Biology is an exciting field centered on the study of the living world. Unique opportunities at Bethany include our cadaver dissection course and a wealth of options for field research.
Bethany’s biology major is designed to prepare you for human, field, or cellular biology. Students receive valuable one-on-one time with supportive faculty members as they learn techniques used in biology and develop skills for their future careers.
Potential Careers
Biology majors often enter these careers:
- Medicine/dentistry
- Veterinary medicine
- Research/testing
- Physical therapy
- Environmental education
- Microbiology/pathology
- Wildlife management
- Plant science
- Lab technician
Pre-professional programs
These guidelines can help you choose coursework:
What Sets Us Apart
Cadaver Dissection
Our biology program offers the course BIOL491 Introduction to Human Gross Anatomy. At Bethany, this course includes human cadaver dissection which is not offered at the undergraduate level at most schools. In this course, students gain invaluable learning experience and a strong advantage when applying to medical school or further studies in physical therapy.
Field Biology
Get involved with Hawk Watch or The Cobb River Project, a collaboration between Bethany and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Campus Community
In the words of one of our graduates, “One aspect of the biology program at Bethany that truly sets it apart from other schools is the relationship that develops between the students and the professors. The professors reach beyond the classroom to ensure students succeed. They are available for questions almost everyday. They also give advice on getting a job or tips on graduate school. The professors genuinely care about the students. As a student, to have the support and encouragement from a professor is motivating and can be the push that one needs to succeed.” – Ivy Pike (’05), Lab Technologist at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.
Involvement
Our biology students and professors are passionate about their field and highly involved. In addition to trips to the Minnesota Zoo or the Cobb River Waterfowl Production Area, science-related trips, events, and speakers are also planned by The Bethany Organization of Student Scientists (B.O.S.S.), the science club on the Bethany campus. Members typically major in mathematics, chemistry, or biology though other interested students have joined. Past speakers have talked to students about graduate studies, medical school, and undergraduate research opportunities.
Biology Student Stories
Dr. Johanna Sehloff ’13
Bethany Major: Biology Employment: Medical Fellow, Pediatric Critical Care Medicine at the University of Minnesota What you do: I have the
Rebecca Jahns
Rebecca (Riediger) Jahns – Class of 2014 – Biology Husbandry assistant-LTE at the Northeastern Wisconsin Zoo, in Green Bay Wisconsin.
Katherine Caflisch
Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences PhD Program; Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics track Est. graduation date 2022 What
Kaitlyn Kiecker
Research Technologist at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota What you do: I work in a pre-analytical laboratory in the
Entry into the Major
A student desiring to declare a biology major/minor must achieve a GPA of 2.0 or better in all college coursework, complete BIOL151 General Biology I and Lab BIOL152 General Biology II and Lab at least a “C-” or better and complete an interview with a faculty member in the Biology Department to ensure satisfactory progress and arrange for proper academic advising. A course can be repeated only once to achieve the minimum grade required.
Core Requirements
Students must successfully complete all of the following course work:
- BIOL151 General Biology I and Lab 4 cr.
- BIOL152 General Biology II and Lab 4 cr.
- BIOL340 Genetics and Lab 4 cr.
- BIOL350 Cell Biology and Lab 4 cr.
- BIOL405 Biology Research Proposal 1 cr.
Collateral Requirements
Students must successfully complete all of the following course work:
- CHEM113 General Chemistry I and Lab 5 cr.
- CHEM114 General Chemistry II and Lab 5 cr.
- MATH120 Introduction to Statistics 3 cr.
Choose One:
- MATH111 4 cr.
- MATH112 3 cr.
- MATH151 Calculus I 4 cr.
Choose One:
NOTE: MATH151 Calculus I I and CHEM215 Organic Chemistry I and Lab – Organic Chemistry I are recommended for biology majors pursuing graduate or professional schooling upon graduation.
^ Students intending to enter careers in medicine, physical therapy, or related fields should plan to take either PHYS151 College Physics I and Lab PHYS152 College Physics II and Lab or PHYS213 General Physics I and Lab PHYS214 General Physics II and Lab; a year of physics is often required for entry into such professional programs.
Biology Elective Cluster I: Apologetics
Students must successfully complete one of the following courses
- BIOL375 Trends in Evolutionary Theory 3 cr.
- SCIE320 History and Philosophy of Science 3 cr.
- SCIE330 Ethics in Science 3 cr.
Biology Elective Cluster II: Organism & Ecology
Students must successfully complete one of the following courses
- BIOL203 Botany and Lab 4 cr.
- BIOL215 Invertebrate Zoology and Lab 4 cr.
- BIOL216 Vertebrate Zoology and Lab 4 cr.
- BIOL311 Field Ornithology 4 cr.
- BIOL370 Ecology and Lab 4 cr.
Biology Elective Cluster III: Human Biology
Students must successfully complete one of the following courses
- BIOL221 Human Anatomy and Lab 4 cr.
- BIOL222 Human Physiology and Lab 4 cr.
- BIOL352 Immunology 4 cr.
- BIOL360 Microbiology and Lab 4 cr.
Additional Biology Electives
Students must successfully complete an additional 7 credits or more from the elective clusters above or the additional electives listed below:
- BIOL280 Medical Terminology 3 cr.
- BIOL480 Topics in Biology 1–4 cr.
- CHEM323 General Biochemistry and Lab 4 cr.
- CHEM324 Advanced Biochemistry 3 cr.
- *PHED350 Kinesiology 3 cr.
- *PHED450 Exercise Physiology and Lab 4 cr.
- *SCIE340 Environmental Issues 3 cr.
Only one course marked with an * can be taken as an elective for the biology major; others can be taken for credit but do not count towards the major
Capstone Elective Cluster
Students must successfully complete one of the following courses:
- BIOL491 Introduction to Human Gross Anatomy Anatomy 4 cr.
- BIOL498 Biology Independent Research (Prerequisite: BIOL405 Biology Research Proposal) 3–6 cr.
- BIOL499 Biology Internship 3–6 cr.
Biology Minor
The Biology Minor requires BIOL151 General Biology I and Lab, BIOL152 General Biology II and Lab a minimum of 15 credits of biology electives. Three courses must be laboratory courses and one course must be upper division. Only one course with a * may be counted as an elective. A grade of “C-” or better must be achieved in all minor coursework.
The minor in biology requires:
Electives: 15 credits from biology major electives section. A minimum of 3 credits from upper division courses; no more than 2 SCIE courses.
To view the most recent course list and requirements for the biology major, please consult the Academic Catalog.
Biology Facilities
All students, including freshmen, have access to our research and classroom facilities and equipment. The Marvin G. Meyer Hall of Science and Mathematics is a 53,000 square foot facility that houses four biology labs, four chemistry labs, three computer labs, and three physics labs as well as numerous classrooms and faculty offices. Special features of the facility include ample lab preparation and storage areas, as well as a 120-seat seminar room with tiered seating. Our students also have access to 3,000 acres of field study sites, the campus prairie and teaching garden, and greenhouse.
Greenhouse
The greenhouse is located in Meyer Hall.
Meyer Hall
The Marvin G. Meyer Hall of Science and Mathematics is a 53,000 square foot facility designed to support baccalaureate majors in biology, chemistry, computer science,
Bethany Hawkwatch
Bethany’s location overlooking the Minnesota River Valley affords excellent viewing opportunities for migrating birds. A total of 182 bird species have been recorded on campus
Bird Banding Trip
Bethany students visit Minnesota’s North Shore to band and release hawks. Bethany students visit the North Shore to band and release birds Chad Heins with
Bird Watching Trip
On occasion, Professor Chad Heins will take students from his course up to northern Minnesota in search of uncommon birds from the boreal forest and
Contact for more information
Biology Faculty
Additional information is available on the Biology Department page.
| Name | Title | Office / Phone | Courses | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chad Heins MH 209 507-344-7327 | Associate Professor | MH 209 507-344-7327 | |
 | Doyle Holbird MH 208 507-344-7753 | Professor | MH 208 507-344-7753 | |
 | Allison Petzel MH 314 507-344-7587 | Online Instruction | MH 314 507-344-7587 | |
 | Emma Purfeerst SFC 204 507-344-7863 | Head Coach Women's BasketballAdjunct Faculty | SFC 204 507-344-7863 | |
Next Steps
Interested in studying at Bethany? Scheduling a campus visit is a great way to see what we have to offer. You can meet professors or sit in on a class too! Contact our admissions office to learn more.