Course Listings
Biology
See also the Molecular Biology/Biochemistry and Environmental and Marine Science majors. Teacher certification is available in life sciences for grades 5-12.
Major in Biology
42-46 credit hours
- BIOL 115 Ecology and Evolution4
- BIOL 120 Cell Biology and Genetics4
- BIOL 130 Organismal Biology4
- BIOL 331 Junior Research Seminar2
- BIOL 409 Biology Internship0-3
- BIOL 410 Biology Senior Seminar1
- Elective laboratory course4
- Elective field biology course4
- Additional biology elective course from lists above4
- CHEM 111 General Chemistry4
- CHEM 112 General Chemistry4
- CHEM 303 Introduction to Organic Chemistry4
- Quantitative course (one of the following)3-4
- MATH360
- PSYC 380 Statistics in Research
Student learning outcomes
Graduates in Biology will:
- Demonstrate knowledge of core biological principles spanning all levels of hierarchy (cells to ecosystems).
- Provide examples of the fundamental role that evolutionary principles have in structuring biological systems from the cell to ecosystems.
- Design and implement experiments through developing research questions, designing research methods, and interpreting and analyzing data using statistical techniques.
- Use strong oral and writing skills to communicate scientific concepts.
- Articulate how faith and/or worldview informs personal bioethical attitudes and behaviors.
- Reflect on the systems-level connections between core biological principles.
- Demonstrate safety and competence in implementing basic biology laboratory and field skills: taxonomic identification, quantitative measurement, sterile technique, microscopy and slide use, and good experimental design.
Planning and advising notes
Students expecting to major in biology may take General Chemistry, Chem 111-112, in the second year, but students majoring in molecular biology/biochemistry must take it in the first year. A double major in biology, environmental science, or molecular biology/biochemistry is not allowed.
Teacher education in life sciences is available for grades 5-12. Courses needed within or in addition to biology major requirements are: Biol 201, Biol 207, Biol 208, Biol 300, Biol 303, Biol 311, and Phys 201. Also 36 credits of education courses, including a semester of student teaching. The first education class, Educ 201, should be taken in May term of the first year, if possible.
Planning guide
| First year | Goshen Core Ecology & Evolution (fall) Cell Biology & Genetics (spring) Organismal Biology (spring) |
| Second year | Goshen Core General Chemistry Quantitative course Biology electives SST (spring or summer) |
| Third year | Goshen Core Intro to Organic Chemistry Biology electives Junior Research Seminar SST (if not in second year) |
| Fourth year | Balance of Goshen Core Balance of major Internship Biology Senior Seminar |
BIOL 115 Ecology and Evolution
An introductory course that examines fundamental principles related to the evolution of life on earth and the ecological relationships between living things and their environment. The course integrates ecological and evolutionary principles within field investigations that teach skills in research...
BIOL 120 Cell Biology and Genetics
An introductory course that explores the cell as a complex and dynamic system shaped by its environment and genetic legacy. Gene regulation and expression, cell signaling, and cell division will be discussed, as well as the ethics of manipulating the...
BIOL 130 Organismal Biology
An introductory course that integrates study of plant and animal forms to provide a broader understanding of the unity and diversity of life on earth. Students will gain insight into the basic principles of structure and function evident in complex...
BIOL 331 Junior Research Seminar
A weekly seminar focusing on scientific inquiry skills such as reviewing the literature, forming research questions, designing experiments, analyzing data, and writing scientific papers. Students will gain approval for a research project to be completed by the end of the...
BIOL 409 Biology Internship
Practical experience in biology including professional levels of responsibility. Activities may be similar to those described for Biol 209, but with a higher degree of independent responsibility in the experience, as would be appropriate for a traditional apprenticeship. Students are...
BIOL 410 Biology Senior Seminar
A weekly seminar focused on completing the capstone senior research project. Topics will include data analysis, research writing, communicating project results to the wider community, and the interdisciplinary nature of biological science. Led by all department faculty members. Prerequisite: Biol...
CHEM 111 General Chemistry
An introduction to the basic particles of matter, the modern concept of the atom, chemical bonding and the structure of chemical compounds. The physical and chemical properties of some elements and compounds are examined. Reaction equilibrium and kinetics, acid-base theory,...
CHEM 112 General Chemistry
An introduction to the basic particles of matter, the modern concept of the atom, chemical bonding and the structure of chemical compounds. The physical and chemical properties of some elements and compounds are examined. Reaction equilibrium and kinetics, acid-base theory,...
CHEM 303 Introduction to Organic Chemistry
Covering structure, nomenclature, stereochemistry, and principal reactions for the major functional groups of organic chemistry, this is a one-semester survey course that gives an overview of the field. Laboratory exercises introduce basic purification techniques. This can be a stand-alone course...