The College of Natural Sciences, Forestry, and Agriculture offers a wide range of academic programs in the natural, health and social sciences. High placement rates and strong relationships with local hospitals, leading research institutes, and top medical schools make UMaine a destination for health and biomedical studies. The woods, lakes, rivers, and streams on the University of Maine campus and the surrounding region provide a living laboratory for students learning about the natural world.
In the classroom, lab, and field, our undergraduates have opportunities to engage with research projects that aim to discover the path to healthier environments, people, businesses, and communities in the state of Maine and across the globe. The college’s faculty, which comprise the largest group of scientists in the state, teach rigorous academic programs and provide ample opportunity for applied learning.
ACADEMIC PROGRAMS:
Bachelor of Arts in:
Biology
Botany
Communication Sciences and Disorders
Earth and Climate Sciences
Economics
Financial Economics
Zoology
Bachelor of Science in:
Animal and Veterinary Sciences
Biochemistry
Biology
Botany
Earth and Climate Sciences
Ecology and Environmental Sciences
Economics
Environmental Horticulture
Financial Economics
Food Science and Human Nutrition
Forestry
Marine Science
Medical Laboratory Sciences
Microbiology
Molecular and Cellular Biology
Nursing
Parks, Recreation, and Tourism
Social Work
Sustainable Agriculture
Sustainable Materials and Technology
Wildlife Ecology
Zoology
Minors:
Animal and Veterinary Sciences
Aquaculture
Biochemistry
Biology
Botany
Climate Sciences
Communication Sciences and Disorders
Earth Sciences
Ecology and Environmental Sciences
Economics
Environmental Horticulture
Equine Studies
Fisheries
Food Science
Forest Ecosystem Science
Forest Products
Forest Recreation Management
Human Nutrition
Microbiology
Molecular and Cellular Biology
Neuroscience
Pre-Medical Studies
Renewable Energy Economics and Policy
Renewable Energy Sciences and Technology
Resource and Agribusiness Management
Soil Science
Sustainability
Sustainable Agriculture
Sustainable Food Systems
Zoology
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:
1a. Students must complete an academic minor or a second academic major outside of their primary discipline. Appropriate minors and majors shall be determined by the academic unit of the student’s primary major to ensure breadth of study.
or
1b. Alternatively, a student may 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.
and
2. Students must complete a minimum of 60 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 60 credits.) Depending on the particular program, the degree will require 120 or 121 total credits for graduation. In addition, each student must achieve a minimum 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 students’ capabilities, aspirations, and goals are the primary concerns governing the advising process. Within 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 that prepares them for the challenges of tomorrow.
Students typically select a degree program upon entering the college. In addition to the major, students have the option of selecting one of more than 80 minors. These optional minors range from disciplines such as neuroscience, to various humanities and social sciences. Choosing a 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.
The deadline for readmission applications is August 15 for the fall semester and January 4 for the spring semester. Exceptions to this deadline may be requested, but only those with documented extenuating circumstances will be reviewed. For additional information, please see the “Admission” section in the Undergraduate Catalog.
Program Contacts
Animal and Veterinary Sciences
Timothy Bowden
237 Hitchner Hall
Biology
Ann Dieffenbacher-Krall
100 Murray Hall
581-2510
annd@maine.edu
Botany
Ann Dieffenbacher-Krall
100 Murray Hall
581-2510
annd@maine.edu
Ecology and Environmental Sciences
Kate Ruskin
123 Bryand Global Science Center
581-3177
Economics
George Criner
207 Winslow Hall
Environmental Horticulture
Charlene Gray
117 Deering Hall
581-2948
Food Science and Human Nutrition
Eileen Molloy
111 Hitchner Hall
581-3121
eileen.molloy@maine.edu
Forestry
William H. Livingston
201B Nutting Hall
581-2990
williaml@maine.edu
Medical Laboratory Sciences
Ed Bernard
284 Hitchner Hall
581-2804
edward.bernard@maine.edu
Microbiology
Molecular and Cellular Biology
Ed Bernard
284 Hitchner Hall
581-2804
edward.bernard@maine.edu
Nursing
Susan Tardiff
Dunn Hall
581-2594
susan.tardiff@maine.edu
Parks, Recreation, and Tourism
William H. Livingston
201B Nutting Hall
581-2990
williaml@maine.edu
Social Work
Kelly Jaksa
107 Social Work Bldg
581-2405
kelly.jaksa@maine.edu
Sustainable Materials and Technology
William H. Livingston
201B Nutting Hall
581-2990
williaml@maine.edu
Wildlife Ecology
Lindsay Seward
238 Nutting Hall
581-2847
Zoology
Ann Dieffenbacher-Krall
100 Murray Hall
581-2510
annd@maine.edu
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