Biology Major

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About

Ever wondered what it would be like to study elephants in Kenya? Swim with eagle rays in the Florida Keys? Inject DNA into worms? In the Goshen College biology program, you can do all of this while tackling your bachelor’s degree. In fact, GC is recognized as one of the best colleges in Indiana for our biology programs!

As a biology major at Goshen College, students will gain a solid understanding and strong foundation in the scientific method, natural sciences and research skills as they work towards their degree in biology.

They will learn to think critically, scientifically, and to ask questions about the natural world around us as they analyze data, conduct research, and participate in laboratory work. In addition, learners will have the opportunity to participate in exciting hands-on learning experiences and research projects both on and off-campus, including some focused on your own research interests.

The Best Learning Happens Outside the Classroom

At GC, the biological sciences are divided into three majors. All three are rigorous, experiential, and founded on the belief that some of the best learning happens outside the classroom.

Biology – An overview of our living world and natural environment, gaining a strong foundation in scientific learning, observation, and experimentation.
Molecular Biology/Biochemistry – In this major, students will delve into the structure and function of biological macromolecules and learn how they interact with each other to carry out cellular processes in living organisms.
Environmental Science – This major provides a broad overview of environmental systems, with an emphasis on sustainability.

Not only do we offer international courses and science courses, but students pursuing a degree in biology or working towards their master’s degree will get to participate in interactive learning events right on campus, including a science speaker lecture series, and multiple teaching and research assistantships. You will also have access to 1,189 acres of prairie, forest, wetland, and lake habitat to explore at the college’s Merry Lea Environmental Learning Center, just 30 miles from campus.

The Bachelor’s degree in biology that Prepares You for the Real World

Goshen College excels at preparing biology graduates for medical school and graduate degree programs. In the last five years, between 90-95 percent of biology majors who applied to graduate programs were accepted. On top of that, GC is second in the state for the percentage of students who go on to earn a doctoral degree!

Whether students enter biology-related careers right out of college or choose to further their education with an advanced degree, Goshen College will give them the skills they need to succeed.

Our undergraduate degree programs help prepare students for career paths and graduate study in evolutionary biology, medical biology, human health, life sciences, veterinary medicine, forensic anthropology, environmental biology, cellular biology, conservation biology, biomedical engineering, genetic engineering, forensic science, environmental conservation, and more.

Career options for biology students include biomedical engineer, forensic scientist, science writer, conservation biologist. Our graduates have gone on to become environmental scientists, laboratory assistants, biological technicians and pursue a variety of other career opportunities.

Pursue Your Passion!

Request more information about Goshen College’s biology program by completing the form below. Financial aid is available. We would love to hear from you!

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News & Events

Jonathan Roth, professor emeritus of biology, dies at 86

March 20, 2024

Dr. Jonathan N. Roth, professor emeritus of biology at Goshen College, passed away in Goshen on March 13, 2024, at the age of 86. He taught at the college for 42 years, from 1962 to 2004.

Drew Weber ’06: Meet the bird-lover behind the wildly popular Merlin Bird ID app

September 18, 2023 By syracuse.com

Unless you’ve had your head buried in the sand this summer, you’ve probably heard of the Merlin Bird ID App. It’s a creation of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology that allows you to identify birds you see or hear, with ease. Over the course of this year, it’s been downloaded by millions of people who use it to identify thousands of species of birds based on their song. And the man behind the app is 2006 Goshen College graduate named Drew Weber.

Goshen College alum, David Waltner-Toews ’71, appointed to the Order of Canada

July 6, 2022

Goshen College graduate David Waltner-Toews ’71 was recently appointed to the Order of Canada, one of the highest honors given by the Canadian government for citizens who make extraordinary contributions to the country.

Stats

>50

Number of years the marine biology program has operated in the Florida Keys

1,189

Acres of land to explore at GC’s Merry Lea Environmental Learning Center

>50

Number of years the marine biology program has operated in the Florida Keys

92^%

of biology majors who applied to medical or graduate school in recent years were accepted

Learn more about Goshen College's exceptional academic outcomes and national rankings.

Biology Program Distinctives

Collaborative skills are essential in any biological career

By joining our department you will learn from other students and professors alike. And they will learn from you. The department organizes the Biology Coffee Hour and a special Science Speaker Lecture Mini-Series to kick off our Departmental Research Project. Through biology picnics and internship presentation events you will not only connect to a community of scholars, you will have fun doing it!

Research helps students understand the process of science

Through weekly 3-hour labs in each of your courses you will gain the skills of a biologist. As a junior you will collaborate with a team of colleagues to design, implement and analyze an independently designed research project – which will serve as your senior thesis project.

Interdisciplinary approaches are required to solve complex problems

Our students benefit from the expertise of faculty in chemistry, physics and other departments across campus. Faculty collaborate in research (e.g. pigeon genetics, soil diversity in prairies, photobioreactors), in addition to engaging in dialogue about bioethics and science and religion during Interdisciplinary Forum events and the annual Science & Religion Conference.

Students & Alumni

Biology, Environmental Science

Sky McKinnell '19 and Joshua Schwalm '21

Skye McKinnell is an environmental science major from Salem, Oregon, and Joshua Schwalm is a biology major from Elkhart, Indiana. Both worked with a local aquatic biologist doing electro-fishing and fish research.

Sky's story

faculty

Neil Detweiler ’08

Neil Detweiler ’08, assistant professor of biology, encourages students to ask questions about science’s limits and better understand the world around them.

Neil's story

Biology

Franklin Baer '72

Franklin Baer '72 dedicates life to global health from a Christian perspective

Franklin's story

Environmental Science major

Reena Ramos '18

Reena is an environmental science major with an ecology focus who is involved in EcoPax, the Tree Care Committee and Student Senate, and is also a stage manager in the Music Center.

Reena's story

Environmental and Marine Science

Ariana Perez Diener '21 and Christian Gehman '20

Ariana Perez Diener, an environmental & marine science major, and Christian Gehman an environmental science & computer science double major, spent their summer studying prairie cattle grazing at Merry Lea.

Ariana's story

Biology Major

Roger Beachy '66

Roger Beachy graduated from GC in 1966 with a biology degree. In 2014, he was nominated by President Barack Obama to the National Science Board for the National Science Foundation (NSF).

Roger's story