Participating Departments

Biological Sciences Department

The Department of Biological Sciences awards the B.S., B.S./M.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees. The requirements for the B.S. degree include courses that prepare students for graduate and professional studies and the work-force. In addition to didactic courses in the biological sciences, chemistry, physics and mathematics, the undergraduate students are strongly encouraged to engage in research as a part of their training.

The graduate component of the Department of Biological Sciences encompasses the areas of cellular, molecular and developmental biology and biochemistry. The objectives of this component are to both train and develop scholars, as well as to promote research by providing all students with basic generalized knowledge of the field of biology while providing each student with a thorough knowledge in a particular specialty, and a mastery of the methods which are requisite for productive scholarly endeavors.

Within the department, there is faculty expertise in biochemistry, cell biology, developmental biology, molecular genetics and plant biology. Department faculty competencies are augmented by fields of specialization of more than thirty (30) terminal degree (Ph.D. or M.D.) holding adjunct faculty members in the biology departments of Morehouse College and Spelman College and the faculty at the Morehouse School of Medicine. There is adjunct faculty expertise in such areas as microbiology, biochemistry, molecular biology, developmental biology, endocrinology, physiology and cell biology.

Chemistry Department

The undergraduate course offerings in the Department of Chemistry are designed to prepare students for work in the chemical profession or to pursue studies in graduate or professional school. The Department also provides preprofessional courses for students interested in careers in medicine, dentistry, nursing, medical technology, pharmacy, engineering and education. Additionally, the Department of Chemistry offers programs of study leading to the B.S./M.S., M.S. and Ph.D. in Chemistry with emphasis in biochemistry, inorganic, organic, physical, or polymer chemistry. The undergraduate and graduate degree programs have been designed to meet the needs of students with varying academic preparation and career goals. The requirements for the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees include course work and research. In addition, most of the students earning undergraduate degrees in the Department carry out research under the direction of chemistry faculty as part of their degree program. The faculty of the Department of Chemistry have expertise in the areas of organic, inorganic, physical and polymer chemistry and biochemistry.

Physics Department

The Department of Physics provides instruction and practice leading to the following degrees: Bachelor of Science in physics, Bachelor of Science with a dual degree in physics and engineering in cooperation with the Department of Engineering, and an accelerated program which awards both a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degree in five years. The Department also offers the Master of Science degree. The undergraduate program has been in effect since the early 1960s, and is strongly committed to undergraduate physics instruction and the preparation of students for graduate programs. The graduate physics program was instituted in 1979. There is faculty expertise in applied and theoretical physics. The Department also participates in the Systems Science Doctoral Program at CAU, offering a physics concentration in this Ph.D. program.