Department of Biological & Biomedical Sciences

The Department of Biological & Biomedical Sciences at our institution is the result of the merging of the Department of Biological Sciences with the Department of Molecular & Cellular Biosciences. This strategic merger was aimed at creating a dynamic and innovative platform for life sciences research and education at our University.

The Department of Biological & Biomedical Sciences offers a diverse range of academic programs and majors, catering to both undergraduate and graduate students. These include undergraduate, accelerated, combined, and graduate programs, with further M.S. and Ph.D. programs currently in development. Through these offerings, students have access to cutting-edge research opportunities and a comprehensive curriculum that combines training in life sciences, chemistry, mathematical and computational skills, as well as physical sciences.

Our programs are designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in their chosen career paths, whether that be entering the workforce immediately after graduation or pursuing advanced degrees. The Department of Biological & Biomedical Sciences is committed to providing a challenging and rewarding educational experience to our students, preparing them to make meaningful contributions to the biomedical research and healthcare fields.

Research

The Biological & Biomedical Sciences program provides a diverse array of interdisciplinary research opportunities that are both achievable and meaningful for student researchers. Our program offers practical training with expert faculty members throughout the duration of the degree program.

What distinguishes Rowan University from other institutions is the availability of undergraduate research opportunities and our highly accomplished faculty members, such as Dr. Lana Vojvodic Kruse, who received the National Science Foundation CAREER award, and Dr. Luke Holbrook, whose recent research was published in the prestigious journal Science. Our Biological & Biomedical Sciences majors have a wide range of opportunities to participate in research across various sub-disciplines within biology, including animal behavior, cell biology, ecology and environmental biology, evolutionary biology, molecular and structural biology, neuroscience, symbiotic interactions, vertebrate morphology and paleontology, and virology.

 Examples of our innovative research program include:

• Novel cancer therapeutics
• Investigation of infectious diseases
• Development of pharmaceuticals
• Synthesis, characterization, and application of biomaterials
• Investigation the 3-D structure of organic and bio-organic compounds
• Characterizing the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases
• Molecular identification of Epigenetic mechanisms

*All programs include hands-on, faculty-mentored research projects throughout the degree timeline.

Top-Tier Facilities

Located in Science Hall alongside other physical sciences, the Biological & Biomedical Sciences program (BBS) benefits from close connections with Rowan University's two medical schools. BBS faculty members share research space and state-of-the-art instrumentation at both schools, providing students with hands-on experience using cutting-edge tools and gaining expertise in complex methodologies.