Winter 2008
Web Exclusives

Chronicle

Natural Sciences and Mathematics

Instruction in science has been part of the Culver-Stockton curriculum for at least 140 years. The 1867-68 C-SC academic catalog described the classes of Natural Philosophy and Chemistry as having "the advantage of the most approved apparatus, so there is scarcely a law connected with these sciences but can be fully demonstrated by natural experiment." Coursework included astronomy with an "unsurpassed telescope of great power measuring 4 feet and a half in length."

Both the equipment and the course content have changed over the years.  Early chemistry included detection of poisons, particularly in agriculture, the arts, and manufacturing.  Early physics courses, added in 1878, not only included natural history with a geological cabinet containing a "rare collection of the best specimens" but also, by the 1940s, classes in photography and radio.

Some experiments in the science curriculum appeared to be short-lived.  In1872, C-SC launched a Medical Department that was intended to be "the best school of its kind in the west" but faded away after about five years. Early references are also made to a museum that contained "specimens of practical advantage."

By the 1900s, laboratory work was part of all science courses. The 1917 catalog notes that newly equipped laboratories in chemistry, physical, and biological science were housed in Henderson Hall.  Studies in the sciences continued to expand. By 1930, the labs had once again been refurbished, and Culver-Stockton offered majors in biology, chemistry, natural science and physical science. By the late 1940s, the biology and chemistry labs occupied all of the north and west wings of Henderson Hall and half of the south wing. The physics labs, including a photographic dark room and a radio broadcasting and receiving station, were in the basement of what is now the Herrick Foundation Center.

Bachelor's degrees in nursing and medical technology were added in 1967.

Click here for a look at today's Science and Math curriculum.

Culver-Stockton has always been part of the community and meeting its educational needs, first with preparatory programs for young students who wanted a college education, and then later with other approaches:

- Academic boot camp was a three-week summer program in 1970-71 that offered Advanced Credit for Exceptional Students. High School students would take one three-hour college credit course that would apply after they finished high school and completed at least one summer term at C-SC.

- C-SC was one of five school in 1975 to participate in a "Common Market" approach with John Wood Community College, which did not have a campus of its own.  JWCC students attended classes on the C-SC campus but graduated from JWCC.