Departments in SAHLS

Biology

The Department of Biology offers both undergaduate and graduate degrees focusing on areas of modern biology and biotechnology. Technological breakthroughs in areas such as biochemistry, botany, ecology, genetics, microbiology, molecular biology, and physiology are being used to solve problems in agriculture, environmental toxicology, forestry, medicine, public health and the pharmaceutical industry.

In addition, The University of West Florida is one of only a few institutions in the U.S. that offers a degree in Marine Biology at the undergraduate level. Ideally located to study the marine environment, the main campus includes 300 acres of estuarine marshes and wetlands with an additional 150 acres located on Santa Rosa Island on the Gulf of Mexico which contains beach dune, salt marsh, tidal flat, and sea grass ecosystems.

The Biology Department provides excellent opportunities for both undergraduate and graduate students to enroll in field courses in Indonesia, Costa Rica, the Florida Keys and Honduras. Students also have the opportunity to pursue a master's degree in Biology, Coastal Zone Studies, or Science Teaching.

Nursing

The Nursing Department offers a generic four-year bachelor’s degree in nursing and also a RN to BSN bridge program designed for registered nurses interested in furthering their career through higher education. UWF’s limited access nursing program is designed to prepare students to become clinical generalists capable of planning health care for individuals, families or groups. Scholarships for undergraduates in nursing are available through an endowment established at UWF by Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Florida (BCBSF) in 2005. The 2007 graduating class includes two students who received BCBSF Health Scholarships, and the 2008 class includes six more.

Programs in SAHLS

The School of Allied Health and Life Sciences (SAHLS) directly administers the Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences and Master of Public Health programs as well as Certificate programs in Health Care Ethics, Medical Informatics, and Public Health.

Clinical Laboratory Sciences

The Clinical Laboratory Sciences Program has a history of 35+ years of successful operation and has a reputation for excellence in the education and training of clinical laboratory personnel. Alumni of the program constitute a significant portion of the clinical laboratory work force throughout Northwest Florida. Some graduates hold supervisory or managerial positions, making significant contributions to the health and welfare of the public and to the economic well-being of the health care industry in the region.

Master of Public Health

The MPH is an extremely valuable degree which is increasing in value in the public health job market due to projected retirements in the field and to dramatic increases in public health problems in the U.S. and abroad. The University of West Florida went online with the MPH program in Spring 2006 in order to provide opportunities for people worldwide wishing to work in the public health and allied health fields. The planning, development, and evaluation of the online MPH program is guided by the Master of Public Health Steering Committee with program competencies adopted from the Association of Schools of Public Health. The adopted competencies are also the basis for the national Certified in Public Health Exam. Additionally, the Quality Assurance Plan within the School of Allied Health and Life Science at UWF calls for regularly planned and evaluated quality enhancement initiatives, with results reported annually to administrative offices and our regional accreditation agency.

Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences

The Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences is a two-year capstone degree program for persons holding AA, AS or AAS degrees from an accredited two-year college, or the equivalent. The BSHS trains students on issues impacting the design and deployment of health information systems and basic legal fundamentals of health care and public health. Students in this degree also study advances in health sciences research and technology, and learn to apply their knowledge of health economics to guide sound business analysis and decision making in health care. Students can pursue a track in one of eight concentration areas, with three of these tracks – Allied Health, Health Care Professional, and Medical Information Technology – available completely online!