Undergraduate Course Catalog 2011-2012
College of Life Sciences and Agriculture
» http://www.colsa.unh.edu/
Associate Dean: Kimberly J. Babbitt , Jon M. Wraith
Introduction
The objectives of the College of Life Sciences and Agriculture (COLSA) are to give students a fundamental education in the biological, natural, and social sciences and to introduce them to the arts and humanities. In addition, advanced technical and professional courses are offered to prepare students for graduate school or entry-level positions in areas concerned with improving the quality of life. Preparation can vary from fundamental studies of cancer cells to community service planning, resource protection to genetic engineering, and molecular biology to biotechnology.
A blend of the basic and applied aspects of life sciences and agriculture, coupled with careful selection of supportive courses ensures graduates develop the background and experiences necessary to be competitive in the job market. Potential employers include federal, state, and local governments; consulting firms; and industrial organizations. Graduates are employed as watershed, soil, and natural resource managers; associates in biomedical and agricultural research laboratories; marketing analysts and extension specialists; nutrition supervisors and environmental regulators; and information educators and communication experts. Community governments employ graduates as service planners and land-use specialists, teachers in traditional education, public health technicians, and urban pest control specialists. Positions are available in private and commercial organizations in production agriculture, food processing, landscaping, agribusiness, sales, and private planning. Graduates may also pursue entrepreneurial careers as greenhouse, nursery, farm, and natural resource managers; or as consultants, arborists, and environmental planners. For those graduates with international aspirations, the Peace Corps and the Foreign Agriculture Service employ farm production experts, soil and water managers, market analysts, agricultural engineers, teachers, plant and animal breeders, and nutrition specialists.
Additionally, COLSA prepares students for advanced study in their chosen field of interest where graduate study is required for attaining their career goals.
Degrees
The college offers three undergraduate degrees: the bachelor of arts, the bachelor of science, and the bachelor of science in forestry. Some of the courses prescribed in these degree programs partially fulfill the Discovery requirements. Students should see their advisers for specific information.
General Science Certification
Students majoring in biochemistry, molecular and cellular biology, biomedical science, biology, environmental conservation studies, environmental sciences, forestry, plant biology, wildlife and conservation biology, or zoology may seek certification to teach science at the middle, junior, or high school level.
For further information, contact the coordinator of teacher education in the Department of Education.
Advising System
A member of the faculty whose area of interest is closely related to the student’s is appointed as an adviser to assist the undergraduate in planning his or her academic program. Further advising is also available in the dean’s office, Rudman Hall.
Undeclared Status
Students may select a major upon entering the college or may wait until registration for the sophomore year. Students who are uncertain about choosing a specific major may remain undeclared during their freshman year. In most cases they should take the following courses, after which they should be ready to declare a major:
Fall
LSA 400
CHEM 403
BIOL 411
Discovery Program requirement
An introductory course in any department in the college
Spring
CHEM 404
BIOL 412
MATH 424B
Discovery Program requirement
Undeclared freshmen should explore possible majors by taking courses in the areas or programs that interest them most. They should talk to faculty, students, and their adviser concerning requirements, job opportunities, etc., in the various programs and should be prepared to declare a major when they register for the first semester of the sophomore year.
Combined Programs of Study
In addition to pursuing a single major, students may combine programs of study as follows (see University Academic Requirements for more information):
Minors: See University Academic Requirements.
Second major: See University Academic Requirements.
Dual-degree programs: See University Academic Requirements.
Student-designed majors: See Special University Programs.
Other combined and interdisciplinary opportunities: See Special University Programs.
UNH-EcoQuest New Zealand Study Abroad Program
The Department of Natural Resources and the Environment offers highly motivated students the opportunity to study abroad through the UNH-EcoQuest New Zealand applied field studies program. Students engage in a unique multidisciplinary, research-oriented program and receive grade-point average credit for a semester abroad. Four fully integrated courses (NR 660, 661, 662, and 663 for 16 credit hours) focus on the ecological, resource management, and conservation and sustainability issues important to the natural environment, economy, and culture of New Zealand. Alternatively, students may participate in a two-course (NR 660, 662 for 8 credit hours) summer session. Contact Donna Dowal, (603) 862-2036.
