Turn Curiosity into Discovery
Curiosity drives everything we do. At Rose-Hulman, scientists, mathematicians, and engineers learn side by side, turning questions into discoveries and discoveries into real-world solutions. Whether you’re studying the life sciences, physical sciences, or mathematics, you’ll find opportunities to explore your interests, conduct research, and make an impact from day one.
Rose-Hulman science and math graduates pursue careers at leading companies, attend top graduate and professional schools, and conduct research that changes lives.
Love astronomy? Spend evenings in the observatory.
Interested in genetics? Conduct research in our biology labs.
Want to discover new medicines or explore mathematical theory?
At Rose-Hulman, curiosity isn’t something you outgrow. It’s something you pursue.
Popular topics include:
At Rose-Hulman, research isn’t reserved for graduate students. You’ll work alongside faculty, use advanced equipment, and explore questions that matter through classroom projects, independent research, and funded summer opportunities.
Students can:
Biology majors complete a year-long independent research project, pursuing original scientific questions alongside faculty mentors.
Chemistry and Biochemistry students have opportunities to work alongside faculty on undergraduate research and gain extensive hands-on experience in laboratory Settings.
Physics students participate in multiple one-on-one directed study opportunities, gaining hands-on experience and working closely with faculty throughout the program.
Mathematics and Biomathematics majors complete a senior capstone experience, often in the form of a thesis, giving them the opportunity to conduct original research and work closely with faculty on advanced mathematical topics.
At Rose-Hulman, you’ll learn from professors who are both accomplished researchers and dedicated teachers. Small classes mean you’ll receive individual attention, build meaningful relationships with faculty, and collaborate closely with classmates across science, mathematics, engineering, and other disciplines to solve real-world problems.
Rose-Hulman graduates with science and math degrees are in demand. This list represents some of the jobs Rose students have after graduation.
Biochemistry
Biology
Biomathematics
Chemistry
Mathematics
Physics
Our state-of-the-art labs, project space, classroom facilities, and academic buildings are designed to let you focus completely on your research and learning. We believe in learning by doing, and our labs and research facilities are well suited for that purpose. Our science labs are ranked No. 14 in the nation according to Princeton Review's Best 392 Colleges 2027 edition.
Biology and Biomedical Engineering Labs
As a Biology student, you’ll have access to our cell biology lab, our tissue culture lab, fruit fly lab, Hulman Farm field campus, and space to support independent thesis research. Our students also have access to the William Cook Laboratory for Bioscience Research, a 1,350-square-foot modern greenhouse facility in the heart of the campus.
As a Biomedical Engineering student, you’ll have access to our instrumentation lab, tissue culture lab, motion caption lab, material testing lab, physiology lab, and the orthopaedic biomedical engineering lab. LEARN MORE
Chemistry and Biochemistry Labs
You’ll have plenty of opportunities to work in our recently renovated facilities, including a modern biochemistry research-teaching lab, three research labs, fully equipped organic and freshman labs, and an instrument facility. The laboratory facilities at Rose-Hulman are world class. Our seven, recently renovated spaces include a modern biochemistry research-teaching laboratory, three research laboratories, fully equipped organic and freshman laboratories, and an instrument facility. LEARN MORE
MiNDs Cleanroom
Starting as a first-year student, our MiNDs cleanroom will give you opportunities in the area of semiconductor and micro/nano technology through courses and hands-on experiments in fabrication, characterization and modeling of micro/nano devices and systems. There are numerous professors performing state of the art research with undergraduates within the cleanroom year round. LEARN MORE
Oakley Observatory
Located just east of the main campus, Oakley Observatory is equipped for teaching, as well as conducting research in variable star photometry, searching for supernovae or searching for comets. LEARN MORE
Rose-Hulman Ventures
Rose-Hulman Ventures is a program that brings together students and technology-based companies. For students, the program provides the best engineering professional practice experience possible. In turn, this provides businesses with prototypes, refinements to the design of existing products and expansion in current engineering capabilities. The facility is on the south campus of Rose-Hulman. LEARN MORE
Read more about Rose-Hulman math and sciences alumni, including what sparked their curiosity, why they chose Rose-Hulman, and what they’re doing today.
Anna Weber graduated in 2016 with a bachelor’s degree in biology and a minor in chemistry. She began her career as a microbiologist at Powers Health Community Hospital before advancing to clinical laboratory manager. She oversees the laboratory’s daily technical and operational functions, ensuring equipment and processes meet regulatory standards.
A 2021 biochemistry graduate, at Rose-Hulman Tim Harris was able to combine his love of science with his passion to continue to play basketball. He earned a doctoral degree in pharmaceutical sciences from the University of California, Irvine, and now is a clinical chemistry fellow at the University of California, Los Angeles.
A 2005 alumna, Rita Strack majored in biology and biochemistry while minoring in literature. She earned a PhD in biochemistry and molecular biology from the University of Chicago before completing a postdoctoral fellowship at Cornell University. Today, she serves as chief editor of Nature Biomedical Engineering, where she puts her Rose degree to work on a daily basis.
As an undergraduate at Rose-Hulman, Jacob Beckmann was researching the impact of AI in medicine while the concept was still in its infancy. Today, the physics and electrical engineering double major who graduated in 2020 works at Kansas City National Security Campus, which produces non-nuclear components for national defense systems.
Raj Hoshing, a 2017 chemistry graduate, first used a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometer at Rose-Hulman. Today, he works as an applications specialist for Oxford Instruments in San Francisco, where he uses an NMR spectrometer to demonstrate to scientists how it can help them improve their research.
Elisa Hartman, a 2021 biology and biochemistry/molecular biology graduate, believes the critical thinking skills acquired as part of a Rose-Hulman degree are an invaluable part of any future career path. The Kalamazoo, Michigan, native puts her science degree to work each day as a quality assurance specialist III, production and operations, and before that, as a safety officer at Ossium Health.
Sarah Shibuya, a 2025 biochemistry/molecular biology and biomedical engineering alumna, now is conducting grant-funded doctoral research in neurobiology. It’s work that she hadn’t even considered when she began her undergraduate studies at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology.
When she looks back at her time as a biology major at Rose-Hulman, Elizabeth “Paige” (Stewart) Darnell, a 2011 alumna, appreciates how the college encourages students to strive for excellence, avoid stagnation, and pursue continuous improvement. Those ideas are especially true when it comes to problem-solving skills she has applied throughout her career as a pediatrician.
With specially courses offered at Rose-Hulman, 2025 alumnus Ben Lyons felt empowered to uncover new angles for studying math and physics. Today Lyons is pursuing doctoral work and teaching at the University of Texas, drawing on the experiences of his professors at Rose.
Lauren Gutgesell thought she wanted to be a physician. But her experiences at Rose-Hulman steered her in a direction she hopes will allow her to make an even greater impact on treating and preventing disease as a scientist, conducting experiments that could pave the way to more effective medicines for fibrosis of the lungs and liver.
For Cobi Illian, a deep dive into statistical analysis during his coursework at Rose-Hulman was the catalyst for exploration that led to his future academic and career pursuits. Illian, a math bachelor’s (2019) and engineering management master’s (2020) alumnus, combines the technical expertise and curiosity sparked during his undergraduate work with the management skills of his graduate degree in his role as senior technical consultant for an information technology service management software company.
Charles “Chaz” Childs, a 2017 biology graduate, chose to attend Rose-Hulman specifically for its science offerings. While in high school, Childs attended the Operation Catapult summer STEM camp and found the projects and the professor heading it up opened his eyes to the world of biology. Today, Childs is a principal scientist with Eli Lilly and Company, working as a protein biochemist focusing on bioconjugation and synthesis of antibody drug conjugates.
As a physics major and math minor at Rose-Hulman, 2018 alumna Val Grafton found opportunities to engage in projects that she says she wouldn't have gotten as an undergraduate at larger universities. Today, she works as a senior mechanical systems design engineer for Collins Aerospace.
The Provost Scholarship is awarded to students applying to study biology, chemistry, or biochemistry. Our science programs prepare students for graduate and professional schools by placing emphasis on hands-on, research-based learning experiences. This scholarship adds $10,000 to $20,000 of grant assistance to recipients’ financial aid awards. To be considered, applicants must apply by the November 1 early action date.
