Biological Sciences (A.S.)

Focus on either biology and microbiology as you pursue your associate degree in biological sciences at UNH Manchester

What is biological sciences?

Biology is the study of life, exploring how living organisms from microbes to animals to ecosystems interact with one another and the environment. It concerns itself with questions of understanding the living world, its complex interrelationships, and the role of human beings within it. The biological sciences program builds a foundation in topics like evolution, microbiology, molecular and cellular biology, biodiversity and more.

Why study biological sciences at UNH Manchester?

The Associate of Science in biological sciences at UNH Manchester is designed to prepare you with the skills and knowledge fora career or further education in the life sciences. Offering diverse areas of study and hands-on laboratory experience, this program explores microbiology, plant biology, biochemistry, zoology and more. The A.S. fulfills requirements that can go toward a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences or biotechnology at UNH Manchester. As a terminal degree, the A.S. can prepare you for careers in education; food, water, wastewater and other industrial laboratories; clinical laboratories; biotechnology; environmental research and monitoring; animal behavior and more.

Potential careers

Dentist
Doctor of Medicine
Occupational or physical therapist
Optometrist
Pharmacist
Physician assistant or pathologists’ assistant
Professor
Research technician
Science teacher
Veterinarian

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Kyle MacLea

Affiliate Faculty Member, Hubbard Center for Genome Studies

Program Coordinator, UNH Manchester Biosciences

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR

Curriculum & Requirements

Program Description

Biology is the study of living organisms in both laboratory and field conditions. It concerns itself with questions of understanding the living world, its complex interrelationships, and the role of human beings within it.

The associate of science in biological sciences program at UNH Manchester is designed to serve either as a terminal degree or as a springboard for students interested in the life sciences, which include majors in biology, biotechnology, microbiology, zoology, plant biology, wildlife management, environmental conservation, biochemistry, and animal sciences. Employment opportunities in the public and private sectors include education; food, water, wastewater and other industrial laboratories; clinical laboratories; biotechnology; environmental research and monitoring; and health careers.

Degree Plan

This degree plan is a sample and does not reflect the impact of transfer credit or current course offerings. UNH Manchester undergraduate students will develop individual academic plans with their professional advisor during the first year at UNH.

Sample Course Sequence

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall		Credits
UMST 401 or UMST 402	First Year Seminar or Transfer Seminar	1
ENGL 401	First-Year Writing	4
BIOL 413	Principles of Biology I	4
CHEM 403	General Chemistry I	4
Discovery Course		4
	Credits	17
Spring
MATH 425	Calculus I	4
BIOL 414	Principles of Biology II	4
CHEM 404	General Chemistry II	4
Discovery Course		4
	Credits	16
Second Year
Fall
PSYC 402	Statistics in Psychology	4
CHEM 545 & CHEM 546	Organic Chemistry and Organic Chemistry Laboratory	5
BIOL 541	Ecology	4
HUMA 411 or HUMA 412	Humanities I or Humanities II	4
	Credits	17
Spring
BMCB 658 & BMCB 659	General Biochemistry and General Biochemistry Lab	5
BMS 503 & BMS 504	General Microbiology and General Microbiology Laboratory	5
GEN 604	Principles of Genetics	4
Discovery Course		4
	Credits	18
	Total Credits	68

Requirements for the Program

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

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
MATH 425	Calculus I	4
or MATH 424B	Calculus for Life Sciences
PSYC 402	Statistics in Psychology ¹	4
BIOL 413	Principles of Biology I	4
BIOL 414	Principles of Biology II	4
CHEM 403	General Chemistry I	4
CHEM 404	General Chemistry II	4
BMS 503 & BMS 504	General Microbiology and General Microbiology Laboratory	5
CHEM 545 & CHEM 546	Organic Chemistry and Organic Chemistry Laboratory	5
BMCB 658 & BMCB 659	General Biochemistry and General Biochemistry Lab	5
BIOL 541	Ecology	4
GEN 604	Principles of Genetics	0 or 4
Total Credits		43-47

¹: Other statistics courses such as BIOL 528 Applied Biostatistics I or BUS 430 Introduction to Business Statistics may be used to satisfy this requirement.

Microbiology Track Requirements

Students opting for the microbiology track must complete all courses listed in the biological sciences program with the exception of BIOL 541 Ecology. In addition, students must complete the following courses. From time to time, other microbiology courses may be offered. With approval of the Program Coordinator, they may substitute for courses within the Microbiology Track.

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
BMS 602 & BMS 603	Pathogenic Microbiology and Pathogenic Microbiology Laboratory	5
BMS #601	Bacteriology of Food	5
Total Credits		10

Note: Students preparing for professional or graduate programs may need to complete: CHEM 651 Organic Chemistry I/CHEM 653 Organic Chemistry Laboratory and CHEM 652 Organic Chemistry II/CHEM 654 Organic Chemistry Laboratory. These courses may substitute for CHEM 545 Organic Chemistry/CHEM 546 Organic Chemistry Laboratory and BMCB 658 General Biochemistry/BMCB 659 General Biochemistry Lab. Please consult your academic advisor.

For more information, contact Kyle MacLea, program coordinator, or contact the Office of Admissions, (603) 641-4150.

Student Learning Outcomes

A student successfully completing the Biological Sciences program will be able to:

Understand the fundamentals of basic biological principles, concepts, and theories.
Demonstrate the ability to evaluate, apply, and synthesize biological information and ideas.
Be competent in basic biology and chemistry laboratory skills and with the use of common laboratory equipment and instrumentation.
Demonstrate the ability to communicate technical information related to biological sciences related topics in scientific writing and oral presentations.
Understand, analyze, and evaluate primary research literature involving biological sciences related topics.
Understand and apply the process of the scientific method, including being able to formulate hypotheses, design and conduct experiments with adequate controls to test hypotheses, interpret and evaluate data, and draw conclusions.
Gather, analyze, organize, evaluate, and present scientific data, including the use of technology to solve problems and communicate information.
Demonstrate the ability to function as a member of a team.
Compete effectively for entry-level employment and for admission to baccalaureate schools in their chosen area and be successful in these endeavors.

Explore Program Details

Faculty Directory

Christine Andrews

Associate Director, Center for Academic Enrichment and Adjunct Faculty

Email: Christine.Andrews@unh.edu

Phone: (603) 641-4338
Suzanne Cooke

LECTURER

Email: Suzanne.Cooke@unh.edu

Phone: (603) 641-4328
Patricia Halpin

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR

Email: Patricia.Halpin@unh.edu

Phone: (603) 641-4140

Research Interests
Al Larson

Adjunct Faculty

Email: albert.larson@unh.edu
Keith Legro

LABORATORY COORDINATOR

Email: Keith.Legro@unh.edu

Phone: (603) 641-4110
Kyle MacLea

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR

Affiliate Faculty Member, Hubbard Center for Genome Studies
Program Coordinator, UNH Manchester Biosciences

Email: Kyle.MacLea@unh.edu

Phone: (603) 641-4129

Research Interests
Stephen Pugh

EMERITUS ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR

Chair, Department of Life Sciences

Email: Stephen.Pugh@unh.edu
Megan Thompson

Adjunct Faculty

Labs

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.

Internships

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: