Department of Natural Sciences
The Sky’s the Limit: Unlock Your World Through Kettering’s Natural Sciences Department
From biology and biochemistry to chemistry and physics, you can explore it all and gain a better understanding of the natural world around you at Kettering University’s Department of Natural Sciences. Every engineering discipline literally builds upon a foundation established in knowledge of the natural world. The required and elective courses we offer lay that groundwork for advanced applications and the latest cutting-edge technology.
Whether or not you choose to pursue a program in the natural sciences, at Kettering you’ll enjoy small class sizes, participate in our renowned co-op programs and more, giving you a personalized education and valuable experience to set you apart from others in the job market after graduation.
Our Department of Natural Sciences can help you learn to describe and understand the rules that dictate the physical and natural world. Through our course work, labs and hands-on learning experiences, you’ll develop a deeper understanding of the world that you can apply to any career field.
Discover Nature’s Phenomena Through Our Natural Science Degree Programs
The Department of Natural Sciences can help you gain the scientific knowledge and skills you need to find success, now and in the future. We offer an ABET-accredited program in Engineering Physics, minors in Acoustics and Physics, and a Pre-Med course of study. Should you choose to pursue another degree program, courses from our department will enrich your education through elective options focused on applications and integrated special topics. Topics include photonics, materials science, medical physics and ultrasound, acoustics and vibration, polymers, sensors, the science of color, and more.
Explore the variety of natural science degree programs and minors we offer at Kettering.
Engineering Physics
Our engineering physics program is among only a select few physics programs accredited by ABET, a nonprofit, non-governmental organization that accredits university applied science, computing, engineering and engineering technology programs. As an Engineering Physics major at Kettering, you’ll explore a host of topics you won’t always find through traditional engineering programs. You’ll study optics, acoustics and materials related to fields such as nanotechnology, telecommunications, medical physics and devices and others.
Acoustics Minor
Are you intrigued by how things sound? Through our acoustics minor, you’ll learn how to apply your interest in the art and science of sound while studying vibration, acoustics and signal processing. Sound quality metrics, modal analysis, and test & measurement techniques are examples of common industry-standard built into our courses.
Physics Minor
Do you appreciate the elegance and clarity found in theoretical physics? Are you curious about the most essential laws of the universe? A Physics minor will take you deeper into the fundamentals of classical mechanics, quantum mechanics, or thermodynamics and statistical physics, to explore the rules by which everything happens in the physical world.
Pre-Med Course of Study
If you’re aiming to follow your Kettering degree program with medical school, this course of study will help prepare you. Coupled with an immersion in the healthcare industry as a scribe in our co-op program, and peer mentoring in our Pre-Med club, the Pre-Med course of study includes all the essential courses in biochemistry, chemistry, biology, physics, math and more.
About The Department Of Natural Sciences
If you’re the type that’s not satisfied with the usual off-the-shelf solution, or you love to burst open the “black boxes” to see what marvels lie undiscovered — or if you’re looking for new problems that no one has thought to discover, much less solve — offerings in the Department of Natural Sciences may be just what you’re looking for.
At Kettering, not only will you learn more about emerging technologies. You’ll also develop an appreciation for the unseen forces and processes that shape our reality. That’s because our Department of Natural Sciences provides you with a variety of classes that are fundamental to all engineering degrees, plus, through our degree in engineering physics program and wide-ranging science electives, our classes broaden the perspective you’ll be able to bring to the applications you pursue.
Experiential learning opportunities are also woven throughout our courses. This means that whether you choose to become an engineering physics major, join our pre-med program, or expand your worldview through elective courses you’ll have invaluable hands-on learning opportunities that will help you immediately apply what you’ve learned.
At Kettering, you’ll also:
Gain on-the-job experience through our unrivaled co-op model.
As you earn your degree in engineering physics or complete one of our related minors, you’ll alternate your time between taking courses and actually working in the field with one of our corporate partners, such as Ford Motor Company, Magna or Stryker, to name a few.
Practice your skills in cutting-edge labs.
As an Engineering Physics major at Kettering, or a student pursuing one of our related minors, you’ll apply what you learn in our top-notch labs as early as your first week of school.
Find faculty support and camaraderie with your peers through small class sizes.
No matter your field of study within the Department of Natural Sciences and beyond, at Kettering, you’ll learn in classrooms with small class sizes. This will enrich your education with powerful, thoughtful discussions, important teamwork and one-on-one attention from your instructors.
Electricity and Magnetism Laboratory
Investigate the physics of electricity and magnetism and study electric potential and electric current.
Principles of Chemistry Lab
Build foundational knowledge of the concepts and principles of chemistry and gain valuable skills in data collection and evaluation.
Elective Labs
Through our Department of Natural Sciences, you’ll find a variety of labs that will help you develop your skills and give you more hands-on experience working with the things that intrigue you most.
Newtonian Mechanics Laboratory
Explore and learn more about the inner workings of position, velocity, acceleration, force, momentum and energy.
Leading Natural Science Degree Programs With Renowned Faculty
Whether you join our pre-med program course of study, become an engineering physics major, pursue a natural science degree or anything in between, your instructors are committed to helping you and your peers find success in the classroom and in the workplace.
Through our engineering and natural science degree programs, you’ll learn from faculty members who are currently conducting research in structural vibration, acoustic resonators, biochemistry, bioanalytical chemistry, optical waveguides, electrical conductivity, thermal energy storage and other important concepts.
No matter which natural science degree or minor program you choose, you’ll learn from instructors who are experts in their fields.
Student Life: Opportunities Abound For Engineering Physics Majors
No matter which natural science degree program or minor you pursue at Kettering, you’ll find a host of mentors and opportunities to connect with like-minded students to help you make the most of your education and collegiate experience.
Here are just a few clubs that may interest you:
- The Pre-Med Club: Interested in pursuing a pre-med program? Our student-led Pre-Med Club hosts a seminar series with guest speakers to learn more about the medical field, featuring alumni who have gone on to become physicians and physician assistants, admissions counselors from medical and physician assistant programs and more.
- Physics Clubs: From cardboard boat regattas to astronomical viewing nights, our Physics Clubs’ mission is to help you develop your interest in physics, introduce you to related career fields, provide you with hands-on physics activities and more.
- Society of Physics Students and the Sigma Pi Sigma Honor Society: At Kettering, we have two local chapters of the national Society of Physics Students (SPS), as well as a local chapter of the national physics honor society, Sigma Pi Sigma. Membership for SPS is open to anyone interested in physics and is particularly recommended for you if you are a Physics or Engineering Physics major.
Financial Aid For Department Of Natural Science Programs
No matter the degree program you choose, Kettering is committed to helping you finance your education. We can help you learn more about fixed-rate tuition, paid jobs through our co-op programs, grants, scholarships and more.
At Kettering, 99% of our students are offered grants, loans and/or work-study opportunities. Among other grants and scholarships, when you pursue a degree in engineering physics or a similar program at Kettering’s Department of Natural Sciences, you may be eligible for:
- The Patricia and Armen Oumedian Engineering Scholarship, a $1,000 financial award sponsored by the Grand Rapids Community Foundation. Learn more about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
- The Society of Women Engineers (SWE) Scholarship, which provides financial assistance to women preparing for careers in engineering, engineering technology and computer science — Engineering Physics majors included. Learn more about the SWE Scholarship and how to apply.
Natural Sciences Department Faculty
Daniel Ludwigsen
Department Head of Natural Science Contact dludwigs@kettering.edu
Lisandro Hernandez de la Pena
Associate Professor Contact lhernand@kettering.edu
Ronald Kumon
Associate Professor Contact rkumon@kettering.edu
Andrzej Przyjazny
Professor Contact aprzyjaz@kettering.edu
Montserrat Rabago-Smith
Associate Professor Contact mrabagos@kettering.edu
Corneliu Rablau
Professor Contact crablau@kettering.edu
Uma Ramabadran
Professor Contact uramabad@kettering.edu
Explore, Research, Discover: Do More With a Natural Science Degree From Kettering
Uncover the mysteries of the natural world and put your knowledge into action through Kettering’s Department of Natural Sciences. Take the next step toward your career in science or physics and request more information or apply now.