Experience Bethel for yourself
Visiting campus is the best way to learn about Bethel and our majors. As you explore our welcoming community, you can attend a class, meet with students and professors, and get a taste of life in our program.
Meaningful preparation
Program highlights
All our academic departments stand out for their excellence and innovation—and the way our professors care about their students. Learn more about what sets our department apart.
Learning opportunities
In our biology programs, you’ll find numerous opportunities to travel the world, get involved, apply what you’ve learned, and gain experience. Learn more about:
- Creation Restoration Club
- Pre-Med Club
- TriBeta national biology honor society chapter—awarded the national Chapter Excellence and Outstanding Chapter awards four times in its history
- Sigma Zeta, an all-science honor society that hosts several national conventions
Focus on your passions
Select a specialized area of study, like immunology, aquatic biology, animal behavior, molecular biology, neurobiology, wildlife management, or developmental biology.
Blend science and your faith
You’ll cultivate a deeper understanding of God’s character, nature, and being through the thoughtful study of His creation.
Hands-on experiences
At Bethel, we’re not content to just learn about science from a textbook. Conduct surgical dissection in our human cadaver lab. Practice sterile technique and cell culture in our cutting-edge labs and greenhouses. Or develop your water quality testing and wildlife monitoring techniqes in 260+ acres of outdoor laboratories.
Collaborative research
Receive one-on-one faculty mentoring for paid summer research, and have the opportunity to present findings at regional and national scientific conferences. Recent student-faculty research topics have included labor-inducing herbal remedies and gene expression in European starlings.
Mentorship
Unlike large universities where professors teach only large lectures, Bethel's professors work directly with you in classes and labs. Their expertise and work across diverse subdisciplines offer interdisciplinary preparation for students.
Study on location
Study in the rainforests of Costa Rica or in New Zealand as part of the Creation Care Study Program. You can also choose off-campus study programs like the Au Sable Institute of Environmental Studies with locations in Michigan, Florida, Washington state, and India.
Gain practical experience
You’ll have the chance to complete a strong internship. Past students have interned at well-known institutions, including EPPA Health, BioTechne, Xcel Energy, the Mayo Clinic, Minnesota Zoo, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, McNeely Conservatory, The Wolf Project, Medtronic, R&D Systems, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, and the National Institutes of Health.
Real-world impact
Career outcomes
A degree from our biological sciences division will prepare you for a wide variety of careers—and for graduate and medical schools. Biology majors are a great starting place for a career in the life sciences, environmental sciences, research, medicine and healthcare, and more. As you become the person you’re meant to be, you’ll be equipped for a life of purpose in numerous fields.
Skills
You’ll learn to:
- Develop quantitative reasoning for problem-solving
- Design and conduct scientific experiments
- Utilize models effectively
- Communicate scientific understanding
- Hone critical analysis skills
- Master observational skills and critical thinking
- Apply quantitative methods to data
- Adopt interdisciplinary holistic thinking
- Conduct research and writing in environmental studies
- Explore sustainable living practices
- Develop immuno-detection skills
- Conduct spectrophotometry and microarray analysis
- Utilize geographical information systems
- Apply science to real-life questions
Careers
You’ll be prepared to pursue a career in the following fields:
- Medicine (M.D.)
- Osteopathic medicine (O.D.)
- Dentistry
- Veterinary medicine
- Pharmacology
- Pharmacy
- Podiatry
- Cell/molecular biology research
- Cytogenetics
- Genetics research
- Neuroscience
- Optometry
- Physician assistant
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Chiropractic medicine
- Education (elementary, secondary, university)
- Environmental monitoring
- Restoration ecology (management of natural resources)
- Wildlife biology
- Zookeeping
- Environmental education
Graduate school
You’ll be able to go on to study:
- Medicine
- Dentistry
- Pharmacy
- Physical therapy
- Chiropractic
- Osteopathy
- Other allied health professions
- Anatomy
- Ecology
- Genetics
- Physical chemistry
- Forensic science
- Molecular biology
- Molecular plant sciences
- Animal physiology
- Water resources
- Public health
- History of science
Our Community
Alumni spotlight
Eric Puumala
Degree: B.S. in Biology/Pre-Med Program
At Bethel, Eric found a great place to explore the biological sciences and his faith. While he considered attending larger universities, he was drawn to the strong community and personal relationships with professors at Bethel. As he prepared for medical school, he gained valuable experience by conducting muscular dystrophy research with Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences Jackie Towner. Along with research, Eric also worked as a tutor and was involved with student clubs. “I found that Bethel is more than just a classroom,” Eric says. “I would say it's a community. We're not just here to learn about the ins and outs of science. We're here to grow as human beings and grow in relationship with each other and with, our Creator.”
Recent news
We believe everyone has a story to tell. Envision how Bethel could become part of yours.
Latest news and stories
Upcoming Events
MAR 29 2025
CANCELLED—Anatomy Review for the Clinician
8 a.m. Barnes Academic Center (BAC) Room 114
Join us as we explore the mystery and wonder of the human body in this regional anatomy dissection review for clinicians.
MAY 3 2025
8 a.m.
K-5 students are invited to a FREE action-packed day of learning about healthy living and the way our bodies move!
MAY 10 2025
1:30 p.m. Brushaber Commons Atrium
Converse with student researchers from the Bethel sciences over light refreshments
Contact us
Request info
Interested in learning more about Bethel's biological sciences department? Fill out this simple form and we'll send you more information soon.
Connect with a counselor
They’ll answer your questions, connect you with professors, and help you find the right time to visit campus. They’ll be there every step of the way to help make applying to Bethel as smooth as possible.
Faculty mentors
Meet your professors
You’ll learn alongside faculty who are distinguished scholars and faithful Christians. They’ll know you by name and invest in your success. Professors are accessible between classes, and you’ll often find fellow students gathered or studying in our department lounge.
Student Support
Your support team
At Bethel, you’ll experience a community where you belong. And that means you’ll be able to access numerous tools for your academic success—tutoring, mentors, study help, and more.
Career coaching and preparation
A dedicated team is here to empower you to lead a purposeful life. Career coaches will help you build a resume, pursue internships and jobs, and provide support at every step of the way.
Academic advising
No matter your goals, you’ll find support from your advisor. They’ll help you plan your courses and will provide support as you complete your degree and start a successful career.
Tutoring and academic support
The Academic Enrichment and Support Center (AESC) will be your first stop for academic support. You’ll find help in building study skills, academic counseling, and more.
Faith formation
As you develop your faith, you’ll have support from our Campus Ministries team. From Chapel to Bible studies, you’ll have numerous opportunities to explore and grow in your faith.
Accessible education
Tuition and financial aid
We want you to understand from the beginning what a Bethel education costs. That’s why we made it simple. Beginning in the 2025-26 academic year, tuition for the College of Arts & Sciences will be $25,990—down from $44,050. This more accurately reflects what you can expect to pay, empowering you to make informed decisions and become who you're meant to be.
Become A Bethel Student
Apply now
You belong at Bethel. If you're ready to see who you could become, start your free application today.
Frequently asked questions
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A Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Biology is strongly focused on science and math courses—including chemistry and physics, in addition to biology—and is desgined to prepare students for graduate programs in the sciences. A Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Biology gives greater flexibility in coursework, while still meeting core science requirements. The B.S. is best for students wanting to go into research or lab science, while the B.A. is a good fit for those who want to teach, do policy work, or do communications or administration related to biological fields.
At Bethel, the first two semesters of the B.A. and the B S. are the same, so you can easily switch from one to the other in the first 1-2 years. In the B.S. in Biology, students choose an emphasis with specialized coursework: Cellular/Molecular Biology, General Biology, or Biomedical. Please refer to the Bethel Catalog for current course requirements in the B.S. and B.A. in Biology programs.
- From the minute you’re accepted to Bethel, you’ll work closely with the admissions team, a faculty advisor, and the Office of the Registrar to choose your major and enroll in the courses you’ll need to meet graduation requirements, broaden your learning, and excel after graduation. Bethel students and faculty advisors use DegreeWorks software to track progress toward degree completion and view “what if” scenarios to see how adding or changing a major will impact their graduation timeline. If you’d like to declare a biology major—or you’re already majoring in biology but would like to change whether you’re doing the B.A. or B.S.—please complete this form.
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Biology is an excellent foundation for graduate school—including medical and dental schools—and a number of growing career fields, including:
- medical technology
- laboratory research
- environmental science
- allied health professions: diagnostic, therapeutic, or technical work
- The B.S. and B.A. in Biology each require about 122 credits, including a core set of introductory 3- and 4-credit biology courses and 44-52 general education credits. From there, B.S. in Biology students choose an applied internship or faculty-mentored research experience and take general and organic chemistry, as well as a physics course. Then they specialize within their emphases. B.A. students who’ve completed their core biology courses choose electives within environmental, organismic, and cell and molecular biology as well as additional electives, which may be cross-disciplinary. You can view complete course requirements and offerings in the Bethel Catalog.