Biology program named No. 1 in the nation
Kim Chaudoin | 615.966.6494 |
The Lipscomb University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences’ biology program has been ranked No. 1 in the nation in the “Top 10 Christian College Biological Degree Programs 2017” ranking recently released by Christian Universities Online.
Lipscomb ranked above Liberty University, Union University, Dallas Baptist University, Calvin College and Seattle Pacific University among others.
Rankings were based on the number of undergraduate and graduate biological science degrees awarded, faculty-to-student ratio, scholarship and financial aid availability, selectivity, overall retention rate and overall graduation rate.
“This ranking validates the strategic choices we've made to build our programs,” said Kent Gallaher, professor and chair of Lipscomb’s Department of Biology and director of the graduate program in biomolecular science. “This recognition isn't just about the biology department as a stand-alone unit, but the strategic partnerships that we have forged across our campus with other academic units.
The department embraced the entrepreneurial vision that Lipscomb President L. Randolph Lowry cast for the institution when he became president a decade ago and has created “unique and market sensitive programs” partnering with the physics department to develop a biomedical physics degree program; the chemistry and biochemistry department on a biochemistry degree program; the history, politics and philosophy department to create a bioscience and philosophy degree program; and the College of Computing & Technology on a computational biology degree program.
“It is great honor for the Department of Biology to be recognized in this way,” said Norma B. Burgess, dean of the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences. “The department is singularly focused on excellence in all that it does. The faculty is committed to the success of its students and exhibits this behavior to the students. The course work is rigorous but students are taught in a caring manner. The department sets goals to be excellent in what they offer and this is the result. There were a number of faith-based institutions evaluated, and I am very pleased that Lipscomb was chosen.”
The ranking is designed to “highlight Christian schools that excel in their educational offerings in the biological sciences,” said Anna-Rebekah Orr, Christian Universities Online editor.
“Scientific study is not exclusive to secular schools. At its core, any scientific study is an exercise in discernment of God’s creation,” said Orr. “From discovering the various chemical compounds and interactions found within God’s created natural environment to the study of the stars and space, God’s handiwork is evident in His creation. The study of biology and its related fields is truly the study of physical life itself in its varied forms.”
Gallaher noted that Lipscomb’s biology program is unique in two primary ways.
“We know our market; we have a central strategic goal,” said Gallaher. “We are creating the best pre-allied health sciences program in the country. Undergraduate programs, partnerships, graduate programs support and build the quality of our pre-med program.”
“Secondly, the faculty and support staff view their work here as ministry. We are committed to student success, academically, spiritually and vocationally. Combine a very strong strategic plan with people who are committed to students and great things are achieved!” he continued. “In the Lipscomb University biology department, we turn the paradigm on its head. We CAN have world-class academics, partnerships with schools like Johns Hopkins and groundbreaking biomedical research, and at the same time, hold fast to your commitment to God and mentor students not only in science, but also in faith.”
This fall, about 300 undergraduate majors and 27 graduate students are enrolled in degree programs in the department.
Burgess expects Lipscomb’s biology program to continue to grow and to impact the lives of students.
“Our program is unique because of the blending of an intergenerational, high quality, committed faculty using their faith in community and in their professions,” said Burgess. “It is my hope that they will continue the good work that they do, increasing our reach into broader markets for the best students to whom we can offer admission. We have experienced exponential growth over the past several years and will expect to continue growing. There is still a shortage of STEM majors and of allied and medical professionals in the US. The need for quality science programs is greater now than ever.”
A newly completed 24,000-square-foot, $8.5 million addition to the McFarland Science Center was completed in January. Included in the addition are new labs for organic and general chemistry, microbiology, anatomy and general biology courses.
Lipscomb offers undergraduate degrees in applied biochemistry (B.A. or B.S. with optional pharmacy emphasis), biochemistry (B.A. or B.S.), biology (B.A. or B.S. with optional pharmacy emphasis), bioscience and philosophy (B.S.), molecular biology (B.A. or B.S.) and biomedical physics (B.S.). Graduate-level degrees include a Master of Science in biomolecular science.
For more information about Lipscomb’s Department of Biology, visit biology.lipscomb.edu. To view the “Top 10 Christian College Biological Degree Programs 2017” ranking, click here.