College of Natural Sciences, Forestry & Agriculture

The College of Natural Sciences, Forestry, and Agriculture specializes in programs related to understanding and responsible management of the world’s natural resources. It consists of six departments and five schools, which offer academic programs at both the undergraduate and graduate level. The college offers a diversity of programs taught by a faculty, that represents the largest assemblage of scientific expertise in Maine. In addition to forestry, wildlife, agriculture and a full selection of other ecology and environmental science based programs, students can choose programs of study from the full spectrum of biological sciences, marine sciences, earth sciences, nursing and other health sciences. Students may also prepare for medical school, veterinary school, and other health professions.

The undergraduate programs of the college are designed to develop proficiency in a specific discipline or profession and to provide a broad general education. The college has extensive teaching and research facilities, plus some of the most sophisticated research equipment available anywhere. In addition, with its broad geographic, climatic, and landscape diversity, the state of Maine provides an exceptional outdoor laboratory for students interested in the natural sciences, forestry, and agriculture.

ACADEMIC PROGRAMS:

Bachelor of Arts in:
Biology
Botany
Earth Sciences
Zoology

Bachelor of Science in:
Animal and Veterinary Sciences
Aquaculture
Biochemistry
Biology
Botany
Clinical Laboratory Sciences
Earth Sciences
Ecology and Environmental Sciences
Economics (BA available in the College of Business, Public Policy and Health)
Environmental Horticulture
Food Science and Human Nutrition
Forest Ecosystem Science and Conservation
Forest Operations Science
Forestry
Marine Science
Microbiology
Molecular and Cellular Biology
Nursing
Parks, Recreation and Tourism
Sustainable Agriculture
Wildlife Ecology
Wood Science and Technology
Zoology

Minors:
Animal and Veterinary Sciences
Aquaculture
Biochemistry
Biology
Botany
Earth Sciences
Ecology and Environmental Sciences
Environmental Horticulture
Environmental Management and Policy
Equine Studies
Fisheries
Food Science
Forest Ecosystem Science
Forest Products
Forest Recreation Management
Horticultural Therapy
Human Nutrition
Microbiology
Molecular and Cellular Biology
Neuroscience
Plant Science
Pre-medical Studies*
Resource and Agribusiness Management
Soil Science
Sustainable Agriculture
Zoology

* Minor is administered by the School of Biology and Ecology. Descriptive information may be found under University Wide-Academic Programs. Click on Pre-Medical, Pre-Dental, Pre-Optometry.

College of Natural Sciences, Forestry, and Agriculture Graduation Requirements:

The college offers both Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts degrees. Each program has its specific curriculum and all include the general education requirements of the university. To obtain a Bachelor of Arts degree students must complete, within their program of study, 27 credits in courses meeting the human values and social context general education criteria of the university. At least 12 credits of these must be at the 200 level or above. In addition, students must complete a minimum of 72 credits outside their major. (If a particular major requires courses in another discipline, either within the same department or in another department, those credits may still count toward the 72 credits.) Depending on the particular program, the degree will require from 120 to 128 total credits for graduation. In addition, each student must achieve a grade point average of 2.0 over all courses taken. Some programs may also require minimum grade point averages for courses within the major. Students should consult individual program sections about specific details concerning a particular major.

College of Natural Sciences, Forestry, and Agriculture Notes:

The college has a well-developed, student-oriented academic advising system. Each student has a faculty advisor who assists in program planning and career development. Throughout the undergraduate years, the capabilities, aspirations, and goals of the students are the primary concerns governing the advising process. In the college, students find an environment small enough to feel that they are more than just a number, but large enough to provide the modern facilities necessary for a comprehensive education preparing them for the challenges of tomorrow.

Students may select a degree program upon entering the college, or may delay a formal choice of major until the sophomore year. In addition to the major, students have the option of selecting one of more than 20 minors. These optional minors range from such disciplines as chemistry, to various humanities and social sciences. Choice of minor enables students to strengthen their preparation in the major by selecting supporting courses from a related discipline.

Admission Requirements:
Entrance requirements for the college include the following high school units: four years of English, three years of mathematics (selected programs require four years of mathematics and it is encouraged for all programs), two years of social science, and a minimum of two years of laboratory sciences (selected programs require three years of laboratory sciences). One year of fine arts and one year of computer science are highly recommended. Two years of a single foreign language or American Sign Language (ASL) are required for BA programs.

Program Contacts

Animal and Veterinary Sciences
James Weber
342 Hitchner Hall
581-2774
james.weber@umit.maine.edu

Aquaculture
William Ellis
360B Aubert Hall
581-4360
william.ellis@umit.maine.edu

Biochemistry
Charles Moody
286 Hitchner Hall
581-2805
charles.moody@umit.maine.edu

Biology
Christa Schwintzer
13 Deering Hall
581-3115
christa.schwintzer@umit.maine.edu

Botany
Christa Schwintzer
13 Deering Hall
581-3115
christa.schwintzer@umit.maine.edu

Clinical Laboratory Sciences
Christa Schwintzer
13 Deering Hall
581-3115
christa.schwintzer@umit.maine.edu

Earth Sciences
Alice Kelley
121 Bryand Global Sciences Center
581-2056
alice.kelley@umit.maine.edu

Ecology and Environmental Sciences
Mark Anderson
305 Winslow Hall
581-3198
mark.anderson@umit.maine.edu

Economics
Todd Gabe
200 Winslow Hall
(207) 581-3307
todd.gabe@umit.maine.edu

Environmental Horticulture
M. Susan Erich
103 Deering Hall
581-2997
erich@maine.edu

Food Science and Human Nutrition
Susan Sullivan
103 Hitchner Hall
581-3130
susan.sullivan@umit.maine.edu

Forest Ecosystem Science and Conservation
William Livingston
201B Nutting Hall
581-2990
william.livingston@umit.maine.edu

Forest Operations Science
William Livingston
201B Nutting Hall
581-2990
william.livingston@umit.maine.edu

Forestry
William Livingston
201B Nutting Hall
581-2990
william.livingston@umit.maine.edu

Marine Science
William Ellis
360B Aubert Hall
581-4360
william.ellis@umit.maine.edu

Microbiology
Charles Moody
286 Hitchner Hall
581-2805
charles.moody@umit.maine.edu

Molecular and Cellular Biology
Charles Moody
286 Hitchner Hall
581-2805
charles.moody@umit.maine.edu

Nursing
Catherine Berardelli
201 Dunn Hall
581-2588
berardel@maine.edu

Parks, Recreation and Tourism
William Livingston
201B Nutting Hall
581-2990
william.livingston@umit.maine.edu

Sustainable Agriculture
Marianne Sarrantonio
115 Deering Hall
581-2913
marianne.sarranttonio@umit.maine.edu

Wildlife Ecology
James Gilberte
210 Nutting Hall
581-2866
james.gilbert@umit.maine.edu

Wood Science and Technology
William Livingston
201B Nutting Hall
581-2990
william.livingston@umit.maine.edu

Zoology
Christa Schwintzer
13 Deering Hall
581-3115
christa.schwintzer@umit.maine.edu