Undergraduate

Genetics

Explore cutting-edge developments in medicine, agriculture, and biotechnology while building essential problem-solving skills.

Degree

Minor

Location

Durham, NH

Courses

Credit

20 hrs.

Full-time

- -

Part-time

- -

View course catalog

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Molecular, Cellular, and Biomedical Sciences

The Genetics minor at UNH provides fundamental training in heredity and gene function. You’ll explore advances in medicine, agriculture and biotechnology while developing essential problem-solving skills.

The coursework integrates genetic principles with practical applications, preparing you to tackle complex biological challenges. This minor enhances your primary degree with valuable insights into the role of genetics across multiple fields.

Molecular, Cellular, and Biomedical Sciences Department

Key Links

Tuition Costs

Contact Cards

David Plachetzki

Associate Professor

David.Plachetzki@unh.edu

Gregg Hall, Room 446, Durham, NH 03824

(603) 862-5144

What is genetics?

Genetics is the study of how DNA, along with the environment, specifies simple traits like hair color to more complex traits like high blood pressure, diabetes and mental illness. Geneticists are also interested in how these traits are inherited and regulated. Genetics is a very broad field of study, encompassing topics such as evolution, genetic engineering, genomics, bioinformatics, and the genetics of microbes, plants and animals.This minor can help you prepare for work in biotechnology fields or for entry into graduate school or health professional programs.

Why study genetics at UNH?

Students in the genetics minor interact with faculty committed to excellence in teaching, research and student advising.Our teaching labs provide hands-on training in current research techniques. Genetics faculty conduct research on diverse topics including evolution, gene structure and function, host-microbe interactions, genome sequencing and analysis, heredity,and diversity in populations.

Potential career areas

Biotechnology
Forensic science
Genetic counseling
Healthcare Research

Curriculum & Requirements

Program Description

Students in other majors who wish to develop a focus in the area of genetics and genomics can complement their major academic program with a minor in genetics.

Requirements for the Program

Academic policies related to Minors.

The minor consists of a minimum of 20 credits, completed with a grade of C-minus or better.

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
Required
GEN 604	Principles of Genetics	4
Electives
Transmission/Population Genetics Courses
Select one course from the following:
GEN 705	Population Genetics	3
GEN 725	Population Genetics Lab	2
GEN 706	Human Genetics	4
GEN 713	Microbial Ecology and Evolution	4
GEN 715	Molecular Evolution	4
GEN 772	Evolutionary Genetics of Plants	4
ANSC 612	Genetics of Animals	4
NR 664	Conservation Genetics and Applied Evolution	4
Molecular Genetics Courses
Select one course from the following:
GEN 704	Microbial Genetics and Genomics	5
GEN 711	Genomics and Bioinformatics	4
GEN 712	Programming for Bioinformatics	5
GEN 717	Molecular Microbiology	5
GEN 721	Comparative Genomics	4
GEN 771	Molecular Genetics	4
BMCB 754	Molecular Biology Research Methods	5
Additional Courses
Select two additional elective courses from the above lists.