Environmental Biology | Grace College & Seminary

Overview

One of three majors in Grace College's Environmental Science Program with a focus on preparing you for further education in graduate school, law school, or professional programs. Environmental Biology is for students who desire an academic platform for careers in cutting-edge research, teaching, or other advanced professional fields. Foundational math and science courses are required for this major.

This major will equip you with practical knowledge and applicable skills to pursue a successful career in an ever-increasing number of environmental fields. Through our affiliation with Kosciusko Lakes and Streams, you will have even more unique opportunities for research and community internships.

Course Requirements for Environmental Biology

Courses

Examples of courses in this major:

ENV 321 Aquatic Ecology

An overview of physical, chemical, and biological components and their interactions in streams, wetlands, and lakes. Particular focus will be on outdoor field work to learn hands-on skills in this area of study.

ENV 241 Plant Biology

Integrated study of plants as organisms. Deals with plant structure, physiology, development, genetics, ecology, and classification of major plant groups.

ENV 211 General Ecology

A study of the interaction of organisms with their physical environment and with each other. Particular focus will be on application of ecological concepts and field work in various local ecosystems.

ENV 251 Animal Biology

Integrated study of animals as organisms. Deals with animal structure, physiology, development, genetics, ecology, and classification of major animal groups.

ENV 341 Environmental Ethics

An exploratory study of secular and Christian views of the natural world and humanity's place in it. Special attention on practical application of a Biblical stewardship ethic.

Faculty

The individuals who will challenge you to learn:

Nathan Bosch, B.A., Ph.D.

Director, Kosciusko Lakes and Streams, Associate Professor of Environmental Science
- boschns@grace.edu
- 574-372-5100 ext. 6447
- Dr. Nathan Bosch CV (pdf)
Education History

B.A. in Biology and Chemistry, Trinity Christian College Ph.D. in Resource Ecology and Management-Aquatics, University of Michigan

About

Dr. Nathan Bosch joined the Grace College faculty in 2008. He is passionate about teaching and mentoring all ages of students to value and care for our valuable water resources. To better understand how to take care of aquatic ecosystems, he has studied lakes and rivers in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio. At Grace College, he fulfills the role of Associate Professor in Environmental Science as well as the Director of Kosciusko Lakes and Streams, a research center at Grace College. Before moving to Winona Lake and joining Grace College, Dr. Bosch earned his Ph.D. at the University of Michigan while also working as a researcher at the Cooperative Institute for Limnology and Ecosystems Research in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He is married and has four children. When he is not on a lake or in a stream, he can be found playing at home with his kids.
Kris Farwell, B.A., M.S., Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Mathematics
- farwelk@grace.edu
- 574-372-5100 ext. 6303
Education History

B.A. in Mathematics, Houghton College; M.S. in Mathematics, South Dakota State University; Ph.D. in Mathematics, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

About

Dr. Farwell joins the Grace faculty as an assistant professor of mathematics. He previously taught at Siena College for five years. He enjoys ping pong, golf, strategy board games, Lego Robotics, and StarCraft 2. Kris participated in Tae Kwon Do for seven years and is known for dressing up like a Ninja to teach math. Dr. Farwell and his wife, Megan, live in Winona Lake.
Ashley Holland, B.S., M.S., Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Mathematics
- hollana @grace.edu
- 574-372-5100 ext. 6304
Education History

B.S. in Mathematics, Cedarville University; M.S. in Applied and Interdisciplinary Mathematics, University of Michigan; Ph.D. in Applied and Interdisciplinary Mathematics, University of Michigan

About

Dr. Ashley Holland joined the Grace College faculty in 2012. She enjoys teaching in many different areas of mathematics and physics. Her research focuses on series estimation in the field of econometrics. She and her husband Darren attend Winona Lake Grace Brethren Church.
Richard Jeffreys, A.B., M.S., Ph.D.

Adjunct Professor of Biochemistry
- jeffrere@grace.edu
- 574-372-5100 ext. 6443
Education History

B.A. in pre-med, West Virginia University; M.S. in bio-chemistry, West Virginia University; Ph.D. in bio-chemistry, West Virginia University Dr. Jeffrey's also has post-doctoral experience in cancer research at Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation.

About

Dr. Jeffreys joined the Grace College faculty in 1975. The former chair of the Grace College Biological Science Department, he designed the pre-professional program, which flourishes today, and taught full-time for 35 years before assuming adjunct status. He and his wife, Kathy, have two grown children, both graduates of Grace College. Dr. Jeffreys and his wife are active in the Winona Lake Grace Brethren Church, where she teaches first grade Sunday School and he participates in choir.
Richard Roberts, B.S., M.S., Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Biological Science
- robertr@grace.edu
- 574-372-5100 ext. 6448
- Dr. Richard Roberts CV (pdf)
Education History

B.S. in Microbiology, Colorado State University; M.S. in Microbiology, University of California, San Diego; Ph.D. in Molecular Biology, University of California, San Diego Post-Doctorate, Molecular Biology, Stanford University

About

Following his Ph.D., Dr. Richard Roberts spent four years as a postdoctoral fellow at Stanford University studying bacterial development. From 1996 to 2010, Dr. Roberts changed career directions to serve as a Children's Pastor at churches in Sunnyvale, CA, and Kenosha, WI. He was excited to join the Grace faculty in 2010 and change his ministry focus from children to college students. He and his wife, Lori, have three children.

Careers

Some of the positions you can obtain:

Marine Biologist

As a marine biologist, there are various positions, some requiring overall expertise, while others requiring specialization in a particular field. A marine biologist is supposed to research the sea, to study its life forms and their interaction with land, atmosphere and ocean floor. It includes studying and analyzing some of the diverse, yet interesting, aspects of ocean life. These include marine plant and animal life, ocean currents and its effect on life forms, rescue and rehabilitation of marine animals as well as preservation of the marine environment and various species of plants and animals in the oceans. The knowledge they garner from these studies is handed over to the administration to take required measures to save marine environment. A marine biologist can indulge in various activities ranging from office or laboratory work to field based assignments. These activities include conducting research in laboratory as well as on field, managing projects, analyzing data and interpreting it, preparing detailed reports for assessment, preparing research papers and presenting them. It also includes conducting various awareness programs to educate people about the anthropogenic problems faced by the marine life.

Environmental Lawyer

An environmental lawyer is an attorney that focuses on litigation having to do with a broad range of environmental concerns. Examples include air and water quality, climate change, wildlife protection and biodiversity, and chemicals and pesticides. An environmental attorney may also deal with issues like environmental impact planning, and sustainable growth and development. An environmental lawyer often works with the general public affected by environmental issues in individual litigation or class action lawsuits, or may work for government agencies, corporations, or non-profit organizations.

Meteorologist

Meteorologists, also called atmospheric scientists, study the earth's atmosphere, its physical characteristics and movements, and how these will affect the environment. Many meteorologists work for either the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration or the armed services. They analyze weather conditions and make forecasts. Meteorologists may also work for private firms, such as airlines, or government agencies that are concerned with weather or air pollution. Other meteorologists teach and conduct research at colleges and universities.

Biological Scientist

We have always been interested in the living world around us. To survive, we had to understand which animals and plants were dangerous to us and which were good to eat. Today’s biologists still study living organisms, but they do so using the modern methods of science. These scientists of life look not only at plants and animals, but also at microbes, microscopic organisms invisible to the naked eye. Biologists work in such fields as biochemistry, aquatic biology, botany, microbiology, zoology, and ecology.

Explore Current Environmental Career Opportunities:

Testimonials

What others are saying:

Grace College’s Environmental Biology Program has given me the opportunity to study the aspects of science that I love the most. Classes with weekly labs in the field have cemented knowledge and practical skills into my experience that I will appreciate no matter what direction my future takes. It is also exciting to be part of something new. Each person matters, and our visions are helping to shape what this program will become. As a transfer student bringing in a variety of credits, Dr. Bosch worked closely with me and was flexible in an effort to help me accomplish the goals of the program as well as my own personal goals. This flexibility is so valuable because it allows students to pursue their individual areas of interest in a hands-on way within the broader framework of general study.

—Margaret Gullman, B.S., Environmental Biology, graduated 2011

The Environmental Science Program at Grace is very interactive. The labs are hands-on and the professors are more than willing to work with students personally. I have never felt so comfortable in a classroom. I've gained valuable experience in collecting data and learning to use scientific instruments. Because of the applied learning opportunities, I'm confident that I'll be successful upon graduation.

—Nathan Burton, B.S., Environmental Science, graduated 2012

Being a part of the Environmental Science Program here at Grace has been a strong influential experience for me. The classes are very hands-on, giving you real life application of what scientists really do as a career. I enjoy feeling like I'm getting what I want out of the labs and building great relationships with all the professors. Beyond that, I get to be an assistant to Dr. Bosch, seeing what goes on in the background and all the steps that must take place before the real science can even begin. I often tell others that I must be building the most unique resume since all the experiences I have had vary greatly. I get to do everything from sampling lakes and streams, maintaining aquarium fish populations, working in the community, preparing special activities for outreach events, and helping with program communications. I have really come to understand how much time and effort gets put into furthering scientific knowledge an how important it is to do so.

—Amanda Stout, B.S., Environmental Science, graduating 2013

Overview

Courses

ENV 321 Aquatic Ecology

ENV 241 Plant Biology

ENV 211 General Ecology

ENV 251 Animal Biology

ENV 341 Environmental Ethics

Faculty

Nathan Bosch, B.A., Ph.D.

Director, Kosciusko Lakes and Streams, Associate Professor of Environmental Science

Education History

About

Kris Farwell, B.A., M.S., Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Mathematics

Education History

About

Ashley Holland, B.S., M.S., Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Mathematics

Education History

About

Richard Jeffreys, A.B., M.S., Ph.D.

Adjunct Professor of Biochemistry

Education History

About

Richard Roberts, B.S., M.S., Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Biological Science

Education History

About

Careers

Testimonials