Natural Sciences covers the scientific phenomena of the world. We are home to physics, chemistry, biology, environmental science and more. Our faculty have their own specialties, but we work together in an interdisciplinary blend. We help students in a wide range of majors learn science and scientific inquiry that is a foundation for their own applied programs, not just as a theoretical end of its own. We also have minors for those students who want to go a little deeper in certain areas, as well as dual major opportunities.


Many students have an interest in biology. At Oregon Tech we have designed two programs that prepare graduates for rewarding careers that require a strong foundation in life sciences. For outdoor or field-oriented options, please refer to the Environmental Sciences program. For medically-oriented options in biology, please see our Biology-Health Sciences program.

Environmental Sciences

For outdoor or field-oriented biology, visit the Environmental Sciences program. It offers several pathways including Watershed Science that can readily be tailored to biological interests and student research projects. Graduates often go on to careers with public and private agencies such as US Fish & Wildlife Service, US Forest Service, and the Nature Conservancy.

Biology Health-Sciences

For medically-oriented options in biology, visit the Biology-Health Sciences program. It offers a strong preparation to apply to professional programs, exceeding the minimum requirements for highly competitive fields such as Medicine, Pharmacy, Dentistry, Veterinary Medicine, Physician Assistant, and others. With dedicated faculty focused on teaching and small classes centered on fields with greater relevance to modern medicine, students are very successful in reaching their goals.

Biology Minor

Course requirements for the Biology Minor are one year of Principles of Biology (BIO 211/212/213) and 12 credits of upper-division (300 or above) biology courses. Contact Prof. Lloyd Parratt for more details.

Chemistry Minor

Students from a number of majors, such as Biology-Health Sciences, Medical Lab Science, Environmental Science and Renewable Energy Engineering, already take a significant amount of chemistry, and need to take just a few more courses to get a chemistry minor too. Check out the requirements for the Chemistry Minor, or contact Ken Usher for more details.

Applied Physics Minor

Contact Prof. Robyn Wilde for more details about the Applied Physics Minor

Sustainability Minor

The Natural Sciences department is a partner in the interdisciplinary Sustainability Minor. 

Meet Natural Science Faculty

The departmental faculty advise students. View the list of academic advisors.

If a student is unsure who their assigned academic advisor is, please contact the department chairperson or the Academic Advising office below.

Admissions

1st Floor, College Union