Natural Sciences & Engineering
Choose from science courses that will satisfy the first two years of study at many four-year institutions.
Begin your Science Major at Black Hawk College
No matter what your focus area, faculty and advisors work with you to create a transfer plan to the school of your choice.
Areas of Focus
BHC students transfer into many science majors to complete a bachelor’s degree. Here are a few sample transfer plans:
Biological Sciences (PDF)
Chemistry (PDF)
Pre-Dietetics/Nutrition (PDF)
Pre-Engineering (PDF)
Pre-Medicine (PDF)
Pre-Pharmacy (PDF)
Pre-Physical Therapy (PDF)
Pre-Veterinary Medicine (PDF)
Where do you want to transfer?
If you already have a transfer school in mind, your advisor will customize a transfer plan for that college or university. BHC also has many transfer guides and agreements already established with four-year institutions in a variety of majors.
Natural Sciences and Engineering Highlights
Science-Related Careers
Students taking courses in the Natural Sciences and Engineering Department go on to careers in many fields, such as agriculture, animal science, engineering, health administration, medicine, molecular genetics, nursing, chiropractic, pharmacy, physical therapy, physician assistant and veterinary medicine.
Hands-on Training
State-of-the-art laboratory facilities offer hands-on learning in chemistry, engineering and biology.
- Specialized laboratory spaces and equipment.
- Grow room and outdoor learning spaces.
- Chemical analysis instruments.
- Molecular biology equipment.
- Science Resources Lab with microscopes, models, computers and tutoring available from faculty members.
Non-Majors Welcome
In addition to chemistry, biology and physics, we offer elective courses in nutrition or astronomy that can fulfill degree requirements.
Student Clubs
Faculty serve as advisors for science-related clubs, which offer students opportunities for field trip and campus events.
- Clean Sphere Environmental Club – Quad-Cities Campus
- Sci Pi Club – East Campus
- Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society
Natural Sciences and Engineering Scholarship
This scholarship was established by faculty in the Black Hawk College Natural Sciences and Engineering Department for science and engineering students. The scholarship is administered through the Black Hawk College Foundation.
Student Research
Students may participate in research projects on both the East Campus and Quad-Cities Campus. Previous projects have included surveying pollinators in a nearby state forest, biological and physical sampling of a campus stream, and molecular analysis of local flora and fauna for conservation studies.
Learning Assistant
As a Learning Assistant you’ll have a great opportunity to experience college level instruction from the front of the classroom.
Request a Department Review for Biology Courses
Certain transfer courses may require subject matter review by the appropriate academic department. This is due to the intensive nature of certain subject matter. Courses that require department review for course equivalency include BIOL 145, BIOL 146, and BIOL 261. In order to request a department review of these courses completed at another institution, an individual must have already applied and been accepted to Black Hawk College.
Associate Degree Information
If you plan to transfer to a four-year institution, you can earn an Associate in Arts or Associate in Science degree.
| Program Name | Award | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Associate in Arts | AA Degree | 60 |
| Associate in Science | AS Degree | 60 |
Department Faculty
Faculty in the NSE Department have doctorates and master’s degrees from some of the best universities in the country, and bring their research experience and education to the classroom to provide a rigorous and challenging environment for learning.
| Marilynn Bartels, M.S. Co-Department Chair & Professor, Biology 309-796-5235 QC Building 3 |
Matlub Ahmad, Ph.D. Professor, Physics 309-796-5245 QC Building 3 |
Allison Beck, Ph.D. Professor, Biology 309-796-5240 QC Building 3 |
| Doug Davidson, Ph.D. Professor, Physics 309-796-5246 QC Building 3 |
Mahesh Dawadi, Ph.D. Instructor, Chemistry 309-796-5284 QC Building 3 |
Brian Glaser, M.A. Professor, Chemistry 309-796-5238 QC Building 3 |
| Colin Grennan, M.S. Instructor, Biology 309-796-5269 QC Building 3 |
Karen Marks Assistant Professor, Biology 309-796-5266 QC Building 3 |
Emily Lehman, Ph.D. Professor, Biology 309-796-5087 QC Building 3 |
| Todd Linscott, Ph.D. Professor, Biology 309-796-5242 QC Building 3 |
Katie Rushing-Anderson, M.S. Professor, Biology 309-854-1813 EC Building B, Room 220 |
Isaac Stewart, M.S. Assistant Professor, Biology 309-854-1832 EC Building B, Room 215 |
| MaryBeth Stopoulos, M.S. Co-Department Chair & Assistant Professor, Biology 309-796-5249 QC Building 3 |
Emily Thomas, M.S. Instructor, Chemistry 309-796-5236 QC Building 3 |
Brad Watson, Ph.D. Instructor, Chemistry 309-796-5285 QC Building 3 |
“The science classes I took at Black Hawk were a real challenge. My instructors pushed me, and I’m glad they did. I have been accepted to medical school and I’m excited about my future.”
Co-Department Chairs
Marilynn Bartels
Mary Beth Stopoulos
Quad-Cities Campus
Building 3, Room 214T
East Campus
Building B, Room 220
More to Explore
Tutoring
Advising
