Department of Health and Natural Sciences

The Department of Health and Natural Sciences offers majors in Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Science, concentrations in Radiobiology and Radiochemistry, and participates in a dual-degree program in Engineering with Florida International University and dual degree programs in Nursing with the University of Miami and Florida International University.

Mission of the Department

The Department’s undergraduate program is broadly inclusive to meet the academic needs of national and international students. The department offers programs that lead to baccalaureate degrees in biology, chemistry, environmental studies, physics, medical technology and; offers pre-professional programs in engineering, through support courses in physics; and, through collaborations with other institutions, offers dual degree programs leading to a Bachelor of Science in engineering, and two Bachelor of Science degrees, one in Biology and the other in Nursing (awarded from the partnering institute).

The Department of Health and Natural Sciences provides a challenging and supportive environment that prepares its students for responsible participation and leadership in an ever-changing technologically advanced global society.

The Department’s primary responsibility is to meet the needs of students in the fields of natural and life sciences. This responsibility is accomplished through teaching, community service, and scholarly activities.

Goals of the Department

The Department of Health and Natural Sciences offers baccalaureate degrees in the Health and Natural Sciences, which serve a multi- cultural student body. The Department prepares students for graduate and professional schools and for careers in scientific and health related fields. The Department provides technical, content courses in the natural sciences for science education students, as well as courses for the general education core curriculum. The Department’s curriculum and educational support systems ensure that every graduate has skills in the following areas:

Electronic communication
Disciplinary applications of technology
Critical thinking and analysis
Intellectual, cultural, and spiritual development.

The Department promotes and stimulates faculty development, and faculty, staff, and student collegiality, and maintains high standards of scholarship, character, and integrity.

The Department discharges its responsibilities with integrity, civility, and sensitivity, while promoting dignity and respect for others.

Degree Requirements

To be certified for graduation in the Department of Health and Natural Sciences students must meet the following requirements:

Complete a minimum of 121 credit hours, including all general education requirements, with a minimum cumulative G.P.A. of 2.5;
Earn grades of “C” (2.0) or better in all science and mathematics courses; and
Science courses cannot be repeated more than once, and students cannot fail more than 3 classes in the major in an academic year.

Credits in MAT 110, 114, BIO 101, or PSC 101, or any lower level remediation course cannot be applied toward graduation credit in any major offered by the Department.

Dual Degree Programs

Biology/Nursing Dual Degree Program

(Jointly offered with Florida International University and University of Miami)

Currently Florida Memorial University does not have a standalone Nursing Program. Students cannot declare themselves Biology/ Nursing majors without being officially accepted into the program. In order to be officially accepted into the program students must fill out an application first. Students will then receive an official letter saying whether they have been accepted into the program.

Students must apply for admission to be in the Biology/Nursing program. Once students have applied and have been accepted into the program they must meet with the Biology Nursing Coordinator each semester. International students can apply to the program; however, any financial benefits available at the participating nursing school are not available to students. International students will be expected to pay their way in the program. This program is competitive because there is a limited number of transfer slots per academic year.

Students who do not complete the two years at the Florida International University or University of Miami will be given the opportunity to complete a degree in Biology at Florida Memorial University. Students under the Dual-Degree program that complete the BSN at either nursing school are eligible to apply for graduation at Florida Memorial University for a BS in Biology.

To be immediately eligible for this program, all students must meet the following requirements in order to apply:

High school or college transfer GPA of 3.5 or higher.
SAT score of 1100 or higher or ACT score of 21 or higher. If the student has not taken either exam, he/she must take the PERT. The student will not be eligible to apply to the Biology/Nursing program until he/she has completed all remedial classes with a satisfactory grade B.
No remedial/developmental courses. This requirement maybe waived if grades are a B or higher. If the student is a freshman, he/ she cannot apply to the Biology/Nursing program until after he/ she has taken all remedial courses and passed them (B or higher).
If transferring, the student cannot apply if there are multiple repeats of (science and mathematics) classes. If there is only one repeat, it may be waived if it does not count toward the prerequisite classes for the nursing program. Any transfer student accepted into the Biology/Nursing program must maintain the GPA requirement for UM/FIU each semester to stay in the program. The GPA requirement is dependent on the nursing school of choice (FIU or UM). The participating school can change their GPA requirements at any time.

To remain in the program:

Maintain a GPA of 3.6 of higher to meet transfer GPA requirements.
Students must earn a “C” or better in all college level courses including the major courses (biology, mathematics, chemistry, and physics) (see course requirements for the Biology-Pre-Nursing degree),
Students in this dual-degree program cannot repeat/retake pre-requisite classes. Given that this dual-degree program is an Honors Biology program.