From the Dean

Welcome to the School of Health and Natural Sciences at Messiah College!

I am delighted that you are visiting our web site. I hope you find it both interesting and informative. The site is designed to introduce newcomers to the dynamic people and programs of our School and to help the Messiah College community - students, alums, employees and partners - keep pace with, and take advantage of, the exciting advances, events and achievements that we celebrate on a daily basis.

Who are we? The School of Health and Natural Sciences is comprised of five academic departments - Biological Sciences, Chemistry and Biochemistry, Health and Human Performance, Nutrition and Dietetics, and Nursing. In addition, we are home to the Pre-Health Professions Advising program for students preparing for careers in medicine and allied health professions and the first-class Oakes Museum of Natural History.

Supported by outstanding facilities, highly-specialized teaching and research spaces, and leading-edge technology and equipment, the heart and strength of the School remains our talented and dedicated faculty. Gifted teachers, accomplished scholars and expert health care practitioners, the nearly fifty faculty members of the School of Health and Natural Sciences are passionate about our students, our academic disciplines and our shared Christian faith.

Why are we here? In a society increasingly dominated and challenged by advances in science and health care, it is essential to prepare science savvy citizens, who will act as "informed participants in the democratic processes through which value laden issues involving science, . . . technology [and health care] are resolved" (1) and, expertly-trained science and health specialists who care and act upon a comprehensive understanding of how their profession impacts societal needs, ethical and moral issues, and the practice of our Christians faith.

We are dedicated to providing premier health and natural science undergraduate educational programs to equip students with the intellectual, technical and professional competencies they need to excel and advance as science specialists, health care providers, health promotion experts and science/health educators. But more than focusing just on personal careers, our goal is to prepare students to use their knowledge and abilities in health and natural sciences to fulfill a higher calling in our lives, that of: knowing God and making Him known; caring for creation; transforming society; and serving human kind.

What is our strategy? We are committed to the reform of science and health undergraduate education and the use of "best teaching practices" developed from tested principles of how to improve student learning and critical thinking skills. Such practices create learning environments in which: 1) instruction generates enthusiasm and student engagement, 2) learning is active and relevant to "real world" topics, ethical challenges and faith issues, 3) faculty and students are collaborators in scholarship involving discovery, application, integration and teaching, and 4) the human environment is intellectually stimulating, emotionally supportive and faith affirming.

Experiential learning opportunities—collaborative research with faculty, clinical rotations and internships—are at the core of our dynamic health and natural sciences programs. We stress the importance of students and faculty working together - doing "real science" and delivering actual health care and health education. Our faculty are eminently trained and actively engaged in their disciplines for such a "hands-on and heads-on" approach to teaching. Some examples of experiential learning opportunities in our School include:

• Students working side by side with faculty on science and medical research projects [link to faculty research or research], including: cancer immunobiology, malaria, endangered species conservation, photosynthesis biochemistry, etc. In addition, many of our students are involved in medical research projects at neighboring Hershey Medical Center.
  
• Others students take advantage of off-campus field trips with faculty to Zimbabwe, Belize, Panama, New Zealand - all over the world - to enhance their studies or perform field research.
  
• Nursing students gain first hand practice using communication skills, critical thinking and therapeutic interventions with patients and their families in clinical courses on campus, at six area hospitals and a wide variety of other healthcare settings.
  
• Students from all majors are encouraged to take advantage of the myriad internship opportunities available in nearby medical centers and research laboratories, community health clinics and recreation facilities, corporate fitness programs, professional sports teams etc. etc. to link classroom learning to real workplace experiences

All of these and more, give our students significant advantages as they continue their education in medical, graduate or other professional schools, compete for their first job or otherwise fulfill their own personal calling as life long learners and disciples.

What's next? If you love exploring the wonders of creation - from atoms and molecules to the human body and entire ecosystems; if you aspire to relate health and natural sciences to individual and societal needs, ethical issues and your Christian faith; if you want to prepare for the future by working alongside outstanding Christian faculty in an intellectually stimulating, experientially rich, faith affirming environment, then we have a program designed for you!

Please explore this web site and then feel free to contact the School of Health and Natural Sciences or the Messiah College Office of Admissions with any questions or to learn more about our people and programs.

Gerald D. Hess, Ph.D.
Interim Dean

1. National Advisory Group of Sigma XI (1989). An exploration of the nature and quality of undergraduate education in science and mathematics and engineering. New Haven: Sigma XI, The Scientific Research Society.