Assistant Professor of Science and Mathematics Wyoming Catholic College Lander, Wyoming
The science sequence at Wyoming Catholic College provides students with training in natural history, natural science and the scientific method, and natural philosophy. Science courses enable WCC students to be aware of their natural environment, to observe patterns, processes, and causality in nature, to interpret scientific evidence, and to evaluate the scientific arguments of others. The sequence begins with an emphasis on experience and becomes, with each passing semester, progressively more analytical. In the final capstone semester, students bring together scientific, philosophical, and theological arguments to explore, at length, the theory of evolution. Principal goals of the sequence are to understand the strengths and limitations of scientific arguments (vis-à-vis, e.g., theological or philosophical arguments) as well as the profound harmony between faith and reason. The candidate hired for this position will report directly to the Academic Dean. About the Program: Wyoming Catholic College is a Great Books Liberal Arts college located in Lander, Wyoming. All students take a pre-set, integrated curriculum with no electives. Teachers at WCC work as a team in a unified program, working together to ensure that their courses engage and support other areas of the curriculum. The Science and Mathematics track is part of the required curriculum at WCC. Therefore the professor must help students see how what they learn applies to the rest of WCC’s integrated curriculum. Flexibility, broad intellectual interests, and a commitment to the education of the whole person are necessary qualities in an applicant. The Science and Mathematics Track: Candidates are encouraged to review the Course Catalog, available on the college’s website (http://www.wyomingcatholiccollege.com), for additional information. Note, however, that the course sequence has been slightly revised since this catalog was prepared. In particular, in the revised sequence the first semester of field science occurs in the first semester of freshman year (emphasizing natural history), while the second semester of field science occurs at the end of junior year, after the students have had an introduction to scientific reasoning (e.g., statistical hypothesis testing). The successful candidate will have the opportunity to help redesign this second semester of field science, with the goal that students will use quantitative methods to gain experience in experimental design and statistics. Current field science topics include astronomy, botany, ecology, geology, ornithology, mammalogy, and aquatic ecology with the opportunity to develop curriculum that complements specific interests or experience. Lander, WY is uniquely situated within the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem in the southern foothills of the Wind River Range, providing opportunities for field study in our courses that span from alpine to high desert locations. Specific Guidelines of Candidates: The instructor is responsible for: · implementing the master syllabi proposed for the current courses and working with the Science and Mathematics curriculum committee to continue to improve all courses, particularly to help design a new second semester of field science; · providing the students timely feedback on all assessments and exercises; · attending weekly faculty meetings; · writing a course evaluation at the end of each semester; · maintaining close communication with other faculty members, especially other members of the Science and Mathematics Committee and the Academic Dean. Candidates will have: · a graduate degree in one of the natural sciences – preferably biology / ecology / botany / zoology, etc., but others will be considered; · an ability and willingness to teach in any or all of the (elementary) Mathematics courses of the WCC curriculum, and, ideally, in some other subjects of the curriculum outside of the Science and Mathematics sequence; · familiarity with liberal education, and more specifically an understanding of the mission and unique integrated nature of the WCC educational model; Desired: Demonstrated knowledge of the flora and fauna of the mountains and plains of the western US and ability to teach natural history in a field setting. Application Procedure: Candidates must apply for this position by writing to the Academic Dean, Dr. Jeremy Holmes, at [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>. Attach a letter of application, current CV, copies of certifications, and the names and current phone numbers of three professional references (if at all possible, one should be an immediate workplace supervisor). Application Deadline: Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Start Date: Contract begins July 1; classes begin September 1. Note: Salary is dependent on degree qualification and teaching experience.
