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 24, 2021
![illustration of the coronavirus.]()
DNA damage from COVID-19 spike proteins in lab study does not apply directly to COVID-19 vaccines
PolitiFact talks to Andre Hudson, head of the Thomas H. Gosnell School of Life Sciences, about a study on the spike protein that covers the surface of the COVID-19 virus.
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October 29, 2021
![petri dish with bacteria growing.]()
Antibiotic resistance is at a crisis point – government support for academia and Big Pharma to find new drugs could help defeat superbugs
Essay by Andre Hudson, professor and head of the Thomas H. Gosnell School of Life Sciences, published by The Conversation. This article was republished by Yahoo News, among others.
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October 4, 2021
![a gloved hand reaching into a bin of fruit and vegetable scraps.]()
RIT researchers part of $15 million NSF grant aimed at reducing food waste
A $15 million grant from the National Science Foundation will be used to establish the first national academic research network on wasted food in the United States. Under the grant, researchers from American University will lead 13 other institutions, including RIT, in a five-year project.
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
Learning Assistant (LA) Program: An Authentic Teaching Experience
The Learning Assistant (LA) program at RIT provides students with an authentic teaching experience so they can experience what it’s like to teach at the college level.
RIT Undergraduate Students Receive Research Funding from Rochester Academy of Science
Emalee Wrightstone and Lexi Pyke (Biotechnology)
An essential part of the research process, two RIT undergraduate students, learn that the grant writing process is more of an art than a science.
A Team Experience That Pays Off In More Ways Than One
The Laboratory Support Team (or BioPrep) is a unique team that gets hands-on lab experience while helping the many teaching labs in the Thomas H. Gosnell School of Life Sciences at RIT.
Featured Profiles
Researching The Health of Our Freshwater Ecosystems
Sandi Connelly
Sandi Connelly, a principal lecturer in the Thomas H. Gosnell School of Life Sciences, is helping her students and others understand freshwater ecosystems and their health, one conversation at a time....
Hands-on Environmental Work Preps MS Grad for EPA
Kerry Kuntz ’15 (environmental science)
Kerry Kuntz ’15 applies the same problem-solving skills she learned at RIT to her current job as a Program Analyst for the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Enhancing Crops for our Nation’s Economy and Global Food Security
Eli Borrego
Eli Borrego, assistant professor in the Thomas H. Gosnell School of Life Sciences, prepares his students to address agriculture challenges to environmentally sustaining a growing global population.
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.
