Life Sciences Course Offerings

The Life Sciences concentration offers courses that foster connections among biology, chemistry, and physics while actively practicing science through novel experimentation and original data analysis. Graduates will be prepared for professional school, graduate school, and biotechnology careers.

Overview of the Curriculum

The BA in Liberal Arts with a concentration in Life Sciences at Soka University of America engages students in the dynamic fields of biology, biochemistry, and chemistry as well as provides a pathway towards various science careers, including medicine, research, and education, among many others. The Life Sciences Concentration features inquiry-based courses that train students in experimental design, data collection and analysis, and presentation of experimental results. The concentration features an interdisciplinary curriculum that provides a solid foundation in the sciences and enables students to apply their knowledge and skill set to address real world challenges. 

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Key Curricular Elements

  • Integrated Biology and Chemistry is an interdisciplinary course that is co-taught by a biologist and a chemist and it focuses on the molecular biology of cancer and the underlying chemistry of cell biology. Students learn how proteins are encoded and the impact of genomic instability on protein structure and function; alterations of normal metabolism in cancer cells; and basic pathways of cell division and death.
  • Introductory Physics I/II are interdisciplinary courses that cover the usual introductory physics topics but reordered to follow the timeline of the universe: evolution of the cosmos, evolution of life on earth, and evolution of human social reality. Computer labs promote modeling and simulation skills using Python. Biological, chemical, medical, or health-related contexts or applications are used where suitable as are connections to enduring questions of humanity or modes of inquiry.

  • There are multiple project-based labs (PBLs) that students can take that span a variety of topics in biology, biochemistry, and chemistry. These 3-unit upper-level laboratory courses utilize inquiry-based learning and actively invite students into a faculty member’s research laboratory, in contrast to the typical one-unit laboratory course. Students work independently on a semester-long project where they interpret scientific literature, design experiments, collect data, analyze results, and present their work. These project-based labs offer authentic research opportunities that significantly expand students’ repertoire of science skills.
  • Foundations of Chemistry Laboratory (CHEM 150L) is a course-based undergraduate research experience (CURE) based on Foundation of Chemistry (CHEM 150) course content. The CURE project is designed to challenge students to frame “real-life” practical research questions and design viable approaches to acquire meaningful data. This is a student-centered, inquiry-based research project where the outcome is unknown to both the students and the instructor.

  • Once our students complete foundational courses in biology and chemistry (typically during their first year), they can choose from a variety of upper-level science courses that fit their unique career goals. We offer students the flexibility to follow different pathways through Life Sciences. Some students have specific post-graduate plans such as medical school or graduate school in biology or chemistry while others may simply want to experience a variety of LS courses to help them decide what they are most passionate about. Since SUA students major in liberal arts, rather than the sciences, they receive a well-rounded education that prepares them to tackle global challenges with a cross-disciplinary skillset.