Division of Science

Undergraduate Majors

Students in a Biology classroom

The Brandeis science departments combine world-class research with a first-rate liberal arts university. Many departments that make up the Division of Science have a tradition of innovation and excellence in teaching and research, offering students a world-class education in an intimate setting where faculty and students work closely.

The hallmark of an undergraduate science education at Brandeis is the focus on undergraduate research. Students are strongly encouraged to get involved in research projects oftentimes resulting in a senior theses. The close collaboration between faculty and students in research carries over into the classroom.

Some programs within the Division of Science offer a dual bachelor’s/master’s degree alternative. This program allows students to earn two degrees simultaneously during their time at Brandeis. Participating programs are biochemistry, biology, chemistry, computer science, mathematics, and neuroscience.

Additionally, mathematics offers a postbaccalaureate program for students with a bachelor’s degree in a different field who wish to prepare for graduate school or a career requiring enhanced mathematical skills.

Our undergraduate alumni include a Nobel laureate (Rod MacKinnon ’78, 2003 Prize for Chemistry), a Fields Medal winner, a Turing Award winner and another MacArthur Fellow.

Brandeis graduates are particularly successful at gaining admittance to medical school. The average national acceptance rate to US medical schools is 44%. Brandeis students and alumni are accepted at a rate that averages between 65-75% annually.

Undergraduates have a wide array of opportunities for carrying out research in state-of-the-art laboratories, working closely with faculty, postdoctoral students and graduate students. Summer is a particularly busy time for undergraduate research, and in early August, undergraduate summer researchers display their work at SciFest. This is a large poster session spanning three floors of the Shapiro Science Center.