OFFICE OF ADMISSIONS
J.E. and L.E. Mabee Welcome Center
800.826.2281 x 8113
785.227.3380 x 8113
admissions@bethanylb.edu
The Path to Your Purpose
Majors And Minors
The Bethany College Chemistry and Biology programs will prepare you for a variety of careers in industry and technology as well as admission into professional health and graduate schools. Bethany students engage in rigorous and relevant course work, and participate in real-world experiences through a variety of internship and research opportunities - all of which develop the skills and knowledge you need to succeed.
Majors
For information about specific courses related to these majors, check the
College Catalog
As a student in the Biology-Chemistry program, you can obtain real world experiences (and earn academic credit!) through our Experience Based Education (EBE) Program.
When you participate in the EBE program, you will have the opportunity to shadow and intern with professionals in your area of interest (such as physicians, physical therapists, veterinarians, researchers, etc.), allowing you to develop important skills and professional contacts. We also encourage undergraduate research experiences.
Course Offerings
Note: Courses listed here are a sampling of those offered, and may be added to or deleted at any time, and specific offerings may vary by semester. Please consult the current
College Catalog for upcoming course schedules.
Anatomy & Physiology
Analytical Chemistry
Biochemistry
General Chemistry
Genetics
Histology
Immunology
Introductory Biology
Medical Terminology
Microbiology
Organic Chemistry
Pathophysiology
Physical Chemistry
Swedes in STEM
Swedes in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) was created by the Bethany College Newtonian Society (Math and Science Club) to spotlight Bethany Alumni with a Math/Science Degree. Our goal is to recognize our Alumni’s achievements post-graduation, as well as provide a valuable resource to students currently pursuing a degree in STEM. A display is also located outside of Nelson Lecture Hall.
Interim President Steve Eckman commended the efforts of the faculty and staff in securing the grant, stating, "We are immensely grateful to the McPherson County Community Foundation for their incredible generosity. This grant will benefit our students and enrich the educational experiences available in the Smoky Valley community."
Jamie Wollenberg, a 2011 graduate of Bethany College, majored in Mathematics, minored in Physics, and participated in the 3+2 Engineering program. While at Bethany, Jamie maintained an impressive 4.0 GPA and was among only 25 students to receive the international Seaborg Award, which earned him a trip to Stockholm, Sweden, to attend the 2011 Nobel Prize ceremonies and tour premiere Swedish research labs. Jamie was also a recipient of the Bethanian Presidential Scholarship, served as President of the Von Neumann Society for Math and Physical Science, was President of the Class of 2012, and was a Student Council Representative. After graduating from Bethany, Jamie earned his M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Wichita State University in 2013, where he specialized in mechanical systems design and computational analysis. He began his career as a Senior Manager of Research and Development at Bradbury Company in Moundridge, KS, where he was responsible for developing novel industrial equipment for customers worldwide in industries ranging from residential buildings to solar panel farms and water storage systems. Throughout his time at Bethany, Jamie developed valuable skills and knowledge, including combining logical problem-solving and clear communication to improve team coordination and performance on large, complex projects. His proudest experience at Bethany was building lasting relationships with people from diverse backgrounds and interests who continue to add value to his personal and professional life today. Jamie advises current and future Bethany students pursuing STEM degrees to concentrate less on the technical information they're learning in class and focus more on themselves. He encourages them to ask themselves why they enjoy or struggle with specific topics, how they overcome barriers and grow when facing new challenges, and which professors they enjoy learning from. Jamie believes that if students can develop their passion and learning capacity, they can quickly become a leader in any profession. Swedes in STEM, created by the Bethany College Newtonian Society (Math and Science Club), spotlights Bethany alums with degrees in Math and Science. We aim to recognize our alums' achievements post-graduation and provide a valuable resource to current STEM students. A display is also located outside of Nelson Lecture Hall.
Mackenzie Callison, an alum of Bethany College from the Class of 2020, graduated with a degree in Biology. During her tenure, Mackenzie played on the soccer team and was a Key Club and FCA member. After graduating, Mackenzie became a lab technician in a forensic toxicology lab doing fetal and infant drug testing. After several months of lab experience, she obtained her dream position as a histotechnologist for Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox, Ill. In this role, Mackenzie works with pathologists to help diagnose diseases at the tissue and cellular levels. Mackenzie is also considering graduate school to become a pathology assistant and further her involvement in the field. As Mackenzie explains, the skills she developed at Bethany College, such as organization and prioritization, helped set her up for success in her professional career. In addition to mastering subject-specific knowledge, exposure to invaluable life lessons learned from her professors and other members of the Bethany College community was a big part of her education. The foundations that Mackenzie had the opportunity to build at Bethany and the connections she made have been beneficial beyond her time as a student. Whether it's a classmate for networking, a professor for advice, or local people for support, Mackenzie advises current and future Bethany Science and Math majors to take advantage of the college's resources. Mackenzie emphasizes the importance of gaining as much experience and exposure to the field you are interested in as possible, which will give you a better understanding of the job and be beneficial during interviews. Ultimately, Mackenzie encourages current and future science and math students to use Bethany College's resources and create long-lasting relationships with students and professors that will benefit their professional lives. Swedes in STEM was created by the Bethany College Newtonian Society (Math and Science Club) to spotlight Bethany Alumni with a Math/Science Degree. Our goal is to recognize our Alumni's achievements post-graduation, as well as provide a valuable resource to students currently pursuing a degree in STEM. A display is also located outside of Nelson Lecture Hall.
Marcy Erb graduated from Bethany College in 2013 with a bachelor's degree in biology and a minor in psychology. During her time at Bethany, she played clarinet in the symphonic band for four years, helped start Nelson 116 (Nelson Study Room), was involved in student government, and played basketball for one year. Erb said the most valuable skills and knowledge she learned during her time at Bethany were how to research and problem-solving. She was able to practice these skills through the college's classes and activities in preparation for her future career. One of the proudest moments from her time at Bethany was the renovation of Nelson 116. Through the club now known as the Newtonian Society, Nelson 116 changed from a rarely used science lab to a popular study space with whiteboards, couches, and desks for all Bethany students. Erb advises current and future Bethany Science and Math majors to keep options open and find a mentor. "Pay attention to the experiences and roles taken on by those individuals you would like to become," she said. Currently, Erb is a senior research associate for a clinical research organization. In this position, she is working on a Covid-19 booster trial. Swedes in STEM was created by the Bethany College Newtonian Society (Math and Science Club) to spotlight Bethany alumni with a math/science degree. The goal of Swedes in STEM is to recognize the achievements of Bethany alumni post-graduation and provide a valuable resource to students currently pursuing a degree in STEM. A display is also located outside of Nelson Lecture Hall.
Dr. Michael Ziegler graduated from Bethany College in 2012 with a biology and chemistry degree. He also played baseball and was involved in Beta Beta Beta. During the first three years after Ziegler graduated from Bethany, he was a chemist at Hospira (Pfizer) in McPherson, Kan. In 2015, he began medical school at the University of Kansas in Salina. During medical school, he and his wife Jessica had two daughters. Ziegler graduated medical school in 2019 and started at Smoky Hill Family Medical Residency in Salina that summer. During residency, he and his wife had their third daughter. Ziegler will graduate from residency this summer and plans to start his family medicine career in Abilene, Kan., at Memorial Health Care in the fall. Dr. Ziegler explains that Bethany taught him to surround himself with people who care about who he is and where he is heading. He credits Loranelle Lockyear, Professor of Chemistry, and Mark McDonald, Professor of Biology, for constantly steering in the right path because, as Michael explains, "Lord knows I needed the help." One of Ziegler's most cherished memories of Bethany is coming off the mound for the last time, "It was a game that didn't matter, but I loved pitching and being around the guys on the team." Dr. Ziegler's advice for current and future Bethany Science and Math Majors is to persevere. As he explains, "everyone knows they need to work hard and start early. But life isn't a stack of dominoes; one setback doesn't ruin your path. Get back up and try again." Swedes in STEM was created by the Bethany College Newtonian Society (Math and Science Club) to spotlight Bethany Alumni with a Math/Science Degree. Our goal is to recognize our Alumni's achievements post-graduation, as well as provide a valuable resource to students currently pursuing a degree in STEM. A display is also located outside of Nelson Lecture Hall.
Marc Cowell graduated from Bethany College with a degree in Psychology in 1992. He favored a small campus in a small town, making Bethany a perfect fit for him. When asked about life lessons he learned at Bethany, Marc explains, “I met students from various backgrounds who became friends. As a result, I always enter a new situation with an open mind, which I use daily in my current position.”
This edition of our Alumni Spotlight Series features Swedes in STEM. Dr. Colton Hartline, DDS, graduated from Bethany College in 2015 with a degree in Biology. During his time at Bethany, Hartline was a member of Tri-Beta, a biology honor society, residential life as a residential assistant, a Bethany ambassador assisting admissions, and was also on the dean’s list graduating cum laude. Some of the most useful skills and knowledge Hartline learned during his time at Bethany came from being involved in many different programs. As he explains, “I became comfortable facing new challenges which allowed me to develop strong interpersonal and critical thinking skills that I use every day in my profession.” One of the most rewarding experiences of Hartline’s time at Bethany College was being a residential assistant. “I became very close to my floormates, made many memories with them, and still talk to them on a regular basis.” Hartline offers the following advice for current and future Bethany Science and Math Majors, “stay dedicated to your studies, the reward will be worth it. Understand the process of learning is more important than the outcome and that we all have different learning curves. Never be afraid to ask for help and always be the first to offer help.” After graduation from Bethany College, Hartline began Dental School at the University of Missouri Kansas City, graduated in 2019, and has been practicing in Wichita since. Swedes in Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) was created by the Bethany College Newtonian Society (Math and Science Club) to spotlight Bethany Alumni with a Math/Science Degree. Our goal is to recognize our Alumni’s Achievements post-graduation and provide a valuable resource to students pursuing a degree in STEM. A display is located outside of Nelson Lecture Hall.
This edition of our Alumni Spotlight Series features Swedes in STEM . Taci (Richard) Wilson received a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Bethany College in 2014, graduating with honors. While attending Bethany, Wilson participated in volleyball, Beta Beta Beta, a biology honor society for students, and the Green Team, which focused on sustainability on campus and was a teacher's assistant in the Department of Biology and Chemistry. When asked about her experience at Bethany, Wilson replied, "I enjoyed my time at Bethany and am so glad I chose to get my undergraduate degree there." Bethany prepared Wilson for her graduate degree by providing her foundational knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and kinesiology. She believes that close relationships with her professors allowed her to ask questions and get advice at any time, which really helped her get the most out of her education. Wilson reflected on her favorite memory at Bethany, "It's hard to choose one, but in general, my favorite experience from Bethany was acquiring all of the great friendships and relationships I formed with colleagues and professors." After Bethany, Wilson graduated from Wichita State University with a Doctor of Physical Therapy in 2017. Currently, she is a Physical Therapist in Junction City, Kansas, working in an outpatient clinic and providing home health services. Wilson shared this advice with current and future Bethany Science and Math Majors, "Enjoy your time at Bethany because it goes by fast. Take advantage of small class sizes and office hours. All the professors are invested in your experience and want you to succeed, so make sure you spend the time to get to know them and work with them if you are struggling with any subjects. The Newtonian Society (Math and Science Club) created the Swedes in STEM series to spotlight Bethany College Alumni with a degree in math science. They aim to recognize alumni achievements and provide a valuable resource to students pursuing a degree in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). A display is located outside of Nelson Lecture Hall, highlighting these alumni.
This edition of our Alumni Spotlight Series features Swedes in STEM . Brandon Davis graduated from Bethany College in 2018 with a bachelor’s degree in Biology. While at Bethany, Brandon played guard on the Bethany College Basketball Team under Head Coach Clair Oleen. His favorite memories were going to Dr. Lockyear’s office to bother her with all his chemistry questions. The most valuable skills and knowledge Brandon learned while at Bethany were taught in the Human Anatomy and Health and Disease classes. These classes helped prepare him for the work he does today. Since graduation, Brandon has worked for the Kansas Department of Health and Environment Labs as a Microbiologist doing STI/STD testing while also helping put together the COVID lab. Currently, Brandon is working at ICON (Clinical Research Lab) as a Lab Analyst 2, testing clinical drugs using flow cytometry which is a lab test used to analyze the characteristics of cells or particles. His advice for future and current Bethany science/math majors is to “utilize your professors. They are great resources for questions about schoolwork or as references for your future career.” The Newtonian Society (Math and Science Club) created the Swedes in STEM series to spotlight Bethany College Alumni with a degree in math science. They aim to recognize alumni achievements and provide a valuable resource to students pursuing a degree in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). A display is located outside of Nelson Lecture Hall, highlighting these alumni.
This edition of our Alumni Spotlight Series features Swedes in STEM . Mark J. Margres graduated from Bethany in 2011 with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. As a member of the Swede Football Team, he was named Academic All-American in 2009 and 2010, All-Conference, and team captain his senior year. In 2016, Margres graduated with a Ph.D. in Biology from Florida State University, where he studied snake venom evolution. From 2017-2019, he was a postdoctoral research associate at Washington State University and Clemson University, where he studied cancer genetics and snake genomics. In 2019, Margres was the Sarah and Daniel Hrdy Fellowship recipient at Harvard University, which serves to support the study of conservation biology within the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. Here he studied cancer evolution. Since Fall 2020, he has been an Assistant Professor in the Department of Integrative Biology at the University of South Florida, where his lab studies the genomic basis of how animals, namely snakes and Tasmanian devils, adapt to rapidly changing environments. The skills and knowledge he learned at Bethany taught him how to think and write critically. "The class sizes at Bethany College, and particularly Professor Mark McDonald's instruction, were key in developing my ability to communicate research and science effectively," says Margres. Of his time at Bethany, he is most proud of being accepted into the School for Field Studies study abroad program He was able to spend his last semester working at a biological station in the Wet Tropics region of Australia. “Bethany helped me be competitive, and that program served as the launching pad for my career,” states Margres. His advice for current students is to always ask questions. Margres closes by saying, “Science does not advance without us recognizing what we do not know.” The Newtonian Society (Math and Science Club) created the Swedes in STEM series to spotlight Bethany College Alumni with a degree in math science. They aim to recognize alumni achievements and provide a valuable resource to students pursuing a degree in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). A display is located outside of Nelson Lecture Hall, highlighting these alumni.
Begin the journey down your path.