Biochemistry, Molecular and Cellular Biology Major (B.S.)

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of New Hampshire

Program Overview

The B.S. in Biochemistry, Molecular and Cellular Biology (BMCB) at the University of New Hampshire combines biology, chemistry, physics and mathematics with advanced study of molecular biology, biochemistry, cell biology and genetics, making it a strong fit for students interested in biomedical research, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals or health professions. The 128-credit program emphasizes inquiry-based learning, laboratory training and independent research, with opportunities to explore areas such as cancer biology, cell signaling, neurobiology, proteomics and protein structure and function.

Curriculum Structure

First Year: Students establish the scientific foundation needed for advanced molecular and cellular study through courses such as CHEM 403 General Chemistry I, CHEM 404 General Chemistry II and MATH 424B Calculus for Life Sciences. They also begin developing quantitative and physical-science skills through PHYS 401 Introduction to Physics I and the program's introductory biology requirements.

Second Year: Students progress into CHEM 547/549 Organic Chemistry I and Organic Chemistry Laboratory and CHEM 548/550 Organic Chemistry II and Organic Chemistry Laboratory, gaining a stronger understanding of chemical reactions and laboratory techniques. The year also develops biological and quantitative knowledge through BIOL 411 Introductory Biology: Molecular and Cellular, BIOL 412 Introductory Biology: Evolution, Biodiversity and Ecology, and BIOL 528 Applied Biostatistics I.

Third Year: The curriculum moves firmly into molecular and cellular science through BMCB 605 Principles of Cell Biology, BMCB 751 Principles of Biochemistry I and BMCB 752 Principles of Biochemistry II. Students also study BMS 503/504 General Microbiology and General Microbiology Laboratory and GEN 604 Principles of Genetics, connecting molecular mechanisms with microorganisms, heredity and cellular function.

Fourth Year: In the final year, students can specialize through advanced subjects such as BMCB 750 Physical Biochemistry, BMCB 760 Pharmacology, BMCB 763 Biochemistry of Cancer and BMCB 794 Protein Structure and Function. Students also complete a supervised capstone, with options including BMCB 795 Investigations in Molecular and Cellular Biology, BMCB 799 Senior Thesis, or an approved advanced research experience.

Focus Areas

Biochemistry, molecular biology, cell biology, genetics, cancer biology, cell culture and tissue engineering, endocrinology, pharmacology, physical biochemistry, protein structure and function, proteomics, microbiology and biomedical research.

Learning Outcomes

Students develop conceptual knowledge of macromolecular structure and function, biological energy conversion, cellular metabolism, biological information flow and cellular homeostasis, while building quantitative reasoning, inquiry, analytical and laboratory skills.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The BMCB major is an interdisciplinary life-science degree; the official program information does not identify a separate program-specific professional accreditation. Its curriculum is designed to provide the prerequisite coursework needed for graduate and professional programs in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, physician assistant studies and other allied health fields.

Reputation (Employability)

UNH reports that two-thirds of BMCB graduates immediately obtain work as researchers in pharmaceutical, biotechnology or biomedical fields, while one-third enter health professions or graduate study. These figures are specific to the BMCB program's career information rather than a third-party university ranking.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The BMCB major places substantial emphasis on practical scientific training through integrated laboratory courses, independent faculty research and exposure to advanced instrumentation. Students can undertake research in areas including cancer biology, cell signaling, gene regulation, neurobiology, structural biology and proteomics, while internships with regional biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies and summer research fellowships provide opportunities to apply their skills beyond the classroom.

Students can build hands-on expertise through these specific opportunities and facilities:

Integrated laboratory courses: Many BMCB courses include laboratory experiences designed around inquiry-based learning and scientific problem-solving.
Independent faculty research: Students can work in faculty research laboratories using current techniques and instrumentation, with research areas including structural biology, cell signaling, cancer biology, gene regulation, neurobiology, cellular structure and function, and proteomics.
Laboratory Techniques options: Students can select BMCB 753 Cell Culture, BMCB 754 Molecular Biology Research Methods, BMCB 755 Protein Biochemistry Laboratory, or BMS 725 Cell Phenotyping and Tissue Engineering Laboratory.
Advanced instrumentation: The University Instrumentation Center (UIC) provides access to analytical, imaging and biophysical instrumentation, including mass spectrometers, microplate readers, surface plasmon resonance equipment, NMR spectrometers and X-ray instrumentation.
Molecular and Cellular Phenotyping Core: Facilities include a Bio-Rad ChemiDoc imaging system, Li-Cor Odyssey imaging system, flow/cellular tools, confocal microscopy, cryostat equipment and gene-delivery instrumentation.
Hubbard Center for Genome Studies: The center supports genomics research, including single-cell genomics, bioinformatics and genome-scale analysis, giving students exposure to modern genome research infrastructure.
Data Science Core: UNH's Data Science Core provides bioinformatics, statistics and data-science expertise and infrastructure for interpreting complex biological datasets.
Internships: The BMCB program identifies internships with regional biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies as an opportunity to strengthen job preparation.
Summer research fellowships: Students can participate in summer undergraduate research fellowships at U.S. or international academic institutions, combining research with opportunities to experience other academic environments.
Capstone research: Seniors must complete an approved capstone, with options including Investigations in Molecular and Cellular Biology or a Senior Thesis/Honors Senior Thesis.
Center of Integrated Biomedical and Bioengineering Research (CIBBR): CIBBR supports multidisciplinary biomedical research through advanced instrumentation and research cores focused on molecular/cellular phenotyping and data science.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The B.S. in BMCB is designed to support both immediate employment and further academic or professional education, with graduates moving into biotechnology, pharmaceutical research, biomedical research, healthcare and related scientific fields. UNH reports that two-thirds of BMCB graduates immediately enter research-oriented employment, while another one-third pursue health-professional or graduate education.

Typical career directions include Research Associate, Laboratory Technician, Medical Laboratory Scientist, Research and Development Associate, Process Development Specialist, Manufacturing Associate, Quality Assurance Specialist, Veterinary Technician, Science Journalist/Technical Writer and Pharmaceutical Sales or Marketing Specialist.

Career & Employment Support

St. Martin Career Exploration Office: The college provides career fairs, campus interviews and internship opportunities, along with resume reviews, LinkedIn workshops and practice interviews.
Academic advising: Each BMCB major has an academic advisor who helps students plan their degree and connect with appropriate university resources.
Pre-professional health advising: Students pursuing medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, physician assistant studies and other health professions can receive specialized guidance from the college's full-time pre-professional health advisor.
Employment areas: UNH identifies biotechnology and pharmaceuticals, healthcare, research and development, public health and regulatory affairs, veterinary medicine, and communications/sales among relevant employment areas for BMCB graduates.
Graduate outcomes: UNH states that about one-third of BMCB majors pursue graduate or health-professional education, while many research-oriented students have entered graduate programs at institutions including Dartmouth, Duke, UMass Medical School, the University of Maryland and the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
Research-industry connection: UNH's CIBBR supports biomedical research and encourages clinical research, commercial opportunities and translational medicine; its facilities also support work involving biotech, pharmaceutical and medical-device industries.
Research infrastructure: Students pursuing research can work within an ecosystem that includes CIBBR, the Hubbard Center for Genome Studies and the University Instrumentation Center.
Salary information: The official BMCB career page links to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics career data and notes that BLS salary figures are median salaries for employed workers in the relevant fields, not entry-level BMCB graduate salaries. UNH does not publish a single BMCB-specific graduate salary figure on the program page.
Professional preparation: The curriculum is structured so students can complete prerequisite coursework for medical, dental, pharmacy, physician assistant and other allied-health programs within four years.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates can continue into master's and doctoral programs across biochemistry, molecular biology, cell biology, genetics, biomedical sciences and related disciplines. The degree also supports progression into medical, dental, pharmacy, physician assistant and other allied-health professional programs, and eligible UNH students can pursue an accelerated five-year combined bachelor's and master's pathway in biochemistry.