School of Natural and Applied Science | Franciscan University of Steubenville

Welcome from the Dean

Research Driven. Faith Inspired.
Teaching Centered.

The School of Natural and Applied Sciences at Franciscan University consists of programs in biology, biochemistry, chemistry, computer science, computer information science, mathematics, mechanical engineering, and software engineering. We also offer 3+2 and 2+2 engineering transfer programs with several universities for other fields of engineering, and certificates in bioinformatics and cybersecurity. Students are prepared for careers or graduate work in their chosen discipline through advanced courses of study and authentic real-world experience. All of Franciscan’s STEM degrees combine rigorous academics with the faithful Catholicism for which we are renowned.

In a quality science education, doing is learning and research is teaching. We take this reality to heart, providing multiple opportunities for our students to gain practical experience by participating in groundbreaking research and hands-on internships.

Whether you’re a biology major who aspires to be an orthopedic surgeon, a chemistry student intent on synthesizing drugs for a neglected disease, a mathematics major aiming to create mathematical models in finance, an engineering student eager to lead innovative projects in aerospace or national defense, or a computer science major who hopes to work in cybersecurity, we have an academic program complete with internship opportunities for every student.

Read the full welcome

With numerous on-campus, faculty-led research projects and off-campus summer internships, you’ll have a wealth of interests and locations to choose from, and professionals to work with, as you develop the critical thinking and problem-solving skills needed in your vocation. At Franciscan, research is not just reserved for a select few. In fact, nearly 70 percent of Franciscan undergraduate science students participate in scientific research or internships. It is our goal to provide a quality education, both in and out of the classroom, that will prepare our students for success.

Of course, not every one of our graduates goes into a STEM career. The intellectual challenge and critical thinking skills associated with a degree in mathematics, the natural sciences, or engineering are in high demand in a number of other fields! Graduates also continue to law school, MBAs, healthcare, philosophy, and into teaching.

However, helping our students develop the scientific and technical skills necessary for success is not enough. At Franciscan, we encourage students to reflect deeply on the cultural, moral and ethical challenges that science and the development and implementation of new technologies bring to society. We are intent on preparing students who are equipped to tackle the scientific and technical problems of the 21st century in a manner that respects the inherent dignity of the human person. In fact, within the School of Natural and Applied Sciences at Franciscan University, you don’t have to choose science over faith or faith over science. Rather, through your classes, your professors, and numerous guest lectures by world-renowned speakers, you’ll discover that science and faith exist in harmony, supporting each other and helping us come to know God and His creation. You learn how science and faith work together, and you’ll do this in an environment that is grounded within a Catholic moral and ethical framework. As St. John Paul II wrote, “Science develops best when its concepts and conclusions are integrated into the broader human culture and its concerns for ultimate meaning and value. Scientists cannot, therefore, hold themselves entirely aloof from the sorts of issues dealt with by philosophers and theologians. By devoting to these issues something of the energy and care they give to their research in science, they can help others realize more fully the human potentialities of their discoveries.” It is only in this proper integration between Faith and Reason, between Science and Theology, that our students will be prepared to live out their vocations. It is just this sort of integration, that strengthens both science and Faith, that lies at the heart of a Franciscan education in the sciences.