Which Utah Colleges Offer Biology Degrees?

Utah Biology Programs and Career Info

The field of biology comprises a wide range of related subdisciplines, from microbiology to zoology. To find employment as a biologist, you typically must hold a bachelor's degree at the minimum. However, to score a job as an independent researcher or a college professor, you'll likely need a Ph.D., according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Biochemist and biophysicist positions generally require a Ph.D. as well.

Salary Info and Job Outlook for Biology Professionals in Utah

In May 2011, the BLS reported that about 500 biological technicians were working in Utah, and their annual mean salary was approximately $35,000 (www.bls.gov). Employment of biological technicians nationwide was expected to grow 14% between 2010 and 2020, which was about as fast as the average for all occupations.

Only 110 microbiologists were in Utah as of May 2011, but their annual mean wage was just over $58,000. The nationwide employment of microbiologists was predicted to increase by 13% from 2010-2020. Biochemists and biophysicists were some of the top earners in the biological fields, with a mean annual income of more than $75,000. Although only 140 of them worked in the state, employment growth projections throughout the U.S. were well above average, with an expected 31% increase in jobs between 2010 and 2020.

Utah Bachelor's Degree Programs in Biology

Brigham Young University

• Program Name: Bachelor of Science in Biology
• Program Length: 4 years
• Tuition: $2,280 per semester for members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS); $4,560 per semester for non-LDS students (tuition for 2011-2012)
• School Type: 4-year, private, not-for-profit; just over 30,000 undergraduates and almost 3,500 graduate students
• Address: 401 Widtsoe Building, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah 84602
• Phone: (801) 422-2582

Located in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University (BYU) offers its biology students courses in genetics, biological diversity, evolutionary biology and molecular biology. Mentored research projects and internship opportunities can help you develop practical skills in the field and in the lab. Summer employment with government agencies, as well as cooperative programs with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Forest Service, is available through the university. Additionally, related clubs are offered at the school, such as the Genetics and Biotechnology Club, the Women in Science Club and the MMBio Club (for microbiology and molecular biology).

Utah State University

• Program Name: Bachelor of Science in Biology
• Specialization Areas: Biology, cellular/molecular, ecology/biodiversity, environmental
• Program Length: 4 years
• Tuition: $2,780-$2,966 for 12-18 credit hours as a resident; $7,970-$8,539 for 12-18 credits hours as a non-resident; $8,406-$9,007 for 12-18 credit hours as an international student (tuition and fees for 2012-2013)
• School Type: 4-year, public; about 23,000 undergraduates and around 3,500 graduate students
• Address: 5305 Old Main Hill, Logan, Utah 84322
• Phone: (435) 797-2485

Utah State University (USU) is situated in the small city of Logan. The school offers biology, cellular/molecular, environmental and ecology/biodiversity focuses; the biology emphasis provides the most flexibility, allowing you to customize your coursework with electives in any subfield, such as entomology or botany. No matter which area you decide to focus on, there are required core courses that cover foundational topics like plant structures, cell biology and genetics. USU also offers a Bachelor of Arts in Biology program, which requires knowledge of a foreign language. You can also take advantage of supervised undergraduate research opportunities, including an honors research program, for which you may receive academic credit.

Utah Master's Degree Programs in Biology

Brigham Young University

• Program Name: Master of Science in Biology
• Program Length: 30 credit hours (approximately 1-2 years)
• Tuition: $2,880 per semester for members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS); $5,760 per semester for non-LDS students (tuition for 2011-2012)
• Prerequisites: Bachelor's degree; minimum GPA
• School Type: 4-year, private, not-for-profit; about 30,000 undergraduates and nearly 3,500 graduate students
• Address: 401 Widtsoe Building, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah 84602
• Phone: (801) 422-2582

The master's degree program at BYU is largely focused on sharpening your research and presentation skills. You can explore topics related to evolutionary and ecological theories, conservation genetics, bioinformatics or phylogenetics systematics. Thesis projects must be presented and defended in front of the advisory committee; the work should meet the qualifications needed for submission in a peer-review journal. Additionally, you must pass an oral exam covering all program coursework before graduating.

Utah State University

• Program Name: Master of Science in Biology
• Program Length: Approximately 2 years
• Tuition: $3,201-$3,417 for 12-18 credit hours as a resident; $10,098-$10,823 for 12-18 credit hours as a non-resident (tuition and fees for 2012-2013)
• Prerequisites: Bachelor's degree with a biology major or prior biology coursework; minimum GPA
• Requirements: Faculty member agreement; letters of recommendation; GRE test scores
• School Type: 4-year, public; about 23,000 undergraduates and around 3,500 graduate students
• Address: 5305 Old Main Hill, Logan, Utah 84322
• Phone: (435) 797-2485

During USU's master's degree program, you can gain practical skills by conducting lab and fieldwork for research projects. The coursework is molded to fit your academic and research goals. To earn the degree, you must complete a thesis and graduate-level coursework, as well as pass a comprehensive exam. As a biology student at USU, you're encouraged to utilize the different facilities available, such as the Intermountain Herbarium or the Biology Natural Resources Building.

Utah Doctoral Degree Programs in Biology

Brigham Young University

• Program Name: Doctor of Philosophy in Biology
• Program Length: 54 credit hours (about 2 years)
• Tuition: $2,880 per semester for members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS); $5,760 per semester for non-LDS students (tuition for 2011-2012)
• Prerequisites: Bachelor's degree; minimum GPA
• School Type: 4-year, private; almost 30,000 undergraduates and close to 3,500 graduate students
• Address: 401 Widtsoe Building, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah 84602
• Phone: (801) 422-2582

The Ph.D. program at BYU gives you the opportunity to demonstrate your academic independence by creating your own research project revolving around an ecological or evolutionary theory. Like the master's degree program, you must be prepared to present and defend your findings in front of an advisory committee. Additionally, a comprehensive examination is a part of the graduation requirements.

University of Utah

• Program Name: Doctor of Philosophy in Molecular, Cellular and Evolutionary Biology
• Program Length: 4-6 years
• Tuition: $2,921-$3,572 for 9-12 credit hours (tuition and fees for 2012-2013)
• Prerequisites: Bachelor's degree; minimum GPA
• Requirements: GRE scores; letters of recommendation; curriculum vitae; research-interest checklist
• School Type: 4-year, public; just over 24,000 undergraduates and about 8,000 graduate students
• Address: 257 South 1400 East, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112
• Phone: (801) 581-6517

At the University of Utah (UU), you can study molecular, cellular and evolutionary biology (MCEB) under a thesis advisor. Evolutionary genomics and genetics, gene expression and evolutionary human genetics are among the topics examined. In addition to defending your dissertation, you must spend one semester working as a teaching assistant to graduate from the program. As a student at UU, you're allowed access to several state-of-the-art research facilities and field sites, including Red Butte Canyon and Rio Mesa Center. The biology department also offers Ph.D. programs in microbial biology or ecology, evolution and organismal biology.