School of Arts and Sciences
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Department of Life and Earth Sciences
Bachelor of Science in Biology
Explore a broad range of disciplines within the life sciences.
Experience first-hand how wonderful and awe-inspiring is our Lord's creation
If you have a passion for studying all things life science, from tiny microorganisms to giant ecosystems, biology is where you belong. Topics in the Biology major range from botany, zoology, and ecology to cell biology, microbiology, and genetics. No matter what your area of interest in the life sciences may be, you will be joining fellow CUAA students who share your wonder in the intricacies of God’s Creation.
Credits
120
On-campus
All courses offered face-to-face on Ann Arbor's campus.
Financial Aid
The average undergraduate student award is $16,603.
Learn about financial aidProgram Overview
Understand and connect with the intricate world God designed with a degree in biology.
If you major in biology at Concordia, you can anticipate learning both inside and outside of the classroom and explore a broad range of disciplines. You will attend lectures and participate in labs and field research to obtain hands-on experience. Many of the required classes are taken in the Concordia Center for Environmental Stewardship, a LEEDS Platinum facility designed specifically for laboratory courses that emphasize fieldwork and environmental ethics.
Over the course of your biological studies, you will take 49 credits of required coursework and 11 credits of related electives. The required coursework provides a strong foundation in the biological sciences, while the elective coursework allows you to focus on your area of interest.
What to Expect
Students who major in biology have a well-rounded range of courses and concentrations to form a comprehensive education base. Biological studies will explore a broad range of disciplines within the life sciences—from botany, zoology, and ecology to cell biology, microbiology, microorganisms, and genetics. You will also take physics, chemistry, communication, and ethics to further deepen your knowledge and understanding of organisms and their processes.
Students who major in biology have the option to complete an undergraduate research project. You will work with faculty members and conduct research in biological studies upon department approval.
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Locations
- Ann Arbor
How to Apply
Undergraduate Application Steps
It’s time to help you become a Cardinal! Just follow these simple steps to complete your application.
For first-time freshman:
- Submit your online application
- Have your school send your official high school transcripts. Transcripts may be mailed or sent via a transcript processing service to:
Concordia University Ann Arbor
Admissions Office
4090 Geddes Rd
Ann Arbor, MI 48104 - Send your official ACT or SAT scores.
Scores on your high school transcript will be considered official. If your school does not put scores on transcripts, please contact ACT or College Board.
For transfer students:
- Submit your online application
- Submit official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended
*Transfer students with less than 60 college credits completed will also submit official high school transcripts. Students who have less than 30 college credits also need to submit official ACT or SAT scores. Scores on your high school transcript will be considered official.
Minimum Requirements
- A minimum GPA of a 2.5/4.0 (C average) or higher
- ACT composite of 18 or above
- SAT equivalent of 940 or higher for combined math and evidence-based reading and writing (for tests taken after March 2016).
*If your GPA or ACT score falls below the minimum for acceptance, your admissions counselor may ask you to retake the test or supply additional documents, such as an essay or letters of recommendation, to complete the application.
Required Academic Coursework in High School
A minimum of 16 units of high school (secondary school) work is required, of which at least 11 should be in basic liberal arts areas. Units should be distributed as follows:
- English: At least three units, but four are strongly recommended.
- Mathematics: Two units of college-prep math, preferably one each in Algebra and Geometry.
- Natural Science: Two units, preferably one each in Biology, Physics or Chemistry.
- Social Studies: Two units, preferably one each in world history and American history.
- Liberal Arts: Two units of the same foreign language or additional units in one or more of the other listed subjects or in fine arts.
- Other Electives: Five units from any area of academic study, but ideally from the areas listed above.
- German or Latin is recommended for pre-seminary students.
Alex D. Martin
Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Office: Science Building SB114
Phone: (734) 995-7517
Education
- Ph D - Chemistry, Virginia Commonwealth University (2015)
- BS - Chemistry, University of Michigan (2009)
Contributions
- Martin, A., Siamaki, A., Belecki, K. & Gupton, F., (2015). A Flow-based Synthesis of Telmisartan. (vol. 5(3):145-147.). Journal of Flow Chemistry.
- Martin, A., Siamaki, A., Belecki, K. & Gupton, F., (2014). A Convergent Approach to the Total Synthesis of Telmisartan via a Suzuki Cross-Coupling Reaction between Two Functionalized Benzimidazoles. (vol. 80:1915-1919.). Journal of Organic Chemistry.
Presentations
- Martin, A. & Dorn, S. (2023). Synthesis of phenanthridine: Establishing a proof of concept for a new approach to the preparation of benzo[2,7]naphthyridines. Poster. ACS Central Regional Meeting 2023. Dearborn, Michigan.
- Martin, A. & Turner, R. (2022). Synthesis of the dibenzoxepinone precursor of doxepin from salicylic acid. Poster. ACS Central Regional Meeting 2022. Ypsilanti, Michigan.
- Martin, A. (2018). Synthesis of Piperidines via an Aza-Prins Cyclization. Oral Presentation. Concordia Faculty Scholarship Week. Ann Arbor, Michigan.
- Martin, A., England, J., Palushaj, N., Palushaj, L. & Masell, C., (2017). Synthesis of Functionalized Dibenzimidazole Precursor of Telmisartan. Poster. ACS Central Regional Meeting 2017. Dearborn, Michigan.
- Martin, A. (2015). Applications of Continuous Chemical Processing in Pharmaceuticals. Oral Presentation. Chemistry Seminar. Rochester, New York.
Research Interests
- Organic Synthesis
- Pharmaceutical Process Development
Teaching Interests
- Organic Chemistry
- Chemistry
Jonathan D. Reasor
Ph.D. in Biological Sciences
Associate Professor
Office: Science Building S115
Phone: (734) 995-7474
Bio
Jonathan Reasor is a professor of Anatomy and Physiology. His research interests focus on learning and memory from the cellular and behavioral perspective. He investigates the effects of sleep on learning and memory acquisition.
Education
- Ph D - Biological Science, Meharry Medical School (2003)
- BS - Biology , University of Alabama at Brimingham (1992)
Research Interests
- Synaptic Physiology
- Learning and Memory
Teaching Interests
- Anatomy and Physiology I and II
- Pathophysiology
James L. Refenes
Assistant Professor
Phone: (734) 995-7594
Bio
James Refenes teaches biology, environmental and science philosophy courses on the Ann Arbor campus.
Education
- Ph D - Educational Leadership, Eastern Michigan University (2016)
- MS - Biology, Eastern Michigan University (2010)
- BA - Life Science, Concordia River Forest (1981)
Research Interests
- Higher Education Operations
Teaching Interests
- Science Philosophy
- Creation Science
Lance M. Shultz
M.S.
Assistant Professor
Office: Science Building 116
Phone: (734) 995-7518
Bio
Interests include education of undergraduate students in pre-nursing and biology programs.
Education
- MS - Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan (2014)
- BS - Biology, Grand Valley State University (2009)
Presentations
- Fields, M. & Shultz, L. (2021). THE EFFECT OF SILVER INFUSED CLOTHING ON BACTERIA VIABILITY. Poster. MidSURE. Virtual (Michigan State University).
- Fields, M. & Shultz, L. (2020). THE EFFECT OF SILVER INFUSED CLOTHING ON BACTERIA VIABILITY. Poster. MidSURE. Virtual (Michigan State University).
- Shultz, L. & Ambs, M. (2018). Intermittent use of antimicrobial socks does not decrease microbial prevalence in student athletes: a pilot study . Oral Presentation. Concordia University Faculty Scholarship Week. Concordia University Ann Arbor.
Research Interests
- Biofilm development and control of E. coli motility through c-di-GMP
- Microbiology education
Teaching Interests
- Microbiology
- Cell and Molecular Biology