Natural Sciences Division

Division of Natural Sciences

The Natural Sciences Division is comprised of six areas: Astronomy, Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Environmental Horticulture, Life Sciences and Physics. Earth sciences courses are offered in geography, geology, meteorology and oceanography. Life sciences courses are offered in anatomy, biology, field studies, microbiology and physiology.

The Division provides a comprehensive lower-division curriculum for science majors preparing to transfer to 4-year colleges and universities. We also provide general education courses that are designed to allow students to understand and apply the scientific method, and to understand basic underlying principles of nature and the relevance to their lives.

Planetarium and Observatory

The Division also maintains a planetarium and observatory with several telescopes for its instructional program in astronomy and for public outreach. With the Chronos star projector, faculty members are  able to display a realistic sky of the past, present and future from different locations in the solar system. There are monthly open houses at the observatory and when possible, planetarium shows are provided for schools and the public.

Programs

The STEM Center supports science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) disciplines. By serving as a hub for tutoring and academic support programs, the STEM Center aims to increase the number of students pursuing and succeeding in STEM disciplines at the college, transferring in STEM majors to four-year universities, or entering the related workforce.

Mathematics, Engineering, Science, Achievement (MESA) uses various components to support students pursuing math- and science-based degrees. Program components build an academically based peer community to provide student support and motivation. This community of learners, with a very specialized focus, is what sets MESA apart from other student success programs.

Honors Transfer Program (HTP) at El Camino College is designed to better prepare the highly motivated student to transfer successfully to a university and complete a bachelor's degree.