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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November 4, 2022
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NSF grant funds RIT postdoctoral fellows in STEM education research
The National Science Foundation has awarded RIT $1.2 million for a cohort of four postdoctoral fellows to conduct STEM discipline-based education research. Each fellow will work with two mentors, encouraging cutting-edge research at the interface of traditional disciplines.
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October 11, 2022
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RIT faculty prepare to teach large classes in SHED using scaled-up classroom
A room in Slaughter Hall seats 150 students and is meant to simulate the learning spaces in the Student Hall for Exploration and Development (SHED) that will hold classes next fall. The Slaughter classroom, dubbed the “betaSHED,” combines three rooms to give professors and students a preview of the large-scale learning environment.
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September 12, 2022
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Student studies science and French
Tori Russell, a second-year biotechnology and molecular bioscience student from Warsaw, N.Y., recently added the College of Liberal Arts’ applied modern language and culture program as a second major. Russell is enrolled in the newest French option for this program.
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
Climate Change Course: Complex Teams Solving Complex Problems
RIT students from all majors learn creative and interdisciplinary problem-solving through the perspectives of a diverse set of faculty members.
Accessible First-Year Research Opportunities
McKenzie Watts (biotechnology)
McKenzie Watts, a first-year student, says the best part about RIT is that research is accessible. Today, she's working in a research lab with Dr. André Hudson.
Biology Without Walls: An Immersive Learning Experience
RIT undergraduates had the opportunity to investigate the living world outside of the traditional classroom setting during an immersive field course called Biology Without Walls.
Featured Profiles
From Biology & Basketball to Orthopedic Surgery & Sports Medicine
Michael Stanton '03 (biology)
Dr. Michael Stanton ’03 was recruited for basketball and studied biology at RIT. Now he continues both passions as an orthopedic surgeon specializing in sports medicine.
Dual Degree at RIT: Accelerating a Career in Veterinary Medicine
Kelsey Lawton ‘21 (biology BS / environmental science MS)
Kelsey Lawton ’21 graduated with a dual biology BS/environmental science degree and is now an in vivo toxicology technician at iuvo Bioscience, a pharmaceutical and medical device industry research...
RIT Research and Academic Support Leads to Ph.D. at St. Jude’s
Maria Smith ‘18 (biotechnology)
RIT equipped Maria Smith ’18 with the hands-on research and academic support to succeed. Now she is a Ph.D. candidate at the St. Jude Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences.
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.
Minors and Immersions
Current students are encouraged to visit the Student Information System (SIS) to confirm any pre-requisite or co-requisite courses.
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