Biology is the study of living organisms in both laboratory and field conditions. Students explore the living world and build their understanding of its complex interrelationships and the role of human beings within it.

The Associate of Science in biological sciences can be either as a terminal degree or a springboard for students interested in the life sciences with majors in biology, microbiology, zoology, plant biology, wildlife management, environmental conservation, biochemistry and animal sciences.

Graduates begin careers in the public and private sectors in fields such as education, food, water, wastewater and other industrial laboratories, clinical laboratories, biotechnology, environmental research and monitoring and animal behavior.

For more information contact Stephen Pugh, Program Coordinator, at 603-641-4128 or spugh@unh.edu; or contact the Office of Admissions.

Students must complete a minimum of 64 credits to graduate. There are two tracks in the A.S. degree program at UNH Manchester: biology and microbiology.

Biology Track Requirements

Math 425, Calculus I, or MATH 424b, Calculus for Life Sciences
PSYC 402, Statistics in Psychology (other statistics courses such as BIOL 528 or BUS 430 may be used to satisfy this requirement).
BIOL 413, Principles of Biology I
BIOL 414, Principles of Biology II
CHEM 403, General Chemistry I
CHEM 404, General Chemistry II
BMS 503, General Microbiology
CHEM 545/546, Organic Chemistry and Organic Chemistry Laboratory
BMCB 658/659, General Biochemistry and General Biochemistry Laboratory
BIOL 541, General Ecology
GEN 604, Principles of Genetics

Microbiology Track Requirements

Students opting for the microbiology track must take all courses listed in the biological sciences program with the exception of BIOL 541 General Ecology. Two additional courses selected from BMS 504 Brewing and Industrial Microbiology, BMS 602 Pathogenic Microbiology, or BMS 603 Bacteriology of Food are required of students in the microbiology track.

Note: Pre-medical and pre-dental students should enroll in CHEM 651-652 and 653-654 at Durham. These courses may substitute for CHEM 545/546 and BMCB 658-659. In addition they should also enroll in MATH 426.

The study of general biology, microbiology, and chemistry comes alive in UNH Manchester's science labs. Concepts and theories discussed in class are reinforced with hands on experiences in the labs. Observation, sampling, experimentation, organization, and research provide new ways to understand the world. Students learn how to use the equipment and tools of scientific inquiry, including microscopes, spectrophotometers and equipment used for genetic analysis. In the labs students often find a passion for learning and discover new career opportunities.

• UNH Manchester has four laboratories: microbiology, general biology, chemistry (organic and biochemistry), and a research laboratory.
• UNH Manchester labs are taught by residential faculty or experienced instructors, not graduate assistants. Science faculty members specialize in teaching in their discipline. With low student-teacher ratios, students and teachers are partners in the learning process.
• Each lab is limited to 16 students. This provides the optimal learning environment with hands-on experience and access to equipment.
• Many labs have peer tutors and lab assistants who work with the faculty member to help students perform experiments or conduct research.
• Students have a unique learning opportunity in small classes with faculty members who are both teachers, scholars, and mentors and inspire student discovery.
• Many upper level students conduct research during their senior year, sometimes in collaboration with a faculty member. They present their findings at UNH's Undergraduate Research Conference held each spring.
• Students work with and culture bacteria and other small forms of life in the microbiology lab. In the chemistry labs, students study the properties of matter and energy and the interactions between them.
• UNH Manchester supports hands-on field research opportunities such as sampling and analysis of water from the area's lakes, ponds, and rivers, and live-trapping studies of small mammals.

Scholars in Science and Technology Program

The UNH Manchester Scholars in Science and TEchnology (SST) program is sponsored by the National Science Foundation Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) program and administered by the University of New Hampshire at Manchester.

The STEM scholarship is a renewable scholarship. The amount of the award varies based on the student's academic grade level and number of years in the program. Scholarships are typically renewable (pending funding) provided the students meets the requirements of the program.

• Student interested in pursuing bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences, Computer Information Systems, Engineering Technology, or be admitted in UNH Manchester associates program and demonstrate interest in STEM discipline.
• Full-time Freshman, Sophomore and Junior students with minimum of 12 credits each semester
• Maintain a minimum semester UNH GPA average of 2.75 and earn at least a C in every course
• Must submit FAFSA and demonstrate financial need
• Click here to apply and for more information

Award Amounts:

• Freshmen up to $3,000
• Sophomore up to $4,000
• Junior up to $5,000

Visit our Financial Aid section for more information about the FAFSA, and look for more UNH Manchester Scholarships.

Click on each course title to read the full description. For all courses offered at our campus, click here