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Genetics Major (B.S.)

The Genetics program explores the world of genetics and genomics in plants, animals, and microbes. Genetics majors are interested in understanding how DNA, along with the environment, specifies simple traits like hair color to more complex traits like high blood pressure, diabetes, and mental illness. The Genetics faculty strongly value hands-on learning, and many GEN students conduct undergraduate research under the supervision of our faculty. GEN graduates are prepared for successful careers in the biotechnology fields or for entry into a variety of graduate school, genetic counseling, or health professional programs.

Program Description

The Genetics program offers coursework and laboratories in:

• Molecular genetics
• Bioinformatics
• Human genetics
• Comparative genomics
• Plant genetics
• Microbial genetics and evolution
• Population and evolutionary genetics

Experiential Learning Activities

Students in the Genetics program may participate in a variety of experiential learning activities, including:

• Independent research experiences in laboratories of UNH faculty
• Work at the Hubbard Center for Genome Studies or Research Computing Center
• Internships at biotechnology companies in the Greater Boston area
• Internships with genetics counselors at area medical centers

Career Opportunities

GEN graduates have been successful in attaining careers as:

• Research scientists and laboratory technicians in biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, academic research programs, forensics, biomedical research centers, medical schools, government agencies
• Genetic counselors
• Educators
• Technical support associates

Further Education

GEN graduates are prepared for further education in:

• Professional health programs, such as genetic counseling, medical school, dental school, allied health programs, veterinary school
• Graduate programs, such as Genetics and Genomics, Integrative Biology, Neurogenomics, Molecular Biology, Microbiology, Environmental Sciences, Public Health, Computer Science

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

Major Requirements

Students majoring in genetics take seven Foundation courses, six Bioscience Core courses, four Genetics Core courses, and four Major Elective courses. One capstone experience, supervised and approved within the major, is required of all seniors. In addition, all other University requirements must be completed, including those for the University Discovery Program and Writing Program.

Required Courses

• Foundation Courses:
  • CHEM 403: General Chemistry I
  • CHEM 404: General Chemistry II
  • CHEM 545 & CHEM 546: Organic Chemistry and Organic Chemistry Laboratory
  • MATH 424B: Calculus for Life Sciences
  • BIOL 528: Applied Biostatistics I
  • PHYS 401: Introduction to Physics I
  • PHYS 402: Introduction to Physics II
• Bioscience Core Courses:
  • BIOL 411: Introductory Biology: Molecular and Cellular
  • BIOL 412: Introductory Biology: Evolution, Biodiversity and Ecology
  • GEN 604: Principles of Genetics
  • BMS 503 & BMS 504: General Microbiology and General Microbiology Laboratory
  • BMCB 605: Principles of Cell Biology
  • BMCB 658 & BMCB 659: General Biochemistry and General Biochemistry Lab
• Genetics Core Courses:
  • GEN 606: Genetics Lab
  • GEN 711: Genomics and Bioinformatics
  • GEN 704: Microbial Genetics and Genomics
  • MCBS 401: Professional Perspectives in Molecular, Cellular, and Biomedical Sciences

Electives

Four unique major electives are required from the following categories:

• Laboratory-Based Electives
• Population/Evolutionary Genetics Electives
• Bioscience Electives

Capstone

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.

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.

Program Learning Outcomes

Core Knowledge in Genetics

• Students will be able to describe DNA, its role, structure, and how it is packaged in chromosomes.
• Students will be able to describe the central dogma of molecular biology.
• Students will be able to define and describe evolution.
• Students will be able to describe the differences between mitosis and meiosis.
• Students will be able to evaluate how genes and the environment interact to produce a phenotype.
• Students will be able to describe the concept of deep time and how comparing genes and genomes allows us to understand evolution and relatedness between species.
• Students will be able to use pedigrees to determine the mode of inheritance of a trait.
• Students will be able to describe ethical issues related to modern genomics.
• Students will be able to describe high-throughput sequencing and how it has changed the practice of modern genetics.

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.

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.

Written Communication

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

Oral Communication

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