3. Women in the Sciences

Art and Science Converge
Mie '01

A Professional Dream Takes Shape
Neo '02

Saving the Acropolis
Tara '05

Science, Shadowing, Singing
Kassidy '06

Siberian Nights on a Pristine Lake
Nicole '03

Using Both Sides of the Brain
Sara '02

A Role Model for Young Scientists
Joanne Berger-Sweeney

Using Campus as her Laboratory
Beth DeSombre

World-Class Research
Nancy Kolodny

Women in the sciences at Wellesley have extraordinary opportunities. While some students know at a very early age that they are interested in the sciences, others develop a passion for it once they've arrived at Wellesley.

Some choose to combine scientific and nonscientific realms by double majoring in fascinating combinations of fields such as geology and classics, neuroscience and French, or astronomy and theatre. Wellesley has earned a reputation for excellence in research and the sciences. Students may be involved in research as early as their first year.

Wellesley encourages students to achieve in mathematics and in the sciences by giving them opportunities to work closely with professors on independent research, and even to copublish their research or attend a scientific meeting with a faculty member. Science research opportunities are supported by grants from the College as well as from prestigious outside organizations such as the National Science Foundation. Much of Wellesley's leading-edge scientific instrumentation at the Science Center is typically found only at graduate institutions. You can have access to this equipment for classwork or research as early as your first year.

Wellesley professors in the sciences are here because they want to interact and do research extensively with undergraduates. In the sciences, as well as throughout the entire College, 98% of the faculty hold a Ph.D. or the highest degree in their field. Although the sciences are traditionally male-dominated fields, approximately 50% of the science faculty at Wellesley are women, many of whom serve as inspiring role models. Professors often develop close relationships with students, serving as mentors and maintaining contact long after graduation.

On average the acceptance rate to medical schools is over 70%, significantly higher than the national average. Approximately 34% of chemistry or biological chemistry majors enter graduate or medical school directly following graduation.

"Throughout my four years, I was constantly amazed that professors treated me less as a student of science and more as a budding scientist. . .

. . . On an academic level, I not only gained a great deal of knowledge from the Biological Sciences Department (such that much of my first year of med school (Harvard) consisted of reviewing and reinforcing concepts I had already learned in my undergraduate biology classes), but also realized for the first time that Wellesley teaching—in every department—is unparalleled.
Hannah '01
For more of Hannah's comments, see Reflections on Wellesley (pdf)

Shani '01, who also played Varsity Basketball at Wellesley, is currently in medical school at the University of California, San Francisco

"I was one of three Wellesley physics majors to participate in the NASA Reduced Gravity Student Flight Opportunities Program my junior year. Our team proposed, designed, and fabricated a reduced-gravity experiment investigating rotating liquids during space conditions. We completed more than 30 parabolic maneuvers over the Gulf of Mexico and experienced 25 seconds of zero-gravity conditions for each of the experiments we conducted. It was amazing! Wellesley faculty and alumnae are very supportive, and the available resources here are phenomenal. Our team met NASA astronaut Pam Melroy '83, who had recently piloted a mission to the International Space Station. She was really helpful."
Kate '01

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Last Modified on October 22, 2007
Expires on December 31, 2008