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Biology (B.S.)
Biology is the study of life—plants, animals, bacteria, fungi and protists. Biologists ask questions, make observations, perform experiments, and offer interpretations of the living world.
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By the numbers
- 85%
- Biology students who participate in undergraduate research with a professor
- $6 million
- Research and technology grants awarded to the biology department since 2005
- 100%
- Biology professors who have a PhD in their fields
Calvin's bachelor of science in biology combines foundational learning with a strong emphasis on biological research. If you're interested in pursuing an advanced degree in biology, medicine or research, this is the ideal program for you. Calvin's connections with the local, national and global scientific community open up tremendous experiential learning opportunities for its students. Research facilities and equipment, funded in part by numerous grants from the National Science Foundation, offer you the tools you need to excel in this field.
At Calvin, you'll be invited to:
- take both introductory and upper level courses.
- explore what it means to be a Christian and a scientist
- work closely with experienced faculty members on research
- study a wide array of subjects, from immunology to anatomy and paleontology
Careers in Biology (B.S.)
- Park ranger
- biology professor
- research biologist
- ecologist
- More
See job placement rates for Calvin grads.
Student involvement
Become a lab assistant; assist a professor with summer research; join Calvin's Environmental Stewardship Coalition; work at the Bunker Interpretive Center (Calvin's on-campus ecosystem preserve) or on ecosystem restoration projects; lead a science camp during the summer.
Course Requirements 2012-13
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Biology major (BS)
Prerequisite to a program of concentration in biology or biotechnology is a minimum average of C (2.0) in Biology 123, 224, and 225 or approved equivalent courses.
(35-39 semester hours)
- BIOL-123 The Living World: Concepts & Connections
- BIOL-224 Cellular & Genetic Systems
- BIOL-225 Ecological & Evolutionary Systems
- BIOL-250 Research Design & Methodology
- BIOL-295 (taken twice, one concurrently with BIOL-250)
- Four from:
- BIOL-311 Field Botany
- BIOL-313 Paleontology
- BIOL-321 Genetics and Development
- BIOL-323 Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy
- BIOL-325 Biotechnology
- BIOL-331 Comparative Animal Physiology
- BIOL-332 Plant Physiology
- BIOL-333 Immunology and Hematology
- BIOL-334 Cell and Tissue Culture
- BIOL-335 Cell Physiology
- BIOL-336 General Microbiology
- BIOL-338 Animal Behavior
- BIOL-341 Entomology
- BIOL-344 Vertebrate Biology
- BIOL-345 Ecosystem Ecology and Management
- BIOL-346 Plant Taxonomy
- BIOL-364 Global Health, Environment, & Sustainability
- CHEM-324 Biochemistry II
- An approved interim, three of which must have a laboratory component, (Chemistry 383 fulfills the laboratory component for Chemistry 324)
- One from:
- One from:
- Completion of the biology major field test
Cognates (25-29 semester hours)
- CHEM-103 General Chemistry I
- CHEM-104 General Chemistry II
- One from:
- One from:
- Two from:
- One from:
- CS-106 Intro Scientific Computation & Modeling (if not taken as quantitative cognate above)
- CHEM-262 Organic Chemistry II
- CHEM-271 Environmental Chemistry
- CHEM-303 Fundamentals of Biochemistry
- CHEM-304 Phys Chem for Biol Sciences
- CHEM-323 Biochemistry I
- CHEM-329 Instrumental Meth for Chem/Bio Sciences
- GEOL-151 Introductory Geology
- GEOL-311 Geomorphology
- PHYS-223 Physics for Health Sciences
- PSYC-333 Brain & Behavior
- A biophysics interim
- IS-141 Information Systems is recommended for students intent on graduate study in biology or a professional school and who do not take CS-106 Intro Scientific Computation & Modeling.
Biology minor
Prerequisite to a program of concentration in biology or biotechnology is a minimum average of C (2.0) in Biology 123, 224, and 225 or approved equivalent courses.
(19-20 semester hours)
- BIOL-123 The Living World: Concepts & Connections
- BIOL-224 Cellular & Genetic Systems
- BIOL-225 Ecological & Evolutionary Systems
- BIOL-250 Research Design & Methodology
- BIOL-295 (taken concurrently with Biology 250)
- Two from:
- BIOL-311 Field Botany
- BIOL-313 Paleontology
- BIOL-321 Genetics and Development
- BIOL-323 Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy
- BIOL-325 Biotechnology
- BIOL-331 Comparative Animal Physiology
- BIOL-332 Plant Physiology
- BIOL-333 Immunology and Hematology
- BIOL-334 Cell and Tissue Culture
- BIOL-335 Cell Physiology
- BIOL-336 General Microbiology
- BIOL-338 Animal Behavior
- BIOL-341 Entomology
- BIOL-344 Vertebrate Biology
- BIOL-345 Ecosystem Ecology and Management
- BIOL-346 Plant Taxonomy
- BIOL-364 Global Health, Environment, & Sustainability
- BIOL-385 Internship in Biology
- BIOL-390 Independent Study
- BIOL-399 Undergraduate Research
- CHEM-324 Biochemistry II
- An approved interim, one of which must have a laboratory component, (Chemistry 383 fulfills the laboratory component for Chemistry 324)
Scholarships
Dollar amounts reflect awards given for the 2012-13 academic year.
- AJV Medical Scholarship
-
- award amount: $2,000
- junior or senior
- GPA 3.0+
- financial need required; strong Christian character, desire to model Christ in their work as a nurse and medical professional; interest in mentoring relationship with the donor
- apply through the Calvin Portal
- Stephen P. Beals Family Scholarship
-
- amount of award: $1,500
- junior or senior pursuing a pre-medicine program
- GPA 3.0+
- financial need required
- apply through the Calvin Portal
- Henry Bengelink Memorial Scholarship
-
- award amount: $2,100
- junior or senior
- GPA of 3.0+
- financial need considered; intend to become a teacher at the high school or college level
- apply through the Calvin Portal
- Dr. and Mrs. Harvey J. Bratt Medical and Missions Scholarship
-
- award amount: $2,500
- junior or senior
- GPA of 3.00+
- financial need considered; interest in service to the poor and needy
- apply through the Calvin Portal
- Thomas F. Caldon, Jr. Memorial Scholarship
-
- award amount: $2,050
- first-year
- HS GPA 3.3+
- financial need required
- automatic consideration
- Calvin College/U of M Medical School Partnership Scholarship
-
- award amount: 100% of tuition
- first-year
- HS GPA of 3.9+ and ACT of 31+ or SAT of 1340+
- US citizen or lawful permanent resident; demonstrate a passion to serve God's world through the field of medicine; preference given to underrepresented North American students
- complete the Medical School Partnership application
- Calvin Dental Scholarship
-
- award amount: $2,000
- junior or senior
- financial need is not required, but may be considered; demonstrate involvement in research, extracurricular college activities, or in the dental community here or abroad
- apply through the Calvin Portal
- Bruce and Joanne Deckinga/Compassion International Scholarship
-
- award amount: $3,100
- sophomore, junior, or senior pursuing elementary education or a pre-med program
- GPA 3.0+
- financial need required; preference to students who worked on a garbage truck or play the organ
- apply through the Calvin Portal
- Debra Deur Scholarship
-
- award amount: $3,800
- sophomore, junior or senior
- GPA of 3.0+
- financial need required
- apply through the Calvin Portal
- Kathryn De Weerd Memorial Scholarship
-
- award amount: $1,900
- junior or senior
- GPA 3.0+
- financial need considered; planning to pursue a career in chiropractic or osteopathic medicine or physical therapy
- apply through the Calvin Portal
- Dr. Paul and Mrs. Doris Dirkse Health Care Scholarship
-
- award amount: $1,900
- junior or senior
- good academic record
- financial need considered; Christian character; motivation; potential for service
- apply through the Calvin Portal
- Arnold and Mary Dood Medical Services Scholarship
-
- award amount: $2,500
- sophomore, junior, or senior
- GPA 3.30+
- financial need considered; serving spirit
- apply through the Calvin Portal
- Alan and Genevieve Gebben Family Scholarship
-
- award amount: $2,300
- junior or senior
- GPA of 3.0+
- financial need required; demonstrate interest/desire to preserve and protect Earth's creatures
- apply through the Calvin Portal
- God Has No Border Medical Scholarship
-
- award amount: $1,500
- first-year
- HS GPA 3.0+
- financial need required; interest in service; preference to applicants from underserved area (national or missionary kid)
- prospective students submit a letter to the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid describing your qualifications by February 1
- Carl and Sandra Gronsman Family Scholarship
-
- award amount: $2,100
- junior or senior
- GPA 2.75+
- financial need required
- apply through the Calvin Portal
- William and Winifred Haeck Medical Scholarship
-
- award amount: $2,400
- junior or senior
- GPA 3.3+
- financial need required
- apply through the Calvin Portal
- James and Beatrice Harkema Family Scholarship
-
- award amount: $1,750
- junior or senior
- GPA of 3.0+
- financial need required; pursuing biomedical science
- apply through the Calvin Portal
- Dewey and Marilyn Heetderks Family Medical Scholarship
-
- award amount: $2,000
- junior or senior
- GPA 3.3+
- financial need considered; consideration given to Christian commitment and interest in medical missions
- apply through the Calvin Portal
- William John Heule Memorial Scholarship
-
- award amount: $3,000
- junior or senior
- GPA of 2.3+
- financial need not required; demonstrate a passion for fishing (preference for bass fishing)
- apply through the Calvin Portal
- Dr. Roger A. and Bradley J. Hoekstra Memorial Scholarship
-
- award amount: $1,600
- junior or senior
- GPA 2.5+
- financial need considered; Christian character; motivation; potential for service
- apply through the Calvin Portal
- Hazel Holtrop Natural Resources Scholarship
-
- award amount: $2,000
- junior or senior
- GPA of 2.5+
- financial need required; have an interest in a natural resource career
- apply through the Calvin Portal
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute Scholarship
-
- award amount: $2,500
- first-year
- HS GPA of 3.5+; minimum ACT score of 28 or SAT of 1250
- financial need not required
- complete the Howard Hughes Medical Institute Scholarship application
- Ann, Myrtle, Eunice, Faith and Marie Huizenga Scholarship for Women
-
- award amount: $1,900
- junior or senior
- GPA 3.2+
- financial need required; interested in missions
- apply through the Calvin Portal
- Dr. and Mrs. Lee S. Huizenga Memorial Scholarship
-
- award amount: $1,800
- junior or senior
- GPA 3.2+
- financial need required; interest in missions or service work
- apply through the Calvin Portal
- Martin and Frances Karsten Biology Scholarship
-
- award amount: $2,700
- junior or senior
- GPA of 3.0+
- financial need considered
- apply through the Calvin Portal
- Keuning Scholarship
-
- amount of award: N/A
- junior or senior
- GPA 2.5+
- financial need considered; receiving services from office of services to students with disabilities
- apply through the Calvin Portal
- William J. and Glenda Masselink Scholarship
-
- award amount: $2,500
- junior or senior
- GPA of 3.0+
- financial need required; pursuing pre-dentistry, pre-medicine or physics
- apply through the Calvin Portal
- McNamara Scholarship
-
- award amount: $3,000
- junior or senior
- GPA 3.5+
- financial need required; preference may be given to a student in the honors program or who has been adopted
- apply through the Calvin Portal
- McNamara Scholarship
-
- award amount: $3,000
- junior or senior
- GPA 3.5+
- financial need required; preference may be given to a student in the honors program or who has been adopted
- apply through the Calvin Portal
- Dr. and Mrs. Bernard Meeuwsen Medical Scholarship
-
- award amount: $3,200
- sophomore, junior, or senior
- GPA 3.3+
- financial need required
- apply through the Calvin Portal
- NSF Scientific Computing Scholarship
-
- award amount: $5,000 to $8,000
- any class level
- GPA of 3.0+
- financial need required; US citizen; full-time student; demonstrate an interest in scientific computation and modeling
- apply through the Integrated Science Research Institute
- Mike and Bette Oostendorp Family Scholarship
-
- award amount: $2,600
- junior or senior
- GPA 3.0+
- financial need required; participation in volunteer activities
- apply through the Calvin Portal
- Pool Family Scholarship
-
- award amount: $2,500
- junior or senior
- GPA 3.5+
- financial need required; strong Christian character
- apply through the Calvin Portal
- Paul and Thelma Schutt Family Medical Scholarship
-
- award amount: $2,500
- junior or senior
- GPA 3.0+
- financial need required; Christian character and caring personality
- apply through the Calvin Portal
- Secondary Science Education Scholarship
-
- award amount: $2,400
- sophomore, junior or senior
- financial need required; major in secondary science education
- apply through the Calvin Portal
- Drs. Richard James and Susan Beving Strikwerda Scholarship
-
- award amount: $2,000
- junior or senior
- GPA 3.5+
- financial need not required; preference to graduates of Holland Christian HS, David Glasgow Farragut HS, or Montgomery County Public HS
- apply through the Calvin Portal
- James and Dolly (Hofman) Strikwerda Family Scholarship
-
- award amount: $1,900
- junior or senior
- GPA 2.5+
- evidence that the scholarship is needed to help meet educational expenses
- apply through the Calvin Portal
- Dr. Bernard J. Ten Broek Biology Scholarship
-
- award amount: $2,350
- junior or senior
- GPA of 3.3+
- financial need required; demonstrate interest in the area of animal biology
- apply through the Calvin Portal
- Peter V. Tigchelaar Pre-Medical/Dental Scholarship
-
- award amount: $2,350
- junior or senior
- GPA 3.5+
- financial need required; involvement in community or extracurricular college activities
- apply through the Calvin Portal
- Arnold and Janice VanderBok Family Scholarship
-
- award amount: $2,700
- first-year
- financial need required; speak Spanish fluently; preference to Hispanic students
- prospective students submit a letter to the Financial Aid Office (finaid@calvin.edu) describing your qualifications by February 1; returning students apply through the Calvin Portal
- Joseph and Ralph Gelmer Vander Laan Memorial Scholarship
-
- award amount: $2,200
- junior or senior
- GPA 2.5+
- good academic record
- financial need required; interest in medical missions
- apply through the Calvin Portal
- Dr. Corwin G. and Ina June VanderVeer Family Medical Scholarship
-
- award amount: $2,300
- junior or senior
- GPA 3.3+
- financial need not required; christian character and caring personality
- apply through the Calvin Portal
- VanDerWoude Science Scholarship
-
- award amount: $4,000
- junior or senior
- GPA of 3.3+
- financial need not required
- apply through the Calvin Portal
- Dr. Glenn VanDommelen Family Medical Scholarship
-
- award amount: $2,500
- senior
- GPA 2.5+
- financial need required
- apply through the Calvin Portal
- John and Lillian Van Oosten Scholarship
-
- award amount: $2,700
- junior or senior
- GPA of 3.0+
- financial need required
- apply through the Calvin Portal
- Victor VerMeulen Medical Scholarship
-
- award amount: $2,000
- junior or senior
- GPA 3.0+
- financial need considered
- apply through the Calvin Portal
- West Michigan Optometric Scholarship
-
- award amount: $1,500
- junior or senior
- GPA of 3.0+
- financial need required; intending to pursue a career in optometry
- apply through the Calvin Portal
- Dr. Morris Wilderom Scholarship
-
- award amount: $2,900
- junior or senior
- GPA 2.5+
- financial need required; motivation, Christian character, ability to contribute to the profession
- apply through the Calvin Portal
- Steven M. Zifferblatt Memorial Scholarship
-
- award amount: $4,700
- senior
- GPA of 3.0+
- financial need not required; pursuing a career in a health care profession
- apply through the Calvin Portal
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