Biology
Creating the next generation of life scientistsAbout the Department
Biology majors survey the origins and conservation of biological diversity, as well as the molecular, genetic, and cellular bases of life.
Through classroom, lab, and field experiences, UCCS Biology students learn about the complex interactions that exist among organisms and their environments, as well as the biological processes that underlie molecular and organismic evolution, cellular function, and embryonic development.
Academic Programs
Within the UCCS Biology Department, we offer a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree, a Biology minor, and options to specialize in K-12 biology education (in conjunction with the UCCS College of Education). We also offer a Master of Sciences (MSc) degree with concentration options in Ecology & Evolution or Molecular & Cellular Biology.
Our mission is to provide a comprehensive education combining classroom teaching and hands-on research experiences to produce knowledgeable and innovative professionals in the biological sciences. Our curriculum provides a strong foundation in biology and promotes an appreciation for the Earth and the diversity of life that it nurtures.
A Message from Alumni
Dr. Kim HoangPost-doctoral researcher at Emory University and ASN Awardee
As a biology major at UCCS, Kim Hoang cites research with Dr. Jeremy Bono as a rewarding part of her undergraduate work and encourages future and current biology students to pursue research if they desire to see how lessons are practically applied. Since graduating from UCCS, Kim has defended her doctoral thesis at Emory University, earning a Ph.D. in 2019. In 2020, she entered postdoctoral research at Oxford as a National Science Foundation (NSF) Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Biology. Presently, she has returned to Emory University to continue her postdoctoral research and in 2022 was awarded the American Society of Naturalists (ASN) Young Investigator Prize. What advice does Kim have for students at UCCS? “Enjoy your classes, even the required ones that may be outside your major, because it is one of the last times you will get to study a broad range of subjects without individually undertaking them!”