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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.

Academic Plans and Course Catalog

See plans

$83,149

average salary for biology alumni 10 years after graduation

11

full-time biology professors

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Upcoming Events

APR 6 2024

Understanding Creation: A Christian Reflection on Artificial Intelligence

8:30 a.m. Anderson Center Community Room

The annual faith/science mini-conference, co-hosted by Bethel University and Crown College, will explore a Christian perspective on artificial intelligence and machine learning.

MAY 11 2024

Science Research Symposium

1:30 p.m. Brushaber Commons Atrium

Come support and celebrate our Bethel Science students! Find out about their research and internships during their presentations at our Science Research symposium.