Scientific discovery often begins with curiosity. At Columbia International University, the Bachelor of Science in Biology helps students turn that curiosity into a calling, equipping them to explore God’s creation while preparing for careers in healthcare, research, environmental science, and other growing fields.
For Joshua Neath, that curiosity began with a gecko named Sol. Joshua’s journey led to unexpected experiences, new opportunities, and a path toward veterinary school. He graduated from CIU in May 2026 with a Bachelor of Science in Biology, having found a place where faith, learning, and purpose came together.
A Biology Degree That Takes You Where You Want to Go
Joshua wanted to go where he discovered a need. That discovery was launched due to a misdiagnosed gecko at a local South Carolina vet clinic. When his brother’s leopard gecko needed care, the family discovered how few vets in the area could treat exotic pets. A second opinion in Florida contradicted the first diagnosis entirely, and a lightbulb went on for Joshua.
“This only highlighted the need for vets who are capable of caring for exotic pets such as geckos, birds, and snakes,” Joshua says. That realization, combined with hands-on experiences, gave his ambition a clear target.
CIU’s biology program prepares students for a wide range of careers and graduate programs, including veterinary school, medical school, research, wildlife biology, and health sciences. The program is built to take you somewhere, and the faculty know how to help you figure out where that is.
Faith & Science at CIU: A Different Kind of Classroom
At CIU, studying science through a biblical lens means bringing both academic rigor and faith to the table, and Joshua experienced that firsthand.
“My professors in my science classes frequently made an effort to point what we were learning to God, showing how it fits into a Christian worldview without compromising high quality education,” he explains.
That integration matters for students who want their career to be more than a job. Whether you are headed toward veterinary medicine, medical research, or field biology, a CIU education equips you to ask the questions that textbooks alone cannot answer.
Real Research Experience That Graduate Programs Notice
At CIU, undergraduates experience real science. Joshua designed experiments, organized findings, and presented his work at a professional conference, the kind of hands-on opportunity that builds both skill and confidence before graduation day.
“Research is also important when it comes to admission to graduate programs, even for vet school,” Joshua notes. At CIU, that kind of opportunity is not reserved for seniors or honors students. It is built into the culture of the science programs from the start.
Joshua also completed internships at the Carolina Wildlife Center, one of the only wildlife rehabilitation facilities in South Carolina that works with birds, and at Blythewood Animal Hospital, where he gained direct, hands-on veterinary experience. These experiences gave him a resume that speaks before he even walks into a vet school interview.
“Our faculty are introducing laboratory skills from the very first course. That helps students become comfortable with equipment and prepared for sophisticated experiments like CRISPR (genetic engineering). This helps them stand out at internships and graduate school.” Dr. David DeWitt, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.
A New Health & Science Center Built for Your Future
CIU’s investment in students like Joshua extends beyond the classroom and into the very buildings where their education takes shape. CIU is currently constructing a new 38,000-square-foot Health & Science Center that will expand opportunities for students pursuing biomedical sciences, nursing, health, and exercise science. The facility will feature advanced learning spaces, hands-on labs, and modern equipment designed to prepare graduates for the realities of patient care, research, and professional practice.
More than a building, the center reflects CIU’s commitment to preparing graduates who bring professional skill and Christ-centered compassion into every room they enter. Whether you are headed toward veterinary medicine, nursing, medical research, or another health field, the resources being built here will be ready for you.
The strength of CIU’s science programs is already recognized beyond CIU’s campus. Graduate and professional schools have taken note of the quality of preparation CIU students receive, with several offering guaranteed interviews or reserving seats specifically for CIU graduates. For example, Cedarville University extends this opportunity for its physician assistant and pharmacy programs, while Liberty University does the same for Athletic Training.
Why Transfer Students Thrive at CIU
Joshua did not start at CIU. He began as a financial economics major at another university, then faced a season of life that would test anyone: a cross-state move, the isolation of a global pandemic, the sudden loss of several family members. He withdrew to focus on his mental health.
His counselor recommended CIU. He eased back in by taking just one biology class, a course he genuinely enjoyed with a professor who took the time to get to know him. By the next semester, he was enrolled full time.
“It felt like the people at CIU really wanted me to succeed,” Joshua says. “Professors know you and care about you, encouraging you to come to them if you need help.” That kind of environment is not an accident. It is part of what makes CIU different from larger institutions where students can fall through the cracks.
For students who are considering a transfer and feeling uncertain, Joshua has simple advice: pray about it. Then, take one class and see how it feels. CIU has a dedicated transfer admissions process designed to get you here with as little friction as possible.
Is CIU’s Biology Program Right for You?
If you love science, care about animals or human health, and want to pursue your degree in a community where faith is taken seriously, CIU’s biology program may be exactly where you belong.
CIU awards financial aid to 100% of campus undergraduates. You can also earn a $500 Visit Scholarship by scheduling a campus or virtual visit.
Joshua Neath discovered his calling at CIU, one class, one internship, and one research presentation at a time, and he is headed toward a career doing exactly what he was made to do. If you are still figuring out your path, that is okay. CIU is a place where the journey matters as much as the destination.
“If you are interested in biology and you value being taught from a Christian worldview, CIU is an excellent option.” Joshua Neath, BS in Biology, CIU Class of 2026
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