Biology Degrees
AA in 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.
COURSES
The UVSC 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.
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
Majors in Biology prepare for a wide variety of occupations in education, government, medicine, and research. The greatest demand for biology graduates is projected to occur in secondary education (middle and high school teachers), and health, environmental and biotechnology areas. Biology majors are employed in the following areas:
- Health related careers (hospitals, clinics or health departments)
- Technicians (biological, biomedical, genetic, pharmaceutical and agricultural industries)
- Sales and marketing (scientific, biomedical, pharmaceutical, veterinary and agricultural businesses)
- Research-related careers (university, museum, industry, medical and government agencies)
- Conservation biology and natural resource areas (non-profit and public agencies)
- State and federal agencies, (Department of Natural Resources, Forest Service, EPA and BLM)
- Secondary education (requires teaching certificate)
AS in 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.
COURSES
The UVSC 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.
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
Majors in Biology prepare for a wide variety of occupations in education, government, medicine, and research. The greatest demand for biology graduates is projected to occur in secondary education (middle and high school teachers), and health, environmental and biotechnology areas. Biology majors are employed in the following areas:
- Health related careers (hospitals, clinics or health departments)
- Technicians (biological, biomedical, genetic, pharmaceutical and agricultural industries)
- Sales and marketing (scientific, biomedical, pharmaceutical, veterinary and agricultural businesses)
- Research-related careers (university, museum, industry, medical and government agencies)
- Conservation biology and natural resource areas (non-profit and public agencies)
- State and federal agencies, (Department of Natural Resources, Forest Service, EPA and BLM)
- Secondary education (requires teaching certificate)
BS in Biology
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.
COURSES
The UVSC 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.
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
Majors in Biology prepare for a wide variety of occupations in education, government, medicine, and research. The greatest demand for biology graduates is projected to occur in secondary education (middle and high school teachers), and health, environmental and biotechnology areas. Biology majors are employed in the following areas:
- Health related careers (hospitals, clinics or health departments)
- Technicians (biological, biomedical, genetic, pharmaceutical and agricultural industries)
- Sales and marketing (scientific, biomedical, pharmaceutical, veterinary and agricultural businesses)
- Research-related careers (university, museum, industry, medical and government agencies)
- Conservation biology and natural resource areas (non-profit and public agencies)
- State and federal agencies, (Department of Natural Resources, Forest Service, EPA and BLM)
- Secondary education (requires teaching certificate)
BS in Biotechnology in cooperation with Salt Lake Community College (SLCC)
UVSC is now offering a a Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology degree
through extension at the Salt Lake Community College Jordan Campus
Fall Semester 2007. It is now available to students who have
completed the required lower division and general education courses
through the Biotechnology program at Salt Lake Community College.
Students who enroll in this program are Utah Valley State College
students, and will pay Utah Valley State College tuition and fees for
their upper division (UVSC) courses, offered on the SLCC Jordan
campus. While completing their course work at SLCC, they will be
provided with the necessary student services through SLCC, the SLCC
University Center and UVSC.
The program will also be offered on the UVSC Orem campus, starting
with first year courses in Fall of 2008. Upper division courses in
support of the program are offered on both campus.
Biology Emphasis in Integrated Studies
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. Pre-majors from computer science
and information systems, accounting, technology and trades and physical education
are also offered as part of this degree.
COURSES
Courses required for the Integrated Studies degree varies according to the emphasis.
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
For those completing the Bachelor Degree in Integrated Studies (IS), many opportunities
exist for advanced and professional degrees and in the business environment. 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.
Minor 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.
COURSES
The UVSC 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.
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
Majors in Biology prepare for a wide variety of occupations in education,
government, medicine, and research. The greatest demand for biology graduates is
projected to occur in secondary education (middle and high school teachers), and
health, environmental and biotechnology areas. Biology majors are employed in the
following areas:
- Health related careers (hospitals, clinics or health departments)
- Technicians (biological, biomedical, genetic, pharmaceutical and agricultural industries)
- Sales and marketing (scientific, biomedical, pharmaceutical, veterinary and agricultural businesses)
- Research-related careers (university, museum, industry, medical and government agencies)
- Conservation biology and natural resource areas (non-profit and public agencies)
- State and federal agencies, (Department of Natural Resources, Forest Service, EPA and BLM)
- Secondary education (requires teaching certificate)
Please see printed catalog for details/requirements.
BS in Biotechnology in cooperation with Salt Lake Community College (SLCC)
UVSC is now offering a a Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology degree
through extension at the Salt Lake Community College Jordan Campus
Fall Semester 2007. It is now available to students who have
completed the required lower division and general education courses
through the Biotechnology program at Salt Lake Community College.
Students who enroll in this program are Utah Valley State College
students, and will pay Utah Valley State College tuition and fees for
their upper division (UVSC) courses, offered on the SLCC Jordan
campus. While completing their course work at SLCC, they will be
provided with the necessary student services through SLCC, the SLCC
University Center and UVSC.
The program will also be offered on the UVSC Orem campus, starting
with first year courses in Fall of 2008. Upper division courses in
support of the program are offered on both campus.
BS in Biology Education
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
The student needs to contact the Biology Secondary Education Advisor and
declare an intent to major in Biology Education.
The student will then need
to complete: BIOL 1610/1615, College Biology I and lab,
BIOL 1620/1625, College Biology II and lab;
with a grade of "C" or higher in each
course.
Admission to Professional Secondary Education status is a requirement
for enrollment in professional studies level courses. Admission criteria include:
- Minimum ACT scores (Composite score of 20 or higher with no sub-test score lower than 18);
- Maintain a GPA of 2.75 or higher;
- Passing score on the CAAP writing exam;
- Meet with Alexia Powell (863-8216), Secondary Education Advisor, for the following:
- Schedule an interview directed by the Secondary Teacher Education Selection and Retention Committee. Approval by this committee is required for acceptance into the program.
- A criminal background check at the beginning of a student's junior year. You need to pass this check before you are accepted into the program.
- Schedule upper division education classes.
GRADUATION REQUIRMENTS
For graduation with a baccalaureate degree (BS) in Biology Education students must:
- Complete the required minimum of 125 credit hours, with a minimum of 40 upper division credits. A minimum of 30 credit hours must be earned at UVSC. A minimum of 30 credit hours must be in the major with a minimum of nine Biology credits taken at UVSC.
- Complete the following courses with a minimum grade of C or better: BIOL 1610/1615, BIOL 1620/1625, BIOL 3500, BIOL 3700, BIOL 4200, BIOL 4500, BIOL 494R, MICR 2060 or MICR 3450, ZOOL 2320, ZOOL 2420. In addition, two upper-division courses in Zoology (ZOOL 3100 and ZOOL 3200, or other approved upper-division zoology courses) and two courses in Botany (either BOT 2050 or BOT 2100, and either BOT 3340 or another approved upper-division botany course) are required.
- Complete the general education requirements listed for graduation with a Bachelor of Science degree from UVSC.
- Achieve a minimum overall GPA of 2.0 with a minimum GPA of 2.25 in all biology courses (i.e., courses designated as BIOL, BOT, MICRO, and ZOOL). NOTE: You MUST have an overall GPA of 2.75 to be admitted to the Secondary Education Program!
- File the appropriate application for graduation form.
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
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.
JOB OUTLOOK
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 Teaching Field Index of Criticality for Utah Career Teaching Scholarship Program indicates a criticality level of 3.3 for biology. A criticality of 3.0-3.9 is a moderate shortage and 4.0-4.9 is a critical shortage. The 1999 report of the American Association of Employment in Education shows that the western region (Arizona, California, Nevada, and Utah) has a criticality level of 4.56 for science, including biology.
The Utah Labor Demand and Supply by Occupation Report 1998-2003 indicates that the average salary for secondary school teachers in the mountainlands region was listed as $20.63/hour.
