Thomas H. Gosnell School of Life Sciences
Thomas H. Gosnell School of
Life Sciences
Overview
Explore the organic universe from DNA to global systems in a supportive academic environment at the Thomas H. Gosnell School of Life Sciences. From the beginning, our students immerse themselves in biology through innovative coursework, hands-on, in-depth laboratories, experiential learning opportunities, and undergraduate research projects designed for real-life challenges in the life sciences.
We prepare the next generation of researchers, environmental scientists, computational biologists, medical doctors, pharmacists, and genomic data analysts. Whether it’s a cancer researcher developing a new vaccine or a biologist protecting our clean water, our students confront the toughest life science issues facing the world today and find solutions to them.
70%
Of upper-level courses have a fully hands-on, in-depth laboratory component
92%
Of all courses are taught by full-time professors
1st
RIT was first in the nation to offer a Bachelor of Science in biotechnology
Latest News
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February 18, 2020
![female student working in biotechnology lab]()
Student to Student: Antibiotic resistance
At the end of her first year at RIT, Nicole Cavanaugh began working for the Hudson Lab. Today, she works as a research apprentice at the Roswell Park Cancer Institute where she is preparing for her Ph.D.
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January 14, 2020
![male student working on equipment in chemistry lab]()
Student to Student: Sustainable systems
By researching sustainable systems today, RIT student Ibrahim Cisse hopes to make an impact in the world tomorrow.
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December 17, 2019
![female student working in biotechnology lab]()
Student to Student: Antibiotic resistant bacteria
After attending the College and Careers program at RIT, Kaylee Steiner discovered the Biotechnology program and realized it was more closely aligned with her interests.
Research
Discipline-Based Education Research (DBER) is a scholarly field that combines disciplinary expertise in a STEM field (physics, chemistry, biology, etc.) with research methods from cognitive science, psychology and the learning sciences. Researchers in this field are interested in studying and transforming STEM Education through basic and applied research. Faculty in the Thomas H. Gosnell School of Life Sciences are exploring how students learn concepts in molecular biology and genetics and how students apply their knowledge to novel learning and assessment tasks. Gaining insight into students’ mental models of complex molecular processes allows the team to develop new assessments and activities to measure and improve student learning. Faculty are also investigating how newly developed 3-D models of biomolecules and molecular processes can help students learn concepts related to genetic information flow.
Research Active Faculty:
Current work in the Thomas H. Gosnell School of Life Sciences uses Next Generation Sequencing to elucidate genomic and proteomics aspects of phage, bacteria and plants as it relates to pathogenesis, resistance, metabolic engineering, etc.
Research Active Faculty:
Featured Work
Genomics Students Co-Author Published Paper in American Society for Microbiology
Andre Hudson
Students in the RIT undergraduate genomics course designed their semester long collaborative project on wild mushrooms and were given the opportunity to co-write a published paper.
RIT Biology Major Awarded Student Research Grant from Rochester Academy of Science
Erica Delles (4th year biology)
Erica Delles was awarded a student research grant for her proposal, ““Physiological Condition in Relation to Molecular Sex of Thrushes During Migration Stopover.”
Science Exploration and Discovering What You Love
Heather Moe ’08 (biology BS)
Since leaving RIT, Heather Moe ‘08 (biology BS) has traveled the world and experienced a variety of jobs related to science. She discovered science exploration before and after graduation helped...
Undergraduate Programs
At the Thomas H. Gosnell School of Life Sciences we offer four exciting undergraduate programs. Whether it’s biology, biotechnology, bioinformatics, or environmental science, you become part of an active community of students, staff, and faculty working together to explore and solve complex biological problems in state-of-the-art teaching and research facilities.
Graduate Programs
The graduate students in the Thomas H. Gosnell School of Life Sciences apply their advanced training in environmental science and computational biology to take a deep dive into the complexities and nuances of biological issues facing the world today. Each student works with a chosen faculty advisor to help them approach their project from a novel perspective, which prepares them to succeed in any path they choose after graduation.
