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Undergraduate Course Catalog 2012-2013

College of Life Sciences and Agriculture

» http://www.colsa.unh.edu/


Biomedical Science (BMS)

» http://www.biomedical.unh.edu/

» Click to view course offerings

Professor: Thomas L. Foxall, Aaron B. Margolin, Thomas G. Pistole, Paul C. Tsang
Associate Professor: David H. Townson
Clinical Professor: Richard A. French
Clinical Associate Professor: Mary Katherine Lockwood
Clinical Assistant Professor: Barry Corriveau, Michelle Fleetwood, Adele Marone, Inga F. Sidor, Elise R. Sullivan
Lecturer: Davida L. Margolin, Joyce R. Stone

»Click to view faculty participating in the program [http://www.biomedical.unh.edu/faculty]

Biomedical science lies at the interface between biology-based science and the application of medicine and veterinary medicine. With the complexity of 21st century human and animal healthcare, the biomedical sciences have become increasingly sophisticated and involve a wide variety of disciplines that study all aspects of life processes. The biomedical sciences have as primary objectives the development and application of bioscience to the diagnosis and prevention of disease, to the development of treatments and to the monitoring and promotion of health and wellness in both humans and animals.

The biomedical science (BMS) major at UNH encompasses three options: medical laboratory sciences (MLS), medical microbiology (MM), medical and veterinary sciences (MVS).  These options possess diverse curricula but are linked by their common interests in the disciplines of medical and veterinary sciences. Students are attracted to these options by a profound interest in human and animal physiology and diseases.  Each of the options in the BMS degree is based on solid foundations in biology, chemistry, physics, and math, along with advanced courses in laboratory-based disciplines, mechanisms of disease induction, and therapy, as well as courses dealing with structure and function of diseased and non-diseased states. For descriptions of each option and their curricular details, visit www.biomedical.unh.edu.

Biomedical science is a dynamic discipline with excellent long-term career prospects in research, clinical practice, education, management, and laboratory-based disciplines.  At UNH the BMS curriculum provides graduating students with the required and recommended courses for admission to graduate school and the professional schools of medicine, veterinary medicine, dentistry, and pharmacy, as well as to physician assistant and pathology assistant programs. With the current high demand for skilled biomedical scientists as research technicians in biotechnology companies, pharmaceutical companies, government agencies, forensics, academic research laboratories, and hospitals, BMS majors also enjoy excellent job prospects immediately upon graduation. BMS graduates also have a knowledge base that is valuable in the fields of sales, marketing, regulatory affairs, technical writing, patent law, and scientific journalism. With additional courses in education, the B.S. in biomedical science also qualifies graduates to teach at the elementary, junior high, and high school levels.

Faculty participating in the BMS curriculum have expertise in a variety of areas of biomedical science, including infectious diseases, veterinary pathology, virology, disease mechanisms, laboratory medicine, and treatment.  The biomedical science faculty strongly encourage students to complement their academic courses with experiential learning opportunities through internships, field experience, and independent research projects conducted with biomedical research faculty on campus. State-of-the-art facilities include a fully equipped BSL-2 teaching facility that permits students to work in biosafety cabinets.  The New Hampshire Veterinary Diagnostics Laboratory (NHVDL) provides unique opportunities for students interested in veterinary medicine and pathobiology to work alongside veterinary pathologists in the diagnostic laboratories.

Biomedical Science: Medical Laboratory Sciences (MLS) Option
The medical laboratory sciences (MLS) program at UNH is NAACLS accredited and follows accreditation requirements.  Students in this option take six required MLS core courses, five major elective courses, five bioscience core courses, and four foundation courses. One capstone experience, supervised and approved within the major, is required of all seniors.  The capstone explores areas of interest based on the integration of prior learning.  The capstone requirement may be satisfied through a course, created work or product, or some form of experiential learning (e.g., honors thesis, mentored research project, or other special student activity).  A grade of C- or above is required in courses within the major. For a detailed list of curriculum requirements, visit: www.biomedical.unh.edu/4year/MajorRequirementsMLS. In addition, all other university academic requirements for the Discovery Program and the University Writing Requirement must be completed.

BMS-MLS Core Courses
Professional Perspectives in Biomedical Sciences (1 sem)
Pathogenic Microbiology with lab (1 sem)
Clinical Immunology and Serology with lab (1 sem)
Body Fluids with lab (1 sem)
Molecular Diagnostics (1 sem)
Mycology/Parasitology/Virology with lab (1 sem)

BMS-MLS Major Electives
A total of five unique courses from a range of subject areas that includes hematology, medical biochemistry, phlebotomy, immunohematology, and case studies or clinical internships.

Bioscience Core Courses
Anatomy and Physiology with lab (2 sem)
Microbes in Human Disease or General Microbiology with lab (1 sem)
Principles of Genetics (1 sem)
General Biochemistry with lab (1 sem)

Foundation Courses
General Chemistry with lab (2 sem)
Organic Chemistry with lab (1 sem)
Statistics (1 sem)

Biomedical Science: Medical Microbiology (MM) Option
Students in the medical microbiology (MM) option take three required MM core courses, five major elective courses, five bioscience core courses, and seven foundation courses.  One capstone experience, supervised and approved within the major, is required of all seniors.  The capstone explores areas of interest based on the integration of prior learning.  The capstone requirement may be satisfied through a course, created work or product, or some form of experiential learning (e.g., honors thesis, mentored research project, or other special student activity). A grade of C- or above is required in offerings within the major. For a detailed list of curriculum requirements, visit: www.biomedical.unh.edu/4year/MajorRequirementsMM.  In addition, all other university academic requirements for the Discovery Program and the University Writing Requirement must be completed.

BMS-MM Core Courses
Professional Perspectives in Biomedical Sciences (1 sem)
Pathogenic Microbiology with lab (1 sem)
Immunology with lab (1 sem)

BMS-MM Major Elective Courses
A total of five unique major elective courses is required.  A variety of elective courses are offered, including virology, molecular microbiology, genetics of prokaryotic microbes, and ethics and issues in microbiology.

Bioscience Core Courses
General Biology with lab (2 sem)
General Microbiology with lab (1 sem)
Principles of Genetics (1 sem)
General Biochemistry with lab (1 sem)

Foundation Courses
General Chemistry with lab (2 sem)
Organic Chemistry with lab (1 sem)
Calculus (1 sem)
Biostatistics (1 sem)
Physics with lab (2 sem)

Biomedical Sciences: Medical and Veterinary Sciences (MVS) Option
Students in the medical and veterinary sciences (MVS) option take three MVS core courses, seven MVS major elective courses, five bioscience core courses, and eight foundation courses. One capstone experience, supervised and approved within the major, is required of all seniors.  The capstone explores areas of interest based on the integration of prior learning.  The capstone requirement may be satisfied through a course, created work or product, or some form of experiential learning (e.g., honors thesis, mentored research project, or other special student activity). A grade of C- or above is required in courses within the major. For a detailed list of curriculum requirements, visit: www.biomedical.unh.edu/4year/MajorRequirementsMVS.  In addition, all other university academic requirements for the Discovery Program and the University Writing Requirement must be completed.

BMS-MVS Core Courses
Professional Perspectives in Biomedical Sciences (1 sem)
Anatomy and Physiology with lab (2 sem)

BMS-MVS Major Elective Courses
A total of seven unique major elective courses are required. At least two courses must be taken in each of the following subject areas: biomedical systems, pathobiology and disease, and health and environmental issues. One additional course is taken from the entire set of approved major elective courses that include dairy management, histology, endocrinology, physiology, microbiology, cell biology and public health.

Bioscience Core Courses
General Biology with lab (2 sem)
General Microbiology with lab (1 sem)
Principles of Genetics (1 sem)
General Biochemistry with lab (1 sem)

Foundation Courses
General Chemistry with lab (2 sem)
Organic Chemistry with lab (2 sem)
Calculus (1 sem)
Biostatistics (1 sem)
Physics with lab (2 sem)

Pre-Professional Health Programs
Students interested in postgraduate careers in the health care professions should visit the Pre-Professional Health Programs Advising Office online (www.unh.edu/premed-advising) or in person (Hood House, Room 102).  Requirements for specific types of professional schools (e.g., medical, dental, physician’s assistant, pharmacy, etc.) are provided at http://www.unh.edu/premed-advising/hlthprof.htm.  Students interested in veterinary medicine should consult the Pre-Veterinary Medicine Program website (http://www.prevet.unh.edu/).  While many of the prerequisite courses required by professional schools are also requirements of the Biomedical Science major, you should consult with your faculty advisor to create a plan of study that best prepares you for pursuing a career in one of these health professions.

Minor in Biomedical Science (BMS)
Students who wish to develop focused competencies in the broad area of the biomedical sciences can complement their major academic program with a minor in Biomedical Science (BMS).  The general requirements for completion of a minor can be found in the Minor section of the Undergraduate Catalog.  Courses that fulfill the requirements of the BMS minor and groups from which they must be selected can be found at http://www.biomedical.unh.edu/Minor/BMSminor.  The intent to complete a minor in BMS should be communicated by the end of the junior year.  During the final semester, students should file the Certification of Completion of Minor in order to have the minor shown on the academic record.  For additional information on the BMS minor, contact the Undergraduate Program Coordinator.

 

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