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: A C or higher is required in BIO 100 and BIO 200 .
Other GPA requirements to graduate: A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 in all courses in Biological Sciences Areas, affiliated science, and math courses combined.
Required Course(s) for fulfilling Capstone Experience: BIO 388 or BIO 392 or BIO 402 or BIO 439 or BIO 463 or BIO 476 or HON 498 & HON 499 * or both BIO 480 and BIO 483 For specific requirements see the curricula for individual concentrations.
*The thesis topic must be in Botany and the thesis advisor should be in the School of Biology and Ecology.
Contact Information: Peg Killian, Academic Advisor, (207)581-2540, um.biology@maine.edu
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 of 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 Botany major 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, evolution, physiology, anatomy, evolution and biodiversity, and ecology. Students enrolled in the Honors College will find the program complementary to their degree studies. Each student works with an academic advisor 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 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. Students wishing to spend a semester studying abroad are advised to discuss this option with their
advisor early in their program.
The B.S. and B.A. degrees in Botany are offered by the School of Biology and Ecology. 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, visit sbe.umaine.edu.
Students choosing Botany as a second major are not required to complete a Botany capstone, provided the student completes a capstone for their first major.
Students majoring in Botany are not eligible for a second major in Biology or Zoology because of extensive overlap in the requirements for these degrees.
Students must complete a minimum of 12 credits originating from the University of Maine in Biological Sciences Areas I-V.
Students wishing to transfer from other institutions or from another program within the University of Maine must have completed BIO 100 with a grade of C or better, have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better, and a grade of C or better in MAT 111 or no grade record in MAT 111 and a score of 30 or higher on the Math Placement Exam.
Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts
The School of Biology and Ecology offers both B.S. and B.A. degrees in Botany. Both degrees provide a strong background in biological sciences. They differ only in the level of chemistry, mathematics, physics, and social sciences required. The B.S. requires more in-depth study of chemistry, math, and physics, while the B.A. requires a minor or more social sciences and humanities. The B.S. provides preparation for laboratory or field scientists, while the B.A. ensures a broad liberal arts education and allows more flexibility for minors and double majors, allowing students to build career-enhancing skills.
Expertise in Botany is essential to ensure that sound science is the foundation for public policy, laws, regulations, business decisions, natural resource management, and communication about scientific ideas and issues. Educators, artists, writers, lawyers, economists, public policy makers and politicians, and business people in green industries, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and agribusiness greatly benefit from a strong background in science. Pairing a B.A. with a second major or minor builds strength for careers in education, communication, policy, law, or business. In addition, the critical thinking, reading, and writing skills gained through humanities and social sciences courses can significantly contribute to a career in science.
B.A. students are required to declare a minor or 2 nd major in an approved subject outside of botany or biology or zoology, or complete additional General Education requirements as noted below. B.A. students are encouraged to explore career options through the University of Maine Career Center and with their academic advisor to select a minor or 2nd major that adds breadth to the academic program by developing skills and knowledge outside of the primary major.
Concentrations in the B.S and B.A. Degree in Botany
The Ecology Concentration is open to students in either the B.S. or B.A. degree program. This concentration is intended for students interested in exposure to ecological principles within the context of a rigorous biological sciences curriculum.
The Entomology Concentration is open to students in either the B.S. or the B.A. degree program. The concentration is intended to provide students with a broad understanding of the form and function of insects, their interactions with people and society, the study of insect conservation, and management in natural and human-derived systems.
From the Ocean to Orono: an SBE Research Learning Experience
Incoming first-year students in Biology, Botany, and Zoology majors move onto campus one week early and participate in a week of activities prior to the start of the regular semester. “From the Ocean to Orono” is part of the School of Biology and Ecology’s orientation and research learning experience (RLE) that helps you explore different aspects of biological sciences. The week is split evenly between activities on campus in Orono and at the Schoodic Institute, part of Acadia National Park, located on the Maine coast. Students then continue their RLE in the fall semester ELH 117 course, where they will conduct research with an SBE faculty member throughout the semester.
Adventure Semester
The School of Biology and Ecology cooperates with the UMaine Study Abroad program and CIS Abroad to offer Adventure Semester, a semester at Costa Rica’s Universidad Veritas for Biology, Botany, Zoology, Ecology and Environmental Science, Wildlife Ecology, and Marine Science majors. Students have numerous course choices and will work with an advisor to select courses best suited for their interests and to complete requirements for their major. Adventure Semester is optional, and only one of many Study Abroad opportunities that work well with the Biology major.
Biology Club
Students majoring in Biology, Botany, and Zoology 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.
Honors College
Students enrolled in the Honors College will find that the program works well with their major, replacing General Education and capstone requirements. Honors students should work with their advisor to adapt the suggested course sequences below to accommodate their Honors courses.
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