The Natural Science Division at the University of La Verne is a consortium including biology, chemistry, computer science, mathematics, and physics. This structure creates a supportive, collaborative, and creative atmosphere in which the departments work together to maximize learning and knowledge generation.
The Natural Science Division contributes to the betterment of our society and environment through teaching, research and service. We offer a values-based, student-centered and highly diverse academic environment. The Division takes pride in our small class sizes and highly personalized attention. We strongly encourage faculty-student research and the sharing of our resources throughout the Division, and through service to the greater community.
Finally, we believe in four core emphases that affirm a positive and rewarding life for our students:
- Ethical Reasoning. The Natural Science Division affirms a philosophy of life that actively supports peace with justice, respect for individuals and humanity, and the health of the planet and its people. We therefore encourage and provide opportunities for students to become reflective about personal, professional and societal values that support professional and social responsibility.
- Diversity and Inclusivity. The Natural Science Division promotes the goal of community and inclusiveness within the context of diversity. We therefore encourage students to understand, appreciate, and embrace the diversity of cultures that exist locally, nationally, and internationally. We also promote appreciation and preservation of biodiversity by helping students and colleagues understand the impact and interdependence of human beings on our environment.
- Lifelong Learning. The Natural Science Division commits itself to an approach to education that is lifelong in nature. Therefore, we strive to teach students how to learn, how to think critically, how to conduct and interpret responsible research, and how to access and integrate information for optimal preparation for both career growth and for flexibility in a changing world.
- Community and Civic Engagement. The Natural Science Division believes that service should be a primary goal of the educated person. We are committed to improving, enhancing, and learning from local, regional and global communities. We thus encourage and provide opportunities for our students to experience the responsibilities and rewards of serving humankind and the larger ecological community.
The Natural Science Division believes laboratory and field work are essential for students’ complete education. To assist in this learning, the division maintains research laboratories for biology, chemistry, and physics, as well as dedicated computer labs, on the main campus. The NSD offers numerous field activities at local and international sites, and maintains the Clark Fork Field Research Facility in Montana.