Explore the science of life
Our biological sciences programs offer opportunities for research and study using the latest technology and equipment, in the lab or in the field. In far-away tropical rain forests and deserts, New Hampshire’s own lakes, forests, and seacoast, and in our state-of-the-art laboratories, PSU students work hands-on with faculty members to answer some of life’s toughest and most interesting questions.
Degree
The B.A. in Biology program is designed for students with an interest in biology and another companion field of study. It has fewer science credits and fewer required credits overall making it a great choice for students who would like an interdisciplinary experience such as a double major or major and two minors.
Plymouth State University also offers B.S. in Biology, B.S. in Environmental Biology, and the Biology Honors programs. Click the links in the degree names to find out more.
Other opportunities to study biology include minors in Biology, Neuroscience, Sustainability, and a variety of related areas.
Career
Most often, students with the B.A. in Biology will pursue a career requiring a general background in biology or the sciences or transition into a science adjacent field. Examples include science writing (B.A. in Biology combined with an English degree), bioinformatics (B.A. in Biology combined with a computer science degree), public health/epidemiology (B.A. in Biology combined with a Health or Global Health minor), or a similar interdisciplinary endeavor.
Please scroll down to see more about the curriculum, requirements, program details, and career paths.
The BA program in Biology is a broad overview of the principles of biology and the functions of biological systems with supportive courses in mathematics, physics, and chemistry. It can be used to fulfill the goals of students primarily interested in biology or those who plan to go on to professional programs or graduate degrees in the biological sciences. For the latter case, it should be noted that some professional/graduate schools require a full year each of organic chemistry, physics, and calculus; this program is less restrictive. Thus, students should work closely with their academic advisor to plan their coursework.
Biological Sciences Honors Program
The Department of Biological Sciences encourages eligible students to develop an Honors research project working with an individual faculty member. A Biology Faculty Advisor will serve as a research mentor throughout the process, but the student is responsible for the design, data collection, analysis, and writing required to complete and communicate the results of the project. Students must understand that faculty can more readily advise Honors projects that integrate with their existing research interests. The Honors project can assist students wishing to pursue admission to competitive graduate and professional programs in biological sciences. Along with letters of recommendation, solid grade point average and Graduate Record Exam scores, participating in research is an important criterion such programs use to select students.
Requirements for Admission to the Honors Program
- 3.25 minimum grade point average
- completion of at least 45 credit hours
- completion of Biological Science I (BI 1110) and Biological Science II (BI 1120) or their equivalents and at least one 3000/4000 level Biology course that involves a research project, or approval of the faculty sponsor
- availability and support of a Faculty Advisor
- submission of an Honors Application to the Department of Biological Sciences. The Application consists of a research proposal that is developed with the guidance and approval of a Faculty Advisor and contains a literature review, hypotheses, methods (including a budget), and references (formatted according to discipline-specific standards)
- approval of the Honors Application by the Biological Sciences faculty.
Completing the Program
- completion of four credits of Undergraduate Research (BI 4950)
- presentation of the research findings
- submission of a final paper (in discipline-specific format) to the Department of Biological Sciences by May 1 of the year Honors distinction is sought
- presentation of the results at an appropriate scientific conference or seminar series, either at PSU or in the New England region
- overall approval of both the final paper and the presentation from the Biological Science faculty
- maintenance of a 3.25 minimum grade point average.
Curriculum & Requirements
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Major Requirements | ||
| BI 1110 | Biological Science I (TECO) | 4 |
| BI 1120 | Biological Science II | 4 |
| BI 2270 | Integrative Biology (WECO) | 4 |
| BI 3060 | Genetics | 4 |
| BI 3130 | Evolution | 4 |
| BI 3240 | Conservation (DICO,GACO,INCO,INCP) | 3 |
| BI 4970 | Biology Seminar | 1 |
| Complete 16 credits of Biology from the following (at least 8 of which must be at the 3000/4000 level): | 16 | |
BI | 2000 level Biology electives (not BIDI) | |
BI | 3000/4000 level Biology electives (not BIDI) | |
| Writing in the Discipline Connection (WRCO) | 4 | |
BI | 3000/4000 level Biology elective (not BIDI) | |
| CH 1050 | Laboratory Safety | 1 |
| CH 2335 | General Chemistry I (QRCO) | 4 |
| CH 2340 | General Chemistry II | 4 |
| Physical Science Group | ||
| Complete one course from the following: | 4 | |
CH 3370 | Organic Chemistry I | |
PH 2210 & PH 2430 | Physics I and Physics Laboratory I | |
PH 2410 & PH 2430 | University Physics I and Physics Laboratory I | |
| Mathematics Foundations | ||
| MA 2130 | Precalculus (QRCO) | 4 |
| or MA 2550 | Calculus I (QRCO) | |
| General Education | ||
| EN 1400 | Composition | 4 |
| IS 1115 | Tackling a Wicked Problem | 4 |
| CTDI | Creative Thought Direction | 3-4 |
| PPDI | Past and Present Direction | 3-4 |
| SSDI | Self and Society Direction | 3-4 |
| Directions (choose from CTDI, PPDI, SSDI) 1 | 4-8 | |
| GACO | Foreign Language 2 | 6-8 |
| Electives | 25-32 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |
- 1
Directions should total 16-17 credits because SIDI is waived for BA Biology.
- 2
The foreign language requirement for all BA degrees calls for 0-8 credits: one year of one language (6-8 credits); or one 3000/4000 level world language course (3 credits); or being a native speaker of a language other than English (zero credit). American Sign Language I and II fulfill this requirement; however, American Sign Language does not satisfy the Global Awareness Connection.
Check all course descriptions for prerequisites before planning course schedule. Course sequence is suggested but not required.
To complete the bachelor’s degree in 4 years, you must successfully complete a minimum of 15 credits each semester or have a plan to make up credits over the course of the 4 years. For example, if you take 14 credits one semester, you need to take 16 credits in another semester. Credits completed must count toward your program requirements (major, option, minor, certificate, general education or free electives).
| Year One | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| EN 1400 | Composition | 4 |
| IS 1115 | Tackling a Wicked Problem | 4 |
| Mathematics Foundations Course: | ||
| MA 2130 or MA 2550 |
Precalculus (QRCO) or Calculus I (QRCO) |
4 |
| BI 1110 | Biological Science I (TECO) | 4 |
| BI 1120 | Biological Science II | 4 |
| CH 1050 | Laboratory Safety | 1 |
| CH 2335 | General Chemistry I (QRCO) 1 | 4 |
| CH 2340 | General Chemistry II 1 | 4 |
| CTDI | Creative Thought Direction | 3-4 |
| Credits | 32-33 | |
| Year Two | ||
| BI 2270 | Integrative Biology (WECO) | 4 |
| Complete one Biology Elective from the following: | 4 | |
BI | 2000 level Biology elective (not BIDI) |
|
BI | 3000/4000 level Biology elective (not BIDI) |
|
| Complete one Physical Science Group Course from the following: | 4 | |
CH 3370 |
Organic Chemistry I | |
PH 2210 & PH 2430 |
Physics I and Physics Laboratory I |
|
PH 2410 & PH 2430 |
University Physics I and Physics Laboratory I |
|
| SSDI | Self and Society Direction | 3-4 |
| Directions (choose from CTDI, PPDI, SSDI) 2 | 4-8 | |
| GACO | Foreign Language | 6 |
| Elective | 2-4 | |
| Credits | 27-34 | |
| Year Three | ||
| Complete one Biology Elective in each of the following: | 8 | |
BI | 2000 level Biology elective (not BIDI) |
|
BI | 3000/4000 level Biology elective (not BIDI) |
|
| BI 3060 | Genetics | 4 |
| BI 3240 | Conservation (DICO,GACO,INCO,INCP) | 3 |
| Electives | 12-15 | |
| Credits | 27-30 | |
| Year Four | ||
| BI 3130 | Evolution | 4 |
| BI 4970 | Biology Seminar | 1 |
| BI | 3000/4000 level Biology electives (not BIDI) | 4 |
| BI | 3000/4000 level Biology WRCO (not BIDI) | 4 |
| PPDI | Past and Present Direction | 3-4 |
| Electives | 12-15 | |
| Credits | 28-32 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |
- 1
General Chemistry should only be taken in the first year if the student has suitable math skills.
- 2
Directions should total 16-17 credits because SIDI is waived for BA Biology.
- An understanding of the scientific method as the means to increase understanding of the natural world through hypothesis-testing.
- An aptitude for critically reading scientific literature, including primary research journals.
- Proficiency in writing, especially in scientific format.
- An ability to present scientific information orally with emphasis on clear interpretation of scientific data.
- Proficiency in techniques specific to a subdiscipline of biology, including but not limited to laboratory, field, and statistical techniques.
- An understanding of the critical issues facing the environment at local, regional, national, and global scales.
- Biological literacy allowing for the evaluation of new information and emerging issues.
- Readiness for post-graduate experiences in graduate school, professional school, or biology employment
- Research skills such as data collection, laboratory techniques, and working in teams
- Ability to problem-solve and think critically
- Written and verbal communication skills to convey technical and scientific data to both scientific and non-scientific communities
Explore Program Details
Biology Majors can take up to 1-2 Minors, including those below.
While a biology major is based in the interdisciplinary studies of biology, chemistry, physics, and math there are also opportunities to extend your interest to some of the other 40+ minors that are offered at Plymouth State, including those below. It’s a great time to be a biology major at PSU!
- Adventure Education
- Chemistry
- Computing
- Criminal Justice (especially for those interested in becoming a Fish and Game officer)
- Global Health
- Health
- Neuroscience (especially for those considering Medical School)
- Mathematics: Technical Minor
- Psychology
- Sustainability
- Women, Gender, & Sexuality Studies
Boyd Science Center
The heart of scientific research and study at PSU is the Boyd Science Center. The University’s proximity to the lakes, rivers and mountains of New Hampshire gives students access to a unique natural laboratory. Resources at Boyd provide students with a place to explore nature’s questions, generated in the great outdoors or under the microscope.
Resources at Boyd
- Climate-controlled chambers for whole organism research
- Dedicated spaces for student research
- PCR, Rt-PCR, Western blotting, Immunohistochemistry
- Animal behavior lab with advanced video tracking
- BSL-2 Microbiology lab
- Six 300-liter marine aquariums
- Human physiology lab
- Collection of bird specimens
- Dedicated tissue culture facility
- Rooftop greenhouse with computerized temperature controls and separate areas for preparation and growing
- PSH, an herbarium of 20K preserved and mounted specimens
- Hands-on experience from molecules and cells to ecosystems
- Degree programs in Biology (B.A. and B.S.), Cell and Molecular Biology, and Environmental Biology
- State-of-the-art laboratory and research facilities, including a 1,400-liter marine aquarium, fully equipped human physiology lab, BSL-2 microbiology and cell biology labs, herbarium and specimen room, and a rooftop greenhouse
- Opportunities for local, national, and international field studies
- Partnerships with New Hampshire Fish and Game, Hubbard Brook Research Forest, NH-INBRE grant to further studies of human health in New Hampshire, and others
- One-on-one advising sessions with a biology faculty member at least once every semester
- A talented and dedicated faculty
Explore Today.
Realize Tomorrow.
