Biotechnology Major (B.S.)

Biotechnology Major (B.S.)
Millyard Scholar student in the Ó£»¨¶¯Âþ Manchester biotechnology program doing a lab experiment

Channeling scientific curiosity to fuel discovery and innovation

Exploring topics like biochemistry, molecular biology and genetics, our biotechnology program puts you at the heart of one of the newest and fastest-growing scientific fields. You’ll learn about the modern-day technological applications of living systems and organisms through hands-on work in our cutting-edge lab spaces. You can tailor your biotech degree toward pre-health and pre-med to help you meet requirements for medical school or graduate programs.


What is biotechnology?

Biotechnology is one of the newest and fastest-growing scientific fields. Exploring topics like biochemistry, molecular biology and genetics, biotechnology seeks to apply biological processes to technologies that can help improve our lives and planet. This cutting-edge field is changing the world in a variety of ways, from reducing the spread of infectious disease through genetics to cutting greenhouse gas emissions with biofuels.

Why study biotechnology at Ó£»¨¶¯Âþ Manchester?

Through hands-on experiential learning, the biotechnology program at Ó£»¨¶¯Âþ Manchester prepares students for careers or graduate study in medicine, biomedical research, microbiology and more. Biotechnology majors work side-by-side with classmates and faculty on research projects in our state-of-the-art laboratories—and have the opportunity to intern at high-profile biotech firms in the area. Students can also work with faculty mentors to customize the degree around their interests and create an academic plan to complete admission requirements for a variety of professional graduate programs.

Potential Career Areas

  • Biomedical research and development
  • Dentistry
  • Manufacturing
  • Medicine
  • Microbiology
  • Pharmacy
  • Quality assurance/regulatory affairs
  • Quality control
  • Sales and technical support
  • Veterinary practice
Contact
Graduate Program Coordinator, Biotechnology:Industrial and Biomedical Sciences
Associate Professor of Biological Sciences and of Biotechnology
Affiliate Faculty Member, Hubbard Center for Genome Studies
Associate Professor
Phone: (603) 641-4129
Office: Manchester - 88 Commercial Street, 88 Commercial Street,
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Accelerated Master's in Biotechnology

The industry-focused M.S. in Biotechnology: Industrial and Biomedical Sciences combines skill-based training in our state-of-the-art labs and innovative experiential learning opportunities with local companies in the biotechnology, pharmaceutical and medical technology fields. Qualified students can earn a B.S. and M.S. in just five years by taking graduate-level courses during senior year. Learn more

Become a Millyard Scholar

The Millyard Scholars Program provides scholarships, research opportunities and distinctive academic programming to exceptional incoming biotechnology students. Learn more and apply

New England Residents

Connecticut and Rhode Island do not offer a bachelor's-level biotechnology program in their public universities, so students from these states can enroll at a reduced tuition rate.

Curriculum & Requirements

Biotechnology is the use of living organisms, biological systems, and small chemicals and biomolecules in technology. Biotechnology has applications in the treatment of diseases, the production of food, the protection of ecosystems, and the generation of energy, as well as in the basic science study of many biological questions.

The B.S. in biotechnology at Ó£»¨¶¯Âþ Manchester is designed to:

  • allow students to earn a baccalaureate degree in biotechnology at Ó£»¨¶¯Âþ;
  • allow students to combine study in biotechnology with other programs and disciplines by completing a minor, or a self-designed set of elective courses along with their biotechnology degree;
  • provide an opportunity for students to complete a baccalaureate degree in biology while preparing to pursue a Master's degree in biology, biotechnology, or other fields. These degree programs could be undertaken after completion of the B.A. Alternatively, Ó£»¨¶¯Âþ offers several accelerated Master's programs where excellent senior students in the Biological Sciences major can complete coursework towards their undergraduate and graduate degrees at the same time;
  • allow students to complete a major in biotechnology while taking required courses in education in preparation for the five-year M.A.T. or M.Ed. programs and state certification in secondary science education; or alternative state certification pathway;
  • provide an opportunity for students to complete a baccalaureate degree in biotechnology while completing the required courses for admission to medical, dental, veterinary, physician assistant, pharmacy, physical therapy, optometry, and other professional or graduate programs.
  • allow students to complete a baccalaureate degree in biotechnology while completing the required courses for admission to graduate research programs (M.S. or Ph.D.) in the life sciences and related fields.

Employment opportunities in the public and private sectors include biotechnology research, development, and manufacturing; education; research laboratories; clinical laboratories; forensic laboratories; jobs in diverse areas from research to quality control to sales in the pharmaceutical industry; industrial positions in the food industry; water and wastewater laboratories and facilities; and environmental research and monitoring.

For more information, contact the Office of Admissions, (603) 641-4150.

Sample Course Sequence

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallCredits
µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý413 Principles of Biology I 4
°ä±á·¡²ÑÌý403 General Chemistry I 4
·¡±·³Ò³¢Ìý401 First-Year Writing 4
²Ñ´¡°Õ±áÌý425 Calculus I 4
±«²Ñ³§°ÕÌý401 First Year Seminar 2
ÌýCredits18
Spring
BIOLÌý414 Principles of Biology II 4
CHEMÌý404 General Chemistry II 4
PSYCÌý402 Statistics in Psychology 4
Discovery Course 4
ÌýCredits16
Second Year
Fall
BIOTÌý501 Ethical Issues in Biology 4
CHEMÌý651
&ÌýCHEMÌý653
Organic Chemistry I
and Organic Chemistry Laboratory
5
Discovery Course 4
Discovery Course 4
ÌýCredits17
Spring
BMSÌý503
&ÌýBMSÌý504
General Microbiology
and General Microbiology Laboratory
5
CHEMÌý652
&ÌýCHEMÌý654
Organic Chemistry II
and Organic Chemistry Laboratory
5
GENÌý604 Principles of Genetics 4
Discovery Course 4
ÌýCredits18
Third Year
Fall
600/700 Biotechnology Concentration 4
PHYSÌý401 Introduction to Physics I 4
Discovery Course 4
Elective Course 4
ÌýCredits16
Spring
600/700 Biotechnology Concentration 4
BMCBÌý658
&ÌýBMCBÌý659
General Biochemistry
and General Biochemistry Lab
5
Discovery Course 4
Elective Course 4
ÌýCredits17
Fourth Year
Fall
600/700 Biotechnology Concentration 4
600/700 Biotechnology Concentration 4
Capstone 4
Elective Course 4
ÌýCredits16
Spring
600/700 Biotechnology Concentration 4
BSCIÌý701 Senior Seminar I 1
Elective Course 4
Elective Course 4
ÌýCredits13
ÌýTotal Credits131

Degree Requirements

Minimum Credit Requirement: 128 credits
Minimum Residency Requirement: 32 credits must be taken at Ó£»¨¶¯Âþ
Minimum GPA: 2.0 required for conferral*
Core Curriculum Required: Discovery & Writing Program Requirements
Foreign Language Requirement: No

All Major, Option and Elective Requirements as indicated.
*Major GPA requirements as indicated.

Major Requirements

  • Courses required in the major must be completed with a minimum grade of C-. Students must attain a minimum GPA in the major of 2.0.
  • Transfer students must complete at least 24 credits in the major at Ó£»¨¶¯Âþ.
  • µþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý413 Principles of Biology I, BIOLÌý414 Principles of Biology II may be used to satisfy the biological sciences Discovery Program requirement.
  • °ä±á·¡²ÑÌý403 General Chemistry I, CHEMÌý404 General Chemistry II may be used to satisfy the Physical Sciences Discovery Program requirement.
  • PSYCÌý402 Statistics in Psychology or MATHÌý424B Calculus for Life Sciences/²Ñ´¡°Õ±áÌý425 Calculus I may be used to satisfy the Quantitative Reasoning Discovery Program requirement.
  • The Ó£»¨¶¯Âþ Manchester B.S. in biotechnology program is structured with three levels of coursework.
Core Courses
BIOLÌý411Introductory Biology: Molecular and Cellular4
orÌýµþ±õ°¿³¢Ìý413 Principles of Biology I
BIOLÌý412Introductory Biology: Evolution, Biodiversity and Ecology4
orÌýBIOLÌý414 Principles of Biology II
BIOTÌý501Ethical Issues in Biology4
BMCBÌý658
&ÌýBMCBÌý659
General Biochemistry
and General Biochemistry Lab
5
BMSÌý503
&ÌýBMSÌý504
General Microbiology
and General Microbiology Laboratory
5
°ä±á·¡²ÑÌý403
&ÌýCHEMÌý404
General Chemistry I
and General Chemistry II
8
CHEMÌý651
&ÌýCHEMÌý653
Organic Chemistry I
and Organic Chemistry Laboratory
5
CHEMÌý652
&ÌýCHEMÌý654
Organic Chemistry II
and Organic Chemistry Laboratory
5
GENÌý604Principles of Genetics4
MATHÌý424BCalculus for Life Sciences4
orÌý²Ñ´¡°Õ±áÌý425 Calculus I
PHYSÌý401Introduction to Physics I4
orÌýPHYSÌý407 General Physics I
PSYCÌý402Statistics in Psychology4
Advanced Biology Courses (600/700 level)
Select five courses (at least one course from each of the three categories)20
I. Advanced Biology courses
BMSÌý702
Endocrinology
BMSÌý705
Immunology 1
orÌýBMSÌý705
&ÌýBMSÌý715
Immunology
and Immunology Laboratory
BSCIÌý620
Global Science Exploration
BSCIÌý670
Clinical Pathophysiology
BSCIÌý680
Pharmacology
BSCIÌý695
Exploring Biology Teaching (1-4 credits)
BSCIÌý735
Cell Biology
BSCIÌý750
Cancer Biology: From Benchtop Research to Therapeutic Interventions
GENÌý711
Genomics and Bioinformatics
orÌýGENÌý711W
Genomics and Bioinformatics
GENÌý714
Personal Genomics
GENÌý771
Molecular Genetics
II. Laboratory Techniques courses
BIOTÌý766
Protein and Immunologic Techniques
BIOTÌý777
Molecular Biology and Biotechnology
BMCBÌý753
Cell Culture
CHBEÌý651
Biotech Experience/Biomanufacturing (BTEC 220 GBCC)
ZOOLÌý625
&ÌýZOOLÌý626W
Principles of Animal Physiology
and Animal Physiology Laboratory
III. Advanced Microbiology courses
BMSÌý602
&ÌýBMSÌý603
Pathogenic Microbiology
and Pathogenic Microbiology Laboratory
BMSÌý706
&ÌýBMSÌý708
Virology
and Virology Laboratory
BSCIÌý737
Microbial Genomics
BSCIÌý740
Aquatic Microbiology
Total Credits76
1

BMSÌý705 Immunology, may optionally be taken with or without BMSÌý715 Immunology Laboratory.

Depending on their specific academic and career goals and in consultation with their advisor, students may elect to take additional supporting science courses and a full year of physics (e.g., take PHYSÌý402 Introduction to Physics II in addition to PHYSÌý401 Introduction to Physics I; or PHYSÌý408 General Physics II in addition to PHYSÌý407 General Physics I). These courses are often required for admission to medical, veterinary, and other professional and graduate programs.

Capstone Experience
BSCIÌý701Senior Seminar I (during either semester of the senior year )1
Select a capstone experience:4
BSCIÌý792
Research
BSCIÌý793
Internship
BSCIÌý795
Independent Study
Total Credits5

BSCIÌý701 Senior Seminar I will meet weekly during either semester of the senior year in a seminar format. Students will share information about capstone experiences, listen to presentations on timely issues in biology, develop career preparation skills, and receive training in poster production. Other methods of oral presentation and scientific writing are explored as students prepare to present the results of their capstone activities at the Undergraduate Research Conference or other venues.

In addition, all students will take elective courses to fulfill the 128-credit requirement for a B.S. degree. These elective courses could fulfill the requirements for a major or minor in another program or they could fulfill a self-designed interdisciplinary concentration. These courses would be selected in consultation with their advisor.

Program Learning Outcomes

A student successfully completing the Biotechnology 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.
  • Be competent in advanced laboratory techniques and microbiological methods.
  • Understand the professional and ethical responsibilities involved with current and emerging topics in biology.
  • Demonstrate the ability to communicate technical information related to biological sciences and biotechnology related topics in scientific writing and oral presentations.
  • Understand, analyze, and evaluate primary research literature involving biological sciences and biotechnology 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.
  • Understand current and emerging topics in biotechnology.
  • Compete effectively for entry-level biotechnology industry employment and for admission to graduate or professional schools in their chosen area and be successful in these endeavors.

Explore Program Details

Because of the popularity and size of our biotechnology 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.

Ó£»¨¶¯Âþ Manchester has dedicated its entire sixth floor to teaching and research facilities in the areas of bioengineering and cellular biology, opening doors to on-site internship and research opportunities with the Advanced Regenerative Manufacturing Institute (ARMI) and other start-up biotechnology firms.

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.

Learn more about research at Ó£»¨¶¯Âþ Manchester

The industry-focused M.S. in Biotechnology: Industrial and Biomedical Sciences combines skill-based training in our state-of-the-art labs and innovative experiential learning opportunities with local companies in the biotechnology, pharmaceutical and medical technology fields. Qualified students can earn a B.S. and M.S. in just five years by taking graduate-level courses during senior year. Learn more

Our biotechnology program prepares you for graduate or professional studies, or for careers in industries from pharmaceutical and biomedical to education and business.

The projects positive growth in biotech professions between 2012 and 2022, translating to vast possibilities for your future. With advanced courses, hands-on lab experience and real-world challenges, you’ll get the knowledge and skills to make a big impact in this growing field.

Job Title
Job Growth
Average Salary
Biochemist or Biophysicist 19% $81,480
Biological Technician 10% $39,750
Biomedical Engineer 27% $86,960
Medical Scientist 13% $76,980
Microbiologist 7% $66,260
Pharmacist 14% $116,670
Physician or Surgeon 18% $118,200
Veterinarian 12% $84,460

Curious about careers in biotech? with Dr. Kyle MacLea, assistant professor of biology and biotechnology.

Learn more about career planning

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:

  • Concord Hospital
  • Manchester Water Works
  • New Hampshire Audubon Society
  • Normandeau Associates

Learn more about internships

robust job shadow at elliot hospital laboratory

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.

Shoals Marine Laboratory

Ó£»¨¶¯Âþ has partnered with the Shoals Marine Laboratory (SML) to offer summer and 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.

Advising is available for Ó£»¨¶¯Âþ students, alumni, and post baccalaureates pursuing health professional careers. The Pre-Health Advising Office provides support throughout the process of preparing for health professions school from advising on the courses they should take to helping navigate through the complex steps of the application process.

In partnership with the New Hampshire community colleges below, we've developed a pathway to show you which courses at your community college will transfer into Ó£»¨¶¯Âþ Manchester's biotechnology program.

See the complete list of Pathways

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