Biology Major within the four-year Bachelor of Science

The four-year Bachelor of Science with a major in Biology provides students with a breadth and depth of knowledge in biology that spans multiple scales, from molecules to ecosystems. The CMU biology major is distinctive in that it also includes a substantial set of courses in chemistry, physics, and mathematics. This integrative approach to science provides cross-disciplinary knowledge and skills that are necessary for understanding and practicing biology in the 21st century. In addition, students have the opportunity to take summer field courses and courses off-campus to complete their degree, which will broaden the scope of their program and also allow them to focus on subdisciplines of interest.

As with other CMU degrees, students will take a variety of core electives in biblical and theological studies, social sciences, and humanities, to help them to think broadly, critically, and creatively with respect to complex social, economic, and theological issues. The CMU four-year BSc in Biology provides a foundation for many career paths in the life sciences and beyond, or further study in diverse postgraduate and professional programs.

General Major within the three-year Bachelor of Science

The three-year general Bachelor of Science degree is ideal for students seeking a strong background in the natural sciences in a liberal arts context, as a foundation for further study in applied/professional programs such as education, health professions, and law, among others. The three-year general BSc is a flexible degree program that allows for some depth of experience in a variety of areas in the natural sciences and mathematics. As with other CMU degrees, students will take a variety of core electives in biblical and theological studies, social sciences, and humanities, to help them think broadly, critically, and creatively with respect to complex social, economic, and theological issues. Together, the course complement included in the 3-year general BSc will help students to build the critical thinking, communication, and problem solving skills essential for success in subsequent ventures.

Arts & Science Major within the Bachelor of Arts

The interdisciplinary Arts and Science major gives students a foundation in both the Arts and the Sciences, including Biology, Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. It enables a flexible combination of these with other disciplines in the liberal arts, giving students the opportunity to study Science within a broader liberal arts inquiry. There are five science concentrations: Applied Mathematics, biochemistry, biology, mathematics, and ecology. For more information, go to the Arts and Science page.

Biology Minor within the Bachelor of Arts

The biology minor requires 18 credit hours of study, covering a breadth of sub-disciplines in the life sciences. It can be combined with a major in any BA field, whether in the three-year or the four-year Bachelor of Arts. Interesting connections between biology and many fields of study (e.g. philosophy, theology, psychology, English, or music, among others) make this minor a valuable complement to any major.

Biochemistry Minor within the Bachelor of Arts

The minor requires 36 credit hours, as competency in biochemistry requires study in a number of scientific disciplines, including math/physics along with biology and chemistry. With some care in course selection, this minor can be combined with a major in any BA field, whether in the three-year or the four-year Bachelor of Arts. The Biochemistry minor is a strong option for students in any program who interested in health care professions, as it includes all the science courses that are required to apply for programs in Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmacology.

Applied Mathematics Minor within the Bachelor of Arts

The minor requires 36 credit hours and can fit alongside a major in any field, whether in the three-year or the four-year Bachelor of Arts. Because mathematics is foundational to so much of our science and technology, math literacy is a crucial part of understanding the world. Students will develop reasoning and problem solving skills that complement any other disciplinary field. While math is indispensable in Science, it is no less valuable in English, Psychology, Business, Philosophy, Theology, etc.