Uncover the physical world and its phenomena.
Overview
Within the Department of Natural Sciences, we offer majors biochemistry, biology, chemistry, and environmental stewardship. We also offer minors in biology, chemistry, environmental science, and environmental stewardship.
Our student-focused research facility has dedicated labs and equipment for you to have full access to all the laboratory technology, growing your experience starting day one. Because your classes and labs are intentionally small, you’ll receive individual attention from faculty members—not a teaching assistant. This leads to connections lasting beyond your college years.
You’ll begin research your junior year and select a research project based on your unique interests. This helps you learn how to read and analyze scientific data, write proposals, make a scientific presentation and then become the lead author of your own paper that is published in the college’s science journal, Cantaurus. Your research experience will make you a competitive candidate for graduate and doctoral programs.
Majors
Biochemistry
Biology
Chemistry
Environmental Stewardship
Featured Natural Sciences Student Story
Additional Programs
Natural Science Minors
Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Environmental Stewardship
Teaching Licensures
Biology, Chemistry
Pre-Professional Programs
Pursue a program which will prepare you for specialized training or advanced study beyond a bachelor’s degree. Area include Medicine, Osteopathy, Dentistry, Optometry, Podiatry, Pharmacy, Physical Therapy/Physician Assistant, Veterinary Medicine.
Experiences & Outcomes
Student Research
Senior research is the capstone experience for all of our science-related majors and published in the ‘Cantaurus’ – the scientific journal of McPherson College.
Student Research
Pre-Health Professions Club
The PHP club is a group of like-minded students who are planning to enter graduate school after McPherson College and pursue a career in a health profession.
Pre-Health Professions Club
Virtual Tour
Melhorn Science Hall
Take a 360° virtual tour of the lecture halls and labs in Melhorn Science Hall - home to the Natural Sciences program at McPherson College.
360 Tour & Photo Gallery
Faculty & Staff
Jonathan Frye Ph.D.
- Professor of Natural Science
- “I believe that the best way to learn something is by doing it yourself. We ensure, therefore, that every student learns science by experiencing it firsthand in their laboratory and field-based coursework, and as they design and conduct their own undergraduate student research project.”
Manjula Koralegedara Ph.D.
- Professor of Chemistry
- “I believe the courses I instruct cannot be effectively delivered just through lectures and reading. They need an in-depth understanding. After explaining the basic concepts I make my students solve lots of problems. Piece by piece, with the collaboration of the students in the class/group, we derive the answers and make conclusions together. Solving puzzles is a difficult task but fun when we work together in a group. The final result: improved analytical thinking and an ability to apply the course material effectively.”
Karrie Rathbone Ph.D
- Professor of Biology
Ricardo Rodriguez Ph.D.
- Assistant Professor of Physics and Mathematics
Allan van Asselt Ph.D.
- Professor of Chemistry
- “One of the most enjoyable aspects of teaching chemistry and science at McPherson College is that I get to work with students during all four years of their college careers. Starting with Chemistry I and progressing to ever more sophisticated and complex upper-level courses and senior research projects, I get to witness and participate in the growth of each student. Often this results in relationships that continue well beyond graduation."
Dustin Wilgers Ph.D.
- Associate Professor of Biology
- "I am passionate about science and I am passionate about education. I have a lot of energy in the classroom where I try to engage students with science. My goal is to produce scientifically literate students that are able to apply these skills in their careers and in their everyday lives as valuable members of society.”
Amanda Yamasaki Ph.D.
- Assistant Professor of Biology
- Director of Undergraduate Research
- "My teaching philosophy is student-centric: I strive to create a learning environment where students are comfortable and actively engaged with the course material. I prioritize deep understanding through critical thinking and knowledge application over memorization for exams. I also love teaching - no matter how rough the rest of my week has been, I always leave a class invigorated!"
