Microbiology, B.S. - COLSA, UNH

Undergraduate

Microbiology

Explore the fascinating world of microorganisms, examining their diversity, genetics, physiology, and vital roles in human, animal, and environmental health.
Degree
Bachelor of Science
Location
Durham, NH
Courses
26*
Credit
128 hrs.*
Full-time
4 yrs.
Part-time
Varies
View course catalog
Female student in a lab coat with blue masks and gloves collecting a sample from a petri dish

Molecular, Cellular, and Biomedical Sciences

The Bachelor of Science in Microbiology offers a rigorous and engaging education focused on the study of microorganisms and their profound impact on the world around us. Students explore the vast diversity of microbes, gaining a strong foundation in their genetics, physiology, and interactions with humans, animals, and the environment.

The curriculum emphasizes hands-on laboratory experience and covers key areas such as bacterial pathogenesis, microbial ecology, molecular biology, immunology, and virology. Graduates are well prepared for careers in biotechnology, public health, healthcare, food safety, and biological research, as well as for advanced study in the biological sciences, medicine, and other allied health professions.

*Number of courses and course credit hours may vary, please reach out to your academic advisor for exact requirements.

Molecular, Cellular, and Biomedical Sciences Department

Key Links

Tuition Costs

Contact Cards

Timothy Montminy
Microbiology Program Coordinator
Principal Lecturer
Timothy.Montminy@unh.edu
Rudman Hall, Room 283, Durham, NH 03824
(603) 862-5175

What is microbiology?

Microbiology explores bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other microscopic life forms that shape our health, environment, and global ecosystems. In this major, students explore the fascinating diversity of microorganisms, studying their genetics, physiology, and the many ways they interact with humans, animals, and the natural world. Coursework spans microbial pathogenesis, microbial ecology, parasitology immunology, and virology, providing a strong scientific foundation and hands‑on experience. Graduates emerge prepared for impactful careers in biotechnology, biological research, public health, healthcare, and food safety, or to pursue advanced degrees in the biological sciences, medicine, and allied health fields.

Why study microbiology at UNH?

The BS in Microbiology program provides students with a comprehensive education in the microbial sciences, integrating foundational biological principles with cutting-edge advances in microbiology. It emphasizes hands-on laboratory experience and interdisciplinary learning, equipping students with knowledge and practical skills that are in demand across research and industry. The curriculum’s flexibility, along with opportunities for undergraduate research, allows students to explore their individual interests in microbiology—whether in infectious disease and health, microbial ecology, or molecular biology. Graduates are well prepared for careers in biotechnology, public health, healthcare, and biological research, as well as for advanced degrees in the biological sciences, medicine, and allied health fields.

Potential career areas

  • Biotechnology industry 
  • Research in academic, medical, or government labs. 
  • Healthcare 
  • Public health departments 
  • Forensic laboratories 
  • Education

Curriculum & Requirements

01
Program Description
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The B.S. in Microbiology program provides a comprehensive scientific education in the study of microorganism. Students will explore the diversity microorganisms, along with their genetics, physiology, and interactions with humans and animals, and the environment. The curriculum is rich with hands-on laboratory experiences, and covers topics such as bacterial pathogenesis, microbial ecology, molecular biology, immunology and virology. Graduates are well prepared for careers in biotechnology, public health, healthcare, food safety, and biological research, as well as for advanced degrees in the biological sciences, medicine and other allied health fields.

02
Degree Plan
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Sample Degree Plan

This sample degree plan serves as a general guide; students collaborate with their academic advisor to develop a personalized degree plan to meet their academic goals and program requirements.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallCredits
MCBS 401 Professional Perspectives in Molecular, Cellular, and Biomedical Sciences 1
BIOL 411 Introductory Biology: Molecular and Cellular 4
ENGL 401 First-Year Writing 1 4
CHEM 403 General Chemistry I 4
Discovery Course 4
 Credits17
Spring
BIOL 412 Introductory Biology: Evolution, Biodiversity and Ecology 4
MATH 424B Calculus for Life Sciences 4
CHEM 404 General Chemistry II 4
Discovery Course 4
 Credits16
Second Year
Fall
BMS 503
& BMS 504		 General Microbiology
and General Microbiology Laboratory		 5
GEN 604 Principles of Genetics 4
CHEM 545
& CHEM 546		 Organic Chemistry
and Organic Chemistry Laboratory 2		 5
Discovery Course 4
 Credits18
Spring
BMS 602
& BMS 603		 Pathogenic Microbiology
and Pathogenic Microbiology Laboratory		 5
BMS 616 Microbial Ecology 3
BIOL 528 Applied Biostatistics I 4
Discovery Course 4
 Credits16
Third Year
Fall
BMCB 605 Principles of Cell Biology 4
PHYS 401 Introduction to Physics I 4
BMCB 658
& BMCB 659		 General Biochemistry
and General Biochemistry Lab		 5
Discovery Course 4
 Credits17
Spring
PHYS 402 Introduction to Physics II 4
Major Elective 3-4
Major Elective 3-4
Discovery Course 4
 Credits14-16
Fourth Year
Fall
Major Elective/Capstone 3-4
Major Elective 3-4
General Elective 4
General Elective 4
 Credits14-16
Spring
Major Elective 3-4
Major Elective 3-4
General Elective 4
General Elective 4
 Credits14-16
 Total Credits126-132
1

Students applying to health profession schools need a full year of English. ENGL 415C, ENGL 419, ENGL 501, ENGL 502, or ENGL 503 is suggested in addition to ENGL 401. The second course may be taken any semester.

2

Students applying to health profession schools need a full year of Organic Chemistry CHEM 651/CHEM 653 and CHEM 652/CHEM 654 should be taken in place of CHEM 545/CHEM 546.


 

03
Requirements for the Program
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Degree Requirements

Minimum Credit Requirement: 128 credits
Minimum Residency Requirement: 32 credits must be taken at UNH
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

Required Courses
Foundation Courses
CHEM 403General Chemistry I4
CHEM 404General Chemistry II4
CHEM 545
& CHEM 546		Organic Chemistry
and Organic Chemistry Laboratory		5
MATH 424BCalculus for Life Sciences4
PHYS 401Introduction to Physics I4
PHYS 402Introduction to Physics II4
Bioscience Core Courses
BIOL 411Introductory Biology: Molecular and Cellular4
BIOL 412Introductory Biology: Evolution, Biodiversity and Ecology4
BIOL 528Applied Biostatistics I4
BMCB 605Principles of Cell Biology4
BMCB 658
& BMCB 659		General Biochemistry
and General Biochemistry Lab		5
GEN 604Principles of Genetics4
Microbiology Core Courses
MCBS 401Professional Perspectives in Molecular, Cellular, and Biomedical Sciences1
BMS 503
& BMS 504		General Microbiology
and General Microbiology Laboratory		5
BMS 602
& BMS 603		Pathogenic Microbiology
and Pathogenic Microbiology Laboratory		5
BMS 616Microbial Ecology3
Major Electives
Select six major electives from the below list of courses. 1
Three electives must include a laboratory (L).
Three electives must be at the 700-level.
BMS 623Histology: Microscopic Cellular Structure and Function4
BMS 650Molecular Diagnostics4
BMS 655Human and Animal Parasites3
BMS 703Infectious Disease and Health4
BMS 704Pathologic Basis of Disease4
BMS 705
& BMS 715		Immunology
and Immunology Laboratory (L)		5
BMS 706
& BMS 708		Virology
and Virology Laboratory (L)		5
BMS 719Host-Microbe Interactions (C)4
BMS 720Mycology, Parasitology, and Virology3
BMS 725Cell Phenotyping and Tissue Engineering Laboratory (C, L)4
BMS 730Ethical Issues in Biomedical Science (C)4
BMS 735Molecular and Cellular Parasitology (C)4
BMS 740Human Microbiome (C, L)4
BMCB 754Molecular Biology Research Methods (C, L)4
BMCB 763Biochemistry of Cancer4
GEN 704Microbial Genetics and Genomics (C, L)5
GEN 705Population Genetics3
GEN 711Genomics and Bioinformatics4
GEN 713Microbial Ecology and Evolution (C)4
GEN 717Molecular Microbiology (C, L)5
GEN 721Comparative Genomics4
ANTH 685Gender, Sexuality and HIV/AIDS in Africa4
BIOL 510Mushrooms, Molds, and Mildews: Introduction to the Fungal Kingdom4
BIOL 633Data Analysis for Life Science4
BIOL 704Plant-Microbe Interactions3
BIOL 706Data Science with R for the Life Sciences4
CEE 724Environmental Engineering Microbiology (C, L)4
HMP 501Epidemiology and Community Medicine4
MEFB 506Marine Parasitology and Disease (Shoals Lab)4
MEFB 717Lake Ecology4
MEFB 755Biological Oceanography3
NR 641Wildlife Disease Ecology4
NR 706Soil Ecology (C, L)4
NR 782Forest Health in a Changing World4
SOC 635WMedical Sociology4
1

Undergraduate laboratory research taken for 4 credits as BMS 795 Investigations in Biomedical Science, BMS 795W Investigations in Biomedical Science, BMS 799 Senior Thesis, BMS 799H Senior Honors Thesis, INCO 790 Advanced Research Experience or equivalent, may count towards 1 major elective with lab requirements. Students should discuss the experience with their academic advisor to ensure it is appropriate.

 
 
04
Student Learning Outcomes
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Program Learning Outcomes

Critical Thinking & Problem Solving
  • Apply the scientific method to form hypotheses, examine experimental evidence, and draw informed conclusions.
  • Apply core knowledge and statistical methods to critically interpret scientific data, and troubleshoot unexpected outcomes.
Quantitative Literacy, Inquiry & Analysis
  • Utilize graphs, charts, and tables to represent scientific data.
Oral & Written Communication
  • Demonstrate proficiency in the written, oral, and visual communication skills required to convey scientific information.
Core Knowledge in Microbiology
  • Compare and contrast cellular and non-cellular microorganisms.
  • Explain the basic structure-function relationships of microorganism components, and how specific microbial components contribute to a microorganism’s growth and survival.
  • Describe how genetic information is maintained and transferred, how mutation can affect viability and contribute to evolution, and how gene expression is regulated.
  • Detail how microorganisms interact and influence each other, other organisms, and their environment.
  • Understand the principles of microbial pathogenesis and the immune response to infection.
  • Analyze and evaluate the complex interactions between microbial communities and their hosts by applying the principles of microbial pathogenesis and microbial ecology.