Biology (B.S.)

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.

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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.