Success After Graduation
From the first day of classes, the Feinstein School of Social and Natural Sciences (SSNS) trains students to be scientists and practitioners through hands-on fieldwork and real-world research projects that develop their skills in analytical thinking, research methods, quantitative reasoning, and sociocultural learning.
Success By The Numbers
 Percentage of 2018 graduates in biology, mathematics, biochemistry, psychology, political science, and public health programs that are employed or in graduate school within six months of graduation. |  SSNS graduates are agile and can leverage their skills with employment across eight different industry sectors. |  Percentage of 2018 SSNS graduates who participated in short-term or semester study abroad. |
RWU Equips You for a Great Career
Across all our programs, alumni find success in graduate programs and their fields.
Bio/Chemistry and Political Science Alumni Start Company to Fight Malaria
Best friends since meeting at RWU, Kerry Gilmore '06, a chemist working at Max Planck Institute in Germany, and Adam Maust '05, a veteran of managing political campaigns, are joining together to make antimalarial medicine with their groundbreaking, patented technology. Their venture took root with their connection at RWU and the foundation of an excellent education.
A Marine Biology Major Gets into Prestigious Veterinary School
Ava Mastrostefano ’18 credits her well-rounded experiences at RWU for making her dream come true – getting into one of the nation’s most prestigious veterinary schools: Tufts University. A member of the Honors Program, she worked in the Aquatic Diagnostic Laboratory, conducted her own marine biology and public health research, presented at national conferences, and completed a public health-focused service-learning project in Peru.
Making Connections to a Successful Career in Politics
For Jakub Lis ’17, his connections in the world of politics started at RWU, sparking his passion for political work and launching his career in state and federal government. Since working on his first political campaign as a sophomore, he’s already advanced his career from a field organizer for the R.I. Democratic Party to the community outreach coordinator for U.S. Congressman David Cicilline.
Research Experience Lands Marine Biology & Chemistry Major in Grad School
While most of her fellow doctoral classmates are still hoping to get their work published, Rebecca Metivier ’17 can say she’s already been published in a national peer-reviewed science journal thanks to collaborating on cutting-edge research with faculty experts at RWU. Now a doctoral student in Boston College’s chemical biology program, she gained significant research experience before she even applied to graduate school.
From RWU Chemistry Lab to Centers for Disease Control Lab
At the Centers for Disease Control’s influenza laboratory, Elizabeth LeMasters ’10 works toward developing a test to create a universal flu vaccine and has helped an international infection control team on global Ebola response. But before she joined the CDC, her passion for fighting infectious diseases started with a virology course at RWU.
Turning Passion into Careers with Experiential Learning
At RWU, we emphasize hands-on learning, knowing that those are the kinds of educational experiences that prepare students for great careers. Whether that’s bringing students out into the field to conduct firsthand research or bringing lessons to life through unique real-world projects, we make experiential learning the focus of every course – like this one, which took a public health and psychology-focused look at food insecurity issues.
Her Math Research for NASA Might Land on Mars
What's cooler than contributing research for a NASA mission to Mars? As an Applied Math and Biology double major, Hien Ngo ’18 conducted NASA-funded research to design the interior of a Mars rover, giving her an edge on getting into graduate school. Not only might she one day see her spaceship fly, she’s now in the master of education program for biological and physical sciences at Boston University and a Science Fellow at City on a Hill Charter Public Schools.
Cutting-Edge Labs and Resources
In addition to small class sizes and making connections with expert faculty, students get access to top-notch facilities and research tools.
- The Marine and Natural Sciences building contains state-of-the-art laboratories, including an open seawater lab. With saltwater drawn straight from the bay, our shellfish hatchery and tropical fish aquaculture facility provide opportunities to pioneer research and technology development alongside faculty members.
- The Center for Economic and Environmental Development conducts research that promotes the environmentally sustainable development of marine and maritime industries in Rhode Island. Its facilities include a Wet Lab, Shellfish Hatchery, Dockside Aquaculture, and Aquatic Diagnostic Lab.
- With an NSF grant, RWU obtained a 30-foot research vessel outfitted for coastal research with cutting-edge sampling, safety and navigation equipment. Our new experiential learning research vessel (InVinceble Spirit) allows an entire class to be on board in the bay and directly experience our coastal ecosystem dynamics.