Houghton student Oscar Palacios wearing safety glasses and lab coat in biology lab.

Natural Sciences

Hands-on Experience That Deepens Your Faith

Glorify God by using science and technology to solve real-world research problems. You’ll define and answer significant questions about our world through a Christian lens. As a science major at Houghton, you’ll “Learn by doing,” thinking like a scientist and developing an appreciation for God’s creation and it’s infinite complexity.

Calling all deep thinkers, curious minds, researchers and problem solvers… we have a science major for you.

Take a look.

BiologyChemistryPhysics

Biology Majors

Houghton biology major working in biology lab dissecting specimen.

Biology

Undergraduate Major & Minor – BA, BS
Houghton biology student working with professor during dissection lab.

Biomedical Sciences

Undergraduate Major – BS
Three Houghton environmental biology students using nets in local stream.

Environmental Science

Undergraduate Major – BA, BS
Houghton student training with large bands on track.

Exercise Science

Undergraduate Major – BS
Two Houghton biology students working together in lab.

Forensic Science

Undergraduate Major – BS
Houghton student wearing biopac sensors in biology lab.

Neuroscience

Undergraduate Major – BS
Pre-Health Programs

Chemistry Majors

Houghton science major working in lab under hood at the Shannon Summer Institute.

Chemistry

Undergraduate Major & Minor – BA, BS
Houghton biochemistry student working in a lab at the Shannon Summer Research Institute.

Biochemistry

Undergraduate Major – BA, BS

Physics Majors

Houghton University student working with instruments in physics lab.

Physics

Undergraduate Major & Minor – BA, BS
Houghton student using drill in physics lab.

Applied Physics

Undergraduate Major – BS

Natural Sciences at Houghton

Faculty Mentoring

Houghton’s experienced science faculty all have doctorates in their fields and are active scholars. They’ll partner with you and work side by side with you on research projects. You’ll find that Houghton’s Christian faculty care not only about your academic growth, but your emotional and spiritual growth as well.

Christ-Centered Education

One of the benefits of a Christian liberal arts education in the sciences is that you aren’t just exposed to learning about science. You are encouraged to deepen your faith as you increase your knowledge in your area of interest.

Experiential Learning

At Houghton, our faculty are committed to excellence in their teaching and research programs. You’ll find numerous opportunities to perform real-world research. You’ll have the opportunity to conduct, present, and publish peer-reviewed research in collaboration with faculty members. You can also work directly in the field through off-campus study, practicums, internships, and student/faculty research collaborations at the Shannon Summer Research Institute.

Explore the Shannon Summer Research Institute
Houghton student working with physics equipment in lab.

State-of the-art Labs & Equipment

At Houghton, you’ll gain practical research and design experience in state-of the-art laboratories. The best way to learn is by doing and the science curriculum emphasizes practical laboratory experience. This means that you will be actively participating in studies and research using our professional research equipment and facilities, both at Houghton and other sites.

Explore Physics LabsExplore Biology Facilities & Equipment
Aerial panorama of El Morro Fort in San Juan Puerto Rico.

Science Honors

Begin your college career with a hands-on research experience using a Drone for Remote Environmental Assessment and Monitoring (DREAM). Working with a team of peers, you will have the unique opportunity to design your own research project.  Travel to Puerto Rico to deploy your DREAM on the tropical coastline or mountainous rainforest, gathering and assessing data to explore your research question.

Discover Science Honors
Houghton physics student Adam Brown next to equipment in lab.

Meaningful Research

Adam Brown ’23 loves science and chose Houghton University because of the honors program and the opportunity to complete meaningful research as an undergrad. As a student, he has completed over 1200 hours of hands-on scientific research and conducted complicated experiments working side by side with classmates and professors. While he enjoyed his honors classes and the chance to develop his writing – his experiences with the Shannon Summer Research Institute and work with fellow physicists gave him the exciting opportunity to present his research at two national physics conferences. His love for learning, passion for STEM and the skills he has developed at Houghton have prepared him for graduate work and a future career in physics after graduation.

Explore Physics Student Research

Faculty & Staff

Houghton staff and faculty member David Brubaker.

David Brubaker

Assistant Professor of Biology, Director of Health Services, College Physician
585.567.9484
Health Center (lower level, campus side, Gillette Hall) and Paine 318
Read Bio
Miriam Case standing on Houghton campus lawn by fall trees.

Miriam Case

Academic Departments Coordinator for Paine Science Center
585.567.9280
Paine 219
Read Bio
Daniel Hammer in suite coat and tie.

Daniel Hammers

Assistant Professor of Biology
(585) 567-9274
Paine 306
Read Bio
Houghton professor Brandon Hoffman.

Brandon Hoffman

Professor of Physics
585.567.9235
Paine 107
Read Bio
Houghton professor Jill Jordan in classroom.

Jill Jordan

Dean of Natural Sciences & Mathematics; Associate Professor of Mathematics
585.567.9264
Paine 209C
Read Bio
Eli Knapp wearing a grey button up shirt standing in front of purple backdrop.

Eli Knapp

Professor of Ecology
585.567.9445
Chamberlain Center 406
Read Bio
Houghton professor Katrina Koehler standing in classroom.

Katrina Koehler

Assistant Professor of Physics
Paine 108
Read Bio
Paul Martino wearing striped button up shirt standing in front of purple backdrop.

Paul Martino

Professor of Biochemistry
585.567.9300
Paine 420A
Read Bio
Houghton professor Jamie Potter.

Jamie Potter

Professor of Biology; Director of Pre-Health Professions
585.567.9296
Paine 308
Read Bio
Houghton professor Ransom Poythress.

Ransom Poythress

Associate Professor of Biology
585.567.9279
Paine 307
Read Bio
Houghton professor John Rowley.

John Rowley

Professor of Chemistry
585.567.9301
Paine 422
Read Bio
Houghton professor Babafemi Sorinolu standing outside on campus lawn.

Babafemi Sorinolu

Assistant Professor of Computer Science
585.567.9259
Paine 209B
Read Bio
Karen Toracca wearing read shirt and green blazer standing in front of purple backdrop.

Karen Torraca

Professor of Chemistry, Alan & Florence Johnson Distinguished Chair in Health Sciences
585.567.9383
Paine 420
Read Bio
Houghton professor Don Wilcox standing in lab.

Don Wilcox

Adjunct Assistant Professor of Biology
585.567.9293
Paine 315
Read Bio
Houghton professor Mark Yuly in gray sweater.

Mark Yuly

Professor of Physics
585.567.9282
Paine 106
Read Bio
{"post_type":"staff","posts_per_page":18,"orderby":"last_word","order":"ASC","tax_query":[{"taxonomy":"staff-tax","field":"term_id","terms":["39"]}]}

This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.