Biology (B.A.)
Undergrad Majors & Programs Biological Sciences Majors & Minors
Biology

Bethel offers both B.A. and B.S. degrees in biology. The biology major is a good starting place for many careers in the life sciences, with opportunities to specialize in a number of areas or to continue on to graduate education. While it's a rigorous program, the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) is designed for students who aren't planning to enter graduate school for life science studies.
Why should I study B.A. in Biology?
The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Biology is designed for students who aren't planning to enter graduate school for life science studies. It allows students to pursue a major in biology without the added chemistry and physics courses required in the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree. Both majors require the same number of biology courses.The B.A. in Biology is still a scientifically rigorous major that prepares students well for careers requiring biological understanding, for some graduate programs in the biological sciences, and for some medical and health professional postgraduate programs.
All biology faculty members, in addition to being excellent teachers and scientists, weave Christian faith into classroom experiences and see it as foundational to truths found in biology.
What can I do with this degree?
Medically-minded biology majors often become:- Physician Assistants
- Physical Therapists
- Occupational Therapists
- Medical Technicians
Students with an interest in research may seek advanced master’s or doctoral programs in biological sciences, or enter directly into research laboratories.
Other career opportunities for biology students:
- Biology teachers
- Biological laboratory scientists and technicians
- Sales positions for pharmaceuticals, medical and surgical devices, biological materials for agriculture and medicine, and technical scientific equipment
- Geneticists
- Molecular and cellular biologists
- Zoologists and wildlife biologists
- Positions in agriculture, forestry, conservation, environmental restoration, and environmental management
- Environmental impact advisors
- Positions in horticulture, agronomy, soil science, and plant biology
- Food service and food industry scientists and technicians
- Bioinformatics scientists and technicians
- Biochemical engineers
Our graduates have an extremely high success rate for getting into the medical programs, graduate programs, and employment opportunities they seek.
What skills will I develop?
Students majoring in the biological sciences can gain many valuable skills:
- Experimental design and interpretation
- Advanced microscopy
- Human cadaver dissection
- Small animal surgery
- Electrophoresis
- Immunohistochemistry and immuno-detection techniques
- Cell culture
- Sterile technique
- Spectrophotometry
- Microarray analysis and experimentation
- Geographical information systems
- Environmental field-testing techniques
- Application of science to life questions
- Use of quantitative reasoning
- Collaboration and communication with others
- The integration of Christian faith with science
What unique experiences or opportunities will I have?
All biology majors conduct student research with faculty members or with other local experts. Bethel University’s unique location in Minnesota's Twin Cities allows collaboration with world-class laboratory and field sites that are within a short drive from campus. All student research is presented at Bethel University’s Biology Department Research Symposium, but is also often presented at other prestigious sites such as the Minnesota Academy of Science, and regional or national meetings of the Sigma Zeta Science Honor Society and the Tri-Beta Biological Honor Society. Some students are able to publish their work in scientific journals.
Our proximity to the metro area also allows students to gain research and clinical experience at neighboring clinics, hospitals, and nursing care facilities.
Students also have done research and lab experiences at:
- 3M
- Medtronic
- Guidant
- Cargill
- R and D Systems
- Boston Scientific
- V.A. Hospital
- University of Minnesota
Our campus offers about 300 acres for environmental study, and includes forest, prairie, lake, and wetland ecosystems. We are also in close proximity to many parks, open spaces, and refuges for additional wildlife and ecosystem study.
$83,149
average salary for biology alumni 10 years after graduation
#5
best research university in Minnesota
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The Environmental Studies program prepared me as a well-rounded student. I gained the field skills to study ecology, and also the ethical perspectives behind environmental stewardship. The professors are knowledgeable and passionate, which is passed on to their students.
David Petry '13Grad School: M.S. in Biological Sciences at Eastern Illinois University
What I deeply enjoyed about the neuroscience program is the open minded environment. I loved how we were able to have conversations that weren't typical in the faith community or the science community, but delved into both.
Alexa Hanowski '20
The people at Bethel helped me determine the kind of person I wanted to be, before I knew what kind of doctor I would be. Bethel’s influence is essential to my work as a future physician and follower of Jesus.
Brett Einerson '06Current Job: Resident Physician at Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine

Research definitely gave me the confidence that I have something that I can contribute and something that shows too that I’m willing to work hard to get the results. And it sort of opened the door for a lot of things in my life.
Jennifer Berger. ’07Children’s Minnesota

My college experience not only gave me the knowledge I needed to pursue a career in medicine, but also provided me with opportunities to gain real-life skills that increased my confidence as both a researcher and a Christian. Having this experience in a Christian environment allowed me to learn with others who share similar core values and reminded me that faith can exist in every aspect of our lives.
Hannah Manion '18
I was well-prepared to do a lot of work, and Bethel’s arduous biology and chemistry classes helped me understand the foundations of science really well.
Rachael Goldsmith ’19Hennepin Healthcare

My favorite part of Environmental Studies courses was hands-on lab experience outside, connecting classroom learning to nature. Creation Restoration was a great way to put our coursework into practice on campus. Bethel's Environmental Studies program equipped me to steward Creation.
David Petry '13Grad School: M.S. in Biological Sciences at Eastern Illinois University
Having a good relationship with your professors and classmates makes a world of difference. My experience was greatly improved by knowing I had professors that cared for me as a whole person not just a student. Having classmates to lean on and discover cool neuroscience things together just added to the fun that neuroscience in general provides.
Shannon McCollough ’20
My foundational education at Bethel really influenced my choice to pursue academic medicine instead of just clinical care. I’m so appreciative of the professors and their gift of incredible dedication to their students, while always giving God the glory!
Jonathan Eliason '92Current Job: S. Martin Lindenauer Collegiate Professor of Vascular Surgery; Co-Director, CVC-Multidisciplinary Aortic Program; Associate Professor of Surgery, University of Michigan

I’m going to graduate from Bethel having done things that I would have never thought I could do, and research was a big one.
Maria Pecoraro ’19University of Minnesota Medical Center
The neuroscience program taught me a lot of valuable, hands-on, and applicable lab skills that graduate students—and even post-doctoral students—have not gotten a chance to practice and learn yet.
Elizabeth Dao ’20The biology department was integral in getting me where I am today. It provided research opportunities, unique experiences such as interim in the Galapagos Islands/Amazon Rainforest/Ecuador, personal relationships with professors, and the academic foundation to smoothly transition to medical school.
Nate Paulson '10Currently: University of Virginia Anesthesiology Resident; received M.D. from University of South Dakota, Sanford School of Medicine
It's difficult to overstate the significance of the Bethel neuroscience professors and program in my life trajectory. You may find brilliant neuroscientists at any number of universities; however, you'd be lucky to find the degree of care and intentionality—combined with brilliance—that I found in my Bethel professors.
Rachel Wahlberg ’19
While working with the Conservation Corps, I found that Bethel's Environmental Studies program gave me a lot more experience and made me more well-rounded than many of the other environmental studies students.
Kevin Berens '13Current job: Park Overseer, Parks and Trails Division of Minnesota DNR