Christian Brothers University
B.S. Natural Science Paradigm (2007-2008)

Degree Checklist

A student can follow this paradigm and prepare for future study in a variety of post-baccalaureate programs by enrolling in recommended courses. Recommended courses in health-related fields such as physical therapyand optometry can be found at the CBU Health Careers page.

Recommended courses for future study and work in forensics appear below.

Course requirements for the Professional Writing Certificate appear below for students who are interested in working in fields that require good writing skills and a strong scientific background.

Recommended marketing courses for preparation of a career in scientific sales appear below.

This paradigm can also lead to teaching licensure in biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics.


GENERAL REQUIREMENTS 36 credits
Orientation (required for new freshmen) 0
Interdisciplinary Studies (IDS 101) 3
English Compositions (ENG 111 & ENG 112) 6
Mathematics (MATH 117 & 131 or MATH 117 & 106 or MATH 131 & 132) 6
Literature Elective 3
Religious Studies Electives 6
Moral Values Elective 3
Social Science Electives 6
Computer Technology Elective 3

MAJOR SCIENCE REQUIREMENTS1 50 credits
Principles of Biology (BIOL 111/111L & 112/112L)2 8
Principles of Chemistry (CHEM 113/113L & 114/114L)3 8
Physics (PHYS 201/201L & 202/202L or PHYS 150/150L & 251/251L)4 6
Science Electives 24
Senior Research (NSCI 410 & 411) 2

FREE ELECTIVES 36 credits

DEGREE TOTAL 122 credits

Transfer students must take at least one-half of the required courses numbered at or above the 200 level at CBU, and this must include at least two courses (6 to 8 hours excluding NSCI 410,411) at or above the 300 level.

  1. Students must have at least 26 credits of science (BIOL, CHEM, NSCI, or PHYS courses) at or above the 200+ level. At least 12 of these 26 credits must be in the same field (Science Area I). At least 8 of these 26 credits must be at the 300+ level (including NSCI 410 & 411).
  2. Students who choose Physics as Science Area I can take BIOL 109 & 109L instead of BIOL 111, 111L, 112 & 112L.
  3. CHEM 101 does not supply any credit for Major Requirements. It can supply 3 credit hours of Free Electives.
  4. Students who choose Physics as Science Area I must take PHYS 150, 251, 252 and the associated labs.


Recommended Courses for Post-baccalaureate Work in Forensics

Biology Electives:
BIOL 217 / 217LAnatomy & Physiology I / Lab
BIOL 218 / 218LAnatomy & Physiology I / Lab
BIOL 321 / 321LMicrobiology / Lab
BIOL 414 / 414LAnimal Histology / Lab

Chemistry Electives:
CHEM 211 / 211LOrganic Chemistry I / Lab
CHEM 212 / 212LOrganic Chemistry II / Lab
CHEM 214 / 214LQuantitative Analysis / Lab
CHEM 312 / 312LBiochemistry / Lab

Mathematics Electives:
MATH 201Applied Statistics

Anthropology Electives:
ANTH 126 / 126LForensic Anthropolgy / Lab
ANTH 301 Medical Anthropolgy


Professional Writing Certificate

The certificate requires 12 credit hours (4 courses) in upper-level writing courses. These courses include:

ENG 370Advanced Grammar
ENG 371Business Writing
ENG 373Advanced Composition
ENG 375Scientific and Technical Writing
ENG 377Technology for the Arts
ENG 376Creative Writing
ENG 389Creative Non-fiction

These courses are offered on a rotating basis. Check the schedule during registration period to see specific course listings.


Scientific and Medical Sales Preparation

It is receommended to take the following marketing courses.

MKTG 311Principles of Marketing
MKTG 334Market and Consumer Behavior
MKTG 338Selling and Sales Management
MKTG 348Business to Business Marketing

These courses are offered on a rotating basis. Check the schedule during registration period to see specific course listings.


Teaching Licensure for Grades 7-12

Refer to the School of Arts section of the Catalog where paradigms for teaching licensure (grades 7-12) are listed. Theses paradigms are part of a five-year plan where the student earns a Master of Arts in Teaching. We have paradigms that lead to single licensure in biology, chemistry, or physics and to dual licensure in biolgy/chemistry and phyiscs/mathematics.