Living in Utah

Ten Reasons to do Graduate Studies in Utah

1. World-class research

Utah is a recognized leader in many areas of Molecular, Cellular & Chemical Biology. For example, gene mapping and gene knockout/replacement were both developed here, making Utah a center for gene discovery and functional analysis. Bioscience faculty member, Mario Cappecchi won the Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine 2007 for his pioneering work discovering principles to knockout genes in mice.  

2. Excellenct graduate students

We do world-class research because we have a great community of students, postdocs, and faculty, each with a diverse background, & vibrant support. More than 830 students have received PhDs from the Molecular Biology and Biological Chemistry programs since their inception in 1987 and 1991, respectively, and have gone on to be leaders in their fields.

3. Superb graduate training

Utah faculty show their commitment to graduate training through both teaching and mentorship. Students are offered excellent core courses and advanced courses that cover a broad range of disciplines. Faculty also serve on advisory committees that monitor student progress and help promote the student to graduation.  Moreover, because of the highly collaborative nature of the science community at the University of Utah, students have many opportunities for truly interdisciplinary training. 

4. Interactive academic environment

There are many formalized interactions between students’ lab groups and departments including journal clubs, specialized research interest groups, and seminar series, all of which provide venues for collaboration and brainstorming.

5. Resources

Utah is consistently ranked as one of the best funded public research Universities in the country.  Utah has exceptional core facilities that can make a big difference in students’ progress, including DNA deep sequencing, DNA microarray, microscopy, flow cytometry, metabolomics, bioinformatics, biostatistics, mass spectrometry/proteomics, synthetic and medicinal chemistry, NMR, cell imaging & CZAR zebrafish. Visit the Core Facilities Website for more information.

6. Free public transportation

Students can ride public transportation for free with their student IDs.  A wide network of transit options makes transportation throughout Salt Lake City & County easy to navigate.

7. Best snow on earth

Powder to the people! Seven world-class ski resorts are within 30 minutes of the University, nestled in the Wasatch Mountain canyons.  Ski buses provide easy access to several resorts.

8. Mountain biking and hiking

Utah is a great place for slickrock biking and hiking, and the state has hundreds of miles of trails through mountains, canyons, and deserts. The Bonneville Shoreline Trail cuts right through campus.  Utah is home to Monument Valley, Lake Powell, and five spectacular National Parks: Bryce Canyon, Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef and Zion. An array of canyon roads offers wonderful opportunities for road cycling.

9. Cultural activities

Salt Lake City has a nationally recognized symphony, dance companies, theater, and Utah Jazz basketball. The internationally renowned Sundance Film Festival occurs annually in Park City. Various cultural festivals throughout the year offer inexpensive opportunities to enjoy food, entertainment, and art.  Check out Visit Salt Lake City and City Weekly for more information.

10. Great lifestyle

Salt Lake City has a very reasonable cost of living, and has been rated the Most Desirable Place to Live by many prominent magazines. Compare Salt Lake City Cost of living to other cities with the cost of living calculator.