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Biology

Biology

Our high-quality, well-equipped biology program prioritizes the integration of faith and scientific inquiry, empowering students to explore Christ’s preeminence in the wonder, beauty, and intricacies of biology. Our faculty guide students through an engaging and rigorous curriculum that covers a wide range of biological disciplines, from genetics and physiology to ecology and immunology.

On this page Overview Graduate Outcomes Programs / Features Faculty Contact

Program Overview

Covenant’s biology program encourages students to explore how our faith provides a lens through which we can interpret the scientific world. We challenge students to develop a perspective that sees and understands humanity’s scientific pursuits in the context of a broader Christian theological framework.

As hands-on experience is crucial for a comprehensive understanding of biology, students participate in laboratory and field activities connected with classes and in research studies in collaboration with our faculty. Our facilities are equipped with a range of current lab bench equipment and field research equipment. 

From conducting experiments to analyzing data, students actively participate in the scientific process, developing critical thinking skills and honing their problem-solving abilities. We also delve into the ethical implications of scientific advancements in biology, encouraging students to consider the moral and spiritual dimensions of technical and scientific advances.

Graduate Outcomes

Our graduates have embarked on a variety of career paths in research, healthcare, environmental conservation, and education, equipped with the foundational knowledge, skills, and faith-based values necessary to pursue and make a profound impact in their chosen fields.

Alumni have also pursued graduate studies 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
chris sassou

Chris Sossou '11

lilly smith

Lilly Smith '19

jake groenendyk

Jake Groenendyk ’14

covenant alumni

Jonathan Crossman '18

Programs & Features

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. 

A student can major in general biology or choose from one of three concentrations:

  • Biomedical Concentration
  • Environmental Concentration
  • Health Professions Concentration

Each of these concentrations includes a standard set of courses in general biology, chemistry, and physics.

View Course Catalog

Requirements for a minor in Biology include 4 hours of BIO 111 General Biology I, 4 hours of BIO 112 General Biology II, and 12 hours of Biology electives.

View Course Catalog

Students interested in teaching biology for grades 6-12 can complete a BA degree with a major in biology (following the general biology concentration) and then enroll in the one-year Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) at Covenant College.

View Course Catalog

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.

Learn More

  • BIO 113 The Language of Nature
  • BIO 263 Natural History of the Appalachian Highlands
  • BIO 313 Genetics
  • BIO 322 Physiology of Exercise
  • BIO 346 Cancer Biology
  • BIO 335 Field Botany
  • BIO 401 Conceptual Review of Neuroscience

  • "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 Zoonotic 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"

Guided Capstone Requirements

Students can earn a degree in biology with a health professions concentration as preparation for a master of science in nursing (MSN) or an accelerated second-degree BSN program. Additionally, although a science major is not a pre-medical requirement, most pre-medical students major in a scientific discipline. Covenant offers rigorous majors in each of the disciplines in which medical schools specify course prerequisites in the sciences.

View Pre-Nursing Requirements
View Pre-Medical Requirements

Beyond the classroom, our program provides numerous extracurricular opportunities to enhance students' learning and professional development. Each year, we bring in seminar speakers who share their experiences, insights, and challenges relating to their professional work. 

Additionally, students in the biology program are required to explore possible vocations through a practicum experience (shadowing, research internships, etc.) so that they can have clearer discernment as they discover their vocational callings.

Meet the Biology Faculty

lynell martinez

Lynell Martinez Assistant Professor of Biology

Richard Nelson

Richard Nelson Professor of Biology

Tim Morris

Tim Morris Professor of Biology

Joelle Laing

Joelle Laing Visiting Assistant Professor of Biology

Ready to take the next step?

Thank you for your interest in Covenant! By filling out this form, we'll be able to connect you with the best information regarding your program of interest, as well as your Admissions Counselor.

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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

Community Development

  • Community Development 
  • Community Development minor

Computer Science

  • Computer Science 
  • Computer Science minor

Economics

  • Economics 
  • 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 minor

World Languages

  • French 
  • Spanish 
  • French minor
  • Spanish minor