宾夕法尼亚大学

The Department of Biology at the University of Pennsylvania welcomes you! Our program is committed to providing students with a wide range of opportunities to explore the remarkable diversity of biological systems in the modern world. In addition to the general major, students have the option to pursue studies within one of six different concentrations, each offering a more specialized introduction to theoretical and experimental work in a particular area of Biology. Beyond their curricular studies, majors are able to conduct biological research in virtually any lab on Penn’s campus, including the medical school and hospital system. In addition, many of our students study abroad, supplementing their studies at Penn with coursework at universities such as Edinburgh and advanced ecological fieldwork in places like Australia, New Zealand, and Costa Rica.

Biology majors are not required to declare a concentration. However, a student who wishes to focus their studies in one area may choose from among the following concentrations. Alternatively, students may use their elective courses within the general Biology major to further their knowledge in a specific area.

Computational Biology and Mathematical Biology concentrations

Many areas in genetics, ecology, and evolution depend on sophisticated quantitative analysis. For example, the advent of data from the human genome project (and similar data from other species) has shown the need for digital, statistical, and mathematical methods to store, retrieve and analyze massive data sets. The fields of Computational and Mathematical Biology emerged to address questions posed by these developments. Students who are interested in computational and mathematical biology but not able to complete all the concentration requirements are encouraged to consider elective courses from the Computational and Mathematical Biology course lists.

Ecology and Evolutionary Biology concentration

The concentration in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology delivers intensive training in ecological processes at all levels in addition to providing students with a background in the theories governing evolutionary principles. Students within this concentration are encouraged to develop the mathematical and statistical tools necessary to properly model and consider ecological and evolutionary systems.

Mechanisms of Disease concentration

Understanding the mechanisms that underlie disease is of interest to students planning medical careers as well as to those interested in fundamental research, biotechnology, and public health. The Mechanisms of Disease concentration is a rigorous course of study requiring 18 classes beginning with the introductory Biology sequence. Advanced electives are selected from the fields of Microbes and Infectious Disease, Genetic Disease, Molecular Genetics and Genomics, and Biochemistry.

Molecular and Cell Biology concentration

The emergence of novel molecular and genetic tools has revolutionized our understanding of cellular functioning. The Molecular and Cell Biology Concentration is an integrated program that provides an in-depth understanding of molecular biology, genetics, genomics, and cell biology. In addition to the concentration coursework, students are expected to engage in a research experience that enables them to directly apply their theoretical learning to some biological question at the molecular and cellular level.

Neurobiology concentration

The Neurobiology Concentration provides fundamental training in brain physiology at the microscopic level and organismal behavior at the macroscopic level. This concentration emphasizes a molecular and genetic background, which is essential to understanding brain functioning at the gene and protein levels.