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. The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) is designed for students who are planning to enter graduate or medical school after college. In addition, students are well prepared for careers requiring biological understanding.
Why should I study B.S. in Biology?
Biology is the study of living organisms and the interactions these organisms have with non-living components of Creation. Biology is the foundation of healthcare and medicine, ecosystem restoration, and even urban planning! Gaining fundamental knowledge about cells, organisms, and communities will enable you to build connections and solve problems at the interface of human and global health.
All biology faculty members, in addition to being excellent teachers and scientists, incorporate their Christian faith as they teach biological themes.
What can I do with this degree?
Our graduates have a longstanding, excellent success rate in getting into the medical programs, graduate programs, and employment opportunities they seek. In the last 10 years, about half of Bethel’s graduates have gone on to health-related professional programs to become:
- Medical doctors
- Osteopathic physicians
- Dentists
- Veterinarians
- Optometrists
- Podiatrists
- Physician Assistants
- Chiropractors
- Physical therapists
- Occupational therapists
- Medical technicians
- Genetic counselors
The rest have continued on to Ph.D. programs, teaching, or careers in government or private agencies and corporations. Our alums are:
- 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
What skills will I develop?
Biology students gain many practical skills that will benefit them wherever they go after Bethel. Our students:
- Use and apply quantitative reasoning to solve problems
- Design scientific experiments and conduct research
- Create and use models
- Communicate your scientific understanding in multiple forms
- Collaborate with others in the research process
- Critically analyze and evaluate
- Collaborate and communicate with others
- Integrate Christian faith with science
Other pecialized skills taught in our courses:
- Advanced microscopy
- Human cadaver dissection
- Small animal surgery
- Microarray analysis and experimentation
- Geographical information systems
- Environmental field sampling techniques
You’ll also have the opportunity to participate in the R.E.A.L. Experience—a program specifically designed to help you gain the relevant, hands-on experience employers desire—so that when you graduate, you’ll be as impressive in practice as you are on paper.
What unique experiences or opportunities will I have?
All biology majors conduct student research with professors and other experts. Bethel University’s unique location in Minnesota's Twin Cities allows collaboration with multiple laboratory or field sites that are within a quick drive of campus. All student research is presented at Bethel University’s Biology Department Research Symposium, but is also often presented off-campus. Our students have presented work to:
- The Minnesota Academy of Science
- Regional or national meetings of the Sigma Zeta Science Honor Society
- Tri-Beta Biological Honor Society
- Scientific journals
Our location, which is near large metropolitan area, allows students to obtain important research and clinical experience at neighboring clinics, hospitals, and nursing care facilities. Students have found research opportunities at neighboring companies like:
- 3M
- Medtronic
- Guidant
- Cargill
- R and D Systems
- Boston Scientific
- Veterans Administration Hospital
- University of Minnesota
Our campus also offers about 300 acres for environmental study, and includes forest, prairie, lake, and wetland ecosystems. We are also in close proximity to additional parks, open spaces, and refuges for additional wildlife and ecosystem study.
245
acres of on-campus outdoor ecosystems
224
biology grads accepted into health-related professional schools in past 10 years
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The 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
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
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
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
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
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
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