Natural Sciences

Welcome to Natural Sciences!

The Department of Natural Sciences houses multiple fields of study: astronomy, biochemistry, biology, chemistry, environmental science and studies, microbiology, and physics. Our emphasis on undergraduate research prepares our students for a broad range of careers. Graduates may enter the work force or go on to graduate or professional school in fields such as health, pharmacy, forensic science, environmental science, or science education. Students in Biology, Chemistry, Earth & Environmental Sciences, or Physics can expect a rigorous curriculum that will provide lecture, laboratory, field, and study abroad experiences. Our department consists of approximately 40 full-time faculty, 40 LEO I/II lecturers, 11 staff, 1,000 undergraduate majors, and 70 graduate students.

We offer degrees in several undergraduate majors and minors, and applied certificates. We also offer an interdisciplinary graduate program in Environmental Science.

Colloquia are held on Fridays from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. during each Fall semester. The talks are free and open to the public.

We have several research and teaching facilities that support our students in their learning and research activities:

Our Annual Natural Sciences Awards and Research Poster Showcase is held each April. On April 14, 2023, our students will present their research findings for the 30th year! Abstracts of the research posters for this event are now available for review.

Explore our students' research through photos, videos, and abstracts from the CASL Undergraduate Research and Practice-Based Learning Showcase and the Meeting of Minds Undergraduate Conference.

Environmental Internship Program

Learn about our Environmental Internship Program and read about our students' experiences.

Studying while Traveling

We offer several study abroad and field trip opportunities:

BCHM 133 Biochemistry - Medical and Aromatic Plants in Culture and Practice (3 credits) is a study abroad course to Padua, Italy.
ENST491C/ESCI490B Sustainable Cities (4 credits) is a study abroad course that rotates between Amsterdam, Netherlands / Berlin, Germany, and Guadalajara in Mexico.
GEOL377/577 Field Methods (1 credit) is a study abroad course that rotates between Cyprus, Iceland, Montserrat, Norway, and Puerto Rico.
GEOL 478/598 Geology of the National Parks (3 credits) is a field trip to Great Smoky Mountains NP and other national natural treasures.

On September 14, 2018, the Professor Angela J. Allen Scholarship Fund was announced. This scholarship was established in honor of Angela J. Allen, a lecturer at UM-Dearborn for 22 years. A generous gift from Earnest Sanders, Jr. and family and friends of Angela J. Allen will provide the foundation of the scholarship fund.

The purpose of the scholarship is to provide support for tuition and books to UM-Dearborn students with financial need who have:

passed organic chemistry (CHEM 225, 226 or 227) with a grade of B or higher during the preceding academic year and are members of Sigma Gamma Rho or Mu Phi Beta

passed organic chemistry during the preceding academic year with a grade of B or higher and are members of the Black Student Union and are active in at least one of the following UM-Dearborn student organizations or programs: Women in Leadership and Learning, another UM-Dearborn sorority, the Association for Women in Science, the Center for Social Justice and Inclusion's Women at UM-Dearborn team (Women's Resource Center), SOAR, or the American Association of University Women.

If you would like to make a contribution toward this scholarship fund, please visit the Professor Angela J Allen Scholarship online giving link. Gifts can also be made via payroll deduction through Wolverine Access. (Click on Employee Self Service, Payroll and Compensation, and Voluntary Deductions. Search for Angela's scholarship code, 700738, and enter a one-time or monthly payroll deduction and enter the start and end dates for the payroll deduction.)