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Natural Sciences Department

School of Integrated Studies
Klump Academic Center, Rm. 102 · (570) 327-4521

About the Natural Sciences Department

Physics

Pennsylvania College of Technology's Natural Sciences Department goal is to not only provide students with scientific knowledge, but also to inspire students to wonder and be amazed by the world around them. As far back as Aristotle, humans have sought to understand their world. The need to understand why things behave in a certain way, and trying to link observation with prediction, has always been the catalyst for progress and change. We pride ourselves in small student-to-faculty ratios in all classes. Most students have the same instructor for lecture and lab, and we utilize state-of-the-art equipment in both lecture halls and laboratories.

The Natural Sciences Department is a vital part of the School of Integrated Studies and consists of three major curricular areas:

The department also offers traditional, interdisciplinary (STS), and specialized courses in Geology (GEL), Environmental Science, Physical Science, Astronomy (SCI), Forensic Science (STS), and Weather and Climate (SCI).

Our mission is to broaden students'

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Natural Sciences Department News

Physics Faculty Member Earns Distinguished Service Award

April 2008

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David S. Richards
David S. Richards, associate professor of physics at Penn College, was recently honored with the Distinguished Service Award from the Central Pennsylvania Section of the American Association of Physics Teachers. Richards served as president of CPS-AAPT in 2006 and as vice president in 2005. He just completed his term as immediate past president. As vice president, he organized the group’s 2006 conference, held at Penn College.

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Biology Professor Selected for Inclusion in ‘Who’s Who’ Publication

February 2008

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David L. Evans
David L. Evans, professor of biology at Penn College, was selected for inclusion in the 2009 Edition of “Who’s Who in America.” Scheduled for publication in October 2008, it marks the 63rd edition of the “original” Who’s Who in America, first published in 1899 by A.N. Marquis.

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Faculty Member Presents at Conference of Physics Teachers

August 2007

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David S. Richards
David S. Richards, associate professor of physics at Penn College, gave a talk at the spring conference of the American Association of Physics Teachers (Central Pennsylvania Section). His presentation was titled “Tablet PC Technology Within a Traditional Classroom Environment.” The conference was held at Penn State York.

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Learning Center Children Visit Biology Lab

July 2007

A turtle captivates laboratory visitors from the Children's Learning Center "Summer Birds" from Penn College's Children's Learning Center visited the biology lab Monday as part of their study on oceans and water animals.
( Photo by Sonya K. Miller, assistant group leader)

Penn College Professor Presents Paper at Philosophy Workshop

April 2007

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Brian M. McKeon
A faculty member in Penn College’s School of Integrated Studies presented a paper at the Workshop on Nondisciplinary Philosophy, held earlier this month in Binghamton, N.Y. Brian M. McKeon, assistant professor of biology, presented “Psychological Dialetheism” during the April 14 workshop at Binghamton University.

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Integrated Studies Staff Member Presents at Assessment Institute

November 2007

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Jeremiah C. Gee
Jeremiah C. Gee, assessment coordinator in Penn College’s School of Integrated Studies, recently presented a 75-minute session at the 2007 Assessment Institute in Indianapolis. His presentation, titled “The Matrix: A Customizable, Practical Tool for Assessment at All Levels,” defined how matrices can be used in collaborative efforts by faculty, staff and administration to establish the continuity and congruency needed for a continuous assessment process.

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Research on Rural Pennsylvania Jails Published

October 2007

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Jeremiah C. Gee
A research article by Jeremiah C. Gee, assessment coordinator in Penn College’s School of Integrated Studies, was published in the September/October 2007 issue of American Jails magazine, the official publication of the American Jail Association. Gee’s article, titled “Past, Present, and Future Programming in Rural Jails: A Snapshot of Pennsylvania,” is the first known attempt at painting a comprehensive picture of correctional education in rural county jails across Pennsylvania.

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Penn College's Growing Programs Climb in National Rankings

June 2007

Penn College is ranked in the top 50 associate-degree-producing colleges in the nation and is in the top 20 for several areas of study -- including three top-five rankings -- in a recent survey conducted by a national publication covering community, technical and junior colleges. Community College Week annually reports the nation's Top 100 associate degree, one-year certificate and two-year certificate producers. This year, Penn College tied for the 50th slot with Edison Community College in Florida, having 982 associate-degree and certificate graduates in 2005-06. Community College Week released the list in its June 18 issue.

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Faculty Complete National Science Foundation Course in Peru

June 2007

Curt E. Vander Vere (looking at watch) and Roy P. Fontaine, hooded, right, await the sunrise at the ‘hitching-post of the Sun,’ Machu Picchu, Peru. Tom Zimmerman on the terraces of Ollantaytambo, Peru Penn College faculty members Roy P. Fontaine, professor of psychology; Curt E. Vander Vere, assistant professor of mathematics, and Tom A. Zimmerman, associate professor of psychology, completed the National Science Foundation course “Ancient Inca Mathematics and Culture” this month. The trio from the School of Integrated Studies was in Peru from June 7-16, exploring and investigating Incan and pre-Incan archaeological sites in and around Cuzco, Machu Picchu, Ollantaytambo and the Sacred Valley. They teamed with faculty from 16 states and 21 institutions of higher learning to study ancient buildings, archaeoastronomy, mythology and the Inca quipu.

Little League Official Touts Organization's Impact on Area Tourism

June 2007

Holding their annual conference at Penn College, barely a mile from the birthplace of Little League Baseball, about 50 members of the Pennsylvania Economic Association learned some staggering numbers about the youth-sports organization's fiscal impact on the region.

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