As a sustainability studies major or minor at Goshen College, you’ll explore what it means to live responsibly—caring for the Earth and its people now and for generations to come.
Biology
Major
Why Study Biology at Goshen College?
If you’re curious about the natural world, Goshen College is the place to turn that curiosity into discovery. Here, you won’t just study biology—you’ll experience it firsthand. Track elephants in Kenya, band birds in Indiana, or analyze viruses in a state-of-the-art lab. Your education goes beyond textbooks, with hands-on learning that prepares you for real-world impact.
You’ll build a strong foundation in the scientific method and natural sciences while sharpening your critical thinking, data analysis, and problem-solving skills. And with a 90–95% acceptance rate into graduate programs over the past five years, a biology degree from Goshen College isn’t just a diploma—it’s your launchpad to a future of discovery and purpose.
What Makes the Biology Program at Goshen College Distinct?
- Small class sizes = personalized attention and close mentorship from faculty
- Hands-on research and internships from your first year
- Dedicated field stations including Merry Lea and our Marine Biology Station in Florida
- Collaborative community that supports exploration, experimentation, and your growth
Explore Real-World Biology from Day One
Your learning won’t be limited to lectures. Choose from classes where you’ll:
- Analyze ecosystems at Merry Lea Environmental Learning Center, 1,189 acres of preserved Indiana habitat
- Study marine life at the J.N. Roth Marine Biology Station in the Florida Keys
- Work one-on-one with faculty on research into honeybee physiology, breast milk microbiomes, and much more
- Participate in the Maple Scholars summer program, earning a stipend and sharing your research with the public
- Complete a required internship, with opportunities ranging from medical centers to coral reef restoration
Career Paths for Biology Graduates
Our biology graduates are out in the world making a difference—in medicine, conservation, education, research, and more. Common career paths include:
- Environmental Scientist
- Physician / PA / Physical Therapist
- Marine Biologist
- Ecologist / Conservation Biologist
- Biotechnologist / Biomedical Engineer
- Forensic Scientist
- High School Biology Teacher
- Research Assistant
- Join the Pre-Med Club or Eco-PAX environmental group
- Present at the Biology Coffee Hour or Science Speaker Series
- Study abroad and conduct research in Kenya
- Intern with leading organizations like the Goshen Center for Cancer Care, AbbVie, Stanford University, NIH, and more
- Schrock Science Labs – renovated, safe, and equipped for advanced biological research
- J.N. Roth Marine Biology Station – access to coral reefs, seagrass beds, and oceanic ecosystems
- Witmer Woods & Merry Lea – rich with native flora and fauna for field research
- Faculty-led research labs focused on ecology, physiology, genetics, and environmental science