Biology B.S./B.A. with Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Biology Emphasis

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Utah

Program Overview

The University of Utah’s Biology B.S./B.A. with an Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Biology emphasis explores how organisms interact with their environments, how species change over time, and how biological knowledge can be applied to challenges such as biodiversity loss, climate change, and pollution. It is well suited to students interested in ecology, conservation, evolution, environmental biology, biodiversity, and organismal science, with coursework spanning biology, genetics, ecology, evolution, environmental science, and laboratory study.

Curriculum Structure

The University provides a four-year sample plan for the Biology degree, while the emphasis itself requires students to complete a defined biology core, three emphasis electives, an emphasis laboratory course, additional biology laboratories, and 5000-level biology coursework. The exact semester in which a student takes each course can vary according to prerequisites and the individual degree plan.

Year 1: Students build their scientific foundation through BIOL 1610 Fundamental Principles of Biology I, BIOL 1615 Fundamental Principles of Biology Lab I, BIOL 1620 Fundamental Principles of Biology II, and BIOL 1625 Fundamental Principles of Biology Lab II. The science core also introduces mathematics and chemistry, including Calculus for Biologists I or Calculus I and General Chemistry I with its laboratory component.

Year 2: Students progress into the core biological sciences with BIOL 2020 Principles of Cell Biology or BIOL 2021 Principles of Cell Science, followed by BIOL 2030 Genetics. Chemistry and physics continue to strengthen the quantitative and scientific foundation needed for upper-division ecology and evolution study.

Year 3: The emphasis becomes more specialized through BIOL 3410 Ecology and Evolution and selected Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Biology electives. Students can choose subjects such as BIOL 3460 Global Environmental Issues, BIOL 3470 Conservation Biology, BIOL 3430 Animal Behavior, or BIOL 5440 Urban Ecology, while beginning additional laboratory work.

Year 4: Students deepen their specialization through advanced courses and laboratories, with options including BIOL 5471 Quantitative Models in Evolutionary Ecology, BIOL 5490 Ecosystem Ecology, BIOL 5495 Biophysical Ecology, BIOL 5460 Plant Ecology in a Changing World, and BIOL 5510 Genes, Development and Evolution. The curriculum also requires two 5000-level biology courses and additional biology laboratory coursework, allowing students to develop advanced analytical and research-oriented knowledge.

Focus areas:

Ecology, evolution, environmental biology, conservation biology, biodiversity, ecosystem science, organismal biology, animal behavior, plant biology, genetics and genomics, microbial biology, population biology, and environmental change.

Learning outcomes:

Understand evolutionary mechanisms; explain interactions between biological units and their environments; interpret, design and conduct biological experiments related to ecology, evolution and environmental biology; use mathematical and computational tools in biology; and effectively communicate biological concepts.

Professional alignment (accreditation):

The University of Utah's official program and catalog pages do not state a separate professional accreditation for the Biology B.S./B.A. with this emphasis; not stated. The university is a Tier 1 research institution and a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), providing students with access to a major research environment.

Reputation (employability rankings):

The University of Utah reports $67,000+ graduate median earnings and identifies itself as a Tier 1 research university; the university's Strategy 2030 also targets a 90% placement rate for graduates who are employed in a related field, continue post-baccalaureate education, or enter military service within six months. These are university-level figures rather than outcomes specifically for the Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Biology emphasis.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The University of Utah’s Biology B.S./B.A. with Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Biology Emphasis combines classroom study with laboratory, field, computational, and independent research experiences focused on how organisms interact with their environments. Students develop practical skills in designing and conducting experiments, interpreting ecological and evolutionary processes, and using mathematical or computational tools; the School of Biological Sciences also supports undergraduate research across areas ranging from ecology and conservation to evolution, biodiversity, and ecosystem science.

Students can put this knowledge into practice through the following program-specific opportunities:

Ecology and evolution field methods: BIOL 3410 Ecology & Evolution introduces experimental and comparative methods for testing hypotheses involving adaptation, species interactions, community structure, ecosystem processes, speciation, and biogeography.
Ecology and environmental laboratories: The emphasis requires an additional laboratory course, allowing students to complement their ecology, evolution, and environmental coursework with practical laboratory experience.
Independent research: Students can enroll in BIOL 4955 Individual Research and work on faculty-sponsored research projects; research can count toward biology electives and laboratory requirements.
Honors research: Students pursuing the Biology Honors option complete three semesters of research experience before undertaking an honors thesis, providing an extended opportunity to develop independent research skills.
Field and ecological research: The School has approximately 50 research groups spanning molecular laboratory research through fieldwork in ecology, with research areas including Ecology & Conservation Biology, Ecosystem Science, Evolution & Biodiversity, Plant Biology, and Coevolutionary Biology.
Environmental research facility: The Stable Isotope Ratio Facility for Environmental Research (SIRFER) supports research in biology, ecology, and related disciplines and provides training for undergraduate and graduate students in stable-isotope analysis of organic and inorganic samples.
Plant research facility: The School’s Greenhouse Facility provides approximately 6,400 square feet for plant cultivation, with environments ranging from desert to tropical conditions, supporting both research and teaching.
DNA and genomic tools: The School operates a DNA Sequencing Facility equipped with an Illumina MiSeq high-throughput DNA sequencing system and Agilent TapeStation for sequencing-library quality control, giving students involved in relevant research access to modern genomic research infrastructure.
Computational biology: The program's learning outcomes specifically require students to use mathematical and/or computational tools to study biology, while the EEOB research community incorporates genetics and genomics alongside ecological and evolutionary research.
Research collaboration: Students can work with faculty across research areas and participate in research conducted locally and internationally, providing opportunities to connect ecological and evolutionary questions with broader biological research.
Libraries and learning resources: The School of Biological Sciences curriculum includes field, laboratory, lecture, and library experiences, supported by the University's broader science facilities and research environment.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Biology B.S./B.A. with Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Biology emphasis prepares graduates to understand biodiversity, ecosystems, evolution, organism–environment interactions, and environmental challenges, supporting careers in biological research, wildlife and conservation, environmental science, and related fields. The University of Utah also provides opportunities to gain research and internship experience while building a pathway toward graduate and professional study.

Career roles: Biologist, Wildlife Biologist, Environmental Scientist, Conservation Scientist: these roles can involve studying organisms and ecosystems, conducting field or laboratory research, monitoring biodiversity, and supporting environmental management.

Career services: U Career Success provides Biology students with a career coach who can support career exploration, résumé development, networking, interview preparation, job searches, internships, and salary negotiation. Students also have access to Handshake for jobs and internships, career fairs, résumé reviews, and interview resources.
Internship opportunities: Biology majors can receive academic credit for biology-focused internships of at least 50 hours, including qualifying independent-study internships through BIOL 4965.
Employment and salary information: The University of Utah's UGuide reports a 2025 median annual salary of about $93,000 for biologists, with 80% earning approximately $54,000–$162,000 nationally. These figures cover the broader biologist occupation rather than University of Utah graduates specifically.
Environmental career opportunities: University career resources identify zoologist/wildlife biologist as a potential career, with a 2025 median annual salary of about $66,350 nationally.
Research connections: The School of Biological Sciences has approximately 50 research groups, spanning molecular laboratory research through field-based ecology, giving undergraduate students opportunities to participate in research and develop experience relevant to postgraduate study.
Industry and biotechnology connections: Utah has a growing biotechnology sector, and the University of Utah reports that its College of Science supplies a substantial share of Utah's life-science graduates. School of Biological Sciences research is connected to applications including climate change, agriculture, drug safety, and cellular imaging.
Graduation outcomes: The program's learning outcomes specifically require students in the Ecology, Evolution, and Environmental Biology emphasis to interpret, design, and conduct biological experiments related to evolution, ecology, and the environment, while demonstrating advanced understanding of evolution and organism–environment interactions.
Long-term accreditation value: The University of Utah has maintained institutional accreditation through the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) continuously since 1933. NWCCU accreditation evaluates institutional educational quality and effectiveness and operates on an eight-year review cycle.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the B.S./B.A., students can continue into the University of Utah's Biology M.S. or Ph.D. programs. The graduate school offers focused training through Ecology, Evolution and Organismal Biology (EEOB) and Molecular, Cellular and Evolutionary Biology (MCEB), making EEOB particularly relevant for students continuing in ecology, evolution, organismal biology, or environmental research.