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Bachelor of Science in Biology

Biology is the study of living organisms. Our vibrant and exciting Bachelor of Science in Biology program engages you with courses encompassing both organismal and molecular biology, including general biology, animal physiology, evolution, genetics, plants and human affairs, zoology, and many others.

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Bachelor of Science in Biology Program Overview

You will be challenged with hands-on learning experiences and many opportunities to do real science, both in your classes and in federally funded research laboratories. Every biology major completes a yearlong research project. Many students present this work at local undergraduate meetings and even international scientific conferences.

At NEC, you will have opportunities for professional internships, biology-related travel courses, earning credits for getting certified as a biology teacher, and employment in our Summer Undergraduate Research Program. We will help you attain your career goals, whether that be graduate school or employment in such places as educational institutions, federal agencies, pharmaceutical companies, and private industry.

Bachelor of Science in Biology Program Highlights

Research Experience Travel 
Participate in the federally funded Summer Undergraduate Research Program to gain research lab experience. Experience learning through research projects and professional internships. Travel to the reefs and Mayan ruins of Belize with the Tropical Marine Biology class.

I needed a small community where people would know me and I would know them. The student-teacher ratio was exactly what I was looking for so that professors can give me their undivided attention and help me succeed and meet my goals!

Mackie Glashow Biology BS, 2013

Why Earn Your BS in Biology?

Explore biological ecosystems, genetics, and zoology as a biology major. While studying living organisms, you will strengthen critical thinking, analytical skills, and problem-solving skills.

At NEC, the BS in Biology curriculum emphasizes hands-on inquiry and project-based learning. Students complete research projects, participate in internships, and gain laboratory experience. The curriculum also includes a course on Careers in Science that covers career paths, the job search, and applying to graduate school. Whether you want to teach biology, work in a research laboratory, or continue your education at the graduate level, a Bachelor of Science in Biology from NEC can help you reach your goal.

 

BS in Biology Learning Outcomes

  • Master core biological concepts.
  • Use the scientific process to test hypotheses and interpret experimental data.
  • Apply scientific knowledge in a laboratory setting.
  • Use critical-thinking skills to assess scientific research.
  • Communicate scientific information in written and oral reports.

What Can You Do with a Bachelor of Science in Biology?

With a Bachelor of Science in Biology, you can pursue careers in zoology, laboratory science, or conservation science.

  • Biology majors qualify for roles such as:
  • Wildlife biologist
  • Conservation scientist
  • Zoologist
  • Biological technician
  • Microbiologist
  • Food scientist
  • Marine biologist
  • Biology teacher

 

After earning a Bachelor of Science in Biology, you can also pursue a master’s or doctoral degree. Common graduate programs include biology, medical school, veterinary medicine, and pharmacy school.

Biological Technician

$48,140*

 Conservation Scientist

$63,750*

 Wildlife Biologist

$64,650*

 Microbiologist

$79,260*
*Median annual salary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Why Choose NEC?

New England College (NEC) is a private, nonprofit college founded in 1946 to serve the needs of servicepeople attending college on the GI Bill after World War II and is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education. Today, NEC is an innovative, military-friendly institution and one of the top five liberal arts colleges in New Hampshire.

NEC offers 60 associate and bachelor’s degrees, as well as more than 20 master’s degrees and one doctoral degree program, all delivered by dedicated faculty focused on giving students opportunities to live what they learn. With access to many clubs, outdoor activities, natural areas, internships, and professor-led trips, NEC students have many ways to meet new people and try new things.

At NEC, the world is your classroom.

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Recognition and Rankings

 

Best College In New Hampshire as ranked by Inteligent.com

NEC Ranked Top College in New Hampshire

New England College in New Hampshire has earned recognition as a leading college in the state, as acknowledged by Intelligent.com, a credible source for evaluating higher education programs.

 

 

 

 

Edurank logo for best college in New Hampshire

NEC Ranked Leading College in New Hampshire

New England College in New Hampshire has earned recognition as a leading college in NH, as acknowledged by EduRank, a credible source for evaluating higher education programs.

 

 

 

 

AcademicInfluence.com logo for best college in New Hampshire

NEC Ranked Top College in New Hampshire

New England College in New Hampshire has earned recognition as one of the best colleges in New Hampshire, as acknowledged by Academic Influence, a credible source for evaluating higher education programs.

 

 

Tropical Marine Biology Class Takes Study Away Trip to Belize

Dr. Eric Simon leads a group of students from his Tropical Marine Biology class for a Study Away trip to Belize in January 2024.

Dr. Eric Simon leads a group of students from his Tropical Marine Biology class for a Study Away trip to Belize in January 2024.

 

Follow Their Adventures

New England College Students and Faculty Present Research at the Annual NH-INBRE Conference

NEC student Vincent Leone presents his research at the 2023 NH-INBRE annual meeting.

Since joining the NH-INBRE network, the College has received $3.7 million in grants to support faculty and student biomedical research.

Four faculty and eight students from New England College (NEC) presented research at the 2023 New Hampshire IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (NH-INBRE) Annual Meeting.

Right: Vincent Leone, Health Science ʼ23, discusses his research with NEC faculty and students.

Read the Press Release

Hidden Gem: NEC’s Summer Undergraduate Research Program

Students and faculty at INBRE Conference 2021

For more than a decade, NEC’s Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP) has been quietly helping students embark on their science and healthcare careers. Each summer, students do real research and present their work at the NH-INBRE Conference.

Right: Professor James Newcomb and NEC students at the 2021 NH-INBRE Annual Meeting

Read the Full Story

Degree Requirements

Biology, BS

Download Course Requirements

Biology Core

(42 Credits)

Organismal-Level Elective

Take one of the following:

Micro-level Elective

Take one of the following:

Additional Electives

Choose 16 credits from the list below.

Liberal Arts & Sciences Core Curriculum, Bachelor's Degree

Electives

Select additional electives to reach 120 credits for a Bachelor's degree. 

Faculty

  • Dr. Eric Simon

    Professor, Biology and Health Science
    Office: Science Building 212-C, Henniker Campus
    Phone: 603.428.2271
    Email: esimon@nec.edu
    Professional website: ericjsimon.com

    Expertise
    Dr. Simon is the author of the introductory non-majors’ biology textbooks Biology: The Core, the lead author of Campbell Essential Biology and Campbell Essential Biology with Physiology, and a co-author of the introductory biology textbook Campbell Biology: Concepts and Connections, all published by Pearson Education.

    Educational Background
    PhD in Biochemistry, Harvard University
    MA in Biology, Wesleyan University
    BA in Biology and Computer Science, Wesleyan University

    Research Interests
    His research focuses on innovative ways to use technology to improve teaching and learning in the science classroom, particularly among non-science major students.

    Bio
    Dr. Simon teaches introductory biology to both science majors and non-science majors, as well as human biology, tropical marine biology, careers in science, and TA training. Dr. Simon also teaches a variety of international travel courses to destinations such as Belize, Patagonia, Galapagos, Tanzania, and Cuba.

  • Dr. Geoff Cook

    Associate Professor, Biology and Health Science
    Phone: 603.428.2471
    Email: gcook@nec.edu

    Educational Background
    PhD in Environmental Science and Policy, George Mason University
    MS in Environmental Science and Policy, George Mason University
    BS in Biology, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

  • Dr. James Newcomb

    Professor, Biology and Health Science and Co-Director of Center for Undergraduate Science Research
    Office: Science Building 116C, Henniker Campus
    Phone: 603.428.2374
    Email: jnewcomb@nec.edu
    Professional website: sites.google.com/view/newcomblab

    Awards and Recent Press

    • Recent grants include a $160,000 grant from National Institutes of Health/INBRE to study specific cellular junctions in neurons, in both mammalian and invertebrate preparations.
    • Recent publications include a paper in Integrative Organismal Biology, reporting on the distribution and roles of a peptide neurotransmitter in a sea slug (Watson et al, 2020).

     

    Educational Background
    PhD in Biology, Georgia State University
    MS in Zoology, University of New Hampshire
    BS in Zoology, University of New Hampshire
    BS in Chemistry and Physics, Keene State College

    Research Interests
    My lab investigates the physiological mechanisms underlying behavior. Our latest projects include studies on cellular junctions, circadian rhythms, extraocular photoreception, non-invasive neural stimulation, and regeneration.

    Bio
    James Newcomb has been a professor at NEC since 2006. In 2019, he also became co-director of NEC’s Center for Undergraduate Science Research. He has maintained an externally funded research lab since 2010, during which time (as of 2020), he had obtained over $800,000 in extramural grants. As of 2020, he had published a total of 19 peer-reviewed publications (cited over 800 times), including 13 NEC students as co-authors, and been a co-author on 130 presentations at research conferences. He has also coauthored chapters for two different books. He is an Associate Editor for the journal Integrative Organismal Biology and Chair of the Division for Neurobiology, Neuroethology, and Sensory Biology of the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology. Beyond the confines of post-secondary academia, he is also an elected School Board member for John Stark Regional High School.

  • Dr. Lori Koziol

    Professor of Biology and Health Science
    Office: Science Building 211C, Henniker Campus
    Phone: 603.428.2449
    Email: lkoziol @nec.edu

    Expertise, Awards, and Recent Press
    Expertise in molecular microbiology, genetics, genomics, biofilms, and biochemistry

    Awards:

    • New Hampshire Institutional Development Award for Biomedical Research Excellence grant recipient from the National Institute of Health in collaboration with Dartmouth College, 2009–2018
    • NEC’s Kilgore Faculty-of-the-Year Award, 2018

     

    Recent Publications:

    • “Whole-Genome Sequences of Pantoea agglomerans BL3, Pseudomonas fluorescens BL, and Pseudomonas stutzeri CM14 isolated from hops (Humulus lupulus)” in Microbiology Resource Announcements, 2019
    • “Whole-Genome Sequence of Pseudomonas fluorescens isolated from roots of tomato and cucumber plants” in Microbiology Resource Announcements, 2018
    • “Ligand-mediated biofilm formation via enhanced physical interaction between a diguanylate cyclase and its receptor” in mBio, 2018

     

    Educational Background
    Post-doctoral research, Scripps Research Institute
    Post-doctoral research, Advanced Microbial Solutions
    PhD, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry
    BA, Ripon College

    Research Interests
    My lab research studies the plant growth promoting bacteria of plant roots. Our focus has been on the plant colonizer Pseudomonas fluorescens, which promotes the growth of plants by forming biofilms on plant roots and protects the plants (including grapevines) from disease-causing bacteria and fungi.

    My future research interests are to identify the microbiome of the soil and rhizosphere of the grapevine Vitis vinifera. The microbial composition of grape varieties in local regions of New Hampshire will be compared to the work done on characterizing the bacteriome of the Pinot Noir variety. Several grape varieties suffer from a condition called berry shrivel. The cause of berry shrivel is unknown. Knowledge of the biodiversity of these soil ecosystems will help in the understanding of the normal flora, which may be protective against berry shrivel and other diseases. In addition, characteristics of biotic soil factors contributing to grape growth could help the wine industry. Some of these bacteria associated with the grapevine roots can act as biological control agents decreasing the necessity for pesticides. Identifying the soil bacteria and fungi associated with the roots of the grape of will help scientists and vineyard owners understand the complex relationship between the soil microbiota and the grapevine.

    Bio
    Dr. Lori Koziol came to NEC after teaching at Ripon College in Wisconsin for several years. Prior to teaching, Dr. Koziol worked in drug development at a startup biotech company developing antibiotics in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Her research career and PhD work were on biofilm-forming bacteria of the mouth, Actinomyces. Currently, her lab works on Pseudomonas, which forms biofilms in human lungs, eyes, and skin and also can form biofilms on plant roots. Her lab studies antibiotic-resistant bacteria of the soil and soil-plant microbial interactions. Dr. Koziol teaches biology, genetics, microbiology, and beer brewing courses at NEC. She maintains a lab where she has mentored undergraduate research students in projects on microbial genetics since 2009. Her lab has been funded by the National Institutes of Health grant INBRE for several years. Her lab provides paid research opportunities for students.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to complete a Bachelor of Science in Biology?

Earning a bachelor’s degree in biology typically takes four years. Students must complete 120 credits to graduate. Full-time biology majors generally earn their degrees within four years. NEC accepts transfer credits, which can shorten the time to degree completion. Students can also enroll on a part-time basis.

 

How is the BS in Biology structured?

At NEC, undergraduates complete the liberal arts and sciences core curriculum as part of their bachelor’s degree. The biology major has a 42-credit core curriculum, which includes biology, chemistry, and math courses. Students choose an organismal-level elective and a micro-level elective. The BS in Biology also requires 20 credits of biology electives. Students customize the degree by choosing electives such as Marine Biology, Human Anatomy, Biochemistry, and Wetlands.

What are the benefits of a Bachelor of Science in Biology?

Earning a Bachelor of Science in Biology strengthens analytical, research, and critical-thinking skills. Students take engaging courses on molecular biology, animal physiology, and biodiversity. NEC incorporates hands-on research and laboratory experience, better preparing graduates for careers in the sciences. A biology degree also prepares students for graduate programs in medicine, veterinary science, and the natural sciences.

 

How do I enroll in the Bachelor of Science in Biology program?

Submit an application online to apply to the BS in Biology program. NEC accepts applications on a rolling admission basis, meaning you can apply anytime. Standardized test scores are optional, and NEC does not charge an application fee. Submit any college transcripts to receive transfer credit toward your bachelor’s degree.

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Ready to start work on your biology degree? Submit a completed application for admission with your self-reported GPA to begin the admission process.

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