Canisius College

Where leaders are made

A Canisius College education focuses on academic inquiry, personal growth, and close collaboration with faculty mentors. Whether you’re studying in the lab or in the field, you’ll pursue unique opportunities not typically available at the undergraduate level.

Biology, Chemistry, and Biochemistry
Interested in studying biology and going on to medical school? How about a career as a research chemist or biochemist? Or maybe you’re called to teach science to high school students. With a Biology, Chemistry, or Biochemistry degree from Canisius College, you’ll have a variety of career paths in health and medicine to choose from.

Starting as early as the summer after your freshman year, you’ll have access to research opportunities not typically available to undergraduates. Canisius students present the results of their research at national conferences and coauthor publications in prestigious peer-reviewed journals. The Dr. George E. Schreiner ’43 Pre-Medical Center is dedicated specifically to helping students prepare for and apply to medical, pharmacy, and dental schools. In fact, for seven years in a row, our pre-med candidates have been accepted to medical school at a rate of 86%.

All our courses are taught by full-time faculty. Our small class sizes enable a high level of student-faculty interaction, allowing classroom instruction to incorporate active learning techniques. All majors are advised by faculty in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry.

Many visiting speakers, including Gassman Seminar Series speakers, come to campus to discuss the latest research developments and career opportunities. Our students gain hands-on experience with all major types of modern instrumentation, and our award-winning Chemistry Club participates in numerous outreach and social events.

Health & Wellness
The study of physical activity, health, and wellness and its practical applications can significantly impact the health and quality of life for every individual, regardless of age, race, or gender. The Health & Wellness major at Canisius will prepare you for a number of health and fitness careers, including personal trainer, group exercise instructor, strength and conditioning coach, clinical exercise physiologist, sport dietitian, and physical therapist. You’ll also learn about career options in allied health and other medical-related fields. 

Classes are taught by faculty from the Department of Kinesiology, who utilize group and individual assignments that go beyond the classroom and challenge students to apply theories to real-life situations. Emphasis is placed on the development of cognitive knowledge that can be applied to various employment settings in fitness- or health-related fields. 

Clinical Laboratory Science 
The Clinical Laboratory Science major at Canisius will take you on a straight path to a rewarding and well-respected career in the burgeoning medical sciences field. Three years of campus-based classroom and lab work, a one-year hands-on internship in an accredited hospital laboratory, and the successful completion of a board certification exam will provide you with one great career. It’s an intensive program, but you’ll get a jump on your career ahead of other students in similar programs.

Class sizes are small, which means you’ll have a lot of one-on-one instruction. In your hospital rotation, you’ll work in areas such as chemistry, phlebotomy, bacteriology, immunology, blood bank, hematology, and parasitology—but ultimately, you’ll be able to choose a specific area that appeals to you.

A national shortage of licensed medical lab professionals means you’ll have a competitive edge for career opportunities with hospitals and labs. Most Canisius students find dynamic work in laboratory medicine right after graduation, while others find jobs in areas such as medical administration, management, and medical instrument sales.