Biology
Central College’s biology department is committed to fostering student learning and research. One-on-one faculty mentorship and research opportunities abound. In addition to state-of-the-art laboratories and equipment in the Vermeer Science Center, the college maintains the 62-acre Carlson-Kuyper Field Station. Graduates have gone on to become biologists, professors, occupational therapists, lab researchers and doctors.
Internships
Looking for experience? An internship might be the answer. When it comes to future employment or entrance into graduate school, students with internship experience have a proven track record in a professional environment. In today's competitive job market, proven experience is a priceless commodity. Past internships include:
Click here to learn more about internships at Central.
Courses
Introductory courses lay the foundation for the major. Introduction to cells provides a basic treatment of cell biology, emphasizing, the things all life forms have in common. By contrast, diversity of life offers a systematic approach to the five kingdoms of life, stressing the evolutionary relationships apparent from the taxonomic classification of organisms. Central’s biology courses include:
Get more details from the course catalog! (Note: this is a PDF file)
Sample schedule
Freshman year
Sophomore year
Junior year
Senior year
Research Opportunities
An extensive program of biological research opportunities offers on-the-scene investigation in a variety of areas where the differences in natural habitat can be studied intact. The Carlson-Kuyper Field Station is Central College's 62-acre biology field station. Located about 12 miles from the Pella campus, it is adjacent to the extensive wildlife areas managed by the Corps of Engineers around Lake Red Rock, Iowa's largest lake.
Students can also do work at Central’s branch campus on the Yucatan peninsula in Mexico. Students have a unique opportunity to observe and measure environmental situations that differ from those in the United States, such as salt marshes, mangrove swamps, isolated waterholes, rocky and sandy beaches and rain forests. Biology faculty periodically teach field-related courses in the Yucatan.
Honors at Central College provides a distinct yet flexible four-year plan that encourages student creativity, intellectual engagement and leadership. Beginning broadly, honors at Central gradually focuses by helping students move toward greater independence, more advanced work in a discipline and increased leadership responsibilities. Past honors projects include:
Facilities
The Vermeer Science Center recently went through a $20-million renovation and expansion that was completed in fall 2003. The building contains 13 high-tech classrooms. Each contains a ceiling-mounted projector, computer with flat panel monitor, Wolfvision document camera, combination VCR/DVD player and a Ken-a-vision flex camera. Vermeer also contains several computer labs with new Dell computers with flat panel monitors and the most recent versions of math and science computer programs. Numerous science laboratories with state-of-the-art science equipment allow students to conduct their own research. Central was awarded a silver Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) medal rating from the United States Green Building Council (USGBC), making the science center the first LEED-rated building in the state.
Departmental Web site
The biology department has even more information about majoring in biology at their department Web site.
Organizations
No matter what your interests are, Central has a student group or organization that you’ll want to join! Click here to learn how you can get involved with groups and organizations at Central. Student organizations include:
Study Abroad
Students are encouraged to study abroad with one of Central’s eight international programs to enhance their development as global citizens, or with Central’s Chicago program and the Washington, D.C., program. Learn more about about Central’s study abroad programs.
Scholarships
Scholarship information TBD
