The processes and diversity of God's living creation Biology

Through a Christian framework, Biology at Wheaton studies the organization and functions of cells and genes, the diversity of living organisms, and the processes and relationships of living organisms with other organisms and their environment. Biology graduates will be prepared for a wide range of vocations, such as teaching secondary education or continued postgraduate education leading to work in academia, industry, or health care professions.

Credential Type

  • B.A., B.S.

Major Credits Required

  • 50

Offered As

  • Major, Minor

Academic Opportunities

  • Biology Honors Program

98.9% employed or in graduate school

Within six months of graduation, nearly 99% of Wheaton’s Class of 2021 found work in their field or continued their education.

86% pursue advanced degrees

The majority of Wheaton biology students attend graduate, medical, dental, veterinary, or nursing school within 10 years of graduation.

11:1 student-faculty ratio

Small class sizes mean individualized attention and greater access to faculty.

Connect with Admissions

You can reach us anytime via admissions@wheaton.edu.

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Wheaton College Biology Students Dissecting Fetal Pigs

Program Highlight Benefit From an Integrative Approach

Biology is part of the Biological and Health Sciences Department, which also includes Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (offered jointly with the Chemistry Department), Conservation & Ecological Health, Health Science, and Neuroscience. Together, these five majors share a core curriculum designed to introduce you to foundational biological and chemical concepts, scientific research methods, and the intersection of Christian faith with biological and health sciences.

You will learn to read scientific literature critically, communicate scientific information effectively, and conduct scientific experiments correctly. This firm foundation, coupled with upper-divisional courses in Biological and Health Sciences, prepares you for graduate school, teaching, medical school, or any number of careers in the field of biological and health sciences.

Faces & Spaces Where You’ll Learn, Who You’ll Meet

Raymond Lewise

Our Faculty

Learn from accomplished, caring faculty members with scientific expertise in cardiovascular physiology, nutrition, epidemiology, diabetes, botany, parasitology and disease transmission, marine biology, microbiology, genetics, neurobiology, and theories of origins. 

Our Facilities & Equipment

The Meyer Science Center is home to state-of-the-art labs and learning spaces filled with modern equipment and instrumentation such as a fluorescence microscope, laminar flow hoods, temperature-controlled growth chambers, and a greenhouse. It is also home to the Perry Mastodon Exhibit.

Wheaton Student Looking into Microscope in Biology Lab

Our Experiences

Studying Biology at Wheaton opens students up to many immersive learning experiences, from internships and collaborative research projects with faculty mentors to mission-driven service work around Chicagoland and abroad.

WITH Wheaton Opportunities Across Campus & Beyond

Interdisciplinary learning is a way of life at Wheaton. Aside from your work within your chosen major, you can enrich your educational experience and connect with peers and professors across campus (and beyond) in many ways.

 


Real-World Learning at Wheaton & Beyond

  • Wheaton in the Black Hills
  • Wheaton Summer Research Program
  • Human Needs and Global Resources (HNGR) program
  • Creation Care Studies Program (Belize)
  • DIS Study Abroad in Scandinavia

Other Opportunities

  • Faculty-mentored student research
  • Internships
  • Teaching assistantships and lab assistantships
  • Campus employment with the campus arboretum, aquarium, and greenhouses
  • Other international and domestic travel programs  

Related Centers, Organizations & Co-Curriculars

  • Symbiosis (BHS student-run club)
  • Society of Women in STEM
  • Pre-Health Ministry
  • Wheaton A Rocha (student chapter of the international Christian conservation organization)
  • Thunderbirds (birding club)
  • The Creation Society

 

Meyer Science Center Sign
BIOLOGY for Christ & His Kingdom

Faith & Learning

A Wheaton education is built on the foundation of our unique Christ at the Core general education curriculum. The biology curriculum is designed to help students develop both a Christian and biological perspective for their careers and practices as stewards of God’s creation.

More About Christ at the Core

Success After Wheaton What Can You Do with a Biological and Health Sciences Degree?

Wheaton BHS students are well-prepared for further professional training to ultimately pursue careers as practitioners, researchers, and educators. Many graduates head right into the workforce, landing roles in a variety of industries.

You can get a job. Examples include:

  • Agricultural and food scientist
  • Medical laboratory technician
  • National Park Service specialist
  • Research assistant
  • Science writer

You can pursue an advanced degree that will lead to careers such as

  • Bioethicist
  • Biostatistician
  • Computational biologist
  • Conservation ecologist
  • Dentist
  • Environmental lawyer
  • Genetic counselor
  • Health care administrator
  • Marine biologist
  • Medical doctor
  • Natural resource manager
  • Nurse practitioner
  • Physician Assistant
  • Psychologist
  • Professor
  • Public Health professional
  • Teacher
  • Scientist at the CDC or WHO
  • Veterinarian
Abbi Littrell headshot for Wheaton College
Abbi Littrell ’21

A Path from Veterinary School to Theology Studies

“Because bioethics is thinking about the beginning of life, end of life, and sustaining life issues, I always found the complex questions they presented to be fascinating and something I was excited to wade into and learn more about.”

Between Wheaton Connection, Discipleship Ministries, and a biology major, Abbi Littrell’s campus experience set the stage for her current post-graduate pursuits in bioethics and theology. Now, she is helping students discover their own passion for ministry and the Word.

Read Abbi's Story

Next Steps

Interested in studying biology at Wheaton? Request more information or start your application today.

RESOURCES & LINKS Dig Deeper

If you want to dig deeper into this area of study, here are some additional resources for you to explore.

Department Website

Visit the Department of Biological and Health Sciences website for more information about our majors, minors, faculty, facilities, and more.

Course Requirements

View the Wheaton College catalog for specific degree requirements and course descriptions.