Undergraduate Programs
Application Deadlines: The application deadline is June 15 for fall semester, November 1 for spring semester, and May 1 for summer sessions.
Biological Sciences
Bachelor of Science
The BS degree in Biological Sciences is a rigorous program intended for students with a passion for life science and those planning a career in a biology-related discipline. The program prepares students for entry-level jobs in fields such as health, environmental monitoring, wildlife biology, and botany, as well as for advanced graduate or professional degrees in fields such as medicine and veterinary science. Students in the BS program may choose an optional concentration in Biomedical Science, Cell and Molecular Biology, Physiology, or Ecology & Evolutionary Biology. THIS DEGREE MAY BE COMPLETED IN PERSON OR ONLINE.
Biological Sciences
Bachelor of Arts
The BA degree in Biological Science is intended for students who wish to balance interests in life science and the human condition. The BA degree requires more credits in social science and the humanities than the BS and incorporates a minor; consequently it requires fewer classes in science and math than the BS degree. As a more interdisciplinary degree, the BA is an excellent choice for students who wish to combine biology with an interest in such fields as art, journalism, mathematics, or business. THIS DEGREE MAY BE COMPLETED IN PERSON OR ONLINE.
The BS degree in Wildlife Biology & Conservation is an excellent path for students interested in wild animal populations, their habitats, and their management. The program prepares students to participate in wildlife agency administration, develop and implement wildlife management plans, and communicate with other scientists and the public. The curriculum provides a solid foundation for graduate study and meets the requirement for certification by The Wildlife Society. THIS DEGREE IS CURRENTLY OFFERED ONLY IN PERSON.
The BA degree in Wildlife Ecology & Society prepares students for a professional career that involves outreach, education, cultural, business/economics, administrative, and social dimensions of the wildlife profession. For example, this program gets students ready for employment in wildlife tourism, policy, enforcement, hospitality, entertainment, and hunting industries. Our curriculum is designed to serve students interested in a interdisciplinary approach that integrates the arts, humanities, and social sciences with wildlife management and conservation. THIS DEGREE IS CURRENTLY OFFERED ONLY IN PERSON.
The Climate and Environmental Change B.S. is an interdisciplinary program that trains students as both scientists and communicators. Students take a wide range of courses in science, environmental management, technology, society, and culture, while emphasizing an area of special interest within one of four concentrations that prepare students for different types of environmentally-related work in agencies and industry, such as environmental scientist, technician, consultant, or policy analyst; and for graduate study in a variety of disciplines, including earth system science, resource management, and ecology. THIS DEGREE IS CURRENTLY OFFERED ONLY IN PERSON.
Students pursuing other majors may adopt a Biological Sciences , either in person or online.
Why UAF?
Undergraduate majors in Biological Science and Wildlife Biology & Conservation enjoy small class sizes and exciting opportunities to participate in research. Students can gain valuable hands-on experience by taking a research-intensive "capstone" class, conducting an independent study with a faculty member, or taking advantage of frequent employment opportunities in the lab and the field. Examples of research recently completed by undergraduates include:
- an examination of mercury distribution in an Alaskan fishes
- an evaluation of how well different moss species insulate permafrost-rich soil
- a comparison of methods for identifying and diagnosing new pathogens in wildlife blood and tissue
We foster a friendly, community atmosphere that allows undergraduates to build strong connections with faculty and graduate students. Studying in Biology and Wildlife gives you many of the advantages of a small liberal arts college… at an affordable price!