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Department of Biology

The Department of Biology at Drexel features state-of-the-art facilities, hands-on career and research experiences, and renowned faculty at the forefront of cellular and molecular biology, genomics and more.

Drexel University’s Department of Biology is home to a dynamic group of researchers who are leaders in the fields of cell and molecular biology, biochemistry, genomics and more. Students learn through hands-on experiences gained in and outside of the classroom. As a leader in STEM education, from research in faculty labs to co-op positions with the Children’s Hospital of Pennsylvania to a study abroad on Bioko Island, our undergraduates have the opportunity to explore real-life career options before graduation.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Pledge

The Department of Biology at Drexel University is deeply committed to upholding and encouraging diversity, equity and inclusion. Our department is aware of systemic injustices that disadvantage historically excluded groups within science, and we are committed to educating ourselves further about these disparities in order to create a more equitable system. Our department embraces all facets of diversity including but not limited to race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, language/ linguistic ability, visa status, religion, creed, age, class, socioeconomic status, military status and disability status.

We stand firmly against discrimination while simultaneously working towards promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within our department, the College of Arts and Sciences and across Drexel University. Our differences serve both to enrich and connect us. Acknowledging and celebrating diversity provides the only path forward in building a strong community – one that will flourish through open dialogue, meaningful collaboration and shared intellectual curiosity. To achieve these goals, we strive to be a welcoming, accepting and malleable department that can grow and adapt to best serve our members and our community.

About the Curriculum

With faculty members who are passionate about teaching and research, the department is a leader in STEM education, guiding the design of new curricular approaches to enhance student learning. The curriculum offers focus and flexibility, allowing students to define their path to success. Graduate students are vigorously involved in coursework, seminars, journal clubs, research and more, and receive individualized attention and mentorship working alongside department faculty.

Learn more about degrees in biology

The Drexel Co-Op

Through Drexel’s cooperative education program, students embark on up to three, six-month periods of employment, exploring their career options, strengthening their résumés and building a professional network in the process. For students planning to pursue advanced degrees in the biological sciences or careers in research, co-op is essential to career development. Students have held co-op positions with a variety of industry leaders, such as GlaxoSmithKline, AstraZeneca, ViroPharma, Fox Chase Cancer Institute, Moss Rehab, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and many more.

Learn more about co-op for biology majors

Drexel Biology Student Jennifer Viveros
“One of the best biology courses is Dictyostelium Research… Unlike other courses, students are not following a syllabus... The class mirrors a research lab where students are analyzing their results and making educated decisions on what their next steps should be.” Jennifer ViveirosBS biological sciences ’17

Recent News

  • Clockwise from top left: Hannah Grosman, Elizabeth Lampe, Tyler Andres-Bray, Matthew Mieles, Huiruo Zeng and Evan Arena

    CoAS Students Recognized With Graduate College Awards

    Drexel University Graduate College recently announced the recipients of the 2023 Graduate Excellence Awards. These awards recognize high-achieving graduate and professional students across disciplines in mentorship, scholarship, civic engagement, service, research and teaching assistance. Congratulations to the College of Arts and Sciences students who were honored with these awards! 

  • The Costa Rican rainforest

    Life in the Rainforest: Drexel Professor Confronts Beauty and Venom in Costa Rica

    Professor of Biodiversity, Earth and Environmental Science and Biology Sean O'Donnell, PhD, regularly works as an expert science consultant with natural history film crews. He shares more about his recent experience working in the rainforest of Costa Rica in this blog post. 

  • President Joe Biden with Lakshmi Parvathinathan Biological Sciences Major Lakshmi Parvathinathan Dreams of a More Inclusive Future Lakshmi Parvathinathan has dedicated herself to fight for Documented Dreamers—students who have grown up in the United States as child dependents of long-term visa holders but who will age out of their dependent status and face deportation on their 21st birthdays.
  • Headshot of Carlie Relyea Biological Sciences Major Carlie Relyea Contributes to Vaccine Trials Through Co-op During her co-op, Carlie Relyea assisted with the Pfizer pediatric and adolescent vaccination trial at the Pediatric Clinical Research Center in Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital. The experience helped clarify her dream of being a pediatric doctor.
  • Side-by-side headshots of Jana Lenart, August Modiga, and Disha Patel Arts and Sciences Students Named Inaugural Nina Henderson Provost Scholars

    Executive Vice President and Nina Henderson Provost Paul Jensen recently announced the inaugural class of Nina Henderson Provost Scholars, which included three students from the College of Arts and Sciences. Congratulations to Jana Lenart, biological sciences, August Modiga, philosophy, politics and economics, and Disha Patel, chemistry.

More News

Upcoming Events

There are currently no upcoming events.

Prospective Students

Please email coas@drexel.edu or call us at 215.895.1805 with any questions you may have. We look forward to hearing from you!


Undergraduate Advising

Tara Liss-Marino, Director of Undergraduate Student Advising and Success, Drexel University College of Arts and Sciences

Tara Liss-Mariño, PhD
Director of Advising and Student Success
MacAlister Hall, Room 3020
215.571.4469 | tjl328@drexel.edu

Jennifer Rubin Weyant, Associate Director of Advising and Student Success, Drexel University College of Arts and Sciences

Jennifer Rubin Weyant
Associate Director of Training and Professional Development
3018 MacAlister Hall
215.895.1774 | jlr45@drexel.edu

Leanne Sweppenheiser, Senior Academic Adviser, Drexel University College of Arts and Sciences

Leanne Sweppenheiser
Associate Director
218 Papadakis Integrated Sciences Center
215.895.2623 | lmt38@drexel.edu

Laurie Zinberg, Academic Adviser, Drexel College of Arts and Sciences

Laurie Zinberg
Senior Academic Adviser; Coordinator, BRIDGE Program
3018 MacAlister Hall
215.895.6460 | lgz23@drexel.edu

Contact Us

Department of Biology

123 Papadakis Integrated Sciences Building
3245 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
215.895.2788 | biology@drexel.edu