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About the BA and BS in Biology Degree

Why Study Biology at Cedarville?

Do you have a passion to worship your Creator through studying and applying the sciences? Cedarville’s distinctly Christian biology major can help you do just that.

You can choose from two options:

  • Bachelor of Science (BS) in Biology — The BS in biology offers you broad preparation in the biological sciences. This program is frequently pursued by students interested in biology focused on living organisms, such as zoology, plant sciences, premedical, and prehealth professions. You will complete the course requirements prescribed to enter leading graduate-level biology degree programs in the nation. This major enhances the student's depth of knowledge in biology and increases the breadth of exposure to chemistry, calculus, and physics.
  • Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Biology — The BA in biology offers you a wide preparation in the biological sciences while allowing space to pursue additional courses and minors of interest. This program appeals to students pursuing a double major (BA in chemistry or life science education), prehealth emphasis with a minor (most commonly in psychology and/or Spanish), or a diverse set of other minors, or emphases such as environmental biology, agriculture, or history among others.
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What Sets Cedarville Apart?

Program Overview

Biology Program Highlights

Excellent Preparation — Since 2011 each graduating class has completed the ETS Majors’ Field Test in Biology. As a group they have ranked at, or above, the 85th percentile when compared to other institutions.

Biblical — Your biology coursework will be balanced well with a liberal arts curriculum and Cedarville’s Bible minor. Our biology faculty members are distinctive in their commitment to biblical integration in the sciences and seek to help you understand your Creator more richly by studying the creation.

Customizable — You will tailor your major based on your professional interests and goals by working with your faculty academic adviser. Each of our 10 biology faculty teach upper-level electives in their field of expertise. Adding a customized focus allows you to go deeper in your areas of interest, which will give you an edge in graduate — or medical — school, or in your vocation. You can choose to focus on environmental biology, agriculture, premedical, or one of our prehealth specializations (predental, preoptometric, preosteopathic, prephysical therapy, prephysician assistant, or preveterinary).

Hands-on Experiences — You will benefit from dedicated labs for each specialty area including a dedicated tissue culture workroom and a cutting-edge human anatomy and physiology laboratory. You’ll learn molecular techniques commonly used in research laboratories today, such as fluorescence microscopy, RT-PCR, Western blotting, and many others. We also have easy access to a wide variety of "field labs," including a 40-acre Prairie Restoration, Wetland Restoration, Cedar Lake, the Campus Arboretum, and the Columbus and Cincinnati Zoos. Our strong emphasis on laboratory and field experience ensures that you will be able to enter the workforce, or your graduate studies, with confidence.

What Can You Do With a Biology Degree?

What can you do with a biology degree? Each year we see our graduates enter top graduate, medical, dental, optometry, and veterinary schools. Many directly enter the “science” professions as biological technicians, zoo and wildlife biologists, educators, healthcare workers, and experts in the agricultural fields. Chances are, if you are interested in any type of career in “biology,” we have had a student pursue it! Just ask!

Biology

Pathway to Medical School

Training for a medical profession at Cedarville University involves intentional preparation academically, personally, and spiritually. Preparation for medical school at Cedarville equips students to be competent as well as service-focused in the name of the Great Physician. Cedarville University has a strong history of preparing students for medical school.

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Placement Success

We’re proud of our successful graduates! 98.1% of recent graduates from the School of Science and Mathematics were employed or in graduate school within six months of graduation. Check out Cedarville's other placement rates.

Cedarville's Placement Rates

Opportunities to Learn Outside the Classroom

Internships — You’ll have an opportunity to complete a summer internship in academic and industrial laboratories across the nation.

Au Sable Institute of Environmental Studies — You can spend a semester or summer taking advanced, field-based courses in one of Au Sable’s four locations.

Research — You will have a wide variety of opportunities to work with our biology research faculty on cutting-edge research projects.

Global Outreach (GO) — You can take part in a medical missions trip during spring or summer breaks.

Student Organizations — Student organizations allow you to meet with like-minded fellow students and professionals. Here are some examples:

  • Chi Theta Pi: A student-run organization designed for networking among Cedarville students studying premed, predental, and preoptometry.
  • Pro Terra Forma: A campus-wide group for students interested in environmental stewardship.
  • Omega Tau Kappa: For students interested in biology education.
  • Great and Small is for students who are interested in veterinary medicine. This student-run organization helps students prepare for training in the veterinary field.
  • Biology Club is for students interested in any aspect of biology. This student-run organization emphasizes networking and community service.

Program Curriculum

Building on your core liberal arts and Bible minor courses, you will take your core biology courses. This sequence is shared among our biology programs.

This allows for some flexibility in program selection as well as preparing you for your upper-division elective courses. It is often these courses that will set you apart in terms of preparing to make that next step in your career path. The BA in biology is offered with either a three-year or four-year completion plan. Most students take four years to complete the BS in biology major.

This major offers an accelerated bachelor's-to-master's pathway for students interested in pursuing their MBA.

Sample courses:

  • Biological Research
  • Human Structure and Function 1 and 2

Start Your Degree in High School!

Save time and money in college by taking dual enrollment courses now. Discover how you can complete your biology degree in just three years with the Dual Enrollment 3-Year Pathway.

Explore the Dual Enrollment Pathway

Program Format and Related Programs

Cedarville offers both graduate and undergraduate programs, with flexible completion options. You may also want to consider these related programs as you consider the degree or program that is a best fit for you.

Program Level and Format

  • Undergraduate
  • Residential
  • 3-Year Option
  • 4-Year
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From Our Students:

  • I am always amazed by my professors, who are incredibly knowledgeable and involved in their scientific disciplines, yet still invest in their students academically and spiritually. I am confident that I have gained a comprehensive understanding of the biological and chemical sciences, and that this knowledge will set me apart in graduate school. I feel so privileged to attend a university that is uniquely committed to teaching science with both excellence and a biblical foundation.
    Lauren Setzkorn, School of Science and Mathematics
    Lauren Setzkorn
Job and Grad School Placement

Program Faculty

Photo of Tracy Collins

Tracy Collins, PhD

Associate Professor of Biology

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Photo of Mark Gathany

Mark Gathany, PhD

Professor of Biology

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Photo of Bob Paris

Bob Paris, PhD

Associate Professor of Biology

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School of Science and Mathematics

Program News