Our Majors
Biochemistry and Biophysics
Revealing how life works
The department ranks high nationally and internationally in many research areas of biochemistry and molecular biophysics, including structural biology, genetic code expansion technology, metabolic regulation, signal transduction, protein chemistry, gene expression, epigenetics, cell cycle control and cell movement and adhesion.
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Enhancing health through science
The department ranks high nationally and internationally in health-impactful research areas reflecting major biological advances, including signal transduction, gene expression, epigenetic, cell cycle control, metabolic regulation, structural biology and genetic code expansion technology.
BioHealth Sciences
Positively impacting local, regional and global health
Human health and well-being are complex issues influenced by individual health and social, economic and political forces. Leveraging their science knowledge, students explore solutions to the health challenges facing society. They learn from world-renowned faculty who are producing ground-breaking research in infectious disease. Students gain well rounded foundation for healthcare careers and for success in professional school.
Biology
Explore the science of life from cells to ecosystems
The biology major is housed in the nationally ranked Department of Integrative Biology in the School of Life Sciences. Students can choose study a wealth of subjects, such as ecology, genetics, physiology and marine biology. They maximize their diverse coursework with hands-on, clinical, field and laboratory training that allows them to explore careers while honing their scientific skills.
Chemistry
At the forefront of curiosity-inspired research, innovation and education
Students benefit from world-class chemistry faculty, an illustrious tradition of research and teaching in addition to state-of-the-art laboratories. Nationally and internationally ranked in many research areas, the Chemistry Department is a national leader in discovering new chemical approaches to improve the environment, curing disease and identifying solutions to global climate change and sustainable and clean energy applications.
Mathematics
Thinking about objects of complexity and beauty to solve the world's most critical problems
Students learn from faculty who research solutions for today's pressing applied and theoretical problems, such as transporting contaminants in the Earth's subsurface, reading of medical x-rays and the modeling and analysis of biological systems. Mathematics students are well prepared for graduate school, careers in industry or research where mathematics plays a pivotal role. Grounding in pure or abstract mathematics gives students the analytical and problem-solving skills that industry demands.
Microbiology
Studying the smallest organisms to solve the world's biggest problems.
The Department of Microbiology is pioneering the study of bacteria, viruses and parasites to address environmental, medical and molecular biological problems and create new resources for a healthy environment. The program offers students a highly collaborative and interdisciplinary experience. Students engage in both theoretical and experimental learning from outstanding teachers and researchers.
Physics
A way to see the world in a grain of sand
Physics students benefit from world-class faculty, a strong tradition of research and teaching excellence and impressive laboratories. OSU physics research is fundamental to the development of leading technologies, such as transistors, semiconductors, superconductors and magnetic resonance imaging. The department has strong research programs in optics and condensed matter physics with an emerging emphasis on biophysics.
Zoology
Explore the diversity, ecology and organismal biology of animals
Students benefit from a wealth of introductory and advanced coursework taught by world-class faculty with expertise ranging across diverse areas of ecology and evolution, organismal biology and marine biology. Zoology majors maximize classroom learning with hands-on field and laboratory training that allows them to explore careers while honing their scientific skills. Conducting research helps students learn to balance collaborative and individual work while exploring career paths.