UAH expands pathways in entrepreneurship and biotechnology to meet growing workforce needs

Students at The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) will have new pathways to turn ideas into ventures and prepare for careers in biotechnology through two undergraduate concentrations launching in spring 2027. UAH is a part of The University of Alabama System.

“These new concentrations reflect UAH’s commitment to providing students with relevant, hands-on learning opportunities that align with the needs of our region,” said Dr. David Puleo, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs at UAH. “By expanding pathways in entrepreneurship and biotechnology, we are helping prepare graduates who contribute to innovation, develop new ideas and address evolving workforce demands.”

The University of Alabama System Board of Trustees approved the concentrations at its meeting on November 6, 2026. UAH will now submit notification to the Alabama Commission on Higher Education (ACHE). Both concentrations will build primarily on existing university courses, faculty expertise and resources.

Entrepreneurship concentration builds on existing programs

The new 21-credit-hour Entrepreneurship concentration elevates UAH’s existing entrepreneurship minor into a more comprehensive pathway within the BSBA in Management. Administered by the College of Business, the concentration will combine business coursework with practical experience to help students develop the skills needed to pursue new ventures.

The curriculum includes two courses developed specifically for the concentration: Principles of Entrepreneurship and Entrepreneurial Mindset, and Lean-Startup Lab Practicum. The latter provides students with work-based learning experience in launching a new venture.

“Huntsville’s rapid growth is driven by continuous innovation, and our College of Business is dedicated to ensuring our graduates help lead that momentum,” said Dr. Jason Greene, dean of the College of Business. “Elevating our entrepreneurship program into a full concentration allows us to blend rigorous academic training with experiential learning, such as the Lean-Startup Lab Practicum.”

Students will also benefit from campus resources such as the College of Business’s hands-on entrepreneurship lab, The Forge; UAH’s Invention to Innovation Center (I²C), which supports the development and commercialization of technology-based ventures, and the UAH Small Business Development Center (SBDC), which supports entrepreneurs and small business owners in the Huntsville region.

“Whether our students aspire to launch their own ventures or bring an agile, problem-solving mindset to established companies in our region, we are equipping them with the tools and drive to create immediate value,” said Greene.

Biotechnology concentration responds to regional industry growth

The new 18-credit-hour Biotechnology concentration will establish a formal undergraduate pathway in biotechnology within the College of Science. Using existing coursework, the concentration will complement UAH’s biotechnology-related graduate offerings and help establish a pathway from undergraduate study through doctoral-level education.

“This new concentration reinforces our commitment to creating educational pathways that connect our students with the growing opportunities in biotechnology and the life sciences,” said Dr. Rainier Steinwandt, dean of the College of Science.

The concentration comes as North Alabama’s biotechnology and life sciences industries continue to expand. Eli Lilly and Company recently announced plans to invest more than $6 billion in a next-generation pharmaceutical manufacturing facility in Huntsville. The project, the largest industrial private investment in Alabama history, is expected to create 450 jobs, including positions for engineers, scientists, operations personnel and laboratory technicians.

As biotechnology and pharmaceutical manufacturing create new opportunities across the region, the concentration will provide students with a defined course of study to prepare for biotechnology-related careers and advanced education. The curriculum also reflects the growing use of computational approaches and artificial intelligence in biotechnology.

“It is also an excellent example of how we align our academic programs with the evolving needs of our regional community,” said Steinwandt. “We want our students to gain the knowledge, skills, and experiences that prepare them to pursue fulfilling careers and make meaningful contributions in their chosen fields, right here in Alabama.”