Most students who major in biology at Lander are interested in the health sciences and are often pre-med, pre-dent, pre-PA, and pre-PT.
Our rigorous curriculum and proven pre-health advising program are designed to prepare you for a future career as a doctor, dentist, or allied-health professional. In many cases, you can continue your healthcare studies, and maintain your religious commitment, within the Touro system.
“I chose Touro because it’s a good school, and I liked that I could study the Torah and take college classes at the same time. Plus, Touro has its own medical school, and undergrads have an advantage to get in.”
Mentorship for a Life of Science, and a Life of Faith
At LCM, your largest classes will have 25 students. The guys who share your major will have a similar focus on their Torah study and their academic pursuit. You’ll be taught by full-time faculty who aren’t shy about pushing you when you need to be challenged, and guiding you when you feel unsure of your next step. Combine that with individual advising from LCM’s experienced career services staff, and you’ll be well prepared to pursue a career in healthcare.
“I have a PhD in biochemistry on the one hand. On the other, I have advanced knowledge of Talmudic studies. My courses reflect this synthesis, and my relationship with my students often centers around appreciating G-d through the study of science and the world. I am able to impart a feeling of confidence to students who wish to pursue a career in medicine, dentistry, or research science that they can succeed in these fields while remaining steadfast to their religious commitment and even growth within it. This is a very important factor in our bonding, and what makes LCM unique.”
Academic and Applied Knowledge
Broadly speaking, biology is the study of all forms of life. At Lander, you’ll be encouraged to connect what you learn in lectures and in the lab with real-world experiences such as job shadowing, summer research projects, and internships.
LCM students have gained a hands-on understanding of what they can do with a biology major by volunteering at hospice houses, earning internships at cancer research institutes, and working in group homes for people with developmental disabilities — all while balancing a full course load and daily shiurim.
Biology Honors Program
Students looking to distinguish themselves and prepare for the demands of graduate school can choose to pursue Lander’s honors major in biology. Along with the standard requirements for the major, honors students do original research in their senior year. Under faculty mentorship, you’ll be encouraged to dive deep into your area of inquiry, test your hypothesis, report and defend your results, and develop a plan for continuing the research beyond its initial phase.
Student Spotlight: Matan Schiller
Matan plans to go into a career in medicine or dentistry. He manages the intense demands of LCM’s biology program by building connections with other bio majors who’ve become lasting friends and study partners. “I love meeting like-minded people with similar interests who want to grow in learning and as professionals — people with whom you might continue on to grad school,” he says. “These are relationships you take with you for the rest of your life.”
With the help of Lander’s Career Services department, Matan also strengthened his resume and brushed up on his interview skills in preparation for a summer internship. As a result, he landed a coveted role doing summer research in psychiatry at Johns Hopkins University in his hometown of Baltimore, Maryland.
“Lander lets me balance both aspects of life that are so important to me. I can immerse myself in Talmud study, nurturing my spiritual growth, while simultaneously gearing up for a promising career.”
Pathways at Touro
Touro offers many pathways to build on your study of biology within the University. Lander students also have the advantage of priority admission to our graduate and professional schools — smoothing your way to a rewarding career.
- The intensive Medical Honors Pathway leads to a bachelor's degree from LCM and a medical degree from New York Medical College. You apply for this program along with your application to LCM.
- The Dental Honors Pathway is a 4+4 pathway to a DDS from Touro College of Dental Medicine, which includes a year in Israel. You apply for this program along with your application to LCM.
- The Integrated Honors Track in Health Sciences is a path to graduate programs in physical therapy, occupational therapy, or speech language pathology at SHS. We also offer a physician assistant preparatory program for pre-PA track students.
- The Integrated Honors Track in Osteopathic Medicine is a pathway into the Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine and another option Touro option if you are interested in medicine.
- The Integrated Honors Track in Pharmacy offers a seamless way for students interested in pharmaceutical science to enter the Touro College of Pharmacy program.
“A major advantage for LCM students is that Touro has very rich post-graduate programs, whether it's medical school, dental school, PT, PA, OT, or others. Students are fortunate that they have all of these schools to choose from.”
Where are Lander’s Biology Graduates Now?
LCM alumni go on to become physicians, dentists, and pharmacists. They also choose careers as physician assistants, physical therapists, and nurses. You’ll find Lander alumni serving in hospitals, private practices and clinics, doing research at large academic medical centers, and standing out/exceling in their careers and communities. Where do they work? At organizations like Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Research Institute, Westchester Medical Center, Columbia University College of Dental Medicine, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Kew Dental Care, and Albert Einstein College of Medicine.
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What You Can Expect From Lander
Aside from small class sizes, experienced faculty, individualized attention, and demanding academics, you can expect alumni connections, support to enter the professional world, and an understanding of what you might be looking for as a Torah Jew raising a family and earning a living.
- As with all Touro majors, we have a strong alumni network you can rely on, and a powerhouse Career Services department that will prepare you for the workplace and help you start your career.
- As part of our mentoring program, we can match you with alumni currently in the field, to mentor you and answer any questions on your career.
- We host career night dinners each year, where alumni come back to campus and gather around the dinner table with you, to help you get an inside view of their career with real talk about the profession.
- No disconnect between your morning in the Beis Medrash and your afternoon in a college classroom. Torah infuses everything we do. The shiur course you’ll take on Jewish Medical Ethics is one example of the balance and coordination you’ll find here.
