#42: A Guide to Majoring in the Biological Sciences

My guest in this edition is Jeff Hardin, Ph.D., professor and former chair of the Department of Integrative Biology at the University of Wisconsin. He holds a Ph.D. in Biophysics from the University of California, Berkeley, and a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) from the International School of Theology. In addition to his scholarly work in cell biology and leading textbook on this topic, Jeff has thought much about the intersection of faith and science and regularly addresses these topics in public forums.

In this podcast we discuss:

• How Jeff got interested in studying biology
• The value of exploring various ideas, and noticing God in the process
• How, as a biologist, he benefits from inter-disciplinary conversations
• What career opportunities are available with a degree in the biological sciences
• How to zero in on the area of biology you are interested in
• How he has connected studying biology with his faith, and how he has thrived as a result
• Some challenges of being a biologist and a Christian  
• How he seeks to reveal God in his work as a biologist 
• Thoughts on how Christians can think about evolution and creation
• The role of understanding ethics and broader worldview and religious commitments in studying the biological sciences
• Character qualities/traits that are good indicators that a student will flourish studying the biological sciences
• The overlap of God’s call for us to care for His creation and current conversations in the biological sciences 
• The importance for Christians to thoughtfully engage with the biology of neuroscience
• The importance for Christians to thoughtfully engage with the worldview, ethics, and practice of genome editing
• The growing conversation around “trans-humanism” that will become increasingly important in discussions in the biological sciences
• God’s grace for those called to study the biological sciences
• The value of joining a professional society in the biological sciences, and connecting with other Christians in the field at the society’s meetings
• What Jeff wished his 18-year-old self knew about majoring in the biological sciences
• Why it is important for biologists also to study things outside the biological sciences
• The importance of finding other Christians in the biological sciences, and how to find them

Resources mentioned during our conversation:

• The Isthmus Society
• C. S. Lewis, Letters to Malcolm, Chiefly on Prayer
• Phillip Johnson, Darwin on Trial
• Gilbert Meilaender, Bioethics, a Primer for Christians
• Scott Rae, Moral Choices: An Introduction to EthicsJohn Wyatt, Matters of Life and Death: Human Dilemmas in the Light of the Christian Faith
• The American Scientific Affiliation
• BioLogos
• Reasons to  Believe
• The Center for Bioethics and Human Dignity
• The Christian Medical & Dental Association
• Francis Collins, The Language of God: A Scientist Presents Evidence for Belief