Plant in water

BS - Biology

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.

Learning Outcomes

  • Apply the process of science through the use of hypothesis testing in the design and completion of scientific experiments.
  • Critically evaluate scientific information.
  • Quantitatively analyze scientific data through graph interpretation, statistical analysis, and problem solving.
  • Effectively communicate scientific information in both written and oral formats.
  • Explain fundamental biological concepts including cell biology, genetics, evolution, ecological principles, organismal biology, and biodiversity.
  • Apply scientific concepts both across and outside of biology that demonstrate interdisciplinary understanding.

Credits to Completion

120

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Microscope

BS - Biotechnology

Biotechnology harnesses the power of the natural world to develop solutions to improve our lives, our health, and the health of our planet. A B.S. in Biotechnology at UVU is an incredibly versatile degree which emphasizes hands on experiments and internships, ultimately providing a large number of potential career options. Many students with a degree in Biotechnology find employment at local companies such as ARUP, BioMerieux, Myriad Genetics, and Nelson Laboratories. With additional education, majors can go on to careers in law, medicine, agriculture, entrepreneurship, regulatory affairs, non-profit work, or research.

The biotechnology major emphasizes laboratory experiences in addition to a theoretical science background. As a major you will learn skills such as recombinant DNA technology, gene cloning, bioinformatic DNA sequence analysis, protein expression and purification, bacterial and mammalian cell culture, and experimental design.

A unique feature of the major is the internship, during which students conduct research at either a local biotech company, or under the mentorship of a professor at UVU. Many of these projects are student-designed and led, tailored to their interests. The Biotech Program also runs a contract research organization, InnovaBio, where students work as interns for local companies through contract work. Altogether, students gain over 600 hours of lab training and skills on their way to receiving a B.S. in Biotechnology.

UVU.

Learning Outcomes

  • Apply the process of science through the use of hypothesis testing in the design and completion of scientific experiments.
  • Critically evaluate scientific information.
  • Quantitatively analyze scientific data through graph interpretation, statistical analysis, and problem solving
  • Effectively communicate scientific information in both written and oral formats.
  • Explain fundamental biological concepts including molecular biology, biochemistry, cell biology, genetics, and evolution.

Credits to Completion

124

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Person looking at a cell on a computer

BS - Bioinformatics

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.

Learning Outcomes

  • Demonstrate mastery of the core concepts of bioinformatics as derived from the associated fields of biology, computer science, mathematics, informatics, and chemistry.
  • Utilize existing software to extract, compile, and analyze information from large databases.
  • Create data science pipelines and/or computer programs that facilitate biological data analysis.
  • Complete a project in bioinformatics and communicate the outcomes effectively by participation in one or more of the following: an internship, a professional presentation, mentored research, or as coauthor of a peer-reviewed publication (or other approved activity).

Credits to Completion

120

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Cells

BS - Microbiology

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.

Learning Outcomes

  • Apply the process of science through the use of hypothesis testing in the design and completion of scientific experiments
  • Critically evaluate scientific information
  • Quantitatively analyze scientific data through graph interpretation, statistical analysis, and problem solving
  • Effectively communicate scientific information in both written and oral formats.
  • Explain fundamental microbiological concepts including microbial genetics and molecular biology, ecology and environmental microbiology, and physiology and biochemistry

Credits to Completion

120

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fungi in a jungle

BS - Botany

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.

Learning Outcomes

  • Apply the process of science through the use of hypothesis testing in the design and completion of scientific experiments.
  • Critically evaluate scientific information.
  • Quantitatively analyze scientific data through graph interpretation, statistical analysis, and problem solving.
  • Effectively communicate scientific information in both written and oral formats.
  • Explain fundamental botanical concepts including taxonomy, systematics, ecological principles, physiology and diversity.

Credits to Completion

120

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BS - Biology Education

Graduates with a bachelor´s degree in Biology Education will be qualified to obtain state licensure to teach at the secondary level. 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.

Learning Outcomes

  • Demonstrate an overall knowledge of biology needed to teach in the secondary education system.
  • Pass the State Praxis Test Scores
  • Students who gain employment in secondary education will demonstrate skill and knowledge in pedagogy.

Credits to Completion

126

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animals

BS - Zoology

Zoology is the study of animals, the most diverse group of organisms on Earth. The field of Zoology includes the structure, embryology, evolution, classification, habits, and distribution of all animals, both living and extinct, and how they interact with their ecosystems. This curriculum will allow students to examine the diversity, anatomy, physiology, evolution, behavior, and ecology of animals while also giving students a strong background in the fundamentals of biological science. A degree in Zoology can open the door to a wide variety of careers in different industries. Studying Zoology will prepare students for veterinary, dental, or graduate school, and provides them with highly employable career options in animal care (e.g. aquaria, zoos, aviaries), wildlife biology, conservation, and government agencies. A degree in Zoology allows students to easily enter the workforce or continue to a professional or graduate program.

Learning Outcomes

  • Apply the process of science through the use of hypothesis testing in the design and completion of scientific experiments
  • Critically evaluate scientific information
  • Quantitatively analyze scientific data through graph interpretation, statistical analysis, and problem solving
  • Effectively communicate scientific information in both written and oral formats
  • Explain fundamental zoological concepts including cell biology, genetics, evolution, ecological principles, organismal biology, and biodiversity

Credits to Completion

120

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biomedical image

BS - Biomedical Science

Biomedical Science aims to use the vast and ever-progressing fields of biology to improve human health and the treatment of disease. It encompasses the general fields of human anatomy, physiology, genetics, cell biology, and molecular biology, as well as more specialized disciplines such as neuroscience, immunology, histology, developmental biology and pathophysiology, among others. A degree in Biomedical Science helps to prepare students for several careers within healthcare, as well as a solid foundation for other post-baccalaureate work. These include preparation for medical school, dental school, and a wide variety of other graduate school options. In addition, students who are not interested in pursuing a graduate degree could work for medical labs, research labs, hospitals, biotech companies, and pharmaceutical companies following graduation with a BS in Biomedical Science.

Learning Outcomes

  • Apply the process of science through the use of hypothesis testing in the design and completion of scientific experiments.
  • Critically evaluate scientific information.
  • Quantitatively analyze scientific data through graph interpretation, statistical analysis, and problem solving.
  • Effectively communicate scientific information in both written and oral formats
  • Explain fundamental biological concepts in cell biology, anatomy, and physiology, including how they relate to human health and disease.

Credits to Completion

120

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BS/BA - Integrated Studies Biology Emphasis

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.

Research Areas

  • Mentors
  • Labs
  • General Education (GE) Success
  • Refresher Workshops
  • Summer Programs

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AA/AS - Biology

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.

Learning Outcomes

  • Demonstrate knowledge of cellular and organismal biology. Demonstrate a knowledge of molecular biology and genetics
  • Demonstrate a knowledge of molecular genetics and principles of inheritance
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the principles of ecology emphasizing organisms’ interdependency for survival and for quality of life in the biosphere.
  • Recognize evolution as the unifying theory within biology and demonstrate a knowledge of the role of mutation and natural selection in the evolutionary process.
  • Biology graduates applying to post-graduate studies will be accepted into graduate, medical or dental schools.

Credits to Completion

60

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Instructor drawing a diagram of a cell

Minor - 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.

Learning Outcomes

  • Critically evaluate scientific information.
  • Quantitatively analyze scientific data through graph interpretation, statistical analysis, and problem solving.
  • Explain fundamental biological concepts including cell biology, genetics, evolution, ecological principles, organismal biology, and biodiversity.

Credits to Completion

21

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owl image

Minor - Zoology

Zoology is the study of animals, the most diverse group of organisms on Earth. The field of Zoology includes the structure, embryology, evolution, classification, habits, and distribution of all animals, both living and extinct, and how they interact with their ecosystems. This curriculum will allow students to examine the diversity, anatomy, physiology, evolution, behavior, and ecology of animals while also giving students a strong background in the fundamentals of biological science. A minor in Zoology can open the door to a wide variety of careers in different industries. Studying Zoology will prepare students for veterinary, dental, or graduate school, and provides them with highly employable career options in animal care (e.g. aquaria, zoos, aviaries), wildlife biology, conservation, and government agencies. A degree in Zoology allows students to easily enter the workforce or continue to a professional or graduate program.

Learning Outcomes

  • Apply the process of science through the use of hypothesis testing in the design and completion of scientific experiments
  • Critically evaluate scientific information
  • Quantitatively analyze scientific data through graph interpretation, statistical analysis, and problem solving
  • Effectively communicate scientific information in both written and oral formats
  • Explain fundamental zoological concepts including cell biology, genetics, evolution, ecological principles, organismal biology, and biodiversity

Credits to Completion

24

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Resources and Advising

Students

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Faculty

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Advising

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Lab Safety

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Innovabio

Cells
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Open Positions

UVU Job Opportunities in Biology
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News

 

Hear from Biology Students and Faculty

Botany research

What its like for Boston Swan to do Botany research at UVU.

Department page

Being a Biology major

What being a Biology major is like at UVU.

Department page

Student/Faculty Showcase

Paul Dunn - Associate biology professor

Faculty Showcase

Associate professor of biology, Paul Dunn was inspired to teach marine biology after one of his professors proved that, yes, you can study marine biology in a landlocked state!

 
 
 
 

Upcoming Events

Biology Department Colloquium

Date: Oct 2, 2024
Time: 12:00pm-12:50pm

Guest Speaker: Dr. Wayne Lilyestrom, Genentech, California

Title: Around Cancer

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Welcome Back Event

Date: Oct 9, 2024
Time: 12-2pm

Location: 2nd Floor, table area outside Biology Offices

Biology Department Colloquium

Date: Oct 9, 2024
Time: 12:00pm-12:50pm

Guest Speaker: Dr. Francisco Tiap, The University of Queensland, Australia

Title: Homo sapiens

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Biology Department Colloquium

Date: Oct 16, 2024
Time: 12:00pm-12:50pm

Guest Speaker: Dr. Hayat Sindi, Harvard University

Title: TBA

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Biology Department Colloquium

Date: Oct 23, 2024
Time: 12:00pm-12:50pm

Guest Speaker: Dr. Susan M. Bailey, Colorado State University

Title: Twins & Telomeres – in Space!

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Contact Us

Mailing Address

Department of Biology

800 W. University ParkwayOrem, UT 84058
Utah Valley UniversityMS 299

801-863-8511

For individual phone numbers and email addresses, visit our office directory

 

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