Graduate Program Information
Welcome from the SBE Graduate Coordinator
Welcome to the webpage for the School of Biology and Ecology’s graduate programs! We are a broad, interdisciplinary unit with faculty expertise spanning systems, scales, and all five kingdoms of life. Whether you’re interested in muscle development, plant biogeography, mammal thermoregulation, wood turtle eDNA, or integrated pest management, our graduate programs in Biological Science and Entomology take an integrative approach to prepare students for careers in basic and applied science, education, industry, and beyond.
As a rural R1 university, the University of Maine blends a vibrant academic culture with a small town feel. Our diverse faculty and graduate students are engaged in world-class research that spans the globe, but we also value work-life balance and strive to prepare students for both academic and non-academic careers. Located on Marsh Island in the Penobscot River, our campus is situated within easy access to mountains, forests, rivers, and the ocean, providing natural laboratories for research and learning, as well as opportunities for outdoor recreation.
Graduate students in SBE have access to numerous professional development programs both in the School and across campus. You can develop your teaching skills and pedagogy training through the Center for Innovation in Teaching and Learning, or learn more about grant proposal writing from the Raymond H. Fogler Library. The SBE Grad Organization and our weekly departmental seminars and journal clubs provide numerous opportunities to network and collaborate with peers. Our graduate students also have the opportunity to connect across disciplinary and institutional boundaries, with numerous research centers including the Climate Change Institute, the Institute of Medicine, the Senator George J. Mitchell Center for Sustainability Solutions, and the Maine Center for Genetics in the Environment.
I invite you to explore this site to learn more about our programs, our faculty, and the application process. You can also check out the prospective student FAQ for more information. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.
Questions about the SBE graduate programs?
Please email the Graduate Coordinator at um.sbe.grad@maine.edu.
Current Students – Resources
Current students can find information here regarding comprehensive exams, joint graduate programs, academic appeals, and administrative information, among other resources.
Graduate Program Requirements
Here you will find general requirements, as well as specific degree requirements, for the Ph.D. and M.S. degree programs offered by the School of Biology and Ecology.
Financial Support for Graduate Students
The School of Biology and Ecology tries to support all of its graduate students financially through teaching assistantships and research assistantships. It automatically considers any applicant to the graduate program for these assistantships unless he or she indicates no need for financial support.
Before submitting your application for graduate studies in SBE at UMaine, please visit our faculty page, which lists their specific research specialties. When you find someone whose interests match your own, please reach out to them directly to find out if they are willing to mentor you in your studies. Graduate applicants to our department need to have a commitment from a faculty mentor prior to their application being considered for acceptance.