School at a Glance

General Facts and Hallmarks

• Degrees that can be completed in the School of Science: nine bachelor’s; plus a number of pre-health programs, certificates, and minors.
• Average junior/senior level class size: 15
• State-of-the-art labs provide superior hands-on learning experiences
• Scientific research opportunities allow students to collaborate with faculty on research projects that make a difference. Right now, an astrophysicist is conducting experiments for NASA that involve theoretical modeling of planetary climates, and chemists are synthesizing new molecules of interest to industry and pharmacy. Pennsylvania Sea Grant, administered by Penn State Behrend, offers special research opportunities for School of Science students on Lake Erie and elsewhere.
• Among only 619 colleges nationwide, and one of two in northwestern Pennsylvania that meet the American Chemical Society guidelines for approved programs.
• Penn State Behrend annually graduates more ACS-certified chemists than most comparably sized schools.
• The secondary education in mathematics degree is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education through the University’s College of Education.
• The College of Nursing programs are accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and the Commission on College Nursing Education (CCNE).
• The Pre-Health Professions option in the biology major allows students to apply the first-year courses in approved professional programs to the Penn State degree, shortening the time required for medical, dental, pharmacy, or optometry studies.
• 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 of 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.