What are the class sizes at UNH?
The largest classes you will take are usually in your first year. Your introductory biology and chemistry lectures may be as large as 100-240 students. These classes will also have laboratory sections that are much smaller, usually no larger than 24. However, you will also have some smaller classes in your freshman year. As you progress in your degree, your class sizes tend to become smaller and often your upper-level major courses will have 20-30 students, and sometimes will be even smaller.
A large majority of COLSA classes have laboratory sections so for most courses, whether large, medium, or small, you will have a small hands-on lab. Depending on your specific course, the “lab” may be inside, at one of our animal facilities, in the woods, at the coast, or even in the ocean.
What are the college-specific scholarship opportunities?
The college and each department in the college have scholarships that are awarded to continuing/returning students, based on the wishes of the donors. Other restrictions regarding major, state of origin, etc., may also have been specified by the donor.
Each year, the college and departments announce the availability of scholarship support, and students are asked to apply for consideration. The money is then made available for the following academic year. Each year a select number of students are awarded the $5000 Marble Scholarship. This scholarship is available to exceptional juniors or seniors who excel academically and who are engaged in community and college service. Students awarded the Marble Scholarship serve as “college ambassadors.”
What academic support is provided for students?
Close connections between faculty and students are central to student success and are an important part of a COLSA education. Every student in COLSA has a faculty advisor who is a resource for academic advice and counseling. Students who are planning to attend professional medical (including not just medical schools, but also physician assistant schools, dental schools, etc.) or veterinary schools have additional advising through the Pre-Professional Health Advising Office or from a pre-veterinary advisor. All students are also served by the COLSA Academic Affairs Office, whose staff is always available to help students.
Additional resources for student support include the Center for Academic Resources (CFAR) which employs educational counselors and peer mentors to assist UNH students with reaching their academic goals. The writing center, math center, and peer tutoring in chemistry and biology are also available to students.
What support can I get with career development?
COLSA has the only endowed career office at the University of New Hampshire: the St. Martin Career Exploration Office. This office provides students with significant career development support, including resume and interview preparation, career and employment fairs, and internship opportunities.
The office offers the SOAR Fund which is designed to assist students with experiential learning expenses by providing stipends for internships and expenses. Stipends may be used to supplement unpaid internships or pay for transportation to interviews and career events.
What are the best tips for work/school/life balance?
We recommend students limit themselves to joining one or two student organizations, in the first semester: one in any area of interest and one associated with professional growth that may be degree program related.
It’s helpful to find a group of friends who want to succeed academically as much as you do, as well as students who are in majors that require similar amounts of work outside of class. If this is not available in your dorm, find another place on campus to make your go-to study space.
Attempting to work at a job for more than 10 hours a week should be avoided unless you need to do so for financial reasons.
Also, be sure to keep a calendar so you can plan appropriately for when assignments are due. Make sure you take time for exercise, eat nutritious foods, and get appropriate sleep. The College Woods, located on campus and managed by COLSA, is a great place to immerse yourself in nature.
Are there any housing options available to COLSA majors?
There are two living-learning communities available for COLSA students. Students who are taking biology and chemistry classes during your first year can choose to live in the Life Science Residential Learning Community in Peterson Hall. This learning community provides an environment that is conducive for group studying and social interaction. Peterson Hall is one of our newest residence halls and is located close to the science buildings.
First-year students interested in conservation and sustainability can live in Haaland Hall with other students who share the same passion. Students in this learning community are enrolled in NR 435, Contemporary Conservation Issues and Environmental Awareness, which provides a focal shared academic experience. Like Peterson Hall, Haaland Hall is one of our newest dorms and conveniently located near science buildings.
What opportunities are there for COLSA students to study abroad?
Along with the programs available through the UNH Global Education Center, COLSA administers five of its own study abroad programs. Immerse yourself in Costa Rica’s tropical agriculture, tour working farms in Ireland, explore the Italian food system from the medieval city of Ascoli Piceno, or take advantage of two study abroad experiences in New Zealand, one focused on timely and relevant ecological field studies, the other on sustainable agriculture — all while being exposed to new cultures and ideas and meeting new and interesting people.
There are also a variety of research programs available on and off-campus in the summer to include the International Research Opportunities Program (IROP), the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) and more.
