Stephen Pugh
Department of Life Sciences Chair, Biology and Biotechnology Program Coordinator and Associate Professor of Biology
Discover the inner workings of living organisms from molecules to ecosystems in our Biological Sciences program. As our largest and most popular major, the Biological Sciences program is designed to give you the degree you want — through self-designed concentrations, independent study, research projects, internships, job shadows and more.
You’ll work with faculty mentors to customize your degree around your interests, allowing you to focus your learning in these diverse areas of study:
Research is central to this program, empowering you to explore, question and invent. Side-by-side with your classmates and professors, you’ll conduct experiments in our seven state-of-the-art labs: general biology, advanced biology, microbiology, general chemistry and organic chemistry, as well as the cell culture research lab and microbiology research lab. TAKE A VIRTUAL TOUR OF OUR BIOLOGY LABS
You’ll also have the opportunity to apply your skills in the real world through a robust job shadow at the Elliot Hospital Laboratory, an internship at Manchester Water Works, a summer research course at Shoals Marine Laboratory—and so much more.
Through diverse areas of study, faculty experts and hands-on experience, you’ll be prepared for success in graduate, medical or professional studies, and careers in industries from healthcare to agriculture to education.
Department of Life Sciences Chair, Biology and Biotechnology Program Coordinator and Associate Professor of Biology
Assistant Director, Center for Academic Enrichment and Adjunct Faculty
Assistant Professor of Biology and Biotechnology
Department of Life Sciences Chair, Biology and Biotechnology Program Coordinator and Associate Professor of Biology
Adjunct Faculty
To get your B.A. in Biological Sciences, you’ll complete 128 credits between courses for the UNH Discovery Program and your major. Below is an example of what your four-year course sequence might look like. Courses are subject to change, so visit courses.unh.edu and select "Courses at Manchester" to see the most up-to-date course schedules and descriptions.
Fall Semester | Spring Semester |
---|---|
BIOL 413 – Principles of Biology I* | BIOL 414 – Principles of Biology II |
CHEM 403 – General Chemistry I | CHEM 404 – General Chemistry II |
ENGL 401 – First Year Writing | Discovery Course |
MATH 418 – Analysis & Application of Functions | Discovery Course |
UMST 401 – First Year Experience Seminar |
Fall Semester | Spring Semester |
---|---|
BIOL 541 – General Ecology | BMS 503/504 – General Microbiology |
PSYC 402 – Statistics in Psychology | GEN 604 – Principles of Genetics |
Foreign Language I | Foreign Language II |
Discovery Course | Discovery Course |
Fall Semester | Spring Semester |
---|---|
600/700 – Biological Concentration | 600/700 – Biological Concentration |
Discovery Course | Discovery Course |
Elective Course | Elective Course |
Elective Course | Elective Course |
Fall Semester | Spring Semester |
---|---|
600/700 – Biological Concentration | 600/700 – Biological Concentration |
Capstone (Internship, Research or Independent Study) | BSCI 701 – Senior Seminar |
Elective Course | Elective Course |
Elective Course | Elective Course |
* This course fulfills the Inquiry (INQ) requirement.
If you have an interest in a particular area, your faculty advisor will help you select courses that tailor your degree to the future you want. Students in our Biological Sciences program can focus their studies in the following areas:
Because of the popularity and size of our Biological Sciences program, we’ve more than doubled our laboratory space. You’ll get hands-on experience in our seven state-of-the-art laboratories: general biology, advanced biology, microbiology, general chemistry and organic chemistry, as well as the cell culture research lab and microbiology research lab.
Labs are stocked with the latest, cutting-edge equipment and are taught by residential faculty or experienced instructors, all of whom specialize in their discipline.
Our Biological Sciences program prepares you for graduate or professional studies, or for a career in the laboratory, conference room, lecture hall, surgical suite or more – the choice is yours. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects positive growth in biological sciences professions between 2012 and 2024, translating to vast possibilities for your future.
Job Title |
Job Growth |
Average Salary |
Agricultural and Food Scientist | 5% | $62,470 |
Biochemist | 8% | $82,150 |
Biological Science Teacher, Postsecondary | 13% | $72,470 |
Biological Technician | 5% | $41,650 |
Dentist | 18% | $158,310 |
Environmental Scientist | 11% | $67,460 |
Forensic Science Technician | 27% | $56,320 |
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist | 16% | $50,550 |
Medical Scientist | 8% | $82,240 |
Microbiologist | 4% | $67,550 |
Natural Sciences Manager | 3% | $120,160 |
Occupational Therapist | 27% | $80,150 |
Optometrist | 27% | $103,900 |
Pharmacist | 3% | $121,500 |
Physician or Surgeon | 14% | $187,200 |
Physician Assistant | 30% | $98,180 |
Veterinarian | 9% | $88,490 |
Our campus is in the heart of the region’s cultural, economic, entertainment and government activity — putting unlimited internship opportunities at your doorstep. We’ve partnered with local businesses to give you the real-world experience that sets you apart. Biological Sciences majors have interned at many high-profile organizations in the area, including:
We've partnered with Elliot Hospital to offer a robust job shadow at the Elliot Laboratory. Faculty members will select two students each spring and fall semester to participate in the shadow, which gives students hands-on experience in each section of the medical lab. Read about one student's experience at the Elliot
The Senior Capstone puts your classroom learning into action by combining your senior seminar with an internship, independent study or research project.
Under the direction of a faculty mentor, you’ll have the option to explore your scientific curiosity through advanced research, individual study or a field-based experience at an outside agency.
UNH has partnered with the Shoals Marine Laboratory (SML) to offer summer undergraduate courses and research internships at the SML field station in Kittery, Maine. With courses like marine mammal biology, wildlife forensics and underwater research, students get land- and boat-based experience in the field. SML credits can be applied toward your biological sciences major requirements. Learn more
UNH Manchester has a unique articulation agreement with MCPHS University that allows you to earn your B.A. in Biological Sciences from UNH Manchester plus a Master of Physician Assistant Studies or Doctor of Pharmacy degree from MCPHS’s Manchester campus.
While pursuing your bachelor’s at UNH Manchester, you’ll work closely with your advisor to make sure you complete prerequisites for the Master of Physician Assistant Studies program at MCPHS University. Each academic year, the most competitive students (top six) are given preferential consideration for admission to the M.P.A.S. program. Upon completing your UNH degree requirements, you’ll transfer to MCPHS’s Manchester campus to complete the 24-month M.P.A.S. degree.
Already earned a bachelor’s degree at UNH or another college? You can still complete MCPHS’s M.P.A.S. program prerequisites at UNH Manchester. Transfer students are not eligible for the collaborative program, but may apply through MCPHS’s regular admission process.
To get your Doctor of Pharmacy degree, you’ll complete three years of study in UNH Manchester’s pre-pharmacy track then transfer to MCPHS’s Manchester campus to fulfill your remaining bachelor’s requirements and complete the accelerated Doctor of Pharmacy degree. Each academic year, the most competitive (top six) Biological Sciences students are given preferential consideration for admission to the accelerated professional phase of MCPHS’s Pharm.D. program. As part of this articulation agreement, all prerequisite courses must be taken at UNH’s campuses in either Manchester or Durham.
In partnership with the New Hampshire Community Colleges below, we've developed curriculum guides to show you which courses at your community college will transfer into UNH Manchester's Biological Sciences program.
Click on a community college below to see transferable biological sciences requirements. See the complete list of Pathways.
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