2023-2024 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Biology
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Professors D. Dornbos (chair, fall), K. Grasman, A. Hoogewerf, D. Koetje (cochair, spring), A. Shen, D. Warners, J. Wertz, A. Wilstermann (cochair, spring)
Associate Professors R. Bebej, E. Boldenow, R. DeJong
Assistant Professor W. Miller
Lecturer C. Barrett
The Department of Biology studies biology in response to the Creator’s call to investigate the diversity, organization, and functioning of the living world and to provide a Christian model for its study, care, and keeping. Whether faculty and students study the biological mechanisms by which cells communicate, the flow of water and ions through roots and stems, the foraging behavior of voles, the interactions within ecosystems, or the ethical dilemmas occasioned by technology and discovery, they seek to understand the mechanisms and meaning of life. Graduates of our programs are well equipped to pursue many different vocations, engaging God’s world as health care providers, professors, teachers, researchers, biotechnologists, or ecologists.
The biology department offers courses and programs for students interested in careers as a biologist, for students intending to pursue post-baccalaureate education, e.g., graduate, medical, dental, or other professional training, and for those interested in teaching at the elementary or secondary school levels. To do this the department offers courses for several major and minor programs, including an integrative biotechnology minor. It also offers a neuroscience concentration for biology majors and two tracks in the environmental health and conservation major, as well as core and pre-professional courses.
Biology majors engage fundamental biological concepts in the five introductory courses: Ecological and Evolutionary Systems (BIOL 160 ), Cellular and Genetic Systems (BIOL 161 ), Physiological Systems (BIOL 231 ), Research Design and Methodology (BIOL 200 ) and, concurrently, BIOL 295 . Thereafter, majors enroll in upper-level (3XX) elective courses covering such topics as genetics, immunology, vertebrate anatomy, global health and environmental sustainability, microbiology, ecosystem management, plant physiology, and animal behavior. Majors perform independent research by completing internships, working directly with faculty in a research laboratory or field setting, or by completing a research-intensive 3XX course. To culminate their studies, students explore complex contemporary issues in a senior capstone course (BIOL 395 or BIOL 396 ).
Pre-professional biology courses include Cell Biology and Genetics for the Health Sciences (BIOL 141 ), Human Anatomy (BIOL 205 ), Human Physiology (BIOL 206 ), and Medical Microbiology (BIOL 207 ). These serve pre-nursing students as well as non-biology majors planning a career in medicine or an allied health field.
Students seeking Natural World Core credit in biology typically enroll in Living Systems (BIOL 123 ) or Human Biology (BIOL 115 ). In some cases BIOL 141 or BIOL 161 may be appropriate.
The department offers a bachelor of arts (BA) degree in biology and a bachelor of science (BS) degree in biology. The BS course of study has stronger quantitative and research components. Students intent on graduate study in biology or a professional school should complete the coursework required for the BS degree. These students should select cognates that fulfill the admissions requirements for the post-baccalaureate program(s) they intend to pursue.
Students interested in a biology program with a particular emphasis or a specific graduate program should consult with an appropriate faculty advisor.
Prerequisite to a program of concentration in biology is a minimum average of C (2.0) in BIOL 160 , BIOL 161 , and BIOL 231 or approved equivalent courses.
ProgramsMajorMinorCoursesBiology: Non-major Core Courses
Biology: Basic Courses
These courses are intended for students who pursue a biology-or biotechnology-related major or minor program and for students whose program of concentration requires one or more of the courses.
Biology: Advanced CoursesBiology: Pre-Professional Courses
These courses are intended for non-biology majors who pursue pre-nursing or other pre-professional, especially pre-health care, programs.
Biology: Research and Practicum CoursesBiology: Seminar CourseBiology: Capstone Courses
Enrollment in these courses assumes senior status in a biologically-oriented program, or permission of the instructor.
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