BS in Biology - Pre-Medicine or Pre-Dentistry

What is the Bachelor of Science in Biology, Pre-medicine, or Pre-dentistry?

These degree programs develop in students a competency in key areas of biology, chemistry, physics, and math. However, at Southern Wesleyan University our view of biology is based on a Christian worldview.

Christianity and Science

In "Science and Religion," part 2, a section of an article from Science, Philosophy and Religion, A Symposium, published by the Conference on Science, Philosophy and Religion in Their Relation to the Democratic Way of Life, Inc., New York, 1941, Albert Einstein said: “Science can only be created by those who are thoroughly imbued with the aspiration toward truth and understanding. This source of feeling, however, springs from the sphere of religion. To this there also belongs the faith in the possibility that the regulations valid for the world of existence are rational, that is, comprehensible to reason. I cannot conceive of a genuine scientist without that profound faith. The situation may be expressed by an image: science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind. "

Lest there be any doubt, Einstein went on to make clear that he did not believe in a personal God. But his point remains. Probably the greatest scientist of the 20th century believed that science and religion should not be enemies, and he had a profound respect for religion, and a strong belief in a rational and ordered universe. We believe, at Southern Wesleyan University, that we know why the universe is orderly and rational--an omnipotent, rational and orderly God created it that way.

Since God created the universe, then it is real and an important part of what is ultimately true, not merely an illusion. Since God is rational and caring, then the universe He has created would be rational and consistent. Thus there is nothing to fear in what scientists discover, as seeking to understand the world is seeking to understand God's creation. The Bible describes God's creation as being both real, and good - therefore worth studying. The idea of consistent 'natural laws' was first derived from the Bible rather than from nature and nature was studied with the expectation of finding natural laws. If humans were created in the image of God then you would expect us to be able to understand God's creation and be able to design experiments - perhaps this is why mathematics (an entirely human construction) is so powerful in describing the natural world.

Components of a Christian World View for SWU Science Division

God is a personal-social-moral-rational "being," who is eternal, almighty, transcendent, just, loving and holy.
The Bible is God's revelation to humanity, its purpose is to teach, rebuke, correct, and train us in righteous living so that we may become people of God prepared for a life of service. Scripture speaks to the totality of life-vital to everything in our life and world-no compartments labeled "sacred" and "secular." However, the Bible is not a scientific textbook. God also reveals Himself through nature, His creation.
God has created the universe out of nothing and he sustains it as an orderly system dependent on Him.
The physical is not the only reality, nor all that is rational. However, the physical can be determined reliably through sense perceptions and is repeatable.
The cosmos/universe is an orderly and intelligible system. Natural laws are built into the system, and it is God’s plan rarely to violate them. The natural order provides a kind of theater for human activity, and makes possible many creaturely goods (e.g., beauty, pleasure, etc.).
At death the physical body ceases to function, but the spirit persists. The spirit either enters an eternal life with God or eternal separation from Him.
Objective truth exists and is knowable. We find it by using our God-given ability for rational thought.
Reason and experience can be legitimate teachers. However, a supernatural source of truth is necessary and we can know that truth as God reveals it in the Bible and nature.
Moral laws exist; God’s character and the clear biblical teachings make possible an ethical system that applies to all humans. Basic moral and ethical principles flow from the kind of beings that we are. Moral laws have validity because human beings are made to act in certain ways and be treated in certain ways.
God created humankind in His image and created an orderly and rational universe as an environment for human beings’ sphere of activity. Therefore, personhood must be viewed as a unity, man is a holistic being. His essence is not just animal, nor a pure spirit, temporarily residing within a physical body.
The meaning of human life is found in right relationship to God and to our fellow creatures. The fallen state of humankind has made necessary God’s great plan of salvation, which includes the incarnation in Jesus of Nazareth, the atonement of sin through suffering and death, and the hope of eternal life through His resurrection from the dead.
God created humans to be in relationship with Him. Humans were created to glorify God and to exercise dominion over God’s creation as His image-bearers. Therefore, the role of humankind is one of stewardship.
History is linear and is a meaningful sequence of events leading to the fulfillment of God’s purposes for humans.

What do students enrolled in the Biology, Pre-medicine, or Pre-dentistry program do?

As a biology or premedical major, you will learn to integrate faith with learning in biology and be able to discuss ethical implications, even at the global level, in biology. You will develop competency in biochemistry, cellular and molecular biology, genetics, organismal biology (e.g., botany, zoology, microbiology), anatomy and physiology, environmental science, and scientific literacy. You will learn many tools utilized in biology, including many types of microscopes (e.g., florescent, electron, polarizing), spectrophotometers, electrophoresis apparatus, computer-based data acquisition equipment, many physiological instruments and various types of other equipment used in a laboratory and research setting.

Is this major right for you?

You might consider a biology or pre-medical major if you have a desire to advance to medical or dental school, plan on a career in some aspects of the health services or health care industry, plan to work in the pharmaceutical industry, are interested in the many aspects of molecular biology, are interested in ecology or field biology working with animals or plants, and many other possible careers (see list of possible careers below).

About our graduates

When you graduate from Southern Wesleyan University with a BS in Biology, Pre-medicine or Pre-dentistry, you can join alumni and graduates in prestigious graduate schools and programs all across the nation, including:

Presbyterian College of Pharmacy
Washington University (St. Louis, Mo.)
University of Kentucky
University of Alabama
University of South Carolina
University of North Carolina
Wake Forest University
University of Nebraska
East Tennessee State University
Western Carolina University
Medical University of South Carolina
University of Georgia
University of Texas

You may be prepared for a career in:

Education - You may be able to teach biology. In many states where biology is a critical need area, you can teach at the high school level while you work towards certification and a graduate degree.

Graduate School Programs That Go Well with a Biology or Premedical Degree

Cytotechnology
Dental School
Extracorporeal Circulation Technology
- Graduate school in chemistry, biochemistry, biomedical engineering, biomedical sciences, or any biologically related field
Health Administration or Management
Medical School
Osteopathy School
Medically related research degrees
Nursing
Occupational Therapy
Physical Therapy
Pharmacy School
Physician’s Assistant
Veterinary School
Speech pathology
Optometry School

Industry or Government (some require graduate work):

Advisory or consultant work
Biotechnology and genetics
Chemical manufacturing
Clinical testing
Cosmetics
DHEC employee
Ecologist (e.g., for Duke Power)
Environmental testing and remediation
EPA employee
Fisheries
Food, nutrition, agriculture
Forensic Science
Forestry
Ground water studies and remediation
Microbiologist (e.g., CDC)
Microscopist
Natural products
OSHA employee
Pesticide residue analysis and standards
Pharmaceuticals
Research scientist in numerous industries or governmental agencies (e.g., NSF, NIH)
Sale of biological and chemical supplies or pharmaceuticals
Sewage treatment or waste disposal
Soil science
Water purity and treatment
Work in zoo or aquarium

Our graduates have obtained jobs as:

Laboratory technicians at such universities as Clemson University and University of North Carolina.
Professors at Duke University, University of Georgia, Emmanuel College
Doctors, dentists, physical therapists, physician assistants, nurses, certified massage therapists, speech pathologists, optometrists, podiatrists, and other medically related fields.
Chemists and biologists for Duke Power, Milliken Corporation, Michelin Corporation, Nutra, and other industries.
High school biology and science teachers, including one who was the outstanding biology teacher in all of South Carolina in 2010.
Forensic scientists
Pharmacists and pharmaceutical sales representatives
Biologists at Tennessee Aquarium and Ripley’s Aquarium