Drexel University College of Arts and Sciences

03/21/2025

Professor of Biodiversity, Earth and Environmental Science and Biology Sean O'Donnell, PhD, was a scientific consultant on NBC's "The Americas," contributing his expertise to a segment on army ants.

The 10-part series, narrated by Tom Hanks, explores the extraordinary worlds and wildlife of North and South America, taking viewers on a breathtaking journey across the supercontinent alongside the creatures that call it home.

Learn more about army ants in the article below. Episodes of "The Americas" air Sunday nights on NBC and are available to stream on Peacock.

There are over 200 species of army ants, nomadic colonies which consume every insect, spider, and small vertebrate in their path.

03/20/2025

The Department of Criminology and Justice Studies recently hosted a Reentry Simulation in collaboration with the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

Participants stepped into the shoes of someone transitioning from incarceration back into society by completing tasks that mirrored the various struggles these individuals face, including complying with probation terms, securing employment, attending treatment programs and managing finances.

By understanding the challenges of reentry and discussing innovative solutions, the Drexel University community is helping create positive change in our society.

Read more: https://drexel.edu/coas/news-events/news/2025/March/criminology-and-justice-studies-reentry-simulation/

03/19/2025

The Department of Mathematics celebrated Pi Day with food (pies and pizza), games and activities including Math Taboo, Integration Bee and Jeopardy! Pi Day is an annual celebration of the mathematical constant π (pi), observed on March 14 since 3, 1 and 4 are the first three significant figures of π.

Learn more about mathematics at Drexel University: https://drexel.edu/coas/academics/departments-centers/mathematics/

03/19/2025

03/18/2025

During her time at Drexel University, physics major Alyssa Luby has taken advantage of every opportunity she can find to conduct research as an undergraduate. Her ultimate goal is to contribute to nuclear fusion research as a means of developing a cleaner, more sustainable energy source.

She presented her research on the Beam Lifetime (BL3) Experiment at the recent Kaczmarczik Science Fair and is now preparing for her next presentation at the Arts and Sciences Undergraduate Research Support (ASURS) symposium on April 28.

Luby credits Drexel with providing her with opportunities and connections that have shaped her academic and professional future. "My research gives me the experience I need to prepare for my career while also reassuring me that I’m on the right path."

Learn more: https://drexel.edu/coas/news-events/news/2025/March/physics-major-alyssa-luby-undergraduate-research/

Drexel physics major Alyssa Luby will present her research on the Beam Lifetime (BL3) Experiment at the upcoming Arts and Sciences Undergraduate Research Support (ASURS) symposium.

03/17/2025

Associate Professor of Biodiversity, Earth and Environmental Science Jason Weckstein, PhD, and his Ornithology class recently visited Barnegat, NJ, to observe the many birds that live in this coastal habitat. Students were lucky to see many different species, including the flock of purple sandpipers pictured here.

This course aims to teach students who are enthusiastic about natural history about the biology of birds and covers a variety of topics including evolution, ecology, behavior, conservation and diversity of birds and uses the world renowned specimen collections housed in The Academy of Natural Sciences.

Learn more about biodiversity, earth and environmental science at Drexel University: https://drexel.edu/coas/academics/departments-centers/bees/

03/17/2025

Submissions are now open for the College of Arts and Sciences’ Research Day 2025, which will take place on Thursday, May 29.

All tenured, tenure-track, teaching and research faculty, postdoctoral fellows, graduate and undergraduate students, and trainees are invited to submit abstracts for spoken or poster presentations. Best presentation awards will also be announced at the event.

To submit your work for presentation at the event, please use the link below. Deadline for submissions is Monday, April 28. https://drexel.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6zIyME9Ia2hOqOO

03/14/2025

A-ha moments can feel electrifying, but where do these bursts of insight come from? Professor of Psychological and Brain Sciences John Kounios, PhD, joined KERA Think host Krys Boyd to discuss what scientists understand about how the brain solves problems — and how we might tap into this phenomenon more often. Kounios' article “The Brain Science of Elusive ‘Aha! Moments’” was recently published in Scientific American.

John Kounios is professor in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences and director of the Creativity Research Lab at Drexel University. He joins host Krys Boyd to discuss what scientists understand about how the brain solves problems – and how we might tap into this phenomenon more often...

03/14/2025

Join the College of Arts and Sciences for a Virtual Information Session to learn more about the many majors, minors, and accelerated degrees offered through the College.

You'll also get the chance to hear about the many ways to get involved globally (including studying abroad), co-op program, student experience highlights, and countless leadership and research opportunities.

Register here: https://admissions.drexel.edu/register/?id=8f673d95-90a7-4e05-909b-83297ac980d3

03/13/2025

Across the globe, national-level responses to the opioid epidemic have varied significantly. In Denmark, policies have been strongly informed by the strengths—and limitations—of the modern welfare state.

An intensive course abroad (ICA) in the Department of Criminology and Justice Studies explores the research, policies and practices surrounding addiction in Denmark.

During a week in Copenhagen, students focus on understanding current harm reduction policies, and compare these systems to the American approach to addiction. They leave this experiential learning program with an understanding of the modern Scandinavian welfare state and historical and cultural factors that shape its harm reduction policies, as well as an appreciation of Danish culture.

Learn more about global opportunities at Drexel University: https://drexel.edu/coas/coop-experience/global-opportunities/

03/12/2025

Celebrate Pi Day with the Department of Mathematics! This celebration features food, prizes, games and activities including Math Taboo, Integration Bee and Jeopardy!

This event is free and open to the Drexel University community. RSVP here: https://drexel.edu/coas/news-events/events-calendar/details/?eid=43440&iid=114538

03/11/2025

Applications are open until Sunday, March 16 at 11:59 p.m. for the Drexel College of Arts and Sciences Undergraduate Research Support (ASURS) Fund!

ASURS provides undergraduate students the opportunity to participate in research and scholarship alongside a diverse group of research mentors. The program offers $1,500 in funding to selected students as compensation for three to five hours of research work per week under the direction of a research mentor.

Learn more: https://drexel0.sharepoint.com/sites/arts-sciences-student-resources/SitePages/CoAS%20Funding%20Opportunities.aspx

03/11/2025

The Department of Global Studies and Modern Languages at Drexel University is thrilled to present a Senior Capstone Showcase on Thursday, March 13. Students will display their project posters and discuss their findings. The Drexel community is invited to stop by and support these amazing students!

03/10/2025

The College of Arts and Sciences' Marketing and Communications Department is seeking a work-study student to support our team by assisting with the creation of written and visual content. Interested students may email their resume to [email protected].

03/10/2025

Do you want to affect change at a policy level? Are you thinking about a career in public service? Learn more about our master's programs in Public Policy and Environmental Policy during a virtual information session on Wednesday, March 12 at 5 p.m. Faculty and staff will offer insights into the degree programs and field any questions you may have. Register here: https://drexel.edu/admissions/visit-tours/grad-college-and-school-events/event-registration?_i=6E5D1957-3E62-469D-A0DB-5AE59DE66C64

03/07/2025

Are you a graduating student interested in serving as the Class of 2025 College of Arts and Sciences student commencement speaker? Applications are due Friday, March 14.

Please submit your résumé and a one- to two-minute video of yourself detailing the following:

· Tell us something about you and your personal journey at Drexel. Did you overcome a challenge? Did you learn something extraordinary? What made your experience unique?

·What uplifting message would you like to convey to your graduating classmates?

· Are there any other topics or themes you might like to address in a commencement speech?

We look forward to seeing what you share! https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=-uZkNr1HpkWWcIxPCA-MplkqZdTPPnNHgOtuRByk68hUMFc4OVNYMjlQVEJWUVE3UTNDRTQ4N0xHTC4u&route=shorturl

03/06/2025

In a first-of-its-kind study, researchers from Drexel University's College of Arts and Sciences and Cornell University examined and compared perceived and received peer recognition to help college level physics instructors address these perceptions in the classroom and encourage students to achieve success.

The study is the first education research article to be published in Nature Physics, demonstrating the importance and acceptance of physics education research as a subfield within the broader physics community.

“Our findings hold important implications for physics instructors,” said Meagan Sundstrom, PhD, Cotswold Foundation Postdoctoral Fellow in the College and co-author of the study. “Should instructors intervene on students' perceptions of their recognition or who is getting the recognition?” Read more:

In a first-of-its-kind study, researchers from Drexel University’s College of Arts and Sciences and Cornell University examined and compared perceived and received peer recognition to help college level physics instructors address these perceptions in the class room and encourage students to achie...

03/05/2025

Supported by the College of Arts and Sciences and the Kline School of Law, the new Drexel Justice Collaborative (DJC) is a lab for Drexel University students and faculty to learn about and get involved in justice-related research and community engagement projects.

“A key goal of the DJC is to find ways to bridge the gap between various disciplines within the university and the law school to create a collaborative space focused on applied research, policy work, and other kinds of scholarship to address some of the challenges that we see,” said Jordan Hyatt, PhD, JD, associate professor of criminology and justice studies and one of the lab's directors. Learn more:

The Drexel Justice Collaborative (DJC) is a lab for students and faculty across disciplines to learn about and get involved in justice-related research and community engagement projects.