Welcome
The School of Life Sciences is housed within the University’s College of Natural Sciences and conducts research and training across five academic disciplines including Biology, Botany, Marine Biology, Microbiology, and Molecular & Cell Biology. We administer a cohesive set of undergraduate degrees (BA and BS) across these disciplines, along with graduate programs (MS and PhD) in Botany, Microbiology, Marine Biology, and Zoology. The School of Life Sciences promotes the understanding, appreciation and preservation of biological diversity through excellence in research, education, service and outreach.
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About
The life sciences are of fundamental importance in a science or liberal arts education, as they provide students with insight into and a deeper appreciation for the many facets of living systems that underlie our world. Learn More →
Explore Our Programs:
The School of Life Sciences of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa was formed in the Fall of 2019 by the merger of the Departments of Biology, Botany and Microbiology, and began operations on January 1, 2020. Life Sciences is home to 5 Undergraduate Majors and 4 Graduate Programs:
Undergraduate Majors
- Molecular and Cell Biology (BS)
- Biology (BA, BS)
- Botany (BA, BS)
- Marine Biology (BA, BS)
- Microbiology (BA, BS)
Graduate Programs
- Botany
- Marine Biology (with SOEST)
- Microbiology
- Zoology
Students may also Minor in Biology, Botany and Microbiology, obtain a certificate in the Marine Option Program (MOP), Mathematical Biology, or become certified as a Clinical Microbiologist.
Mission Statement
Our mission is to investigate all living things by promoting learning and discovery through scientific research. Read Full Mission →
Latest News
- UH Mānoa School of Life Sciences’ Dr. Michael Norris and Team Play Key Role in Linking Dolphin Strandings to Disease That Can Spread to HumansPhoto: Striped dolphins in the wild. Credit: Robin W. BairdVideo Link: https://go.hawaii.edu/p2r …
- SoLS Professor Mark Hixon Recognized Among World’s Top Coral Reef ScientistsHixon in Office, Photo credit: Jeff Kuwabara Professor Mark Hixon, …
- Call for Abstracts: 2025 SURE SymposiumThe Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) at the University of …
Upcoming Seminars and Events
For a full list of all departmental seminars and events, visit our Events & Seminars page.
2025 SURE Symposium
Date: Friday, August 1, 2025
Time: 8:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Location: Hawai‘i Imin International Conference Center
The SURE Symposium is the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa’s annual end-of-summer event celebrating undergraduate research and creative work from all disciplines. Students will present their mentored projects through both oral and poster presentations, with sessions open to individuals and groups. All students, faculty, staff, and community members are invited to attend as guests. Register to attend here.
Life Sciences Friday Seminar Series
Fridays 3:30 pm – 4:20 pm at BIL 150
Join via Zoom
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