STEM majors at Elms have full access to the resources of the Lyons Center, a $12 million facility with dedicated spaces for research in computer science, information security, biology, chemistry, and mathematics. Research opportunities begin your first year on campus, and our award-winning professors happily collaborate with students on the next big breakthrough.

Professionally Prepared

Our natural sciences programs – biology, chemistry, and math – examine the foundations of the natural world, and prepare you for the rigors of the professional world or graduate school.

Gain a Competitive Edge

You learn in a hands-on environment in state-of-the-art labs and computer classrooms. Independent and faculty-led research assistant opportunities begin as early as your freshman year. Our programs give you the chance to master your chosen discipline and also lay a foundation of expertise in related fields.


New Biotechnology Major now available

Biotech majors will gain experience using emerging technologies on campus, conducting experiments in our cell culture lab, publishing their findings, and developing the skills to make an immediate contribution to the field upon graduation.
More info >

Photo of student in the research lab

Postbaccalaureate Programs

Students from around the country (and world) come to Elms to complete postbaccalaureate certificates in pre-medical and pre-physician assistant studies. For students who successfully complete the program requirements, we have a 94% matriculation rate to medical school, PA school, and graduate health sciences programs.

Master of Biomedical Sciences

A rigorous 12 month program, the master of science in biomedical sciences (BMS) program prepares students for advanced careers in science industries, especially those focused on research.

Photo of student doing research in the lab

MS of Biotechnology

  • Earn your degree in 1-2 years
  • Gain the knowledge and experience you need to strengthen your competitive edge in biotechnology for jobs and/or entry into PhD programs
    More info >

Grace Onwuchekwa ’23 BMS

Grace Onwuchekwa

As Grace Onwuchekwa ’23 BMS was searching for post baccalaureate programs, Elms College’s program attracted her attention. “There were several post bacc programs that were interesting, but Elms stood out to me because it was more flexible and very unique. I love the small class size and the fact that my professors know my name.” Grace is now in the Master of Biomedical Sciences program and will be graduating in spring 2023. “I’m a family person and I really loved the closeness here. I’ve also learned a lot about myself. I thank Elms for giving me the opportunity to achieve my career goal of going to med school and becoming a doctor.”  


Mission Statement

Division of Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Technology (NSMT)

The Division of Natural Sciences, Mathematics, and Technology consists of the departments of Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Computer Information Technology. The mission of the division is to educate students to acquire a solid scientific, mathematical, and technological knowledge base; proficiency in scientific inquiry; and the ability to be a lifelong learner.

The Division of Natural Sciences, Mathematics, and Technology prepares its graduates to succeed in professional fields within biology, biotechnology, chemistry, computer information technology and security, computer science, life sciences, and mathematics, or to pursue postgraduate education. This is done by focusing on the student’s need to master content knowledge within and outside their chosen discipline, as well as to develop analytic skills, communications skills, computational skills, leadership skills, and a professional awareness of his or her career field.

Specifically, the division is committed to providing an excellent education in our majors by helping students to acquire the following learning outcomes:

  • Demonstrate fundamental knowledge in their content areas.
  • Acquire and critically analyze information.
  • Draw connections among different areas of their majors and the liberal arts.
  • Effectively communicate knowledge and ideas to others both within and outside the majors of the division.

Biology Department Mission and Learning Outcomes

The mission of the Biology Department, consistent with the missions of the College and the division, and grounded in the tradition of the liberal arts, is to provide the student with a broad theoretical and experimental background in the major areas of biology as preparation for graduate study, research, biology teaching or medical, veterinary or other professional graduate program.

Biology Learning Objectives

The Biology department is committed to providing an excellent education in biology. With a biology degree students will be able to:

  • Demonstrate their knowledge of biology spanning from molecular to organismal to ecosystem biology.
  • Collect and critically analyze information.
  • Effectively communicate knowledge and ideas to others both within and outside the field of biology
  • Use various pieces of equipment in the biology laboratory and apply various techniques in the biology laboratory.
  • Draw connections among different areas of biology and between biology and the liberal arts.
  • Explain the implications of biological and/or medical techniques or procedures might have on individuals (physically, psychologically, socially and ethically) and on the environment.
  • Demonstrate their knowledge on standardized test exams that have biology concentration questions for example MCAT and other healthcare related admissions exams, GRE Biology Subject Test, and MTEL for Secondary Education majors in Biology.

Chemistry Department Mission and Learning Outcomes

The mission of the Chemistry Department is to give the student an understanding of chemical principles; to develop skill and accuracy in observation and measurement; to provide opportunities to demonstrate skills in problem solving, investigation, and interpretation; and to create an environment in which the scope of modern chemistry and its roles in world societies

might be realized. The learning objectives of the chemistry major are as follows. Students in the chemistry major will be able to:

  • Demonstrate fundamental knowledge of the five foundational areas of chemistry spanning from general chemistry to physical chemistry.
  • Collect and critically analyze information.
  • Present information in multiple formats (report, poster, powerpoint etc.).
  • Use various pieces of equipment and apply varied techniques in the chemistry laboratory.
  • Draw connections among different areas of chemistry, and between chemistry and the liberal arts.
  • Demonstrate knowledge on standardized test exams that have questions concentrating in chemistry (i.e. MCAT, GRE Chemistry subject test, or MTEL for Secondary Education majors in Chemistry).

Computer Information Technology Department Mission and Learning Outcomes

The mission of the CIT Department is to educate and support our students in developing their computational and analytical skills in order to succeed in careers or graduate study in computational IT fields. The learning outcomes for the Computer Information Technology & Security major and Computer Science major are as follows. Students in the CITS and CS majors will be able to:

  • Hardware/Software: Identify, use, and troubleshoot basic computer hardware and software.
  • Ethics: Discuss, understand, and evaluate the ethical issues involving computer technology.
  • Programming: Use problem-solving skills to design basic computer algorithms and programs.
  • Network/Security: Understand networking basics, evaluate security threats and how to safeguard against them.
  • Databases: Design and access database systems with SQL.
  • Web: Design basic web sites with HTML and CSS.
  • Teamwork: Develop communication, teamwork, and independent learning skills to be able to work in a professional IT environment.
  • CITS majors will be able to demonstrate understanding of networking and cyber security issues at the level of an entry IT professional.
  • CS majors will be able to demonstrate coding and software development skills at the level of an entry software developer.

Mathematics Department Mission and Learning Outcomes

The mission of the Mathematics Department is to foster habits of systematic and precise thinking; to furnish in-depth preparation for the understanding and use of the language, principles, and concepts of mathematics and computer information technology, and to provide the logical skills and techniques needed in the applications of the mathematical sciences.

Mathematics Learning Outcomes are to demonstrate quantitative literacy through:

  • Interpretation: Explain information presented in mathematical forms
  • Representation: Convert relevant information into various mathematical forms
  • Calculation: Calculate solutions to mathematical problems.
  • Application and Analysis: Draw appropriate conclusions based on quantitative data, while recognizing the limits of this analysis.
  • Assumptions: Ability to make and evaluate assumptions in estimation, modeling, and data analysis
  • Communication: Expressing quantitative evidence in support of the argument or purpose.