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Why Science?
opportunity is knocking
We empower our students to achieve their ambitions.
It is the mission of the College of Science to connect our students with the vast opportunities that mathematics and science unlock. We develop the tools for critical thinking and reason. We prepare students for exciting careers, and educate the next generation of scientific leaders.
Over the last five decades, thousands of students have used their degrees from the College of Science to launch professional careers around the globe. Science and mathematics degrees prepare students for success in a wide range of careers including industry, academics, health, business, and law.
Alumni of the College of Science include co-founders of Fortune 500 companies, pioneers of Utah’s software and biotechnology booms, and internationally-recognized leaders in health and technology.
College students have the opportunity to work with world-renowned faculty, including members of the National Academy of Science and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
The School of Biological Sciences, Department of Chemistry, Department of Mathematics and the Department of Physics and Astronomy, are consistently ranked among the highest performing on campus and throughout the region.
What Can You Do with a Science Degree?
Learn more about where a science career can take you
Read MoreTour the College of Science
Request a tour of the stunning science campus at the University of Utah
Read MoreACCESS Scholars
Individuals from all dimensions of diversity who embody excellence, leadership and equity.
Read MoreScience Research Initiative
What Can You Do with a Science Degree?
SRI Timeline
What to Expect in the SRI
Want to learn how to conduct research and create connections with faculty and other College of Science students? Join the Science Research Initiative (SRI)!
SRI offers College of Science students the opportunity to participate in discovery-based scientific research starting on your first day on campus, with no prior research experience required. You will gain research skills that will help you in science classes, learn with College of Science peers, and connect with faculty across the University. The SRI will jumpstart your path academic success, and give you needed skills to prepare for an internship or a career - whether that's in a research lab, an office, or one of the many other opportunities open to our graduates. Find out more below, or email us for more information.
Fall Year 1
Enroll in a 1-credit class in which you will learn about how science happens, join a community of researchers, and determine placement in a lab based on your research interests.
Spring Year 1
Begin the scientific journey in your selected lab. Students will engage in research activities for approximately 10 hours per week.
Fall Year 2
Continue in your selected stream and keep building upon your skills as a researcher. Students are given various opportunities to share research findings and mentor new students.
Beyond
Stay involved with the SRI community. Connect with new research and professional development opportunities in both SRI & College of Science.
FAQ
The SRI is a program for first- and second-year students that enables them to start working in an SRI stream, or research experience, at the beginning of their journey at the University of Utah. This program assumes incoming students will not have any college-level research experience; instead, you will learn alongside your fellow students to gain research skills, technical experience, and the unique opportunity to learn from faculty.
Getting research experience early in your college career is one of the most effective ways to put you on the path of employment in the STEM economy. Whether your goal is to go to graduate or professional school, or begin working upon graduation, participation in the SRI will open doors for your future success. You'll gain practical experience, connect with faculty and researchers that can help you, and explore career paths early in your college experience. Utah's STEM economy is predicted to grow significantly in the coming decades, and the SRI will prepare you to be on the forefront of that growth.
Unlike other research programs, you are not required to have any experience in the lab in order to qualify. All the skills you will need to be successful will be integrated into your training. However, you are encouraged to take science and math courses in high school to prepare you for your degree in the College of Science.
Yes, the SRI is a program specifically designed for College of Science and College of Mines & Earth Sciences students. First-year students are encouraged to declare their intended major as soon as possible. Your advisor can help you determine which major will be suit your interests and goals.
The College understands that goals and interests of our students may change during your time at the University of Utah. If your academic goals change, your advisor can help you find the path that is right for you.
SRI staff will work with you to find a stream that interests you. You will have the ability to rank your preferences based on stream availability. You will be asked to commit to your SRI stream for a year; however, if there are extenuating circumstances and you need to change your plans, speak to your stream leader ASAP.
You can apply as soon as you receive your acceptance to the University of Utah, or when scholarships for the next academic year open (December 1st for the 2022-2023 academic year).
The SRI application uses the same platform as all University scholarships. You can apply using the link above. To apply, you will need:
- Acceptance to the University of Utah
- Plan to declare a major in the College of Science or College of Mines & Earth Sciences
- First- or second-year status, or a transfer student
SRI students are expected to participate in the following:
- Enroll in SCI 1500, a 1-credit class that will cover research practices, scientific inquiry, and other topics that will help you be successful.
- Commit to 10 hours of work per week in your research stream.
- Participate in an end-of-year research symposium to highlight your research and hear what your peers have accomplished.
There is no cost to SRI students to take SCI1500 during the fall semester. During the spring research semester, students can either receive college credit or work-study funds. Limited scholarships are available, and the opportunity to apply will be given to students accepted into the SRI program.
Contact the SRI Director to discuss your options.
Currently, SRI is designed for first- and second-year students. After your second year, talk with your stream leader if you would like to continue working in their lab.
More information
Transfer Students
What Can You Do with a Science Degree?
Learn more about where a science career can take you
Read MoreTour the College of Science
Request a tour of the stunning science campus at the University of Utah
Read MoreACCESS Scholars
Individuals from all dimensions of diversity who embody excellence, leadership and equity.
Read MoreTour the College of Science
Tour the College of Science
Take a personalized tour of the stunning science campus at the University of Utah with two of our Science Ambassadors, and learn more about the opportunities available to our students.
- Register below to schedule a tour at a time that is convenient for you and your family
- Tours begin at the Crocker Science Center on Presidents Circle
- Plan for your tour to last about one hour with plenty of time to ask our Ambassadors and COS staff questions about student life, classes, and more!
What you can learn from a tour
Programs like Science Research Initiative (SRI), ACCESS Scholars, Science Mentors, and others allow for students to get involved and get involved quickly. Along with over 20 College of Science specific clubs, our programs provide community, research experience, and leadership opportunities as early as a student's first day on campus.
Simply knowing what's available is one of the easiest ways for a student to get ahead, and there's plenty of resources for students to take advantage of in the College of Science that you can learn about during a tour.
Things like:
- Academic and career advising
- Student work spaces
- Mental health resources
- Housing options
Prospective students will leave the tour with a good sense of where they'll attend classes, which buildings our eight departments call home, and what majors are available within those departments, taking the stress out of the first week of classes.
Live on campus
Live on campus in a Science Community
One way to deepen your engagement at the U is to live in a College of Science Themed Community: College of Science First Year Floor at Kahlert Village or the Crocker Science House on Officers Circle. These communities are designed to bring students with similar interests, majors, goals, and experiences together.
College of Science First Year Floor
Kahlert Village is the newest residential community on campus and is home to approximately 990 first year students. The building features double and single rooms in cluster and suite-style configurations. Kahlert Village is centrally located on campus, includes a full-service dining facility, and a variety of classroom and study space available for students. A meal plan is required in this living area.
If you are a first year student pursuing a degree in the College of Science the Science First Year Floor is an excellent opportunity for you. Residents support each other through the rigors of their coursework while deepening their connection to the College of Science faculty, alumni, staff, and opportunities. Resident Advisors are science students who can help mentor you through your academic career.
Crocker Science House
Nestled in Officers' Circle, at the base of the Wasatch foothills and the Shoreline Trail, the Crocker Science House provides a unique opportunity for twelve science students to live and learn together in a beautifully restored building once occupied by military officers. Crocker Science Scholars have the opportunity to attend lectures, dinners, and other events with luminaries of Utah's business, science, and academic communities. In 2018, Mario Capecchi joined the students for dinner and ping-pong. A meal plan is required in this living area.
Crocker Science Scholars come from a variety of geographic, cultural, and academic backgrounds, united by a strong drive to succeed in the physical and life sciences. Scholars often find that living in close quarters with students from other disciplines helps them with their own work and encourages them to explore avenues of science they would not have considered otherwise.
Frequently asked questions
Housing is full for 2022-23 academic year. Application for 2023-24 opens early 2023.
Complete the Housing & Residential application and select the College of Science First Year Floor as your preferred Themed Community by the application deadline of March 20, 2024.
Complete the Housing & Residential application and select the Crocker Science House as your preferred Themed Community by the application deadline of January 17, 2024.
Selection for the College of Science First Year Floor and the Crocker Science House is completed by the College of Science.
There are three main components that factor into how much it costs to live on campus: location, room type and meal plan.
- 2024-25 First Year Room Rates
- 2024-25 Upper Division Room Rates
- 2024-25 Meal Plan Rates
- Room Estimator tool to estimate your cost of housing and meal plans
Pay your housing bill in monthly installments, rather than a lump sum at once. Payment plan enrollment is is fast and simple.
- No hassle withdrawals are automatically deducted from designated checking or savings account, or charged to a credit card
- Calculate the amount you wish to have in your payment plan by using the payment estimator tool
No scholarship is currently available for the College of Science First Year Floor.
Students accepted to reside in the Crocker Science House receive a scholarship to assist with housing expenses, making this opportunity accessible to a wide range of students.
Scholarships, Grants & Financial Aid
College of Science Scholarship Opportunities
We don’t want financial roadblocks to limit your exciting future in STEM. The College of Science offers incoming undergraduate student scholarships. Applications can be found through Academic Works, the University's scholarship application portal. Students must complete the University General Application and then the College of Science Application to be considered for all college and department science scholarship opportunities of which they are eligible.
It is recommended that all students fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year to determine what state or federal aid they may be eligible for, including work-study opportunities and grants.
Before applying for scholarships, first-year and transfer students must have an active Campus Information Services (CIS) account and a University Email account (UMail).
Opens: 12/1/2024
Deadline: 2/1/2025
Opens: 1/1/2025
Deadline: 3/1/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
We recommend all students fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year to determine what state or federal aid they may be eligible for, including work-study opportunities and grants.
Yes, you must be admitted to the University of Utah to apply for College of Science scholarships.
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form is an application for federal student aid. You need to complete and submit the FAFSA form to apply for federal student aid such as federal grants, work-study funds, and loans. The FAFSA form is free and easier than ever, and it gives you access to federal student aid - the largest source of aid - to help you pay for college.
Need-based aid is determined by the Expected Family Contribution calculated from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Merit-based aid is determined by cumulative GPA at time of application and course rigor.
Contact the University Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships (UOFAS) for assistance at financialaid@utah.edu or 801-581-6211.
Department scholarships are only available for students pursuing a declared major in the department. University scholarships are generally for any enrolled student at the University who meets the scholarship eligibility requirements.
No. Students can apply through the central Academic Works application portal to be considered for every available scholarship opportunity in which they are eligible.
Departmental Scholarship Opportunities
Explore all department-level scholarship opportunities within the College of Science. You will be considered for departmental scholarships of which you are eligible when you complete the College of Science application.
Office of Nationally competitive scholarships
The Office of Nationally Competitive Scholarships maintains a list of highly prestigious scholarship opportunities. Applications for these opportunities are maintained by this university department.
Questions
Questions about scholarships and financial aid? Make an appointment with a financial aid counselor!
If you have questions about a specific College of Science opportunity, please email office@science.utah.edu.