CMC professor teaching in front of a periodic table display.
CMC student in a snow vehicle maintenance class
A CMC Student using a microscope in a Biological Sciences classroom setting.
CMC Skilled Trades concurrent enrollment student welding.
School of Natural & Applied Sciences at Colorado Mountain College
CMC’s School of Natural & Applied Sciences serves over 1300 students annually with two bachelor’s degrees, twelve associate degrees, and over thirty certificates across four academic departments and one program. Since nearly all students will take courses offered by the School of Natural & Applied Science, our goal is for CMC students to develop career and communication skills by augmenting their critical thinking, applied skills, independent thought, and scientific inquiry.
Studying the Natural & Applied Sciences at CMC
The school offers a variety of programs and courses.
Do you excel at solving problems, care deeply about the environment, or have a passion for understanding life itself? Our Math and Science Pathway prepares you for transfer into mathematics or engineering programs, careers in sustainable ecosystem management, or future professional and graduate studies.
Do you enjoy working with your hands, operating equipment, or building the world around you? Our Skilled Trades and Ski Area Operations Pathway provides hands-on training for high-demand careers with ski industry leaders like Vail Resorts and Alterra, and teaches skills in welding, plasma cutting, automotive technology, and more.
Do you stay calm under pressure and feel called to serve your community in times of need? Our Public Safety Pathway prepares you to become an EMT, police officer, or firefighter – professionals who make a difference when it matters most.
Select an academic pathway below to learn more
Select an academic pathway below to learn more
News from the School of Natural & Applied Sciences
Colorado Mountain College and Regis University Create New Pathway for Future Physical Therapists
Students interested in becoming physical therapists now have a clearer path from Colorado Mountain College to graduate school through a new guaranteed admission partnership with Regis University. The agreement gives qualifying CMC students a direct pathway into Regis University’s Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program, creating new opportunities for students pursuing careers in one of healthcare’s fastest-growing fields. Physical therapists help patients recover from injuries, improve mobility, manage pain, and maintain healthy, active lifestyles. They… Read more: Colorado Mountain College and Regis University Create New Pathway for Future Physical Therapists
Tropical ecology and conservation in Costa Rica: a wild and unforgettable experience for CMC students
In May 2026, CMC students and faculty embarked on the first ever Tropical Ecology and Conservation program, an immersive 3-week experience in Costa Rica. Costa Rica is perhaps best known for its beaches and resorts, but students experienced a much less traveled, wilder side of the country. Students spent the majority of the program on the Osa Peninsula along the southern Pacific coast. Although you could fit over 200 Osa Peninsulas within Colorado, the Osa… Read more: Tropical ecology and conservation in Costa Rica: a wild and unforgettable experience for CMC students
CMC Faculty Member Co-Authors Landmark Study on Climate Resilience in the Amazon
Colorado Mountain College faculty member Ian McCullough is helping shape the global conversation around climate change and biodiversity conservation. McCullough, Associate Professor and Program Chair of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) at Colorado Mountain College, is a co-author of a recently published study that provides the first region-wide assessment of climate-resilient corridors across the Amazon rainforest. The research, featured by Mongabay and published in the journal Global Ecology and Conservation, identifies pathways that could help plant… Read more: CMC Faculty Member Co-Authors Landmark Study on Climate Resilience in the Amazon
Steamboat Springs Educator of the Year Recognized for Expanding Opportunities for Students
Colorado Mountain College is proud to celebrate Kirsten Brendtro, a science teacher at Steamboat Springs High School and adjunct faculty member in CMC’s Biology Department, who was recently named the Steamboat Springs School District’s 2025-2026 Educator of the Year. Brendtro was recognized for her commitment to student success, innovative programming, and leadership in creating opportunities that prepare students for college and future careers. As Career and Technical Education (CTE) coordinator and a science educator,… Read more: Steamboat Springs Educator of the Year Recognized for Expanding Opportunities for Students
Guaranteed Admission Agreement and Transfer Pathway Program for Students from Colorado Mountain College with the Colorado School of Mines
This agreement establishes a “Guaranteed Admission” pathway for CMC transfer students who have demonstrated exceptional academic achievement and commitment to STEM through the CMC Pre-Engineering program. It reflects a shared belief that students who meet these standards are prepared to thrive in Mines’ rigorous academic environment and contribute to its innovative STEM community. This agreement outlines the guaranteed admissions requirements and does not replace the Transfer Articulation Agreement between CMC and Mines. Terms of Guaranteed… Read more: Guaranteed Admission Agreement and Transfer Pathway Program for Students from Colorado Mountain College with the Colorado School of Mines
We need trained HVAC employees
It’s a sentiment long echoed by many businesses in the Roaring Fork Valley.
Industry leaders like Tim Braun at R&H Mechanical wanted to develop a solution. “We had our own internal training program,” Tim explains, “but I thought having an established curriculum with national credentials was a better opportunity for our people.” Read more: We need trained HVAC employees
Colorado Mountain College and CU School of Medicine Launch New Pathway for Aspiring Physicians
Colorado Mountain College has entered into a new partnership with the University of Colorado’s School of Medicine that creates an exciting opportunity for CMC students pursuing careers in medicine. Under a recently signed agreement, qualifying CMC students will receive a guaranteed interview with the CU School of Medicine—a significant milestone in an otherwise highly competitive admissions process. The partnership is designed to strengthen the pathway from CMC to medical school, particularly for students in rural and… Read more: Colorado Mountain College and CU School of Medicine Launch New Pathway for Aspiring Physicians
Jim Jones Leads CMC’s Effort to Grow Colorado’s Trades Workforce
A new statewide report outlines a pressing challenge: Colorado needs far more skilled-trade workers to meet its energy and infrastructure goals, especially in rural and mountain regions. As buildings undergo efficiency upgrades, renewable systems expand, and older trades professionals retire, communities face widening workforce gaps. Read more: Jim Jones Leads CMC’s Effort to Grow Colorado’s Trades Workforce
CMC is Building a Climate-Ready Trades Workforce in Rural Colorado
A recent report from KUNC highlights an innovative partnership between Colorado Mountain College and skilled-trade employers aimed at developing a climate-focused workforce in rural mountain communities. Read more: CMC is Building a Climate-Ready Trades Workforce in Rural Colorado
Highlighting Audrey Walker’s Work in Colorado’s Sacred Hot Springs
Rocky Mountain PBS’s Colorado Experience: Sacred Hot Springs explores the history, geology, and cultural significance of Colorado’s mineral springs — and prominently features the expertise of Audrey Walker, Adjunct Faculty of Physical Sciences at Colorado Mountain College’s Steamboat Springs campus, where she teaches courses in geology. Read more: Highlighting Audrey Walker’s Work in Colorado’s Sacred Hot Springs
MEET THE DEAN
The Dean of Natural & Applied Sciences welcomes students to CMC.
ACCREDITATION
All academic programs in the School of Natural & Applied Sciences are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Mission Statement
The School of Natural & Applied Sciences inspires curiosity, discovery, and innovation through hands-on learning in the sciences, mathematics, public safety, and skilled trades. We provide flexible academic pathways that prepare students for careers, transfer opportunities, and lifelong learning. Rooted in inclusive and equity-minded teaching, we meet students where they are, foster a sense of belonging, and empower them to achieve their goals while contributing to their communities and a sustainable future.