Biochemistry, Molecular and Cellular Biology

The Biochemistry, Molecular & Cellular Biology (BMCB) major provides you with conceptual competence, analytical skills, and laboratory experiences to understand life at the molecular and cellular level. Your BMCB degree will prepare you for immediate employment as a research associate or for entry into graduate or professional programs in medicine, dentistry or other allied health professions, as well as other career tracks.

The BMCB program offers advanced coursework and laboratories in diverse research areas of modern biology

• Cancer biology
• Cell biology
• Cell culture & tissue engineering
• Endocrinology
• Molecular biology
• Pharmacology
• Physical biochemistry
• Protein structure, function & proteomics

BMCB majors participate in experiential learning activities

• Many courses have integrated laboratory experiences to foster inquiry-based learning and to train creative and critical thinkers
• Independent research experiences are available in faculty research laboratories
• Many courses provide exposure to cutting-edge techniques and instrumentation
• Job preparation can be enhanced by internships with regional biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies
• Summer undergraduate research fellowships at U.S. or international academic institutions combine travel with research opportunities outside UNH

BMCB graduates have been successful in many careers

• Research associates and laboratory technicians
  • Biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies
  • Government agencies
  • Forensics laboratories
  • Academic research laboratories
  • Hospitals
• Science journalists and technical writers
• Healthcare workers
• Pharmaceutical sales and marketing staff
• Regulatory agency staff
• Primary and secondary school educators (with additional coursework in education)

BMCB graduates are well prepared for post-baccalaureate education

• Masters and doctoral programs in a wide variety of disciplines
• Professional health programs
  • Medical
  • Dental
  • Pharmacy
  • Physician's Assistant and other allied health programs

Note: The BMCB major is designed so you can complete all of the prerequisite courses needed to seek admission to graduate schools or health professional schools in four years.

SLO: Core Knowledge in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Cell Biology.

• Students will be able to explain the structure and function of macromolecules, including key functional groups, higher order structure and function of macromolecules, catalysis and enzyme kinetics.
• Students will be able to explain matter and energy conversion, including thermodynamics, catalysis, biological energy, ATP and its function in metabolism.
• Students will be able to explain cellular homeostasis, including major metabolic pathways for carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and nucleic acids, key regulatory steps in these pathways and the organization of metabolic enzymes.
• Students will be able to explain the flow of biological information, including detailed replication, transcription and translation processes in the context of homeostasis and development.

SLO: Quantitative Literacy, Inquiry & Analysis

• Students will be able to apply the scientific method to examine experimental evidence and draw informed conclusions.
• Students will be able to use graphs to represent scientific data.
• Students will be able to apply statistical methods to interpret scientific data.

SLO: Critical Thinking & Problem Solving

• Students will be able to use data to troubleshoot an unexpected outcome.
• Students will be able to apply core knowledge to critically interpret scientific data.

SLO: Written Communication

• Students will demonstrate written skills to communicate scientific knowledge and experimental data.

SLO: Oral Communication

• Students will be able to demonstrate oral presentation skills to communicate scientific knowledge and experimental data.

Secondary and/or university transcript(s) of any coursework taken prior to applying to UNH, with English translations, are required. International documents received by UNH Admissions are verified, scanned, and confidentially destroyed. Official documents submitted will not be returned to the student.

Ideally, the letter should be from a student's school counselor or teacher. UNH does not require more than one recommendation and our preference is to receive no more than two. Excess recommendations may delay the admissions review process.