Biology and Environmental Science

Chair: Roman N. Zajac, Ph.D.

Professors Emeriti: Burton C. Staugaard, Ph.D., University of Connecticut; H. Fessenden Wright, Ph.D., Cornell University

Professors: R. Laurence Davis, Ph.D., University of Rochester; Charles L. Vigue, Ph.D., North Carolina State University; Henry E. Voegeli, Ph.D., University of Rhode Island; Roman N. Zajac, Ph.D., University of Connecticut

Associate Professors: Carmela Cuomo, Ph.D., Yale University; Michael J. Rossi, Ph.D., University of Kentucky; Eva Sapi, Ph.D., Eotvos Lorand University

Assistant Professor: John T. Kelly. Ph.D., University of California Davis

Lecturers: James Ayers, M.S., Purdue University; Nina Flay, Ph.D., University of Health Sciences/Chicago Medical School; Cheryl L. Lyon, N.D., University of Bridgeport; Rosemary Murray-Whelan, Ph.D., University College-Dublin

The Co-op Program

The department participates in the cooperative education program (co-op), which enables students to combine their education with practical, paid work experience in their career field. For further details see the “Office of Internships and Employer Relations ” earlier in the catalog, or contact the co-op coordinator for the College of Art and Sciences.

Biology

Biology provides one of the cornerstones of a liberal education by increasing knowledge and appreciation of oneself and of other living organisms in the ecosphere. Biology is an active and exciting field leading to careers in drug discovery, medicine, and education. As a major, biology prepares the student for professional or graduate training or for technical and research positions in one of the health or life science fields and also the various sub-disciplines of the biological sciences.

Teaching Biology

Students interested in earning a teaching certificate in secondary education in biology may enter the graduate program at UNH. The B.S. in biology with a concentration in general biology is the best choice for a major for those planning to teach at the secondary level, but other related majors are also acceptable. Please contact the Education Department for additional information.

Environmental Science

Environmental scientists are employed by municipal, state, and federal agencies and by consulting companies and businesses, both large and small. These scientists work on problems such as wetland mapping and protection; watershed management; ground and surface water contamination; aquifer delineation and protection; marine resource management; crop and pest management; natural hazards; regulatory compliance; environmental health and safety; water, wastewater, and air treatment; and pollution prevention and remediation.

Usually, specialized training is necessary if one wishes to hold an administrative job at a high salary level. Our programs are designed to enable students to enter a graduate or specialty school to continue their education. Examples of advanced study include a graduate program in environmental science or engineering; a school of forestry, planning, or public health; a program in urban ecology or environmental geology; or even, with proper selection of electives, business or law school.

The B.S. degree program establishes a solid background in the biological and earth sciences, chemistry, physics, and mathematics in the first three years. In the fourth year, students concentrate on advanced environmental science courses.