Program Overview

Zoology, B.A. - COLSA, UNH

The Zoology Bachelor of Arts degree at UNH offers an interdisciplinary education that explores animal biology and its societal connections. Students engage in research on animal behavior, physiology, and conservation, combining scientific inquiry with humanities and policy perspectives.

Program Description

The program emphasizes versatile skills through research and critical thinking, preparing students for careers in wildlife conservation, science communication, environmental policy, and education. The B.A. in zoology is designed as a flexible program, allowing students to pursue an interdisciplinary or dual major to pursue careers in fields such as education or public relations.

Why Study Zoology at UNH?

Learning zoology at UNH is enhanced by easy access to ocean, lake, and mountain habitats. The programs emphasize hands-on learning and directly engage undergraduate students in research. Faculty are experts in a wide range of disciplines, including freshwater, estuarine, and marine biology, aquaculture, physiology, neurobiology, and behavior, and welcome undergraduate students into their labs.

Potential Careers

• Animal care
  • Aquaculture
  • Biotechnology
  • Conservation biology
  • Consulting
  • Education
  • Public relations
  • Research
  • Wildlife rehabilitation

Curriculum & Requirements

Program Description

Built upon the common background of the biology core curriculum, the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Zoology is designed for students to create an interdisciplinary or dual major, particularly if they want to pursue public relations, teaching, or other careers in combination with a liberal arts background.

New England Regional Student Program

The bachelor's degree in zoology is one of the specialized curricula recognized by the New England Board of Higher Education and participates in the New England Regional Student Program.

General Science Certification

See Department of Education

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: Yes

Major Requirements

• Minimum grade of D‐ or better is required in CHEM 411, PHYS 401, and MATH 424B (if taken)
• Minimum grade of C‐ or better is required in all other courses

Course List

• Core Curriculum Courses:
  • BIOL 411: Introductory Biology: Molecular and Cellular
  • BIOL 412: Introductory Biology: Evolution, Biodiversity and Ecology
  • BIOL 528: Applied Biostatistics I
  • BIOL 541W: Ecology
  • BMCB 501: Biological Chemistry
  • ANSC 612: Genetics of Animals
  • CHEM 411: Introductory Chemistry for Life Sciences
  • PHYS 401: Introduction to Physics I
  • ZOOL 400: Professional Perspectives in Zoology
  • ZOOL 518: Comparative Morphology and Biology of Vertebrates
  • ZOOL 625: Principles of Animal Physiology
  • ZOOL 690: Evolution
  • BIOL 780: Capstone Companion Course
• Zoology Electives:
  • Animal Survey Courses: Select one course from the following
    • MEFB 628: Marine Invertebrate Evolution and Ecology
    • MEFB 510: Field Ornithology
    • NR 712: Mammalogy
    • ZOOL 542: Ornithology
    • ZOOL 555: Introduction to Entomology
    • ZOOL 566: Herpetology
    • ZOOL 710: Sharks and Bony Fishes
  • Electives: Select two courses from the following
    • ANTH 660: Human Osteology
    • BIOL 695: Biology Teaching Practices
    • BIOL 720: Plant-Animal Interactions
    • BIOL 706: Data Science with R for the Life Sciences
    • BMS 503/504: General Microbiology
    • BMS 718: Mammalian Physiology
    • MEFB 503: Introduction to Marine Biology
    • MEFB 510: Field Ornithology
    • MEFB 628: Marine Invertebrate Evolution and Ecology
    • MEFB 675: Marine Mammal Biology and Conservation
    • MEFB 717: Lake Ecology
    • MEFB 755: Biological Oceanography
    • MEFB 772: Fisheries Biology: Conservation and Management
    • MEFB 773: Physiology of Fishes
    • NR 615: Wildlife Habitats
    • NR 640: Wildlife Population Ecology
    • NR 642: Introduction to Biogeography
    • NR 650: Principles of Conservation Biology
    • NR 712: Mammalogy
    • NSB 727: Animal Communication
    • TECH 797: Undergraduate Ocean Research Project
    • ZOOL 529: Developmental Biology
    • ZOOL 542: Ornithology
    • ZOOL 555: Introduction to Entomology
    • ZOOL 566: Herpetology
    • ZOOL 600: Field Experience
    • ZOOL 613W: Animal Behavior
    • ZOOL 708: Stream Ecology
    • ZOOL 710: Sharks and Bony Fishes
    • ZOOL 726: Conservation Behavior
    • ZOOL 733W: Behavioral Ecology
    • ZOOL 736: Genes and Behavior
    • ZOOL 740: Acoustic Ecology
    • ZOOL 777W: Neuroethology
    • ZOOL 795: Independent Investigations in Zoology
    • ZOOL 799H: Honors Senior Thesis

Capstone Experience

As part of the University of New Hampshire's Discovery Program requirements, all students must complete a capstone experience during their senior year (after earning at least 90 credits). The capstone experience for students majoring in Biology consists of BOTH (1) an approved individual experience AND (2) the successful completion of the BIOL 780 Capstone Companion Course.

Student Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

• Students demonstrate that they understand basic principles of Zoology.
  • Understand the biodiversity and ecological roles of selected animal taxa.
  • Demonstrate understanding of animal physiology and structure at the cellular and organismal levels.
  • Describe and apply key principles and mechanisms of evolution and genetics.
  • Comprehend the relationship between organisms and their environments.
• Students demonstrate that they can undertake scientifically valid methods of inquiry.
  • Demonstrate proficiency in searching, reading, and understanding scientific literature.
• Students demonstrate that they can think critically and analytically.
  • Analyze and present data using appropriate quantitative and graphical tools.
• Students demonstrate that they can communicate effectively.
  • Develop effective written and oral communication skills for conveying scientific information effectively to a wide audience.
  • Students practice science responsibly and ethically, and acknowledge the influence of cultural and historical biases in the sciences.

Relevant UNH Graduate Programs

Students interested in the Zoology B.A. major may also be interested in the following advanced degrees at UNH. Students in the program also have the opportunity to participate in the UNH accelerated master's program.

• Bioinformatics M.S.
• Integrative Biology M.S.
• Integrative Biology Ph.D.
• Marine Biology M.S.
• Marine Biology Ph.D.