The Department of Biological Sciences offers both BA and BS degrees in Biology,
in Botany, and in Zoology. For more information about areas of specialization
and for an overview of our facilities, cooperative programs, and list of faculty
in the Department of Biological Sciences, see our web site http://www.umesci.maine.edu/biology/.
Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science
Both the BA and BS degrees in Biology, Botany, and Zoology provide a strong background
in biological sciences. The less stringent BA requirements in affiliated sciences
and math may be insufficient preparation for a health-professions career and some
other careers requiring graduate study. The BA option is structured to ensure
a broad liberal arts education and allows more flexibility for minors and double
majors. The BA also requires students to develop an enriched international perspective.
This may be done by (1) establishing proficiency in a foreign language at the
intermediate level, (2) completing at least one semester in a University of Maine
approved foreign exchange program, or (3) completing nine credits in General Education
courses in Cultural Diversity and International Perspectives. Credits earned may
be used to fulfill some General Education requirements. The College of Natural
Sciences, Forestry, and Agriculture has a BA requirement of 27 credits in General
Education courses in Human Values and Social Context.
For the BA and BS in Biology, Botany and Zoology, a minimum of “C” is required
in BIO 100 and in BIO 200 for degree credit.
All students must earn a minimum GPA of 2.0 in all Biology, Affiliated Sciences,
and Math courses averaged together. Transfer students must complete a minimum
of 12 credits in Biology courses in residence in Biological Sciences Areas I-V.
Requirements for BA and BS degrees outlined below are the same in Basic Biological
Sciences and Biological Sciences Areas and differ only in Affiliated Sciences
and Math.
BA and BS in Biology
Tremendous advances in biotechnology, medicine, environmental studies, and related
areas make biology an important and fascinating field of study. Growth in these
areas is expected to continue and to affect society in numerous ways and at many
levels. Graduates of our Biology program pursue various careers, depending on
their interest, level of educational attainment, and subsequent professional education.
Among the more typical career areas are human and veterinary medicine, scientific
research and development, teaching at the high-school and college levels, hospital-laboratory
analysis, environmental monitoring and regulation at state and federal levels,
and private design and consulting.
Students in Biology have access to a wide range of courses in biology, covering
all major areas of the field and most of them with laboratories. Biology offers
many areas of specialization and opportunities for students, including anatomy
and physiology, cell biology, ecology, entomology, evolution, fish biology, freshwater
biology, genetics and development, health professions (including accelerated programs
in cooperation with the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine
(UNECOM) and New England College of Optometry (NECO)), and systematics. Students
in their third and fourth years of study, and who intend to pursue post-baccalaureate
studies leading to advanced degrees, are strongly encouraged to augment their
formal courses with independent research under the guidance of a faculty member.
Students majoring in biology must select at least one course primarily about
animals (designated A) and at least one primarily about plants (designated P)
from the Biological Sciences Areas outlined below. The goal is to achieve a balanced
exposure to the two kingdoms of higher organisms.
Accelerated Binary Degree Program, including BS Degree in Biology
The University of Maine, UNECOM and NECO (see above), cooperate in providing
an accelerated undergraduate curriculum leading to consideration for early admission
to UNECOM and NECO and the awarding of a baccalaureate degree from UMaine upon
the successful completion of the first year curriculum at UNECOM and NECO. Contact
the Office of Health Professions (207) 581-2587 for complete program details and
a curriculum for the first three years.
BA and BS in Botany
Plants are of critical importance to the world and in human society. They are
sources of useful materials, such as human and animal foods, fibers, building
materials, medicines, and horticultural specimens. They are major primary producers,
the foundation for many terrestrial ecosystems and an essential matrix for other
organisms in forests, savannas, marshes and many other habitats. Tremendous advances
in biotechnology, environmental studies, and related areas make botany an important
and fascinating field of study. Graduates of our Botany program pursue various
careers, depending on their interest, level of educational attainment, and subsequent
professional education. Among the more typical career areas are environmental
monitoring and regulation at state and federal levels, scientific research and
development, education at the high-school and college levels, and private design
and consulting.
The University of Maine offers students majoring in Botany a wide range of courses
covering all major areas of the field. Most of these courses include laboratories.
Botany includes many areas of specialization and opportunities for students, including
ecology, evolution, freshwater biology, genetics, marine botany, mycology, pathology,
physiology, and systematics. Students in their third and fourth years of study,
and who intend to pursue post-baccalaureate studies leading to advanced degrees,
are strongly encouraged to augment their formal courses with independent research
under the guidance of a Botany faculty member.
Students pursuing a major in Botany satisfy the Biological Sciences Area Requirements
by selecting at least three courses primarily about plants (designated P) in the
listing below.
BA and BS in Zoology
The study of zoology increases our knowledge of human biology and of the biology
of many species with whom we interact and upon which we are more or less dependent.
As in other fields of biology, recent developments in environmental studies, biotechnological
research techniques, medicine, and related areas make the study of zoology important
and fascinating. These areas are expected to continue growing and to affect our
society in many ways and at many levels. Graduates of our Zoology program pursue
various careers, depending on their interest, level of educational attainment,
and subsequent professional education. Among the more typical career areas are
scientific research and development, human and veterinary medicine, education
at the high-school and college levels, environmental monitoring and regulation
at state and federal levels, and private design and consulting.
The University of Maine offers students majoring in Zoology a wide range of courses
in major areas of the field. Most of these courses include laboratories. Zoology
includes many areas of specialization and opportunities for students, including
anatomy and physiology, behavior, cell biology, ecology, entomology, evolution,
fish biology, freshwater biology, genetics and development, health professions
(including accelerated programs in cooperation with UNECOM and NECO), marine zoology,
and systematics. Students in their third and fourth years of study, and who intend
to pursue post baccalaureate studies leading to advanced degrees, are strongly
encouraged to augment their formal courses with independent research under the
guidance of a Zoology faculty member.
Students pursuing a major in Zoology satisfy the Biological Sciences Area Requirements
by selecting at least three courses primarily about animals (designated by A)
in the listing below.
The University of Maine does not offer a formal degree in fisheries, but a curriculum
certified by the American Fisheries Society can be constructed from courses offered
by the departments of Biological Sciences, Wildlife Ecology, and the School of
Marine Sciences. Students interested in this career path should consult with their
academic advisor.
Biology Club
Students majoring in any of the three biological sciences described above and
Clinical Laboratory Sciences are encouraged to join the Biology Club, a student
organization that promotes an interest in the biological sciences and in biological
research with invited speakers, panel discussions, debates, trips, social functions,
and service projects. The club also supports a local chapter of the national honor
society, Beta Beta Beta.
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