In the Classroom:
Science students at Penn State
Behrend receive a broad-based education
in which they develop applied scientific skills that help them on
the job or in graduate school. Personal attention from faculty combined
with new laboratories and Penn State's superb computer infrastructure
results in students developing abilities to use the latest tools in
their fields. For example, Penn State Behrend is among only 619 colleges
nationwide, and one of two in northwestern Pennsylvania, that meet
the American Chemical Society guidelines for approved schools.
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Faculty:
There's a tradition of close working relationships and shared interests
between students and faculty in the School of Science. You will get
to know your professors well because class sizes are small. You will
learn about and participate in their innovative experiments and will
appreciate their close interest in your studies. For example, students
accompany Dr. Pamela Silver, professor of biology, to Maryland
to conduct research on the stream ecology. Associate Professor of
Mathematics Joseph Previte received the Student Mentor Award from
the Allegheny Mountain section of the Mathematical Association of
America.
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Research Opportunities:
Scientific research can be a big part of your undergraduate research
experience at Penn State Behrend. Opportunities include a research grant
program, student research award, research and creative accomplishment
conference, summer research fellowship program, and travel stipends
to attend professional meetings. Penn State Behrend invests more than
$100,000 in undergraduate research each year.
Students in the School of Science collaborate with professors on research
projects that make a difference. Right now, an astrophysicist is conducting
experiments for NASA that involve theoretical modeling of planetary
climates, and a chemist is probing the flavor chemistry of lime. The
Center for Mathematical Biology encourages collaboration between mathematicians
and biologists, allowing students to work in research from two different,
but complementary, points of view.
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Facilities:
In the summer of 2006 the School of Science expanded into the former engineering complex. The Otto Behrend Building, the Nick Building, the Hammermill-Zurn, the Prishack, the Witkowski and the Benson building are all home to the School of Science now. Students attend lectures
here and profit from technology-enhanced classrooms. Many of the science
laboratories are newly renovated and equipped.
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Pre-Med
and Health Care: The pre-professional option in the biology major allows students to
apply the first-year courses in approved professional programs to
the Penn State degree. This can shorten the time required for medical,
dental, or pharmacy studies. Currently, Penn State Behrend has a 3+4
Accelerated Program in Primary Care affiliation agreement with Lake
Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM). An agreement with Saint
Vincent Health Center in Erie prepares students for careers in medical
technology. The college also has an affiliation agreement with
Temple University School of Dentistry and the SUNY at Buffalo
School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.
Elementary and Secondary Education Certification: Students may enroll in a 4+1 certification program for elementary and secondary education in collaboration with Mercyhurst College in Erie. For elementary certification, students may complete any Penn State major and then continue for a fifth-year of study at Mercyhurst to obtain Pennsylvania certification. For secondary certification, students can major in biology, chemistry, mathematics, English, or history and then complete their teaching certification at Mercyhurst.
Career Paths: Some
scientists are dedicated to understanding the fundamentals of the
universe. Others work in applied science, using their knowledge in
fields such as accounting, business, communications, defense,
law,management, and medicine. science degree is a gateway to
many professions, some of them far from the laboratory.
Penn State Behrend graduates are well-equipped for successful careers in business and industry or to pursue graduate studies. Students benefit from personal career counseling provided by the Career Development Center. They participate in career fairs coordinated by the center, and many companies recruit our graduates for permanent jobs.
Science
graduates are working for organizations such as the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency, Erie Insurance Group, Lord
Corporation, General Electric, and Kodak. They
also have studied for advanced degrees at institutions such as the
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the University of
Arizona, the University California at Santa Barbara, Purdue
University School of Veterinary Medicine, the State University of
New York at Buffalo, and the Penn State College of Medicine, to name
a few.