Department of Basic Sciences
The Department of Basic Sciences provides courses for most of Bastyr University’s programs. The basic sciences curriculum is designed to meet the specific competencies and learning objectives within each program.
The basic sciences department’s mission is to promote an optimal learning environment in which Bastyr University students can develop a strong foundation of knowledge and skills that will serve their continued development in their chosen fields of endeavor.
The basic sciences faculty encourages and expects students to advance beyond the simple learning of scientific facts and to systematically integrate the information from basic science disciplines into a unified model of human organization and function. This educational scheme requires students to assume an active role in the learning process and encourages them to adopt this inquisitive behavior for a lifetime.
Problem solving, clinical cases, and examples are an integral part of the basic science curriculum. This educational process is an expression of Bastyr University’s basic philosophy of a holistic approach to human behavior, health, and therapeutics. The basic sciences faculty encourages students to become totally absorbed in an integrated approach to learning and understanding. Instructors are readily available to facilitate this process on an individual basis.
Basic Science Courses within Other Departments
Basic science courses within the School of Traditional World Medicines (TWM) include Anatomy and Physiology, Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Pathology, and Pharmacology. These courses serve as a foundation for an understanding of the human body and provide students with the necessary skills and competencies to pursue coursework in the School of TWM. In addition, a portion of the AEAM Anatomy and Physiology course is taught in Bastyr’s cadaver anatomy lab, giving students the unique opportunity to study anatomy in greater depth.
Basic science modules within the naturopathic medicine program provide integration across science disciplines and with clinical coursework. First-year basic science modules provide a foundation of core principles in anatomy, histology, embryology, biochemistry, and physiology that are integrated in the context of body systems. Second-year modules include pharmacology, as well as courses that integrate the principles of pathology, immunology, and infectious diseases using the systems approach. Throughout the curriculum, science concepts are applied to clinical situations through integrated case discussions. Basic science courses within the herbal sciences program include Anatomy and Physiology, Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Pharmacology, and Disease Processes. These courses serve as a foundation for an understanding of the human body and provide students with the necessary skills and competencies to pursue coursework in their chosen field.
Basic science courses within the School of Nutrition and Exercise Science include Anatomy and Physiology, Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Disease Processes. (Anatomy/Physiology, Organic Chemistry, and Biochemistry are all prerequisite courses for the master’s program.)
The department also offers science courses that satisfy prerequisite requirements, including courses in General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, and Physics.
Lab Services
Laboratory Services provides laboratory set-up and support for all laboratory courses in all academic programs. Laboratory Services also trains TAs and work-study students for academic and research labs and maintains safety oversight of all laboratories.