General Information

Undergraduates can pursue B.A. or B.S. degrees in biochemistry, biology, molecular biology, or behavioral neuroscience and the Department is affiliated with programs in premedical or predental sciences, and bioengineering. Our curricula offer distinctive experiences that provide exceptional preparation for graduate school, professional training, and careers in health-related industries. Students are actively encouraged to become involved in independent study and honors research where they work directly with faculty and graduate students on the generation of new knowledge. Through coursework and laboratory experience, students learn to conceptualize and address scientific problems, understand professional responsibility, work independently and as part of a team, and bring an integrated, multi-disciplinary perspective to bear on contemporary issues in the life and health sciences.

The success of the Department’s programs is reflected in several measures. Biological Sciences has the largest sciences major constituency at Lehigh and over 60% are women. We also have the largest number of students involved in independent study/honors research with faculty. External recognition for the outstanding quality of our programs is reflected in four Biological Sciences Education grants from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, which has provided $5.5 million in support for undergraduate programs. These grants place us in very select company nationally among doctoral granting institutions, and they reflect our commitment to the intellectual and personal growth of our students.

The biological sciences department encourages students to gain experience outside our department in any endeavor they feel appropriate for their career goals. However, to gain academic credit for these experiences, students must first have completed the department’s core requirements and they must have obtained approval from a department faculty member who is willing to oversee the academic elements of the experience.