Discover the advantages of Carlow University’s Biology Programs

As a Biology or Health Science major at Carlow University, learn the scientific principles of living organisms, conduct student research, and prepare for your dream career or graduate studies in the healthcare, research, or environmental fields.

The biology major curriculum covers the entire scope of biological sciences from the structure and function of genes, proteins and cells to the ecology and evolution of organisms. 

Specializations have been designed to accommodate your potential career path (cardiovascular perfusion, health science, environmental science & management, human biology). 

Before graduating you will have the opportunity to conduct student research and/or complete a hands-on, experiential learning opportunity through the Senior Capstone course. Both provide an advantage for you as you pursue a career or graduate studies.

Faculty & staff

Our faculty and staff are devoted to creating an engaging and supportive learning environment, so our graduates are well prepared to achieve their goals with the skill sets needed to be successful in the 21^st century workforce.

Frank Ammer, PhD Chair, Professor, Biology

Joseph Acierno Assistant Professor

Mark Barsic Lab Manager & C.H.O.

Stephen Borecky, PhD Professor, Biology

Meredith Eyre, MS, MEd Instructor

Marissa Nocera Assistant Professor

Amy M. Romesberg, PhD Associate Professor of Biology

Beth Surlow, PhD Assistant Professor, Undergraduate Biology

View our student teaching handbook
View our education department handbook

Department Points of Pride

Choose your concentration:

Environmental Science 

You will graduate career-ready with this dual-degree program that offers a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Environmental Science and Management. You will study how biological processes impact the environment and how to manage environmental issues in this 3+2 program in collaboration with Duquesne University’s Bayer School of Natural and Environmental Sciences. 

Cardiovascular Perfusion 

As you work toward your bachelor of science degree in Biology through Carlow University, you will complete requirements at UPMC Shadyside, while beginning your clinical training. In this accelerated Cardiovascular Perfusion program, you will pursue Biology within the tradition of the liberal arts while accumulating the technical proficiency and professional skills required of health care professionals. 

The Master of Science in Cardiovascular Perfusion is offered in coordination with the UPMC School of Perfusion. Up to 15 students per year are accepted into the Master of Science program. 

Human Biology 

Through this holistic and interdisciplinary scientific study, you will examine and understand the complexities of humans through a variety of diverse fields. Be prepared to enter professional training in all areas of health care, including medicine, dentistry, optometry, osteopathy, physician’s assistant, physical therapy, pharmacy and podiatry.

Discover the advantages of hands-on learning in chemistry and computer science courses at Carlow.

Degree programs in our blended department feature hands-on exploration in the various disciplines of the chemical sciences as well as a uniquely balanced computer science major that has been endorsed and supported by Google. 

Our department blends aspects of our major programs to create unique opportunities for minor programs that enhance and highlight various aspects of each degree program. 

Outside of the classroom, students can interact one-on-one with our professional faculty in a mentored research project or participate in various mentoring opportunities. Engagement with student organizations, professional tutors, and industry mentors can offer opportunities for enriching social engagement and professional development. 

Chemical experimentation and computer programming are both high-touch disciplines that help you develop critical skills like analytical problem solving and the ability to work effectively with a team. A degree in chemistry or computer science will give you the credentials you need to move forward in today’s technology-heavy world. Our graduates have found employment in major industries and have been accepted to graduate and professional programs at some of the top research institutions across the U.S. Study the computational and chemical sciences and join our growing list of highly successful alumni. 

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science.

Computer Science is for everyone.

We offer the opportunity for all students to participate in a unique industry mentorship program with Google Pittsburgh.

Our chemistry degree provides a foundation for your future career in medicine, pharmacy, or education through programs like Early Acceptance into Lake Erie College of Medicine (LECOM) Program, Pre-Pharmacy Program with Duquesne University’s Mylan School of Pharmacy, and Chemistry Secondary Education.

All STEM students are welcome to join our award-winning American Chemical Society (ACS) Student Affiliates Chapter.

Use your STEM education to gain hands-on work experience in our science labs while supplementing your financial aid.

Enjoy networking and individualized mentoring and coaching through our Celtic STEM Student Learning Community.

We support students outside the classroom with our peer and professional tutoring staff for major STEM courses.

Faculty & staff

Our faculty and staff are devoted to supporting and preparing the next generations of chemists and computer scientists. Our hands-on, student-centered approach to teaching and learning provides a unique, supportive environment to foster growth in all students in our programs.

Frank Ammer, PhD Chair, Professor, Biology

Joseph Acierno Assistant Professor

Mark Barsic Lab Manager & C.H.O.

Stephen Borecky, PhD Professor, Biology

Meredith Eyre, MS, MEd Instructor

Marissa Nocera Assistant Professor

Amy M. Romesberg, PhD Associate Professor of Biology

Beth Surlow, PhD Assistant Professor, Undergraduate Biology

Department Points of Pride

• November 2023: The Computer Science program kicks off the Carlow-Google Mentorship program, a program unique to Carlow in which students are matched with Googlers as industry mentors.
• October 2023: The Carlow chapter of the American Chemical Society Student Affiliates (ACS-SA) are nationally recognized with a Commendable status for their inclusive and educational on- and off-campus activities.
• August 2023: The Google-endorsed Computer Science major program officially launched.
• May 2023: Dr. Ericka Mochan of the Computer Science program was awarded the Max and Esther Sestili Award for Excellence in Teaching.
• April 2023: Dr. Allison Rice of the Chemistry program was awarded a $5000 grant from the Spectroscopy Society of Pittsburgh (SSP) under their annual College Equipment Grants program.
• February 2021: The National Science Foundation awards the department $649,826 to fund STEM student scholarships in an S-STEM grant titled “Supporting Undergraduate STEM Graduation and Career Pathways Through Student and Faculty Learning Communities” (PI: Dr. David Gallaher).
• August 2020: Dr. Ericka Mochan of the Computer Science program was awarded $4960 in the Dorothy Weber Cochran ’43 Award for Excellence in Faculty Scholarship and Research.
• April 2020: Dr. David Gallaher of the Chemistry program was awarded a $6000 grant from the Spectroscopy Society of Pittsburgh (SSP) under their annual College Equipment Grants program.

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Get your college career off to a great start!

Discover the pathway that may be best for you in pursuit of an undergraduate degree at Carlow University.

Ugandan boat ride

Experience campus living

Experience campus living

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Engage in a variety of direct service-learning projects

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Explore Your Passion and Empower Global Communities

Welcome to a unique, first-semester educational opportunity that helps you in getting to know yourself better, while helping others. The Carlow faculty have designed this immersive experience so you immediately can apply your learnings in real-world settings to make a meaningful impact. In addition to core curriculum courses that you can apply to most majors, you will spend 4 weeks abroad in Uganda.

Quick facts

• Experience campus living and a structured self-reflection learning program focused on reinvigorating your passions and your purpose in life 
• Serve alongside your peers, through service-learning projects in the fields of education, healthcare and more  
• Benefit from onsite counseling to help you discover and process your strengths, interests and skills throughout your experience
• Minister to the needs of Ugandans, igniting your global perspective of the ways in which you can best serve yourself and the world around you

Your Discovery Program experience

On-campus discovery and preparation

You will begin your self-discovery living on Carlow University’s charming, urban campus in the heart of Pittsburgh’s exciting Oakland area.

Service Learning in Uganda (30 days)

Apply what you learned, sharpen your problem-solving skills and make positive contributions through service and volunteer opportunities at Ugandan schools and health care clinics.

One of your guides and mentors abroad will be Global Center Director, Susan O’Rourke. She has led study abroad programs for decades and is committed to helping you become immersed in the Ugandan culture with amazing moments and adventures. Alongside Susan will be a counselor available to students, both are trained in healthy relationships, stress management practices and study-abroad protocols.

Serve, Learn & Volunteer

• Volunteer (provide tutoring and engage in fun learning activities) at Noah’s Ark School for Children with Disabilities in Entebbe
• Participate in service projects (plant orchards and tend to school gardens) for Bright Kids Uganda on Lake Victoria Island
• Serve (provide instruction and adapt learning materials for children with disabilities) at Silver Memorial Inclusive Community Learning Center (SMILE) in Opucet
• Assist with vision assessments and distribution of donated eye glasses for seniors and school children

Meet a New Culture

• Hear inspiring life stories from locals, young and old; learn about their history including the effects of living as a British colony and subsequent years of conflict
• Become familiar with local customs and their challenges
• Interact with people living in remote villages without access to electricity, clean water, phones or computers
• Prepare, taste and eat authentic Ugandan food 

Take amazing adventures

• Visit the source of the Nile River and go white water rafting 
• Take a hike to the tallest waterfall in eastern Africa, Sipi Falls 
• Observe animals in their natural habitat on a three-day safari 
• Visit Chimpanzee Island

An impactful experience

“I would go back and serve in Uganda in a heartbeat. I wish I had more time there. It had a huge impact on my life after returning and loved the opportunity to be able to have an impact on the lives of those there.”

– Kaylee Goblesky, Carlow University Nursing student

Program Director

Susan O’Rourke, EdD
Global Center Director

Global Center Director, Susan O’Rourke has been working in Uganda for 10 years (since 2012). She has personally selected the comfortable and secure living facilities for the Uganda service-learning program and prearranged secure transportation through established partners in Uganda. Dr. O’Rourke has developed experiential learning and service projects through established partnerships and non-government organizations (NGOs).

Partners such as:

• Noah’s Ark School for Children with Disabilities
• Bright Kids Uganda
• Silver Memorial Inclusive Community Learning Center (SMILE)
• Prime Tower Primary School

BS in Computer Science with a Google-endorsed Curriculum

Google-endorsed, Computer Science Curriculum

Our Google-endorsed, computer science curriculum is designed to equip you with employable skills that you can take into the workforce at any time. These include:

• Coding and programming,
• Web, app and user experience design,
• Deployment & accessibility.

You will develop proficiency in Python, C Programming, HTML, CSS3, Javascript, jQuery and SQL. All are necessary to work in the computer science field as a front-end, back-end or full-stack developer.

The three modules

In total, you will complete three, project-based modules, each presented in a logical sequence so that you can easily understand computer programming.

MODULE #2

Advanced Programming and Algorithms (Back-end developer)

You will dive deeper into back-end development, advancing your programming skills and computer data knowledge

Throughout each module, you will put your knowledge and skill to work by completing multiple resume-boosting website and mobile application projects as well as a senior capstone project. Each project will culminate into an e-portfolio, a key interview tool in the computer science industry.

Admission requirements and application process

Computer Science Program Director

“I invite you to discover the new Computer Science program at Carlow University! We would love to help you become the computer scientist you want to be. Through our rigorous Google-certified curriculum, you’ll gain the design and programming skills that employers are looking for. You’ll do meaningful work with teams of students to develop innovative and creative solutions to challenging problems. Our program is focused on real-world applications and projects in app development and web design that will enhance your resume and impress future employers. Remember, at Carlow, we believe in making the possible probable, and we will be with you every step of the way.”

Ericka Mochan, PhD

Program Director for Computer Science, Associate Professor and Program Director, Mathematics and Data Analytics
Program Director for Computer Science, Associate Professor and Program Director, Mathematics and Data Analytics

Carlow University’s Computer Science program was developed in partnership with the LCMC and Rize Education, who received the collaboration of Google to build a program centered on the hard-skills that companies are looking for. Most importantly, the program leverages project-based learning and allows students the opportunity to create portfolios that they can showcase to prospective employers.

Weiss, Ryan

Education Postdoctoral researcher, Chemical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pa.PhD, Organic Chemistry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pa.BA, Chemistry, Biology, Wittenberg University, Springfield, Ohio Research Application of organic synthesis to the … Continued

Surlow, Beth

Education PhD, Biology, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pa.BS, Biochemistry, University of Dayton, Dayton, Ohio Research National Science Foundation grant, “Supporting Undergraduate STEM Graduation and Career Pathways Through Student and Faculty Learning … Continued

Romesberg, Amy M.

Dr. Romesberg develops innovative approaches to enhance student learning in the rapidly advancing field of neuroscience, and works with several biology senior undergraduates each year to create rigorous, NIH-style grant … Continued

Jacqmin, Nancy

Dr. Nancy E. Jacqmin is Special Assistant to the Provost (since 2015) and a tenured Associate Professor of Mathematics as well as the new Director of Course Scheduling and Analytics … Continued