine Grant is working to build an outdoor classroom at the Paiute Indian Reservation in Cedar City, Utah with a submission for a Governor's Office of Economic Development Outdoor Classroom Grant. Dr. Grant is an associate professor of biology at SUU, and Director of the Garth and Jerri Frehner Museum of Natural History.
Alumni and Students from the College of Sciences
Joseph Carpenter graduated from SUU in 2005 with a degree in chemistry and eventually was part of the group to win the Nobel Prize Award in Chemistry in 2021. Carpenter attended CalTech, where he met with SUU’s Dr. David MacMillian and received a position on Dr. MacMillian’s research team studying and conducting experiments to develop asymmetric organocatalysis, a new scientific phenomenon. After following Dr. MacMillian to the east coast, Carpenter spent up to twelve hours a day recreating complex molecules that naturally occur in sea sponges in trace quantities and used asymmetric organocatalysis to make molecules that could potentially be used medically. Carpenter currently works in northern Utah as the senior director of chemistry for a pharmaceutical company.
Hannah Green, a pre-med students at SUU opened Cedar City Swim Academy in the summer of 2021. With the help of her family, Green got a business license, insurance, and a contract with the Cedar City Aquatic Center. Additionally, she worked on helping design a logo and website as well as hire nine swim instructors. After graduation, Green plans on attending medical school to become a pediatric neurologist and to create a swim program in Cedar City.
Jade Bertoch graduated from SUU in 2020. Bertoch received multiple awards, including the Walter Maxwell Gibson College of Science and Engineering Outstanding Student in Physical Science, the W.M. Gibson Research Fellowship, the Walter Maxwell Gibson Scholarship, and the L.S. and Aline Skaggs Research Endowment. After graduation, Bertoch worked at the Merck Exploratory Science Center in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where he was involved in using photocatalysis to label proteins and identify how they function at the cell surface. Bertoch now attends the University of California Berkley studying chemistry in their Ph.D. program.
Chinedu Ahanonu majored in chemistry and graduated from SUU in 2021. Ahanonu came to play football, but after taking a class from Dr. Samha during his freshman year, he left with a love for chemistry. Being a college athlete while being a chemistry major presented challenges, such as missing classes to go to games and staying up late to ensure he got good grades, but Ahanonu wouldn’t have traded it. His time at SUU prepared him for the Dental Acceptance Test. Now, he has interviewed with five dental schools and was accepted into all of them. Ahanonu now attends the School of Dentistry at the University of Utah.
More Information on the College of Sciences
SUU’s College of Science is where to go for collaborative work, outstanding opportunities, and a close community of dedicated and expert faculty and inquisitive peers. While enrolled in the college, students will have plenty of opportunities for research, field trips, community service, and so much more. If you’re interested in learning more, reach out to one of the College of Sciences advisors.
Tags: Geosciences Biology Physical Sciences
