We believe the study of Biology enables a profound appreciation for the diversity, complexity, and mysteries of the world around us—and a deep love for our creator.
Through transformative mentorship, a rigorous curriculum, and cutting-edge research, our majors are well-prepared to pursue a diverse array of careers. In fact, we boast a greater than 95% job placement rate within 6 months of graduation. Additionally, we have an exceptional track record with graduate/professional schools with above an 80% acceptance rate which is double the national average.
About Us
Our Mission
Our Mission
We seek to intentionally educate, mentor, and prepare students for careers in the life and health sciences while stimulating curiosity, critical thinking, and appreciation for the diversity and complexity of living organisms.
Distinctions of Lipscomb’s Biology Department
The key distinction of our department is our students! Our students are formed not only academically but spiritually during their time in our department. Ultimately, we seek for our students to be prepared for their passion and for what comes after college. In the past two years, we have had a 100% job or graduate school placement rate.
To aid our students' development, we offer a wide range of upper-level courses such as Cancer Biology, Ecology, Histology, Immunology, Limnology, Microbiology, Neuroanatomy, Neurophysiology, and Ornithology all taught by our talented and award-winning faculty. But with rigor, we also offer support. We also offer courses on metacognition and study skills, vocation, and faith and science. All of our curriculum is designed to make our students exceptional in the classroom and outside of it.
We offer hands-on training in both basic science and clinical research through our summer research fellowships that take place at either Lipscomb, Meharry, or Vanderbilt through our partnership with the J.S. Ward Society and departmental support. You can find our students roaming medical wards and the paths in Warner State Parks through these research fellowships.
Our students have opportunities to join a variety of clubs including Beta Beta Beta National Biology Honor Society (By Select Invitation Only), MED Club, Pre-Dental Club, Pre-PA Club, Women in STEM, Beyond the Basics, and others.
Research Opportunities
Biology Department Tier System
The Biology department uses a Tier system for our research students. You can read about it here or see the summary below!
- Tier One: No prior research experience
- Tier Two: Prior research experience in our department or has taken Research Methods or Molecular Biology
- Tier Three: Over a year of research experience in our department
Research Faculty and Staff
Emily Adams, Kyle Brawner, Beth Conway, Brian Ellis, John Lewis, Daniela Menjivar (Lab Manager), Josh Owens, Amanda Williams
Fellowships/Partnerships
J.S. Ward Society, Langford-Yates Fellowship, Biology Department Summer Research, Warner Parks
Career Opportunities
From Medical Schools to professional schools, to working in industry and research, here’s a snapshot of where our graduates have gone in recent years;
- Medical Schools and DO Schools from different Universities including Vanderbilt, UT Memphis, ETSU, UAB, Meharry, USC, Campbell University, Oklahoma State, Ohio State, Lincoln Memorial University, UCF, and others
- PhD programs in different fields of biology at different Universities including Vanderbilt, UAB, UC Davis, Cornell, Notre Dame, Emory, Meharry, Duke, UTK, MUSC, and others
- MD/PhD Programs
- Dental School
- Pharmacy School
- Physician Assistant Programs
- Nurse Practitioner Programs
- Physical Therapy Schools
- Vet Schools
- Environmental and conservation scientists for state and federal government
- Wildlife biologists
- Foresters and Botanists for state and federal government
- Leaders in research at the forefront of clinical medicine at places like Sarah Cannon, Vandy, Icon, NASA, TN oncology, Techro, Aegis, and Harvard
- Biotechnology Industry
- Forensic Scientist
- Biology Teaching: From the secondary level through Universities and Medical Schools
- Technical and sales representatives for pharmaceutical and biotechnology firms
- Biomedical law
Pre-Med
Lipscomb Biology has a longstanding history of exceptional preparation for medical school. In the past three cycles, we have had 33 students accepted to medical school, including Vanderbilt, Tennessee, Alabama-Birmingham, Kentucky, Central Florida, and many others.
Our Pre-Med students can choose any of our majors to be fully prepared for the MCAT. Our median MCAT score for the past cycle is 505, above the national average of 500.5 for all test takers and in the top third of scores nationally.
Our Pre-Med students are encouraged to take advantage of our exceptional anatomy offerings, including Human Gross Anatomy, where students dissect a human donor in small groups.
There are many paths to medical school. To support yours, we offer a wide range of Biology electives that go beyond the standard prerequisites and align with medical school curriculum objectives, so our graduates arrive ready to excel. Recommended electives for pre-med students include:
- Anatomy and Physiology 1 and 2, Immunology, Microbiology, Neuroanatomy, Histology, Cancer Biology, and Molecular Basis of Human Disease.
As a Christian University, we believe in serving others. Many of our pre-medical students take medically focused mission trips to gain hands-on experience while caring for those without access to medical care. You can see the trips and costs here.
Ready to start? Contact Dr. Conway or Dr. Owens to see how we can support you! Also, consider applying for our prestigious Biology Scholars Program.
Pre-Dental
Lipscomb Biology has an exceptional track record of producing graduates ready to excel in Dental School. In the past three cycles, we have had 22 students accepted to dental school, including the University of Tennessee, the University of Louisville, the University of Alabama at Birmingham, the University of Washington, the University of Michigan, and many others.
Our Pre-Dental students can choose any of our majors to be fully prepared for the DAT. Our median DAT score for the past cycle is well above national averages.
Our Pre-Dental students are encouraged to take advantage of our exceptional anatomy offerings, including Human Gross Anatomy, where students dissect a human donor in small groups.
Additionally, many of our pre-dental students take dentistry-focused mission trips to get hands-on experience while caring for those without access to dental care. You can see the trips and costs here.
Ready to start? Contact Dr. Conway or Dr. Owens to see how we can support you! Also, consider applying for our prestigious Biology Scholars Program.
Pre-PA
Lipscomb Biology has a strong track record of producing graduates ready to succeed in Physician Assistant School. In the past three cycles, we have had 27 students accepted to PA school, including the University of Tennessee, Trevecca, Lipscomb, Meharry, Middle Tennessee State (MTSU), Lincoln Memorial (LMU), and many others.
As a Lipscomb Biology major, you are eligible for the L-PASS pathway for acceptance into Lipscomb's PA School. For L-PASS, Lipscomb graduates must meet the minimum admission criteria and pass the HAPS comprehensive exam to be accepted.
Our Pre-PA students can choose any of our majors to be fully prepared for any PA School curriculum. However, a growing number of PA schools now require the PA-CAT. Students should choose elective biology courses to help prepare, such as Anatomy, Microbiology, Immunology, and others.
Additionally, many of our pre-PA students take medicine-focused mission trips to get hands-on experience while caring for those without access to medical care. You can see the trips and costs here.
Ready to start? Contact Dr. Conway or Dr. Owens to see how we can support you!
