May School of Natural and Health Sciences

The goal of the natural sciences is to understand how the world works, why it works the way it does, and what that means for the millions of species that call it home. The science programs at Lees-McRae are focused on understanding the complex relationships between all living things and using that knowledge to promote the health and wellbeing of humans, animals, and the environment.

Our Wildlife Biology and Pre-Veterinary Medicine programs focus on animal health, while our Nutrition Science, Exercise Science, Pre-Physical Therapy, and Wilderness Medicine and Rescue programs cover healthy living and medical care for humans. The Biology program offers a broad overview of life science with specializations in pre-medical and biomedical sciences. Students in every program will graduate knowing how to use scientific principles and the most cutting-edge technology to address the challenges facing the planet and its inhabitants.

Field Station

Elk Valley Preserve and Field Station

A short 10-minute drive from campus brings you to the Elk Valley Preserve and Field Station—a haven for observing, studying, and experiencing High Country native wildlife. You’ll learn techniques for catching and releasing mammals for semester-long research conservancy projects and habitat analysis. See for yourself how the “classroom” really means a forest, field, or river.

Wildlife Center

May Wildlife Rehabilitation Center

Located on campus is the May Wildlife Rehabilitation Center—a mecca for hands-on student learning and rehabilitation of various species of animals from across the region. Boasting traditional learning spaces combined with operating rooms with observation space, intensive care rooms for healing animals, and an X-ray suite, the rehabilitation center is as much about teaching the next generation of animal healers as it is about healing wildlife itself.

Labs

Bowman Building Labs

Laboratory space is essential for the sciences—it’s a place to experiment, get curious, and experience the wonders of our world right before our eyes. Located on the lower level of the Bowman Building, the laboratories serve both as traditional classrooms and functional laboratories for conducting experiements. 

Hard work pays off for Wildlife Rehabilitation students as they release red-tailed hawk on South Campus

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Makayla Gaitan '23 focused her passion into a career through Online Human Services at Lees-McRae 

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What does a career in wildlife rehabilitation look like? 
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Meet the Deans

Franz_Rueckert_WEBSITE.png

Franz Rueckert, PhD
Dean of Natural and Health Sciences
rueckertf@lmc.edu
828.898.8705

Officer Jason Lolies

Shinjini Goswami, PhD
Assistant Dean of Natural and Health Sciences
goswamis@lmc.edu
828.898.3542

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