Department of Natural Sciences
- Faculty
- Field Description
- The Major
- The Minor
- Natural Sciences Laboratory Equipment
- Department of Natural Sciences Web Site
Chair: John H. Wahlert
-
Deputy Chairs:
- Charles Malerich
- Peter Orland
- Seymour Schulman
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Professors:
- Etan Bourkoff
- Joel Brind
- Sultan Catto
- Mary Jean Holland
- Joan Japha
- Ramzi Khuri
- Peter Orland
- Seymour Schulman
- David J. Szalda
- Edward B. Tucker
- John H. Wahlert
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Associate Professors:
- Emil Gernert, Jr.
- Jamal Jalilian- Marian
- Chandrika Kulatilleke
- Charles Malerich
- Keith Ramig
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Assistant Professors:
- Jason Munshi-South
- Valerie Schawaroch
- Chester Zarnoch
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Chief College Laboratory Technician:
- Dalchand Rampaul
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Senior College Laboratory Technicians:
- Merton Lewis
- Honghong Luo
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College Laboratory Technician:
- Bogdan Nicolescu
The mission of the Department of Natural Sciences is to foster scientific literacy and an understanding of the scientific method of learning. Offering classes in biology, chemistry, physics, and environmental studies, the department provides introductory-level courses for students who need to satisfy the laboratory sciences requirement. Undergraduates may also work with a faculty advisor to design ad hoc majors to prepare for postbaccalaureate careers in science- and healthrelated fields or for entry to graduate or professional studies.
Arts And Sciences Ad Hoc Major in Natural Science Areas
When a student’s educational objectives cannot be fully
attained solely by study within an existing department,
program, or school, he or she is given the option of devising
an ad hoc pattern of courses in an area of concentration of
his or her own choosing. A student may embark upon an
ad hoc major following preparation and acceptance of a proposal
outlining the area of study, the desired outcomes, and
the educational values of the program. The program must be
approved by the chairpersons of the appropriate departments
and the Office of the Dean of Arts and Sciences.
The Department of Natural Sciences offers a preprofessional
specialization that enables students to include biology, chemistry,
and physics courses as part of an arts and sciences ad
hoc major. Students prepare for entry into professional schools
of medicine, dentistry, and other health care fields; graduate
study in biological sciences; and teaching of biology, chemistry,
and general sciences. Students combine basic courses in biology,
chemistry, and physics with advanced electives.
The department also offers a specialization in environmental studies as part of an arts and sciences ad hoc major. This major includes a variety of courses in the sciences and additional courses from the Weissman School of Arts and Sciences, the Zicklin School of Business, and the School of Public Affairs. This ad hoc major integrates ecological principles in the dual context of science and society.
Prospective students are urged to register with the office of the Department of Natural Sciences early in their college careers. Each student will be assigned an individual advisor who will assist in formulating the specific ad hoc major program designed to attain the desired educational objectives. The department can be contacted at 646-660-6200.
The Weissman School of Arts and Sciences ad hoc major requires 30–33 credits.
Tier III Interdisciplinary Minor in Environmental Sustainability
The Department of Natural Sciences, the Weissman School of Arts and Sciences, and the Zicklin School of Business offer a joint interdisciplinary program in Environmental Sustainability that satisfies Baruch College’s “Tier III” liberal arts requirement. The Environmental Sustainability minor is an interdisciplinary program suitable for both business and liberal arts students who have an interest in developing a critical understanding of interactions between human society and the broader global ecosystem. The program emphasizes economic, legal, and philosophical issues of environmental sustainability.
To satisfy the Tier III Minor in Environmental Sustainability (11 to 12 credits) students must take one course at the 3000-level or above in environmental studies (ENV) offered by the Department of Natural Sciences, any other course from the electives listed below, and the required capstone course (ENV 4900).
| Program Prerequisite | |
| ENV 1020 | Principles of Ecology |
Required Capstone Course |
|
| ENV 4900 | Topics in Environmental Science |
Electives |
|
| BIO 3009 | Conservation Biology and Sustainable Development (ENV 3009) |
| ENV 3001 | Introduction to Environmental Science |
| ENV 3002 | Energy Conservation |
| ENV 3003 | Human Conservation |
| ENV 3005 | Economic and Legal Aspects of Ecology |
| ENV 3008 | Air and Water Pollution |
| ECO 3511 | Contemporary Economic Development |
| ENG 3800 | Environmental Reporting |
| GEOG 3009 | Introduction to Human Geography |
| GEOG 3036 | World Regional Geography |
| LAW 3122 | Law and the Environment |
| PHI 3200 | Environmental Ethics |
| POL 3317 | The Politics of Energy and the Environment |
Natural Sciences Laboratory Equipment
Facilities for advanced studies in biology, chemistry, and physics are available on the Baruch campus. In addition to equipment standard to biology research, the Department of Natural Sciences has laboratories equipped for microbiology and microbial ecology, cell biology, ecology, and physiology.
A student research lab offers incubators, microscopes, balances, centrifuges, growth chambers, and water baths to permit a wide range of research. Computers for data analysis and presentation design are also available. Faculty research labs are dedicated to specific areas of inquiry: cell-cell communication, molecular systematics and evolutionary biology, and microbial ecology. Research facilities are available for prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell culture, growth and maintenance of various plant and invertebrate animal species, histology, video microscopy, DNA amplification, cell fractionation, and various standard biochemical techniques, including UV/visible spectroscopy, electrophoresis, and chromatography.
Laboratories in chemistry are equipped for specific areas of experimentation: general chemistry, environmental chemistry, organic chemistry, and organic synthesis (electrochemistry apparatus, dissolved oxygen meters, atomic absorption apparatus, and instruments for nuclear magnetic resonance, gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy, high-performance liquid chromatography, UV/visible spectroscopy, and infrared spectroscopy).
The physics area has a special computer lab for student research and a faculty laser optics research lab.
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