Our program offers opportunities for research and study using the latest technology and equipment, in the lab or in the field. In faraway tropical rainforests and coral reef habitats or New Hampshire’s own lakes and forests, PSU students work hands-on with faculty members to answer some of life’s toughest questions.
The BS in Cell and Molecular Biology is the newest biology degree program at Plymouth State. Our Cell and Molecular Biology prepares students for graduate school, health professions, or careers in biotechnology and the pharmaceutical industry. Laboratory experiences applicable to your career begin in the first year and include opportunities for students to conduct original research working closely with a faculty mentor. Our summer research program in collaboration with the NH-INBRE program gives students a chance to work as full-time researchers. This degree is also designed to prepare students for professional schools including medical, dental, and veterinary schools.
Plymouth State University also offers BS in Biology, BS in Environmental Biology, BA in Biology, and the Biology Honors programs. Click the links in the degree names to find out more.
Opportunities for careers in healthcare and biotechnology are areas of active growth, particularly in the Northeast. Students with a BS in Cell and Molecular Biology are qualified for careers with companies such as Bristol Meyers Squibb, Lonza, Mascoma, Boston Analytical, and many others. The degree is also a pathway to pursue further education to become a nurse practitioner, physician’s assistant, nurse, dentist, veterinarian, pharmacist or other areas of healthcare. Graduates are also qualified to pursue a Masters in Biology at Plymouth State and other schools or a PhD in Biology or a related field.
Please scroll down to see more about the curriculum, requirements, program details, and career paths.
The BS in Cell and Molecular Biology prepares students for graduate studies or work in biomedical fields. Laboratory experiences include opportunities for students to conduct original research working closely with a faculty mentor. This degree is also appropriate for professional schools including medical, dental, and veterinary schools. Note that some professional/graduate schools require a full year of physics. 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 2110 | Human Anatomy and Physiology I | 3 |
| BI 2120 | Human Anatomy and Physiology II | 3 |
| BI 2130 | Human Anatomy and Physiology Laboratory I | 1 |
| BI 2140 | Human Anatomy and Physiology Laboratory II | 1 |
| BI 3040 | Microbiology | 4 |
| BI 3060 | Genetics | 4 |
| BI 3130 | Evolution | 4 |
| BI 3240 | Conservation (DICO,GACO,INCO,INCP) | 3 |
| BI 4100 | Cell Structure and Function | 4 |
| BI 4188 | Molecular Biology | 4 |
| BI 4970 | Biology Seminar | 1 |
| CH 1050 | Laboratory Safety | 1 |
| CH 2335 | General Chemistry I (QRCO) | 4 |
| CH 2340 | General Chemistry II | 4 |
| CH 3370 | Organic Chemistry I | 4 |
| CH 3380 | Organic Chemistry II | 4 |
| Upper Level Cell and Molecular Biology Electives | ||
| Complete three courses from the following: 1 | 12 | |
BI 3035 | Biochemistry I (INCO,INCP) | |
BI 4150 | Developmental Biology (WRCO) | |
BI 4770 | Animal Physiology (WRCO) | |
BI 4780 | Neurobiology (WRCO) | |
BI 4950 | Undergraduate Research | |
CH 4025 | Biochemistry II | |
| Physics | ||
| PH 2410 | University Physics I | 3 |
| or PH 2210 | Physics I | |
| PH 2430 | Physics Laboratory I | 1 |
| Mathematics Foundations | ||
| MA 2550 | Calculus I (QRCO) | 4 |
| 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) 2 | 4-8 | |
| Electives | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |
- 1
One course must be Research Intensive (Developmental Biology (BI 4150), Neurobiology (BI 4780), or Undergraduate Research (BI 4950)); one course must be a Writing in the Discipline Connection (WRCO) (Developmental Biology (BI 4150), Animal Physiology (BI 4770), Neurobiology (BI 4780))
- 2
Directions should total 16-17 credits because SIDI is waived for BS Cell and Molecular Biology.
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 |
| MA 2550 | 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 |
| Elective | 2 | |
| Credits | 31 | |
| Year Two | ||
| BI 2270 | Integrative Biology (WECO) | 4 |
| BI 2110 & BI 2130 |
Human Anatomy and Physiology I and Human Anatomy and Physiology Laboratory I |
4 |
| BI 2120 & BI 2140 |
Human Anatomy and Physiology II and Human Anatomy and Physiology Laboratory II |
4 |
| CH 3370 | Organic Chemistry I | 4 |
| CH 3380 | Organic Chemistry II | 4 |
| SSDI | Self and Society Direction | 3-4 |
| Directions (choose from CTDI, PPDI, SSDI) 2 | 4-8 | |
| Credits | 27-32 | |
| Year Three | ||
| BI 3040 | Microbiology | 4 |
| BI 3060 | Genetics | 4 |
| BI 3240 | Conservation (DICO,GACO,INCO,INCP) | 3 |
| BI 4100 | Cell Structure and Function | 4 |
| Complete one Upper Level Cell and Molecular Biology Elective from the following: | 4 | |
BI 3035 |
Biochemistry I (INCO,INCP) | |
BI 4150 |
Developmental Biology (WRCO) | |
BI 4770 |
Animal Physiology (WRCO) | |
BI 4780 |
Neurobiology (WRCO) | |
BI 4950 |
Undergraduate Research | |
CH 4025 |
Biochemistry II | |
| Complete one Physics Course from the following: | ||
| PH 2410 or PH 2210 |
University Physics I or Physics I |
3 |
| PH 2430 | Physics Laboratory I | 1 |
| CTDI | Creative Thought Direction | 3-4 |
| Electives | 3-4 | |
| Credits | 29-31 | |
| Year Four | ||
| BI 3130 | Evolution | 4 |
| BI 4188 | Molecular Biology | 4 |
| BI 4970 | Biology Seminar | 1 |
| Complete two Upper Level Cell and Molecular Biology Electives from the following: | 8 | |
BI 3035 |
Biochemistry I (INCO,INCP) | |
BI 4150 |
Developmental Biology (WRCO) | |
BI 4770 |
Animal Physiology (WRCO) | |
BI 4780 |
Neurobiology (WRCO) | |
BI 4950 |
Undergraduate Research | |
CH 4025 |
Biochemistry II | |
| PPDI | Past and Present Direction | 3-4 |
| Electives | 9-10 | |
| Credits | 29-31 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |
- 1
General Chemistry should only be taken in the first year if the student has suitable math skills. Many graduate and professional schools require a second semester of physics.
- 2
Directions should total 16-17 credits because SIDI is waived for BS Cell and Molecular 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
As a biology major you will experience:
- Hands-on experience from molecules and cells to ecosystems
- Degree programs in Biology, 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.
