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    Dec 21, 2024  
2012-2013 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
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2012-2013 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Biology

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OVERVIEW OF DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

Minimum number of credits required to graduate: 120

Minimum Cumulative GPA required to graduate: 2.0

Minimum Grade requirements for courses to count toward major: Biology Majors must have a “C” or better in BIO 100 and BIO 200.

Other GPA requirements to graduate: Biology Majors require a cumulative 2.0 GPA in all biology, affiliated science, and math courses combined.

Contact Information: Christa Schwintzer, Assistant Director of School of Biology and Ecology, 310 Deering Hall, (207)581-3115

The School of Biology and Ecology offers both BA and BS degrees in Biology. For  information about areas of specialization and for an overview of our facilities, cooperative programs, and list of faculty in the School of Biology and Ecology, see our web site www.sbe.umaine.edu/

Students choosing Biology as a second major must complete the second major by selecting courses in Areas I-V that are not being used to satisfy the requirements of their first major.

Students majoring in Biology are not eligible for a minor or second major in Botany or Zoology because of extensive overlap in the requirements for these degrees.

Students majoring in Biology must complete an assessment exit exam in their last semester prior to graduating.

Students majoring in Biology must earn a score of 4 or 5 in order to receive advanced placement credit for BIO 100.

Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science

Both the BA and BS degrees in Biology provide a strong background in biological sciences.  The BA option is structured to ensure a broad liberal arts education and allows more flexibility for minors and double majors.The BA requires lower levels of Affiliated Sciences (chemistry, physics) and Math and more social sciences and humanities than the BS. 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 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. In addition, 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 and at least 12 credits must be at the 200 level or above.

For the BA and BS in Biology, a minimum grade 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 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,  environmental monitoring and regulation at state and federal levels, and private design and consulting.

Biology offers students many choices and allows them to tailor their programs to their interests. Students can choose from a wide range of courses covering all major areas of biology including cells and molecules, genetics and development, physiology, anatomy, evolution and biodiversity, and ecology and behavior. Each student works with an academic adviser in the faculty to develop a curriculum that best meets the student’s goals and allows for exploration or specialization as desired. 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 include independent research under the guidance of a faculty member in their programs.

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 School of Biology and Ecology, Wildlife Ecology, and the School of Marine Sciences. Students interested in this career path should consult with their academic advisor.
 

Concentrations in the BS Degree in Biology

Optional concentrations are available in:

  • Pre-medical Studies
  • Ecology

These concentrations are described in detail following the suggested curriculum for the BS in Biology

Accelerated Binary Degree Programs, including the BS Degree in Biology

The University of Maine and the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine (UNECOM), New England College of Optometry (NECO) and Logan College of Chiropractic (LCC) cooperate in providing accelerated undergraduate curricula leading to consideration for early admission to the cooperating colleges. Students complete three years at the University of Maine and are awarded the BS in Biology upon the successful completion of the first year curriculum at UNECOM, NECO, or LCC. Contact the Office of Health Professions (207) 581-2587 for complete program details and a curriculum for the first three years.

Biology Club

Students majoring in Biology, Botany, Zoology, 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.

Basic Biological Sciences for the B.A. and B.S. in Biology

Note: BIO 208, Anatomy and Physiology and BIO 222 Biology: The Living Science, will not count towards the major for students majoring in Biology.

Biological Sciences Areas for the B.A. and the B.S. in Biology

The following are minimum requirements for these 5 areas: 24 credits, 3 credits/area, (L) courses an at least one animal (A) course and at least one plant (P) course from areas III - V.

I. Cell and Molecular Biology

If only one course is selected from this area, it must be BMB 280 or BIO 480

II. Genetics

 

III. Physiology

IV. Biodiversity and Evolution

 

V. Ecology and Behavior

If only one course is selected from this area, it must be BIO 319, SMS 300, or WLE 200, only one of which may be taken for degree credit.

Affiliated Sciences and Math for the B.S. and B.A. in Biology

 

Courses Common to both the B.A. and B.S. Degrees

Courses for the B.A. Degree Option in Biology

 

Courses for the B.S. Degree Option in Biology

 

Suggested curriculum for the B.A. in Biology

 

First Year - First Semester

First Year - Second Semester

Second Year - First Semester

Second Year - Second Semester

Third Year - First Semester

  • Credits: 4 (see note 6)

  • Biological Sciences Area Choice.2Credits: 2-4

  • International Perspective.5Credits: 3

  • General Education Requirement or Elective. Credits: 3

Third Year - Second Semester

  • General Education Requirement or Elective Credits: 3-12
  • Biological Sciences Area Choice 2 Credits: 3-4

Fourth Year - First Semester

  • Biological Sciences Area Choice2(3-4 cr.)
  • Capstone7or Elective (3 cr.)
  • General Education Requirements or Electives (7-10 cr.)

Fourth Year - Second Semester

  • Biological Sciences Area Choice2(3-10 cr.)
  • Elective or Capstone7 (3 cr.)
  • General Education Requirements or Electives (3-6 cr.)

Suggested curriculum for the B.S. in Biology

 

First Year - First Semester

First Year - Second Semester

Second Year - First Semester

Second Year - Second Semester

Third Year - First Semester

  • Credits: 4

  • General Education Requirement or Elective
    • Credits / Units: 6

  • Biological Sciences Area Choice2
    • Credits / Units: (5-7 cr.)

Third Year - Second Semester

  • Credits: 4

  • General Education Requirement or Elective
    • Credits / Units: (6-8 cr.)

  • Biological Sciences Area Choice 2
    • Credits / Units: (3-4 cr.)

Fourth Year - First Semester

  • Biological Sciences Area Choice2(4 cr.)
  • Capstone5 or Elective (3 cr.)
  • General Education Requirements or Electives (6-9 cr.)

Fourth Year - Second Semester

  • Biological Sciences Area Choice2 (4-10 cr.)
  • Elective or Capstone5 (3 cr.)
  • General Education Requirements or Electives (6 cr.)

Footnotes

1 See the General Education requirements for all students at the University. If BIO 400 (Biological Sciences Writing Intensive) is used to satisfy the General Education Writing Intensive in the major requirement, then it must be taken in conjunction with a selected upper-level BIO course (see listings in Schedule of Classes), usually during the third or fourth year.

2See above lists of courses in the five Biological Sciences Areas and follow requirements for total number of credits, number of credits per area, number of courses with laboratories (L), and number of animal (A) and plant (P) courses in areas III-V.

3 Alternatively, students may take CHY 251/253 and 252/254.

4Alternatively, students may take MAT 126.

5 See the description of the B.A. degree above for ways to satisfy this requirement for the B.A. degree.

6Alternatively, students may take PHY 111 and 112.

7 The General Education capstone experience may be completed with BIO 388,  392, 402, 438, 447, 450, 454, 463, or HON 499.

Concentration in Ecology

This concentration is intended for students interested in exposure to ecological principles within the context of a rigorous biological sciences curriculum. Students in this concentration must meet all of the requirements for the Biology BA or BS, Botany BA or BS or Zoology BA or BS degrees.  The concentration also includes WLE 220 Introduction to Statistical Ecology and a requirement for a course on environmental influences. A total of 32 credits are required to complete the concentration.

Specific requirements:

Affiliated Sciences and Math

 

Area I. Cell and Molecular Biology

Free choice among Area I courses on the Biology checklists.

Area II. Genetics

Choose at least one of the following courses:

Area III. Physiology

Free choice among Area III courses on the Biology checklists.

Area IV. Biodiversity

BIO 465 Evolution is required plus 3 additional credits chosen from the courses on the Biology checklists.

Area V. Ecology and Behavior

BIO 319 or WLE 200 or SMS 300 is required plus 3 additional credits chosen from the following courses:

Area VI. Environmental Influences

Three credits are required.  Choose from these courses:

Capstone

Choose one of these courses:

Field Experience

Choose at least one course from this list. This course can also satisfy one of the areas above.

Writing requirement (students in the Honors program are exempt)

One course required. The courses below satisfy the general education writing intensive requirement and so do not add to the number credits needed beyond the basic biology major.  Choose from the following courses:

Concentration in Pre-medical Studies

This concentration is intended for students preparing for a career in medicine or one of the other health professions (dentistry, optometry, osteopathy, physician assistant, pharmacy, podiatry, veterinary medicine and other health-related fields). Students completing this concentration will be fully prepared for advanced studies in these fields. In addition to the required science and mathematics courses, the concentration also includes general education courses that are desired by many medical schools. The concentration allows for considerable choice in courses and provides valuable guidance to students and their advisors with regard to course selection in their major and in general education requirements.

Requirements for the concentration

Students in the pre-medical studies concentration must meet all of the requirements for the BIO-BS or ZOL-BS.

Specific requirements:

Affiliated Sciences and Math

Choose CHY 251-254 to meet the organic chemistry requirement.

Area I. Cell and molecular biology

Choose at least one of the following courses:
If only one course is chosen, it must be BMB 280 or BIO 480.

Area II. Genetics

 

Area III. Physiology

Choose at least one of these courses:

Area IV. Biodiversity

Choose at least one of these courses:

Area V. Ecology and Behavior

Free choice among the Area V courses on the BIO-BS and ZOL-BS checklists.

Capstone

Choose one of these courses:

Other required courses

 

  • Credits: 3

  •    and

  • Credits: 2 Footnote 1
  • Credits: 3 Footnote 2
  • Credits: 3 Footnote 3

  • Literature course: An English literature course at the 200 level or aboveFootnote 4

  • Credits: 3 Footnote 5

  •  

    Footnotes:

    1 Required by medical schools. If CHY 251-254 have been completed, BMB 323 can count as one of the four labs required in Areas I-V.

    2 Satisfies general education Social Contexts and Institutions.

    3 Satisfies general education Writing Intensive, not required for students completing HON 211 and HON 212.

    4 Satisfies a general education area depending on the course chosen. Not required for students completing HON 211 and 212.

    5 Satisfies general education requirements for Ethics, Western Cultural Tradition, and Social Contexts and Institutions.

Recommended courses

 

Notes

a. Inclusion of BIO 480, Cell Biology, is highly recommended. This course can only count in one area.

b. Physician assistant and pharmacy schools require two semesters of anatomy and physiology. This requirement can be met by combining BIO 208, Anatomy and Physiology, and BIO 377, 378 Medical physiology and lab OR by combining BIO 335, Comparative Anatomy, and BIO 377, 378 Medical physiology and lab. Check with the Health Professions Specialist for details of the program you want to pursue.

c. Students pursuing this concentration may want to consider a minor in Neuroscience, Chemistry, Psychology, or Business.

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