College of Science and Agriculture

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Dr. George Mead, Jr., Dean

The College of Science and Agriculture is composed of the Department of Biology , Department of Chemistry and Physics , Department of Mathematical Sciences , and the Harold and Pearl Dripps School of Agricultural Sciences , as well as the College of Science and Agriculture Academic Computing and Learning Center (ACLC). Curricula leading to the Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees are listed on the appropriate departmental pages, along with specific departmental requirements.

The Bachelor of Science in chemistry is accredited by the American Chemical Society, and the Bachelor of Science in agricultural sciences with a concentration in nutrition and dietetics is accredited by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND).

Mission

The primary mission of the College of Science and Agriculture is to offer high quality and student-engaging undergraduate and graduate science and mathematics programs and courses. The College of Science and Agriculture supports the McNeese State University mission and core values of student success, academic excellence, fiscal responsibility, and University-community alliances. Faculty and staff of the college are committed to excellence in teaching, scholarly activity, and service.

In addition to courses and programs, the College of Science and Agriculture provides the expertise, resources, laboratories, equipment, and additional learning experiences necessary for each student to progress in meeting academic, personal, and career goals.

Scholarly Activity and Service

While the College of Science and Agriculture faculty focus primarily on teaching that results in the continued success of students in studying and learning, the faculty is also encouraged to pursue scholarly activity and research as a means of keeping themselves, the students, and the courses up-to-date in the respective disciplines. Applied research in areas related to the regional environment, local business, and industries in southwest Louisiana is also undertaken by faculty and students.

Faculty and students are involved in community service activities such as science fairs, career days, competitions, and school, civic, and scholarly society presentations.

College of Science and Agriculture Academic Computing and Learning Center

The mission of the Academic Computing and Learning Center (ACLC) is to facilitate and support the instructional and technical needs of the departments, students, faculty, and staff of the College of Science and Agriculture. The ACLC provides necessary computer hardware and software for the courses in the academic computing center, the MATH 113 lab, and the two studios for the Department of Mathematical Sciences. The ACLC also provides a tutoring center for students in mathematics, chemistry, physics, and other courses upon request. Furthermore, the ACLC maintains a testing center that assists instructors with make-up quizzes, tests, and exams.

Minimum Requirements of Many Medical/Dental Schools

Students who plan to attend medical or dental school may pursue any degree offered by the University. Admission to medical or dental school is on a competitive basis and each professional school has control of its own admission procedures and policies. The specific course requirements for admission differ among professional schools; however, the general requirements are given below.

Students should consult the catalog of the medical/dental school of their choice to determine if the school’s minimum requirements exceed those listed. Selection factors considered by most medical/dental schools include grade point average, upper-level science courses beyond minimum requirements, MCAT/DAT scores, personal interview at the medical/dental school (by invitation only), and either an evaluation letter provided by a committee composed of faculty members from the students’ undergraduate institution or three letters of recommendation from individual faculty members.

The Health Professions Committee is responsible for providing committee evaluation letters for students at McNeese State University who are applying to medical or dental schools.

Students interested in a Committee evaluation must fill out and sign a Committee interview request form in the Department of Biology office during the spring semester of their junior year. These students must also complete an evaluation file which will include:

• At least five and no more than ten faculty evaluation forms (available in the Department of Biology office);
• At least three and no more than five off-campus letters of recommendation (from persons not related to the student);
• Unofficial transcripts of all college work, showing an overall grade point average of 3.3;
• A copy of the personal statement which the student intends to include as part of their application; and
• A résumé, limited to two pages.

These materials must be sent to the chairperson of the committee by the deadline established for that semester. 

Most professional schools require that a student obtain a bachelor’s degree before admission; however, some will admit students with three years of college provided they have completed the basic requirements. Those students who are admitted to an accredited medical, dental, or pharmacy school after three years of college may be awarded a Bachelor of Science degree from McNeese State University after successfully completing the first year of work at that professional school. Under this option, all course work listed in the first three years of the McNeese curriculum must be completed before a degree can be granted.

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