Natural Sciences Division

Tatiana Taum's Headshot
Tatiana Tatum, Ph.D.
Interim Biology Program Chair

Julia Wiester's Headshot
Julia Wiester, Ph.D.
Interim Chemistry Program Chair

Message From the CHAIRS

Welcome to the Natural Sciences Division!

The Natural Sciences Division brings together a dedicated group of faculty and staff representing a broad spectrum of the biological, chemical and physical sciences. Our mission is to provide our students with the foundational skills and knowledge that will prepare them for a wide range of careers in the sciences and health-related fields. We greatly value the promotion of inquiry and scholarship in our learning community through our instruction, student-centered research and extracurricular activities.

At SXU, students who pursue bachelor’s degrees in biology, chemistry or the natural sciences can tailor their programs to prepare them for a variety of careers in health, research, academia, or industry. Our Pre-Health and Research Certificates supplements our major programs by providing resources and guidance for students interested in exploring and pursuing career options in the health fields, including medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, and pharmacology, to name a few. The Natural Sciences Division also offers an interdisciplinary minor in environmental and sustainability studies (ESS), which prepares students to better address the impact of today’s environmental issues by drawing upon the range of disciplines offered at SXU. Courses for the ESS minor can include subjects in philosophy, religious studies and sociology in addition to offerings in the life sciences and physical sciences.

We strive to provide a learning environment that provides the best opportunities for student success with smaller class sizes that are critical for enhanced interaction and accessibility for our students. In addition, our research capstone allows science majors the option to work closely with faculty research mentors to offer high-impact experiences, which are crucial for employment in research, chemical and clinical laboratory jobs and admission to graduate school and a number of professional health programs. Our lab and field research programs can provide students the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in a variety of disciplines that include bioinformatics, molecular and biochemical techniques, cadaver dissection, histology, botany, animal behavior, microbiology and immunology, and chemical analysis technologies.

The Natural Sciences Division hosts a variety of clubs and organizations that allow our students to further explore their majors and career pursuits with other interested students, including a number of student-led, pre-professional clubs dedicated to different health specializations. SXU students can also become members of the Omega Delta chapter of the Beta Beta Beta Biological Honors Society, and our division frequently hosts activities of the American Chemical Society and Iota Sigma Pi, a national honor society for women in chemistry.

As part of the Mercy mission, we are dedicated to promoting the core values of respect, excellence, compassion, service, hospitality, integrity, diversity, and learning for life. Our firm belief is that in pursuing a science degree at SXU, our students will receive a transformative and meaningful educational experience, one that will allow them to develop the skills that are needed in meeting the challenges of a rapidly changing world and workplace.