Elevate your professional toolkit with Calvin's Graduate Certificate in Geographic Information Science (GIS), a streamlined program designed for those ready to master high-level spatial analysis. In just two to three semesters, you’ll dive deep into advanced cartography, remote sensing, and complex data modeling, gaining the technical fluency needed to lead in industries ranging from environmental engineering to urban development.

This 12-credit graduate credential is perfect for professionals looking to pivot careers or add a specialized edge to their current role. By focusing on the intersection of cutting-edge technology and ethical practice, Calvin prepares you to interpret global data in ways that drive smarter decisions and promote a more just, sustainable world.

Calvin's astrophysics certificate provides specialized, hands-on expertise in computational astrophysics and observational techniques. You'll gain mastery in advanced data analysis using equipment at the Calvin Observatory. You'll develop the high-level problem-solving and programming skills that make you highly competitive for both graduate school and careers in fields like data science, software development, and aerospace.

Collegiate Scholars are motivated to excel academically and serve and lead in the larger community.

Are you a motivated student that is looking for opportunities to grow as a scholar and engaged citizen? Does the thought of learning off-campus, conducting research with a faculty-mentor in your discipline, developing your capacity as a leader and engaged community member, and examining challenging topics with students from other disciplines excite you? Welcome to Collegiate Scholars.

As a Collegiate Scholar you will complete four advanced academic or co-curricular activities. These activities could include participation in a musical ensemble or the Calvin Theatre Company, earning a second major, or studying abroad for a semester. Collegiate Scholars take upper-level Honors colloquia courses, designed to offer interdisciplinary engagement with big questions. The Collegiate Scholars track aims to inspire academic excellence while anchoring those achievements within the larger collegiate community.

Project GreenER is a free, eight-session adult educational program intended to foster understanding of and build agency for watershed care. Hosted by Plaster Creek Stewards, this program equips participants with the knowledge and practical skills to implement creek- and climate-friendly projects within their communities. Meeting twice monthly, participants explore Plaster Creek as a historical and present place, learn watershed ecology within the context of climate resilience, build practical and community connection skills, and be eligible to receive funding to plan and implement green projects in their own neighborhoods. 

Who can participate?

Any adults (18+) who are connected in some way to the Plaster Creek watershed – such as living, working, attending worship, or recreating in the area.

You're qualified!

Yes! No prior knowledge or education is necessary to participate in this program. If you are interested in learning more about Plaster Creek, your watershed neighbors, and how to improve local environmental health through community-based action, then this opportunity may be a good fit for you. 

What’s required of participants?

Commitment to regular attendance of the sessions and seeing the project work through to completion.

Timeline

Learning sessions will be scheduled out over 4 months, every other week, typically on weekday evenings. The first half hour of each meeting will be dedicated to building community over a meal. Participants will also be invited to attend extra hands-on experiences outside of normal meeting times, as opportunities arise and participants’ schedules allow. Additional assignments between classes will be offered, as well, to deepen engagement and allow participants to follow their own curiosities.

Logistics

Cost

There is currently no charge for this program. However, if participants would like to contribute to the project fund, those contributions (in addition to grant funding available) will be divided equally among all participants at the program's end to support their projects. The projects might include things like rain gardens, landscaping with native plants, planting trees, hosting educational events, or other activities that interest participants.

Transportation assistance

If transportation assistance is required, please communicate with leadership to receive bus passes for transportation to and from sessions.

Meeting locations

We intend for this program to be an in-person experience since so much of our ecological restoration work and community engagement efforts are place-based and hands-on. Meetings will be held at one or both of the following locations:

• Garfield Park Neighborhood Association
• Bunker Interpretive Center

Ask big questions with humility, explore with wonder, and pursue advanced academic opportunities in community.

Do you get excited about connecting ideas across science, society, and the arts? Want to use your city as your classroom or conduct impactful research and projects alongside a faculty mentor? That’s what Honors Scholars is all about.

Who Can Apply?

• Students from any major and background, with a wide range of academic interests and passions

• You can also double major, play varsity sports, or study abroad as an Honors Scholar—it just takes some extra planning

   

Apply to Honors Scholars

Learn more about Cohorts at Calvin

Calvin's optics minor offers career-oriented, hands-on training for students in physics and engineering, as well as pre-service teachers preparing to teach science in high school.

Biotechnology is a field that is seeing tremendous job growth as healthcare, industrial, and agricultural sectors seek innovative solutions to meet consumer demands. As a biotechnologist, you will manipulate genes and cells to design products and methods that are useful and beneficial. Consider this interdisciplinary minor as a complement to other science-related majors to prepare for careers in this growing field. In this program, you will take courses in chemistry, biology, and computer science to gain the technical expertise and critical thinking skills needed to use biotechnology well. You will gain hands-on experience with DNA analyses, cell culture, bioinformatics, gene cloning, and making transgenic organisms.

At Calvin, your physics degree is tailored to your unique career goals. Choose between a bachelor of science (BS) or bachelor of arts (BA) degree. You'll have opportunities to do real-world research alongside your professors, or pursue research at prominent national labs and observatories. You'll be assisted every step of the way by professors with deep knowledge of the field who are invested in your future.

Our graduates have an outstanding placement rate into prestigious graduate programs and follow exceptional career paths. You'll graduate with practical, career-shaping experience, ready to thrive in graduate school and become a leader in your field. 

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