College of Behavioral Science and Natural Sciences

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Dean - Behavioral Science & Natural Science- Cynthia Anderson
Black Hills State University
1200 University Street Unit 9007
Spearfish, SD 57799-9007
605-642-6212

The College of Behavioral Sciences and Natural Sciences includes the School of Behavioral Sciences and the School of Natural Sciences.

From the School of Behavioral Sciences it is possible to earn the Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Exercise Science, Human Services, Outdoor Education, Psychology, and Sociology. An Associate of Science (AS) degree is available in Human Services. Graduate students may earn a Masters Degree (MS) in Strategic Leadership.

From the School of Natural Sciences, it is possible to earn the Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Biology, Composite Chemistry, Environmental Physical Science, and Physical Science.  The Bachelor of Science in Education (BSED) degree is available in Biology.  Graduate students may earn a Masters (MS) degree in Integrative Genomics or Sustainability.

Students enrolled in the College of Behavioral Science and Natural Sciences must fulfill the general education requirements listed in this catalog.  Transfer credits - no grade of less than a “C” will be credited toward any major, minor, or AS program in the College of Behavioral Science and Natural Sciences.
 

School of Behavioral Sciences

The Exercise Science major has two fairly distinct career paths that include pre-professional science for allied medical and health fields and fitness for public or private industry or educational settings.  The science option provides the depth of study of the human body’s structure and function that provides the prerequisite knowledge for admission to graduate programs such as Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Exercise Science, and Physician’s Assistant.  Students wanting to enter fitness-based professions as personal trainers, fitness personnel managers, or floor managers, require the business background of finance, marketing and promotion, and personal interaction.  These students take the management option.

The Human Services major is an interdisciplinary program that reflects the reality of the human service philosophy and occupations.  The major teaches the common knowledge and skills and then allows students to pursue one of three emphases in Community Service, Aging and the Elderly, or Justice Studies.  Students who have completed the AAS in Law Enforcement Technology from Western Dakota Technical Institute since 2000 with course work grades of “C” or better might be eligible for 16 hours of electives when selecting this major with the Justice Studies Emphasis.  The 36 hours of major requirements must be completed prior to the electives being awarded.  

Outdoor Education is an interdisciplinary major combining instruction in basic environmental sciences, training in education skills for outdoor settings, and experience in adventure programming pursuits. 

The goals of the Psychology major are to prepare students for successful entry level employment and provide a strong academic foundation for graduate and professional study in psychology, counseling, and other related fields.  The curriculum includes a liberal arts foundation as well as courses focusing on specific knowledge about animal and human behavior.  Students are introduced to psychology as a discipline, a science, and a profession with many areas of application.  As part of the program, students have opportunities to enroll in internships in applied areas and engage in faculty mentored research projects.

The Sociology major develops the acquisition of a sociological perspective that incorporates an understanding of social structures and their influences on human behavior, methods of research and empirical analysis, and linkages between private troubles and public issues.  The curriculum offers the opportunities for multiple experiences in using the sociological imagination, linking their personal lives to larger social processes, building and applying theory and collecting and evaluating data to examine and test the theories. 

Master of Science in Strategic Leadership(MS)

4 Year Bachelor of Science (BS) Majors

Exercise Science: Science
Exercise Science: Strength & Conditioning
Human Services
Composite Outdoor Education
Psychology
Sociology: Culture & Society
Sociology: Law & Justice

2 Year Associate of Science (AS) Major
   Human Services

Minors

Exercise Science
Health
Outdoor Education
Psychology
Sociology
Sociology-Teaching

School of Natural Sciences
 

The biology major is designed to give you a broad background and hands-on training in biology with cutting-edge laboratory facilities. This program prepares you through a rigorous curriculum for advanced study in graduate or professional programs or for a career in science or science education.

The chemistry major provides students with a comprehensive understanding of general, organic, analytic, and instrument chemistry and biochemistry.  The concepts taught may be applied to virtually every area of science, including biology, physics, geology, environmental science, as well as psychology.  Chemistry is a strong major for students planning to pursue graduate studies or other professional training.  

The environmental physical science major deals with the identification, study, and treatment of a variety of environmental problems including ground and surface water quality and management, waste treatment, land-use planning, soil testing, contaminant chemistry and monitoring, hazardous waste disposal, land reclamation, and energy management and production.  Environmental physical science is quite broad, requiring a background in a number of different science areas. In addition to a variety of geology classes, students also complete additional course work in chemistry, mathematics, and physics.

The physical science major is designed to provide students with broad, rigorous training in both physics and chemistry with introductory courses in the earth sciences, as well. Physical science includes the branches of natural science and sciences that study non-living systems, contrasting the biological sciences.  This major is especially appropriate for students planning to teach physics, chemistry, or general science in a junior or senior high school setting.

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