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Biology Department

 

Biology from a Christian Perspective

There are few academic or professional disciplines that hold as much intrigue with regards to the world God has created than that of biology. At Covenant, we believe that a faithful response to God’s living world requires breadth and depth in the academic discipline of biology, as well as consideration of various aspects of the discipline as a human endeavor; therefore, we engage in critical analysis of how biology is done and how it is represented in our culture, based on our Christian perspective.

 

 

Biology Program Features

 

Requirements for Minor

  • BIO 111 General Biology I 4 hour(s)
  • BIO 112 General Biology II 4 hour(s)
  • Biology electives 12 hour(s)

Total hours for the minor: 20

 

Recent Senior Capstone Projects

  • "Ultraviolet Radiation Damage and Sunscreen Efficacy"
  • "Exercise Compared to the Treatment with SSRIs for Major Depressive Disorder in Adolescence: A Review of the Data"
  • "A Web of Interactions: Factors Contributing to Spillover of Zoontic Viruses to Humans"
  • "Implication of Origins for Design and Evolution Discourse: The Flagellum as an Example"
  • "The Importance of Big Cat Behavioral Research in Zoological Institutions"

 

BIO 313 Genetics

Principles of heredity including classical, molecular, cellular, behavioral, and population genetics.

 

BIO 345 Immunology

A study of human defenses against exogenous infectious agents and endogenous neoplasia. The course includes an overview of the nonspecific defenses but focuses on specific defenses.

 

BIO 346 Cancer Biology

An examination of the molecular and cellular events that lead to the unregulated proliferation of cells in the human body. Significant attention is given to tumor immunology, mechanisms of metastasis and anti-cancer therapies. Some material concerning cancer epidemiology, host-tumor interactions and cancer prevention is also included.

 

BIO 335 Field Botany

The course studies the taxonomy and ecology of vascular plants as components of natural communities. Field identification of plant species will be stressed and will include laboratory dissection and identification.

 

The biology program’s rigor, emphasis on hands-on learning, and deeply committed and caring faculty thoroughly prepare students for their post-college careers. Our graduates have entered the professional world in such areas as medical research, biotechnology, aviculture, teaching, banking, politics, and writing. Others have pursued graduate and professional training at such institutions as:

  • Vanderbilt University College of Medicine
  • University of Alabama School of Dentistry
  • Notre Dame University
  • University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine
  • California College of Podiatric Medicine
  • Vanderbilt University School of Nursing
  • Georgetown University College of Medicine
  • Stanford University College of Medicine

 

 

General Biology

Biology can be taken as a major or a minor and is also an integral part of many related academic areas, including pre-medicine, pre-nursing, pre-physical therapy, pre-veterinary studies, pre-dentistry, and pre-ophthalmology. There are three tracks within the biology major—the biomedical option, the environmental option, and the general professional option—each of which includes a standard set of courses in general biology, chemistry, and physics.

 

 

 
 

Environmental Concentration

This option offers a concentration in environment/ecology-related topics and is recommended for those interested in environmental issues, conservation biology and wildlife biology.

 

 

Biomedical Concentration

This option offers a concentration in cellular and molecular biology and is recommended for those interested in biotechnology, biomedical research and professional school in medicine (veterinary as well as human), dentistry, podiatry and optometry.

 

 

 
 

Health Professions Concentration

This concentration provides a solid foundation in biology and the flexibility to meet prerequisites for graduate and professional programs for a variety of health professions. Students who intend to pursue graduate and/or professional training in physical therapy, nursing, physicians assistant programs, occupational therapy and other similar programs will be well served in this concentration.

 

 

Environmental Stewardship & Sustainability Certificate

The Environmental Stewardship & Sustainability certificate program at Covenant cultivates student’s abilities to articulate a faithful perspective on the physical world, to pursue creation care personally as a commitment to reconciliation, and to become vocational leaders in the growing environmental workforce.

 

 

 
 

Biology Students - In Their Own Words

Samara Barbee

Samara Barbee '22

"Dr. Morris has impacted my thinking the most because he has helped me realize the beauty and intricacy of God’s design in creation. When explaining difficult topics in biology, he always takes a moment to discuss how a Christian should think and respond to the topic we are studying. "
 
Viona Okwii Brown

Viona Okwii Brown '22

"I chose Covenant because of its Christian tradition and the amazing faculty and great laboratory facilities, which are a huge plus for my major. I wanted the combination of a quality education and strong Christian values."
 
 
 
"I think bringing my faith into my academics has really given me another look on college and school in general just because I’ve always been brought up to see that school is school and you don’t bring up or talk about how God gave us science to explore and discover.”
- Faith Manning '21 | Biology with Health Professions Concentration
 

Graduate School of Education

Undergraduate Departments, Majors, Minors, Certificates, Concentrations, and Programs

Academic Certificates

  • Arts Administration
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Environmental Stewardship & Sustainability
  • Journalism and Society
  • Medical Ethics Consultation
  • Neuroscience
  • Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)

Art

  • Art, 2-D Concentration 
  • Art, 3-D Concentration 
  • Art, Art History Concentration 
  • Art, Graphic Design Concentration 
  • Art, Photography Concentration 
  • Art minor
  • Art History minor

Biblical & Theological Studies

  • Biblical & Theological Studies 
  • Biblical & Theological Studies, Missions Concentration 
  • Biblical & Theological Studies minor
  • Biblical Languages minor
  • History of Christianity minor
  • Missions minor
  • Youth Ministry minor

Biology

  • Biology, Biomedical Concentration 
  • Biology, Environmental Concentration 
  • Biology, General 
  • Biology, Health Professions Concentration 
  • Biology minor

Business

  • Business 
  • Business, Accounting Concentration 
  • Business, Finance Concentration 
  • Business, Marketing Concentration 
  • Sport Management 
  • Business minor
  • Sport Management minor

Chemistry

  • Chemistry, Biochemistry Concentration 
  • Chemistry, General 
  • Biochemistry minor
  • Chemistry minor

Computer Science

  • Computer Science 
  • Computer Science minor

Economics & Community Development

  • Community Development 
  • Economics 
  • Community Development minor
  • Economics minor

Education

  • Education Studies 
  • Elementary Education (P-5) 
  • Secondary Education Certifications through MAT program 
  • Education minor

Engineering 3:2 Program

  • Natural Science, Pre-Engineering Studies Concentration

English

  • English 
  • English, Writing Concentration 
  • English minor
  • Writing minor

Health, Wellness and Coaching

  • Coaching minor

History, Politics, and International Studies

  • History 
  • History, Art History Concentration 
  • Political Science 
  • International Studies 
  • History minor
  • Political Science minor

Interdisciplinary Studies

  • Interdisciplinary Studies with Concentrations 

Mathematics

  • Mathematics 
  • Mathematics minor

Music

  • Music, Church Music Concentration 
  • Music, Creative Studies Concentration 
  • Music, General Music Concentration 
  • Music, Instrumental Performance Concentration 
  • Music, Music Education (Pre-MAT) Concentration 
  • Music, Organ Performance Concentration 
  • Music, Piano Pedagogy Concentration 
  • Music, Piano Performance Concentration 
  • Music, Vocal Performance Concentration 
  • Music minor

Philosophy

  • Philosophy 
  • Philosophy minor

Physics

  • Physics 
  • Physics minor

Pre-Professional Programs

  • Pre-Law Studies 
  • Pre-Medical Studies 
  • Pre-Nursing Studies 
  • Pre-Physical Therapy Studies 

Psychology

  • Psychology 
  • Psychology minor

Sociology

  • Sociology 
  • Sociology, Family Studies & Social Work Concentration 
  • Sociology minor

Theatre

  • Theatre 
  • Theatre minor

World Languages

  • French 
  • Spanish 
  • French minor
  • Spanish minor