Students interested in a career in biology or a related field are encouraged to earn at least a baccalaureate degree (BS). Many professions (e.g. pharmacy, medicine) require additional post-baccalaureate education. The Bachelor of Science in Biology Degree may be used for entry into a career or in preparation for post-baccalaureate (for masters and doctoral degrees) or professional (e.g. medical, dental) education.
The UVU Biology program offers a variety of courses that investigate the living world, including courses in biology, botany, ecology, genetics, human anatomy, human physiology, conservation biology, microbiology, zoology and others. A course of study may be designed to provide breadth in the life sciences or to prepare students for a specific area of biology.
Students who are transferring from SLCC with an A.S. degree in biotechnology will need to fulfill additional lower division requirements at SLCC if they do not wish to travel to the Orem campus. Only classes that are 3000 and 4000 level will be taught on the West Jordan campus of SLCC. That means students will need to complete the following courses at SLCC before they attend UVU if they do not wish to travel to the Orem campus:
Basically, any courses that are 1000 or 2000 level on the course sequence should be taken at SLCC if the student does not desire to travel to the UVU main campus in Orem for courses.
Students in UVU’s bioinformatics program are at the exciting new intersection between computer science and biology, where they will learn how to use computational and statistical methods to understand and analyze complex biological information. Bioinformatics is an interdisciplinary program that provides students scientific laboratory skills, computer programming capabilities, and statistical analytics necessary for 21st century biology. Studying bioinformatics will prepare students for some of the fastest growing, high-demand careers in fields such as biotechnology, healthcare, and environmental sciences. Students in this program are highly encouraged to participate in undergraduate research with faculty mentors. Our UVU faculty can provide diverse research opportunities in fields including phylogenetics, genomics, environmental microbiology, computational science and data science. Many of our students will be able to present or publish on their work before graduation.
Students in UVU’s microbiology program will examine the roles and interactions of microbial populations in aquatic, terrestrial, human, animal, and plant systems. While microorganisms are most known for their ability to cause disease, they are ubiquitous on earth and central to many of the essential life processes on this planet. Students in this program will examine the field of microbiology as a major contributor to human, animal, plant, and environmental health. Studying microbiology will prepare students to go to medical, dental, veterinary, or graduate school, and also provides them a highly employable career option in healthcare, industry, or government agencies. Students in this program are highly encouraged to participate in undergraduate research with faculty mentors. The UVU microbiology program provides research opportunities in diverse microbial fields including environmental microbiology, bacterial pathogenesis, mycology, plant virology, and microbiome research. Many of our students will be able to present or publish on their work before graduation.
UVU’s botany program provides students with a solid background in the general sciences (biology chemistry, math, and physics), preparing them for placement in entry level botany/biology positions, or acceptance into graduate level programs. We offer a variety of upper division botany courses from which students may tailor their degree.
Students are also highly encouraged to participate in undergraduate research with faculty mentors. Many of our students have published their work prior to graduation. Undergraduate research prepares students for careers, or graduate school opportunities.
UVU botany program offers research laboratories, three climate greenhouse facilities, Utah native plant garden, and both a physical and virtual herbarium. In addition, UVU operates a field station within Capitol Reef National Park.
Graduates with a bachelor´s degree in Biology Education will be qualified to obtain state licensure to teach at the secondary level, and the degree fulfills the requirements for the Biological Science Composite Major endorsement. If the student completes additional chemistry and earth science courses, then the student may also qualify for other teaching endorsements in the sciences.
Current employment opportunities for graduates from Biology Education programs are strong, particularly for those who also have a chemistry endorsement or integrated science endorsement in addition to the biological science composite endorsement.
The following information is from “Supply and Demand Needs of K-12 Education in the State of Utah 2005-2006” published by the Utah System of Higher Education:
Will Biology Education meet the educational requirements for the professional credential in the state or US territory you might choose to live during or after completing your UVU degree? Visit the UVU Professional Licensure website to learn more!
Many opportunities exist for advanced and professional degrees for those completing the Bachelor Degree in Integrated Studies (IS) program (law school, medical and dental schools, MBA, MPA, etc) and in the business environment. Many employers seek students with skills gained from liberal arts programs like Integrated Studies. These skills include the ability to comprehend diverse material, to write clearly, to think critically, to work cooperatively, and to become adept at problem solving.
The individualized nature of the Integrated Studies degree is attractive to students with multiple interests who want to develop skills that are relevant to a variety of careers. Students integrate course work in emphases such as science, business, health, literature, languages, communication, philosophy, behavioral science, social science and the arts. Emphases from computer science and information systems, accounting, technology and trades and physical education are also offered as part of this degree. Following are the key knowledge, skill, and ability goals for students who complete an Emphasis in Earth Science as part of their Integrated Studies degree.
The Associate in Science Degree is intended for students who plan to use it as a first step toward a baccalaureate degree. The AS degree may be granted to those who do not continue in a bachelor’s program and meet the minimum requirements. It is highly recommended that those who receive an associate degree continue on to receive a Bachelors of Science Degree in biology.
A Minor in Biology allows students to gain valuable experience in the biological sciences while completing their primary field of study. A Minor in Biology allows students to take advanced biology coursework related to their field of interest. The biology minor complements the skills the student gains in his or her major program by providing an underlying scientific base upon which to build a career in any field of study.
