BIOLOGY
Program Options
- The general biology major is built on four core areas: botany, zoology, ecology and field biology, and genetics. Six elective courses in biology, a directed research project in your junior or senior year, and several selected courses in chemistry and biochemistry round out the major.
- The molecular biology and biotechnology emphasis enables students to specialize in the molecular and biochemical aspects of biology while gaining specialized molecular biology and bioinformatics techniques.
- The medical technology degree, an option leading to certification by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences, is a three-year program at Dordt followed by a year of clinical education at an approved school of medical technology.
- A biology education major is available to both elementary and secondary education majors. Students preparing for the K-6 classroom will major in education, usually taking from four to 12 courses in biology and other sciences. To teach at the secondary level, students double-major in biology and in secondary education.
- Many pre-med students major in biology. Dordt's acceptance rate for biology majors into medical schools and graduate schools is very high; three out of four biology majors who apply are accepted. The biology major is also a popular choice for students interested in other pre-professional programs such as pre-veterinary, pre-dentistry, pre-chiropractic, and others.
- Environmental studies, a closely-related major, is an interdisciplinary program involving courses from the biology, chemistry, economics, philosophy, and political science departments, plus six electives.
Additionally, off-campus programs are available to students studying biology. The Au Sable Institute of Environmental Studies offers summer courses and field work in Michigan, Washington, and South India, and the Creation Care Program offers semesters in Belize or the South Pacific. You may also be able to benefit from internship liaisons we have established with several research agencies and laboratories.
