Sustainability Studies

Research is the key component of your experience in Simpson’s Biology and Environmental Science department. You will gain the skills needed for research right away, as they are embedded in the first intro courses you’ll take in the major.

Learn More About Research

Internships

Internship experience lets you combine what you’ve learned in the classroom and through focused research projects and apply it to real-world career areas. Simpson’s location near the major metropolitan area of Des Moines provides an ample number of internship opportunities, as does our reputation for excellence.

Simpson College has established a relationship with Mercy Clinics throughout the greater Des Moines area. Students hoping to pursue careers in the medical field will have the opportunity to work with Mercy Clinic professionals in pre-physical therapy and pre-health professions.

Recent internships include

• Science Center of Iowa
• Warren County Conservation Board
• Indianola Veterinary Clinic
• Mercy Clinics
• Broadlawns Medical Center
• World Food Prize
• Omaha Children’s Hospital
• DuPont Pioneer International
• Minnesota Zoo
• Knoxville Dental Care
• Pioneer Hi-bred International, Inc.
• John Stoddard Cancer Research Center
• Iowa Methodist Medical Center
• Mayo Clinic
• Blank Park Zoo
• John Hopkins University Research Lab
• Integrated DNA Technologies

Graduate School

The quality reputation of Simpson College and the students it graduates is well known to highly respected graduate schools. Your professors will work alongside you as you prepare, research, apply and continue on to graduate school. Here are a few institutions where Simpson students have recently been accepted.

Hawaii Pacific University/Marine Science

ISU/Veterinary Medicine

Southern College of Optometry

Des Moines University Osteopathic Medicine

University of Iowa/Dental School

University of Minnesota/PhD – Biostatistics

University of Nebraska Medical Center/PhD – Biomedical Science

Palmer College of Chiropractic

Washington University/Evolutionary Biology

University of Illinois Doctorate in Midwifery

Drake University/Occupational Therapy

University of Houston/Optometry

Clemson University

Kansas State University

Northwest Missouri State University

Texas Tech University

University of New Mexico

Creighton University

Duke University

Careers

A Simpson degree can put you on a path to a rewarding career in many different fields including medical, research and public service. Some recent employment highlights include:

Environmental Scientist – EcoSource, LLC

Outreach and Project Development Coordinator – Green Iowa AmeriCorps

Laboratory Technician – Keystone Laboratories

Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Technician – Mercy Clinics

Research Assistant – Iowa City Veterans Administration

Research Assistant – Pioneer-Ag Trait Phenotyping Group

EMT – Mercy South Family Practice

Medical Scribe – Scribe America

Sensory Motor Coach – Brain Balance Achievement Centers

Site Team Leader – Lutheran Services in Iowa

Vision Therapist – Elite Eye Care

There’s nothing quite as valuable as studying the biology of a country in its native land. Simpson students have numerous opportunities to do so. In fact, Simpson offers scholarships to students to study abroad!

Our faculty have led numerous May Term courses to exotic and exciting locals around the wold. Recent trips include:

• Natural History of Ecuador & the Galapagos Islands
• Reefs and Rainforests in Belize
• Sustainability in Cuba
• Cambodia on the Brink of Change
• Global Health: Confronting AIDS in Namibia
• Natural History of Madagascar

Learn More About May Term Trips

Beta Beta Beta is a national honor society for students dedicated to improving the understanding and appreciation of biological study and extending boundaries of human knowledge through scientific research. Simpson’s chapter plans events and recognizes academic achievement.

Pre-Health Club is an organization where people who are interested in the field of public health are welcome to voice their opinions about trends in the field of their interest. The group’s interest is in informing people about the numerous health-related professions to help them discover career possibilities.

IMPULSE Student Editing Team is a group of students working together with a faculty advisor on IMPULSE, an undergraduate neuroscience journal. Students work as peer reviewers on this international, online science journal, reviewing research articles that IMPULSE receives and suggesting edits that should be made prior to publishing.

Sustainability Club was formed with the goal to raise the Simpson community’s awareness about environmental issues. They have conducted a variety of projects since their establishment including Simpson’s current recycling program, a full-scale prairie restoration, adopting a highway and obtaining funding for hydration stations.