Larry St. Clair, Chair
401 WIDB, (801) 422-2582
College of Biology and Agriculture Advisement Center
380 WIDB, (801) 422-3042
Admission to Degree Program
Integrative biology, biology composite teaching, and wildlife and
wildlands conservation are open enrollment programs. The
bioinformatics program carries special enrollment limitations.
The Discipline
Programs in the Department of Integrative Biology focus on
training students in the organismal and broader perspectives of
the biological sciences. Fields include systematics of taxonomic
groups, ecology, evolution, and applied management of natural
resources, many of which rely on the application of molecular
biology and genetics.
Career Opportunities
Integrative biology entails rigorous, broad training and synthetic
reasoning, which prepare students for careers in a wide variety of
professional fields ranging from technical work in research
laboratories to field technicians for environmental research
companies or government agencies. Majors may develop their
interest in such diverse areas as environmental biology,
evolutionary biology, aquatic biology, molecular biology, plant
biology, or taxonomy. Students satisfy the requirements for
graduate studies in the biological sciences or professional schools.
The bioinformatics major is for students with interests in both
the computer and the biological sciences. The degree merges these
interests in the areas of bioinformatics and computational biology,
giving students the skills for graduate or professional (medical,
dental, law) schools or immediate employment opportunities after
completing the undergraduate program, especially with
biotechnology companies.
The biology composite teaching program provides a solid
foundation in courses that meet the National Science Teachers
Association certification requirements for secondary education
biology teaching. The program also prepares students for
continuing their education in graduate school.
Wildlife and wildlands conservation is directed at managing
wildland ecosystems—optimizing the function and services of
natural ecosystems. Students are educated in wildland plants,
animals, soils, and ecology, as well as wildlife and land
management techniques. This focused approach not only qualifies
students for four federal job series occupations but also prepares
them to work for a wide array of government and private
land-management and conservation agencies.
Graduation Requirements
To receive a BYU bachelor’s degree a student must complete, in
addition to all requirements for a specific major, the following
university requirements:
- The university core, consisting of requirements in general and
religious education. (See the University Core section of this
catalog for details. For a complete listing of courses that meet
university core requirements, see the current class schedule.)
- A minimum of 30 credit hours in residence
- A minimum of 120 credit hours
- A cumulative GPA of at least 2.0
Undergraduate Programs and Degrees
BS Bioinformatics
BS Biology Composite Teaching
BS Integrative Biology
BS Wildlife and Wildlands Conservation
Students should see their college advisement center for help or
information concerning the undergraduate programs.
Graduate Programs and Degrees
This department offers MS and PhD degrees. See the graduate
school Web site: http://www.byu.edu/gradstudies
