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 and more!
At GC, the biological sciences are divided into three majors: biology, molecular biology/biochemistry and environmental science. All three are rigorous, experiential and founded in the belief that some of the best learning happens outside the classroom. Not only do we offer international courses, but we also have interactive learning events right on campus, including a science speaker lecture series, a biology coffee hour, and multiple teaching and research assistantships. You’ll 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.
If you need more convincing, the GC biology program excels at preparing graduates for medical and graduate school. In the last five years, between 90-95 percent of biology majors who applied to graduate school were accepted. On top of that, GC is second in the state for the number of students who go on to earn doctorates! Whether you enter a biology-related career right out of college or choose to further your education in postgraduate studies, Goshen College will give you the skills you need to succeed.
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
student
Kalen Guynes ’23
Kalen Guynes ’23 an environmental and marine science major from Elkhart, Indiana, has always had a fascination with the natural world and wants to work with the Department of Natural Resources.
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).
Asia Green graduated in 2017 with a molecular biology and biochemistry major. She played soccer, participated in the Black Student Union and learned Spanish—all while studying to become a pediatric dentist.
Keila Flores is an environmental & marine science major from Goshen, and Joshua Liechty is a molecular biology/biochemistry major from Archbold, Ohio. They spent the summer of 2018 interning in the Florida Keys.
"Peacemaking begins with understanding our world and our connection to it -- promoting peace is increasingly about caring for ecological systems on which humans depend."