The RIT Life Sciences Difference

In the College of Science, biology is something students do, rather than something they merely learn.

Intro to Biology freshmen presented their independent research projects during the annual Intro to Biology Poster Session in 2017. Projects mainly focused on bioremediation, toxicology, microbiology.
Jenn Santoru

Our courses present biology as it is done by career biologists, and we emphasize hands-on laboratory and field experience. Employers and graduate school mentors report that our students can walk into a laboratory and start working with little or no training because of the experience they gain in our programs. 

Rochester Institute of Technology College of Science

Research—in the Classroom, Laboratory, and Field

Scientific knowledge is based on research, and we encourage students to undertake research projects in the laboratories of faculty. Our Research Scholars Program is designed for students who want an intensive research experience. Participation requires written research proposals and regular progress reports, a seminar presentation and a final report. These reports are written in the format of a scientific journal, and many of them appear in peer-reviewed scientific publications. 

Real World Experience

We give our students an opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills acquired in their courses by working in full-time, paid positions for private, academic or government employers in state-of-the-art settings. A co-op experience enables a student to overcome the challenge of needing experience before applying for a job, but needing to have had a job to gain that experience! Our long history of co-operative education ensures that we have the knowledge and contacts to assist our students in finding appropriate positions. 

Which Program?

  • If you are interested in graduating as a broadly trained biologist with a wide range of career options, our biology program will get you there.
  • If you want to explore the potential of genetic engineering and molecular medicine, the biotechnology and molecular bioscience program is for you.
  • If you would like to get outdoors and address environmental issues, you will get your feet wet (literally) in our environmental science program and learn the laboratory skills that support field studies.
  • If managing and interpreting biological information using statistics, databases and programming languages like Python, Perl, Java, and C++ appeals to you, choose our bioinformatics program. 

Placement

Life Sciences at RIT prepares students for many careers directly related to their interests. It is a sure path toward becoming a professional researcher, analyst, or technician among other possibilities. It also thoroughly prepares students to work with animals or the environment. Average starting salaries are $58,200 a year.

Graduates also go on to obtain higher degrees after RIT. Many choose Ph.D. programs in biology. Others end up in biotechnology programs, pharmacology programs, or medical school to eventual become physicians.

The cooperative education experience is what sets RIT apart. Many companies partner with RIT and offer our students practical, career-focused opportunities. This allows our students to test the waters in a possible career and build up experience in their field. Although  only required for the bioinformatics program, it is encouraged for all students.

Below are some of the employers, graduate schools, and cooperative education partners that have chosen to work with RIT life science graduates.