Biology (B.S.) Organismal Concentration

Program Overview

The Biology major provides a strong foundation in biology, from the molecular to the ecological level. The major includes a choice of five different concentrations:

• Biomedical: Preparation for graduate and professional programs in research and health (medical, dental, veterinary, physician’s assistant, optometry, etc.)
• Cellular: Emphasizes study of biomolecules, cellular processes, molecular genetics and biotechnology
• Ecological: Focuses on the interactions of organisms and their environment, and the tools to quantify those relationships
• Organismal: Emphasizes the study of the diversity, structure, function, and behavior of living organisms
• General: Provides broad exposure to all aspects of biology

The major also includes supporting courses in chemistry and mathematics. Graduates with a biology degree will be well-prepared for further studies and specialization in graduate schools, medical and veterinary schools, and other health career programs. Students following this major are also prepared to seek immediate employment in a variety of settings requiring the skills and knowledge of a biology major.

Biology majors interested in a teaching career should follow the secondary teaching certification curriculum for biology. This highly recognized curriculum is excellent preparation for teaching biology in grades 7 to 12 and for earning Pennsylvania State Certification. Biology, chemistry, and a physics course provide a sound basis for teaching biology, and education courses provide the tools needed for teaching. The program culminates in a 12-week student teaching experience in a selected public school.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates from Messiah’s Biology program can:

1. Understand the nature of science, biological molecules, cell structure and function, enzymes, metabolism, and classical and molecular genetics.
2. Understand the diversity of animal life; comparative aspects of development, physiology, morphology; life history, behavioral ecology, and evolutionary biology of animals.
3. Understand the diversity of plants; flowering plant anatomy, physiology, reproduction, and ecology; distribution of major plant communities with global climate patterns; biogeochemical cycles.
4. Understand hereditary mechanisms: linkage, gene interactions and regulation, molecular genetics, mutations, and development.
5. Understand interactions of organisms at the species, community, and ecosystem levels; evidences for modern evolutionary thought in the context of a Christian world view. 
6. Appreciate historical, philosophical, and ethical aspects of the natural sciences.
7. Learn the skills needed to make a professional oral research presentation using Powerpoint or similar software.
8. Participate in investigative-style laboratory experiences.
9. Learn to work as teams in conducting laboratory and field research.
10. Compose lab reports in format appropriate for scientific journals.
11. Apply and extend of basic laboratory and field skills.
12. Skill in use of spreadsheet software such as Excel for data analysis and graphing
13. Demonstrate proficiency in basic laboratory techniques (e.g., microscopy, dissection, slide preparation, pipetting, restriction analysis).
14. Demonstrate familiarity with essential laboratory and field safety protocols.
15.  Be familiar with options for employment, voluntary service, and/or graduate education in biology.
16. Understand the inter-relatedness of living organisms & humanity’s calling to creation stewardship.
17. Understand various models that relate science and Christian faith.

Major Requirements

Complete the following for your major:

Organismal Concentration (17 credits)*

One Cellular and Molecular course*

One Integrative course*:

One from each Biodiversity and Adaptation course group*:

Group 1

Group 2

One to four organismal BIOL elective credits*:

and one of the following:

AuSable Institute Options:

QuEST Requirements