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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October 3, 2019
![Student sits in front of microscope and computer.]()
Student Spotlight: Pursuing research opportunities in Germany
Alexandria Shumway was selected to do research abroad over the summer through the Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD) RISE program, or German Academic Exchange Service. Through this program, the fifth-year bioinformatics and computational biology (BS) and bioinformatics (MS) student traveled to Kiel, Germany, to complete her research at the Christian-Albrecht University of Kiel.
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October 2, 2019
![photo of Abby Rolston in the RIT greenhouse]()
Student to Student: Degradation of blended polymers
Abby Rolston became aware of the amount of plastic waste that is thrown away each day while working as a veterinary assistant. Today her research is focused on the degradation of blended polymers provided by the Packaging Science Department at RIT.
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September 25, 2019
![Nylon teabag being steeped in water in glass teacup.]()
Some tea bags may shed billions of microplastics per cup
CBC News talks to Matthew Hoffman, associate professor in the School of Mathematical Sciences, and Christy Tyler, associate professor in the Thomas H. Gosnell School of Life Sciences, about microplastics.
Featured Work
Graduate Student Helps Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 17%
Carlyn Petrella ’10 (biotechnology)
After earning a spot as an Environmental Defense Fund Climate Corps Fellow, Carlyn Petrella had the opportunity to work with the Tenderloin Neighborhood Development Corporation (TNDC).
Tackling Conservation Challenges Head On
Kristen Denninger Snyder ’10 (environmental science BS)
After graduating from RIT, Kristen Denninger Snyder did extensive research on African wildlife at the University of California, Davis, and is now living in Denver and working as a post-doctoral...
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.
