Science, Technology, Engineering and Math at John Brown University

STEM majors

Through hands-on laboratory experience, research opportunities, personalized attention from faculty and courses with passionate, knowledgeable professors, students are prepared to be excellent in their pursuits post-graduation.

Biology

Biochemistry

Chemistry

Computer science

Cybersecurity

Electrical engineering

General science

Mathematics

Mechanical engineering

Graduate cybersecurity

Facilities & tools of the trade

Bell Science Hall was built in 2002 and is home to the Departments of Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics. Named in honor of William H. Bell, a JBU trustee from 1971-1988, this modern facility is designed with spaces to provide a hands-on learning experience for each major, including an advanced biology lab, animal care facility & darkroom, equipment room, greenhouse, tissue culture lab, research lab and radioisotope lab.

The Balzer Technology Center, which opened in 2018, is a 40,000-square-foot facility that houses John Brown University’s growing engineering, construction management and renewable energy programs. The building has approximately 25,000 square feet of classroom and office space with another 15,000 square feet of laboratory space.

The Peer-Andrus Studio and Project Barn, which also opened in 2018, is a 16,800-square-foot facility that provides essential studio and project space for art and engineering students. The engineering section includes one large project area with 17 flexible workstations for engineering students.

360° tours

Experience JBU in a whole new way with immersive 360° videos! Move your mobile device, or click with your mouse to move the camera. Make sure to watch in HD!

Bell Science Hall Exterior

Bell Science Hall houses about a dozen labs for chemistry and biology students to conduct experiments and learn about the world around them.

Bell Science Hall Classroom

Many biology, chemistry, mathematics and physics classes are in this classroom. The classroom includes moveable chairs and desks.

Bell Chemistry Lab

This lab is used for performing a wide variety of techniques in molecular biology and biochemistry. It contains a -20° freezer, refrigerator, incubator, electrophoresis equipment (horizontal and vertical gels, DNA sequencing), fraction collector, thermal cycler (for PCR), water baths, luminometer, electroporation apparatus, dry bath incubators, sonicator and computer.

Bell Biology Lab

This lab is used for procedures that require centrifugation of large volumes of liquid. It contains a floor model refrigerated centrifuge and a benchtop refrigerated clinical centrifuge, each with several rotors, camera systems for phase-contrast microscopes, fume hoods, a floor model refrigerated incubator, numerous benchtop incubators and water baths, a BioSafety cabinet, double-wide refrigerator and a reverse osmosis water system.

Studio & Project Barn Exterior

This 16,800-square-foot facility provides essential studio and project space for art & engineering students. The building is split into two sections: the art section includes a space for commercial photography and video shoots, a wood shop and three large project areas, and the engineering section includes one large project area with 17 flexible workstations for students.

Studio & Project Barn Engineering Section

The engineering section of the Peer-Andrus Studio and Project Barn includes one large project area with 17 flexible workstations for engineering students to build and test a variety of projects.

Balzer Technology Center Exterior

Completed in 2011, the Balzer Technology Center is the dedicated home for JBU's Engineering and Construction Management programs.

Balzer Technology Center Classroom

This classroom is not only home to engineering and construction management classes but also is open beyond class times for engineering and construction management students to complete their classwork, work on team projects or study.

Balzer Technology Center Engineering Bay

The engineering high bay allows engineering students to receive hands-on experience on major projects in a large and open space, while also having access to modern tools and technology used in their careers.

Balzer Technology Center Construction High Bay

The construction high bay allows engineering and construction management majors to receive hands-on experience on major projects in a large and open space, while also having access to modern tools and technology used in their careers.

Male student looking through microscope with female student standing next to him

Two female students in lab coats filling a beaker

Female student in lab coat using lab equipment

Students watching a presentation in class

Female student looking at building plans on a computer

Three male students examining a piece of equipment

Team of students gather around a robot they

Wanting an advanced degree?

The Pre-Health Professions Program (PHPP) guides, equips and encourages you in pursuing acceptance to professional school and a career in the health professions.

Receive comprehensive personal evaluations

The PHPP provides a written evaluation to students in the spring of their sophomore year that summarizes their strengths and "growth opportunities" and makes concrete suggestions for how they can improve their competitiveness for medical school or other professional schools of interest.

Craft career-specific timetables

The PHPP provides career-specific timetables for what students need to accomplish during each semester at JBU to prepare for applying to professional school.

Attend informational workshops

Numerous workshops are provided to assist students in preparing for various aspects of the professional school application process.

Participate in career shadowing

Students have the opportunity to “job shadow” health care providers in their career field of interest.

Complete mock interviews

Students who are granted interviews at professional schools have the opportunity to participate in a mock interview with JBU faculty to enhance their interview preparedness.

Enjoy a high success rate

Approximately 75-80% of students who complete the program and apply to professional school are accepted the first time. The acceptance rate approaches 100% for students who reapply the following year.

Research opportunities

Students in the Natural Science Division have the opportunity to work alongside professors on ongoing research projects on a wide variety of topics. Participating in a research project enables students to practically apply classroom concepts, develop their creativity and analytical thinking, gain hands-on experience with scientific equipment, and learn how to present research results to the scientific community. Research experience will help students gain entrance to professional programs and prepare students for their career of choice.

Learn more

Chemistry in Head, Heart and Hand

Chemistry in Head, Heart and Hand (Or, as we call it, CH₃) is an extra-academic program designed for students who wish to connect the lab to the world.

To participate, students must submit a project proposal detailing plans to apply the sciences to real-world contexts within each of the three categories: Head, Heart and Hand. Students' CH₃ projects will be supervised by chemistry faculty to encourage students to consider scientific ideas within new contexts, become effective and passionate science professionals, develop a vision for lifelong learning, and practice linking academic understanding to conviction with action.

Completion of the program will be denoted on students' transcripts as well as with a cord upon graduation.

JBU does not unlawfully discriminate based on race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, military status, or age in the administration of its educational policies, admissions, financial aid, employment, educational programs, or activities.

John Brown University is a leading private Christian university, training students to honor God and serve others since 1919. Arkansas’ top-ranked university (The Wall Street Journal) and top-ranked regional university (U.S. News), JBU enrolls more than 2,200 students from 37 states and 42 countries in its traditional undergraduate, graduate, online and concurrent education programs. JBU offers more than 50 undergraduate majors, with top programs including nursing, psychology, construction management, graphic design, family and human services, and engineering. Eighteen graduate degrees are available in business, counseling, cybersecurity, and education.

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Science, Technology, Engineering and Math

Apply science and technology to the service of God and humanity

Learn to