"Problem based learning gives students a chance to attack a problem as a professional would." - Senior, Pre-med

In the Natural Sciences Division students develop scientific literacy within a framework that fosters the creative thinking and analytical skills that are the foundation for a successful career in the sciences and related fields. Through the adoption of an instructional strategy known as problem-based learning, the faculty at Mount Mary College have successfully put "the doing" into science education and are confident that understanding is the end result. Problem-based learning allows students to work in teams on real-world problems.

"The class size is small and that's what attracted me to Mount Mary. The availability of professors and interactive classroom atmosphere have contributed to my academic growth." - Junior, Pre-med

Mount Mary offers students the advantage of learning in an intimate setting. Personal attention is awarded to each student as class sizes range between 10 and 30 students.

"Look at the lab environment. As an undergraduate, what will you actually get to do? What instruments will you get to actually handle? Everything at Mount Mary College is for the undergraduates' use." - Post-grad, Certification in Teaching Biology and Chemistry

Throughout instructional and laboratory work, Mount Mary College incorporate the use of computers for data acquisition, statistical analysis, and graphing. Partly funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation, Mount Mary College purchased laboratory and technology equipment to support the problem-based learning teaching method. The Gerhardinger Center provides an integration of computers into both the learning and study spaces.

"These science classes really make students work and think independently yet provide the guidance needed to really learn. It seems easier here to relate lab experiences to lecture as the connections are easier to see." Sophomore, Biology

Learning under the instruction of one professor, students first grasp general lecture knowledge then develop problem solving and analytical skills while mastering lecture content in the laboratory. The Gerhardinger Center provides instructional space that supports the problem-based learning methodology and is flexible for a variety of instructional needs.