why science
College Rankings
College Rankings
U.S. News & World Report has released their 2022-2022 National University Rankings. The University of Utah is now ranked No. 1 in Utah and No. 42 nationally among public universities.
The College of Science fared even better. National rankings for public universities put Biology at No. 13, Chemistry at No. 20, Mathematics at No. 22, and Physics & Astronomy at No. 47.
There are many factors used to determine a school’s final ranking in the U.S. News & World Report but one factor that is not considered is cost. When cost is factored, there are few universities that challenge the University of Utah.
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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?
Excellence
Scholarships, Grants & Financial Aid
College of Science Scholarship Opportunities
The College of Science offers a number of scholarship opportunities for incoming, undergraduate and graduate students. Scholarship applications may be found through Academic Works, the University's scholarship application portal. Complete the University General Application then you will see the Science scholarship opportunities.
It is highly recommended that all students fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year to determine what state or federal aid for which you may be eligible, including work-study opportunities and grants.
First-year and transfer students must have an active Campus Information Services (CIS) account and University E-mail account (UMail) before applying for scholarships.
GRADUATE Phd Candidate EMERGENCY SCHOLARSHIP
The College of Science PhD Candidate Emergency scholarship fund can provide financial support when an unexpected medical event creates immediate financial hardship.
- Typical awards made through this program are limited to be between $500 and $2500
- This program is subject to the availability of funds.
- If you are receiving financial aid, please contact the financial aid office to see how such an award
might impact your financial aid.
APPLY NOW!
Incoming freshman scholarship Opportunities
The College of Science Incoming Freshman General Scholarship application includes several scholarship opportunities.
- Multiple awards for incoming freshman and transfer students
- Research laboratory position during their first year the U
- Two week summer housing opportunity
- For more information and to apply visit the ACCESS page
- Multi-year housing scholarship for American Indians that covers $12,500 each academic year that covers on-campus housing and a full meal plan
- Must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher and continue as a declared Science mayor for the scholarship to be renewable each year
- Must complete a Housing U application to be considered
APPLY NOW!
- Multiple $1,000 awards for incoming freshman who declare a major in the College of Science
- Two awards will be made to incoming freshman who declare a major in the College of Science
- Minimum GPA of 3.00
- Preference is given to students who have been traditionally underrepresented in STEM fields. This includes students with first-generation, rural, disabled, or low-income backgrounds.
- The Science Research Initiative offers incoming and transfer students an opportunity to practice discovery based research and tackle cutting edge problems in dedicated science streams
- Preference given to College of Science declared majors
- One multi-year award will be made to current or incoming freshman who declares a major in the College of Science and who has financial need
- Minimum GPA of 3.00
- Preference given to Mathematics majors and applicants from single-parent homes
- Award covers in-state tuition up to 15 credit hours per semester for eight semesters
Current Student Opportunities
The College of Science General Scholarship application includes several scholarships opportunities. Applicants must be officially declared Science major.
- Multiple $4,000 awards will be made to juniors and seniors with expected graduation date in 2025 or 2026
- Minimum GPA of 3.70
- One award of $2,000 will be made to a junior, senior, or graduate student who is committed to teaching science and/or math in the secondary school system in the state of Utah who have financial need
- Must be a declared College of Science Teaching major or enrolled in the College of Science M.S. Degree Program for Secondary School Teachers (MSSST)
- Applicants must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by the priority deadline of February 1
- One award will be made to an undergraduate student majoring in the College of Science
- Minimum GPA of 3.00
- Preference is given to students who have been traditionally underrepresented in STEM fields. This includes students with first-generation, rural, disabled, or low-income backgrounds.
- Multiple $2,500 awards will be made to juniors, seniors, and graduate students
- Minimum GPA of 3.00
- Applicants must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by the priority deadline of February 1
- One $1,000 award will be made to current or incoming freshman who declares a major in the College of Science
- Minimum GPA of 3.00
- Preference given to Biochemistry and Chemistry majors and/or first generation college student
- Three awards will be made to undergraduate students majoring in the College of Science
- Minimum GPA of 3.00
- Preference is given to students who have been traditionally underrepresented in STEM fields. This includes students with first-generation, rural, disabled, or low-income backgrounds.
- Six awards will be made to undergraduate students majoring in the College of Science who have financial need
- Minimum GPA of 2.75
- Two awards will be made to undergraduate students majoring in the College of Science
- Minimum GPA of 3.00
- Preference is given to students who have been traditionally underrepresented in STEM fields. This includes students with first-generation, rural, disabled, or low-income backgrounds.
- One award will be made to a student who has more than 30 University of Utah credit hours
- Must be a Non-Resident of Utah and a U.S. Citizen
- Minimum GPA of 3.30
- One $1,000 award to an underrepresented student
- Preference is given to students who have been traditionally underrepresented in STEM fields. This includes students with first-generation, rural, disabilities, or low-income backgrounds
- Consideration may also be given to students who have a demonstrated interest in creating and promoting diversity and equal opportunities for all in their discipline
- Applicants must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by the priority deadline of February 1
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.
Departmental Scholarship Opportunities
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.
Faculty Profiles
Faculty Profiles
Meet Your Mentors.
Ming Hammond, Chemistry
My first experience in a research lab came from meeting my undergraduate advisor, professor Barbara Imperiali, as a freshman. I worked in her lab every semester and summer for three years, so I feel like I got my 10,000 hours in early on.
I learned a lot of things in the lab before taking the classes. It really motivated me academically. I wanted to learn and understand more about what I was doing in the lab.
Shanti-Deemyad, Physics
Shanti Deemyad, an Associate Professor of Physics and Astronomy, recently helped solve a long-standing mystery about lithium, the first element in the periodic table that is metallic at ambient conditions. Lithium, which is a key element in electronics and battery technology, has played an important role in the development of modern condensed matter theories.
The crystal structure of materials at zero pressure and temperature is one of their most basic properties. Until now, it was thought that a complex arrangement of lithium atoms, observed during cooling in the laboratory, was its lowest energy state. But the idea baffled theoretical physicists since lithium has only three electrons and therefore should have a simple atomic structure.
Kelly MacArthur, Mathematics
My teaching took a turn about five years ago. I went through a fairly traumatic experience. That helped me realize how important it is to have humane, kind classrooms. If we don’t intentionally build the kind of culture we want in a classroom, then we unintentionally build a culture.
I’m really concerned about equity in mathematics, and I don’t know any better way to make it more equitable than to try to make it more humane for everyone.
Jamie Gagnon, Biology
A Vermont native, Gagnon arrived at the University of Utah in January 2018 from Harvard. Previous to that he earned a PhD from Brown University and a BS from Worcester Polytechnic west of Boston.
In Utah Gagnon went from post-doc to principal investigator and Assistant Professor of Biology. In his lab at the Center for Cell and Genome Science, Gagnon curates 10,000 fish in 1,000 controlled tanks carefully labeled for experiments.
Joel Harris, Chemistry
To countless undergraduates and former TAs, Joel is well known as a lab rat. He is best known for a hands-on approach to undergraduate laboratory courses, in which students work on independent projects, asking scientific questions of their own choosing, exploring the literature to identify the best methods of analysis, and conducting experiments to solve real-world problems.
Joel works one-on-one with the students in Chemistry 3000 in their exploration of what’s in the world around us, leading to a capstone signature experience for our undergraduate students. This course is considered as one of the most challenging in our undergraduate curriculum.
Pearl Sandick, Physics
Pearl earned her PhD in Physics from the University of Minnesota and served as a postdoctoral fellow at the Weinberg Theory Group at the University of Texas at Austin before joining the University of Utah in 2011.
Pearl currently serves as an Associate Dean of the College of Science. Her research interests are in particle physics including possible explanations for the dark matter in the universe.
Sean Lawley, Mathematics
Sean Lawley, assistant professor of mathematics at the U, believes the most interesting math often comes from trying to explain phenomena in other fields. For example, if you’re seeking an answer to a question about biology, physics, or economics, the answer often leads to new and interesting mathematical theories.
“Historically, much of the inspiration for mathematics has come from physics,” said Lawley, “but biology is increasingly a driving force that is pushing the frontiers of math.”