BA / BS Biology

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Utah

Program Overview

The BA/BS in Biology at the University of Utah provides a broad foundation in modern biological science, covering areas from molecular and cellular biology to genetics, organismal biology, ecology, evolution, and environmental biology. It suits students interested in life-science careers, research, healthcare and other professional pathways, with opportunities to build additional expertise through Cell & Molecular Biology, Ecology, Evolution & Environmental Biology, Health, Anatomy & Physiology, or Integrative Organismal Biology.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students establish their foundation in biology and the sciences through courses such as BIOL 1610 Fundamental Principles of Biology I, BIOL 1615 Fundamental Principles of Biology Lab I, and BIOL 1620 Fundamental Principles of Biology II. These courses introduce core biological principles while laboratory work begins developing practical scientific skills.

Year 2: Students progress into cellular and genetic concepts through courses such as BIOL 2020 Principles of Cell Biology and BIOL 2030 Genetics, alongside the required science core in chemistry, physics and mathematics. The curriculum broadens students' understanding of how biological information is organized, expressed and transmitted.

Year 3: Students move into upper-division biology and begin developing deeper knowledge across the major's biological areas, selecting courses in areas such as Ecology, Evolution, and Environmental Biology, cell and molecular biology, or organismal biology. Additional laboratory coursework strengthens their ability to interpret and conduct biological experiments.

Year 4: Advanced study allows students to concentrate their electives around their interests while completing the upper-division and laboratory requirements. Depending on their chosen direction, students can explore subjects connected with Health, Anatomy and Physiology, Cell and Molecular Biology, Integrative Organismal Biology, or Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Biology, preparing them for employment or further professional and graduate study.

Focus Areas

Cell & Molecular Biology: cellular structures, molecular processes, DNA, RNA, proteins, cell communication and molecular research; Ecology, Evolution & Environmental Biology: organism–environment interactions, evolution, biodiversity and environmental processes; Health, Anatomy & Physiology: human structure, physiological processes, health and disease; Integrative Organismal Biology: genetics, physiology, ecology and evolution integrated to understand organisms and their environments.

Learning Outcomes

Biological knowledge: explain evolution, genetic information, molecular and cellular structures, organismal structures and environmental interactions; Scientific skills: interpret, design and conduct biological experiments and use mathematical or computational tools to study biology; Communication: effectively communicate biological concepts to others.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

Professional alignment: The University of Utah describes the Biology curriculum as preparing students for professional careers in biology and for graduate and professional fields including medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine and other related areas. The official catalog does not state a separate external professional accreditation for the general Biology BA/BS, so no program-specific accreditation is claimed here.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

Research reputation: The University of Utah School of Biological Sciences describes itself as a leading research institution with research spanning molecular biology through ecology and fieldwork, while the school provides undergraduate access to research opportunities across approximately 50 research groups. The official university sources reviewed do not publish a program-specific Biology employability ranking from QS, Guardian, or a comparable ranking body, so no ranking is stated.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The University of Utah’s BA/BS in Biology combines laboratory, field, and research-based learning across areas such as cell and molecular biology, ecology, evolution, environmental biology, and organismal biology. Students complete multiple biology laboratories and can move beyond coursework into faculty-led research, internships, and specialized facilities, giving them opportunities to develop practical scientific and analytical skills. The School of Biological Sciences supports approximately 50 research groups, ranging from molecular laboratory research to ecological fieldwork, creating substantial opportunities for undergraduate involvement.

Practical opportunities include:

Inquiry-based laboratories: BIOL 1615 – Fundamentals of Biology Lab I introduces scientific-method skills through experiments involving cells, genetics, and biochemistry.
Advanced laboratory work: Students complete additional biology labs as part of the major, with options covering different areas of biology. The curriculum requires four approved BIOL laboratory courses overall.
Molecular laboratory techniques: BIOL 3525 – Molecular Biology DNA Lab provides hands-on investigation of DNA structure, DNA damage, and DNA repair.
Biochemistry techniques: BIOL 3515 – Biological Chemistry Lab develops practical experience with spectrophotometry, enzyme kinetics, electrophoresis, chromatography, computer-based data analysis, and molecular modeling.
Independent research: BIOL 4955 – Individual Research allows students to participate in faculty-sponsored research and apply the research credits toward eligible biology requirements.
Research exploration: BIOL 2870 – Faculty Research Seminar introduces students to faculty research spanning ecology, climate science, human physiology, brain function, cells, biological nanomachines, and molecular structure, including how undergraduates can become involved.
Research facilities: The School provides access to specialized research resources, including an Illumina MiSeq high-throughput DNA sequencing system and Agilent TapeStation for sequencing-library quality control.
Field-based learning: The School's research spans from molecular benchwork to ecology fieldwork, with centers and field stations supporting biological research and educational opportunities.
Internships: Biology majors can receive academic credit for qualifying biology-focused internships of at least 50 hours through BIOL 4965 – Independent Study Internship courses, providing real-world practice and professional networking.
Collaborative research environment: Students can work and collaborate across different biological scales and research approaches through the School's numerous faculty research groups.
Program flexibility: Students can focus their practical learning through emphases in Cell & Molecular Biology; Ecology, Evolution & Environmental Biology; Health, Anatomy & Physiology; or Integrative Organismal Biology.

Progression & Future Opportunities

A Biology degree from the University of Utah can prepare graduates for roles spanning research, biotechnology, healthcare, environmental science, government, and laboratory-based work. The School of Biological Sciences emphasizes undergraduate research, internships, professional networking, and preparation for postgraduate opportunities, giving students multiple pathways after graduation.

Career roles: Biologist, Biological Technician, Molecular & Cellular Biologist, Zoologist/Wildlife Biologist.

Career services: U Career Success supports students with career coaching, resume development, interview preparation, internships, and Handshake, while College of Science career coaches help students connect academic goals with professional plans.
Employment and salary information: The University of Utah's UGuide lists Biologist careers at approximately $93,000 median annual earnings in 2025, with 80% earning approximately $54,000–$162,000. For Biological Technicians, the College of Science lists a $46,340 median annual wage, and for Zoologists/Wildlife Biologists, $66,350. These are occupation-level figures rather than salaries specifically guaranteed to University of Utah Biology graduates.
University–industry connections: The College of Science's Science Research Initiative Career Accelerator Program (SRI-CAP) connects life-science students with research experiences aligned with Utah's biotechnology and health-sciences sectors and is designed around collaborations with industry.
Internship pathways: Biology majors can receive academic credit for biology-focused internships of at least 50 hours, including opportunities with government agencies, nonprofit organizations, private firms, and university-affiliated laboratories.
Research and professional preparation: The School of Biological Sciences has approximately 50 research groups, spanning molecular laboratory research through field-based ecology, and research experience is identified by the School as an important criterion for acceptance into many postgraduate professional programs.
Accreditation value: The University of Utah has maintained institutional accreditation through the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) continuously since 1933. The university states that accreditation confirms compliance with established standards of educational quality and effectiveness.
Graduation outcomes: Biology graduates can move directly into employment, internships and research roles, or continue into professional and graduate education. The School specifically provides preprofessional advising for medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, and law, alongside career coaching and alumni-professional networking through BioLuminaries.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the bachelor's degree, students can continue into the University of Utah's Master of Science in Biology, which offers focused graduate training in Molecular, Cellular, and Evolutionary Biology (MCEB) or Ecology, Evolution and Organismal Biology (EEOB). The university also offers an approved BS/MS Biology combined degree, while students interested in healthcare or other professional fields can use the university's preprofessional advising pathways to prepare for further professional-school study.