Working in the biology department
Each semester the biology department employs 50 to 60 students. Students have worked in the following positions:
Lab Assistants/Graders
The biology department is looking for some qualified students to work as Lab Assistants for the spring semester. This is a great experience.
Here are 5 reasons that you should apply:
- You get to develop a personal relationship with the professor you are assisting. I've heard that biology has the nicest professors.
- You get to apply the knowledge that you have learned. By passing it on you will actually learn it much better yourself.
- You get to know other students who share your interest in biology.
- You get to add this work experience to your resume.
- You also get paid and you know how hard jobs are to find these days.
Requirements for Lab Assisting
To be a lab assistant you need to be a student enrolled at Calvin College and you must have taken the course or course equivalent in which you are assisting.
To work in this lab you need to have taken these courses:
BIOL 111 - BIOL 123 & BIOL 224 or BIOL 141
BIOL 115 - BIOL 205 & BIOL 206 or BIOL 323 or BIOL 242 or BIOL 331
BIOL 141 - BIOL 141 or BIOL 224 and CHEM 103
BIOL 250 - BIOL 250 or prior research experience
All others - You must have taken the course in order to be a lab assistant for that course.
Check with the professor teaching the lab or Pat Buist if you are interested in lab assisting or have questions.
Research Assistants
Faculty members do research to know God, inform their teaching and to give our students opportunities for future success. Interested students should discuss specific research opportunities with individual professors. Paid research fellowships are available each summer.
Journalists
Journalists investigate and report on biology news for our web site. They also take photos of biology events and academic activities.
Greenhouse Assitants
Greenhouse assistants work with Dave Warners and care for the plants within the department. This includes two greenhouses and the plants in the Science Building complex.
See how working for the biology department was a life-changing experience for one student.
Aquarium Assistants
Aquarium assistants work with Randy Van Dragt to care for the fish within the biology department.
Department Assitants/Tour Guides
Department assistants and tour guides offer hospitality and service.
Lab Preparation Assistants
Lab Prep assistants work with the biology lab manager, Lori Keen, to set up lab equipment, cell cultures and others supplies needed for the various biology lab courses each week.
Preserve Stewards
Biology students can also work at the Ecosystem Preserve as preserve stewards, program assistants and summer camp leaders.
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