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Undergraduate Degrees

BIOLOGY, BOTANY, and ZOOLOGY

Welcome to the School of Biology and Ecology at the University of Maine!  We offer an exciting diversity of degree programs for our students. Undergraduate programs include options emphasizing biology, the health professions, ecology, zoology and botany.  Courses are taught by faculty who are highly dedicated to education, some of whom are recipients of teaching awards at the college, university, and national levels.  Incoming first-year students participate in the “From Ocean to Orono” experience, which is a fun hands-on orientation program held at Schoodic Point of Acadia National Park on the beautiful coast of Maine. This program introduces students to our programs, faculty, and each other.  After that introduction, students proceed to explore the array of classroom, laboratory, and field experiences that prepare them for a wide variety of rewarding careers.

Undergraduates at the School of Biology and Ecology pursue a wide variety of careers, in both basic and applied aspects of biology that range from cellular biology to ecology. A significant proportion of students plan to enter the health care field. The department provides a major academic home for students wishing to pursue pre-med and other health profession careers, and offers a concentration in Pre-Medical Studies. The concentration in Pre-Medical Studies offers guidance to students preparing for a career in medicine or in any other health profession. Many of our students are interested in research careers with animals, plants, and fungi, careers in agriculture, and careers related to the environment. The School of Biology and Ecology recognizes the significance of a solid foundation in organismal biology integrated with an understanding of ecology and evolutionary principles in meeting today’s environmental and human health issues, and to meet this demand, SBE offers exceptional undergraduate degree programs in Biology, Zoology, and Botany. The coursework required of each program is rigorous and spans the sub-disciplines of biology and ecology, including the basic principles of structure and function, physiology, genetics, and development. A key feature of these degree programs is the wide choice of courses to meet each of the required areas, allowing students a degree of freedom to design their degrees to reflect and engage their particular interests. SBE provides high quality basic introductory biology service courses (i.e. BIO 100, BIO 200, BIO 122, and BIO 208) for the biologically based disciplines within the College of Earth, Life, and Health Sciences, the nursing program, and the University community as a whole. Additionally, students interested in ecology may select an Ecology concentration within the School of Biology and Ecology. Students in Biology, Botany, or Zoology can choose Entomology as a concentration.

EXPLORE OUR DEGREES

The Bachelor’s Degree in Biology

Biology is the scientific study of life.

A major in biology allows students to explore various aspects of our natural world. Students studying biology have the opportunity to pursue careers in fields such as biotechnology, environmental studies, human and veterinary medicine, scientific research and development, education, environmental monitoring and regulation, and private design and consulting.

Biology majors study how living organisms function at the cellular, tissue, organ, and organismal levels.  A diverse set of courses allow students to learn evolutionary principles, biodiversity, and how organisms interact with each other and with their physical environment.

Biology majors are exposed to a variety of research opportunities. Research in the field of biology aims to increase knowledge about living organisms in order to combat problems we face in fields such as medicine, agriculture, and ecology.

Students choose between a B.S. or B.A. degree

Both the B.S. and B.A. degrees provide a strong background in the biological sciences, but the B.S. degree requires more math, chemistry, and physics and is pursued by most of our students. The B.S. program prepares students for a career in the health professions, graduate study in biology, or a career that requires a higher level of technical skill. In contrast, the B.A. degree has a stronger focus on the social sciences and humanities and is particularly well suited for students pursuing a double major or seeking an international perspective.

Students pursuing a B.S. in Biology can declare a concentration in Pre-Medical Studies and students pursuing a B.A. or a B.S. in Biology can declare a concentration in Ecology. Students in both degrees may also declare a minor in Neuroscience.

Requirements for the B.S. and B.A. degrees in Biology.

The Biology curriculum offers a wide range of choices

 The program is solidly grounded in the basic sciences (general biology, chemistry, math, and physics) needed to understand the latest research in biology. It also allows a wide range of choice in upper level biology courses permitting students to tailor their degrees to their particular interests within biology. Students choose from a large number of upper level courses taught by distinguished faculty who are accomplished teachers and have cutting edge research programs. Each student works with an academic adviser to develop a curriculum that best meets the student’s goals and allows for exploration within the field.

Students interested in research have many opportunities to participate in important investigations in faculty research laboratories or in the field. This can be for academic credit or for employment during the academic year or the summer and is an important resume builder. Students in their third and fourth years of study who intend to pursue graduate studies are strongly encouraged to include independent research under the guidance of a member of the biology faculty in their program.

Check out our degree checklist

Biology-major-checklist.xlsx-Landscape_Bio_checklist_FrontDownload

Special opportunities

The B.S. in Biology provides an accelerated pre-medical program with an affiliated graduate program at the New England College of Optometry that allows students to complete 3 years at UMaine and then complete the professional program (four years there). Students earn a BS in Biology at UMaine and a doctorate at New England College of Optometry.

Biology from the Ocean to Orono, formerly the Schoodic Experience, is a Research Learning Experience for incoming first-year students that takes place at the Schoodic Institute in Acadia National Park the week before classes officially start. Incoming students meet their faculty advisors and each other, are introduced to the academic program, view animals and plants in a variety of habitats, and enjoy recreational time in a beautiful setting.

Botany is the study of all aspects of the biology of plants. Students studying botany will learn:

  1. How plants function at the cellular, tissue, organ, and organismal levels.
  2. The evolution of plants and how they contribute to biodiversity.
  3. How interactions with each other impacts their physical environment.

The study of botany aims to expand and increase current knowledge about plants in order to solve problems in many fields including agriculture, ecology, and horticulture.

Students choose between a B.S. or B.A. degree:

Both the B.S. and B.A. degrees provide a strong background in botany, but the B.S. degree requires more math, chemistry, and physics and is pursued by most of our students.

The B.S. program prepares students for graduate study in botany or a career that requires a higher level of technical skill than is provided by the BA degree.

The B.A. degree has a stronger focus on the social sciences and humanities and is particularly well suited for students pursuing a double major or seeking an international perspective.

Students pursuing a B.A. or B.S. in Botany can declare a concentration in Ecology.

Requirements for the B.S. and B.A. degrees in Botany.

The Botany curriculum offers a wide range of choices:

The program is solidly grounded in the basic sciences (general biology, chemistry, math, and physics) needed to understand the latest research in plant biology. It also allows a range of choice in upper level courses permitting students to tailor their degrees to their particular interests within plant biology. Students choose from upper level courses taught by distinguished faculty who are accomplished teachers and have cutting edge research programs. These courses are offered by biology faculty and by faculty in related disciplines (biochemistry, microbiology, molecular biology, plant science, and marine science). 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 interested in research have many opportunities to participate in important investigations in faculty research laboratories or in the field. This can be for academic credit or for employment during the academic year or the summer and is an important resume builder. Students in their third and fourth years of study who intend to pursue graduate studies are strongly encouraged to include independent research under the guidance of a member of the biology faculty in their program.

Check out our degree checklist

Botany-major-checklist.xlsx-Botany-checklist-FrontDownload

Special opportunities:

Biology from the Ocean to Orono, formerly the Schoodic Experience, is a Research Learning Experience for incoming first-year students that takes place at the Schoodic Institute in Acadia National Park the week before classes officially start. Incoming students meet their faculty advisors and each other, are introduced to the academic program, view animals and plants in a variety of habitats, and enjoy recreational time in a beautiful setting.

The Bachelor’s Degree in Zoology

The University of Maine’s Zoology degree program is an on-campus program due to the hands-on lab and field experience included in our courses.  It cannot be completed off campus. This is not an online degree program.

Zoology is the study of all aspects of the biology of animals, including human beings and the many vertebrate and invertebrate animal species that populate the earth. 

Zoology majors study how animals function at the cellular, tissue, organ, and organismal levels, how they have evolved, how they contribute to biodiversity, and how they interact with each other and with their physical environment. The study of zoology includes not only learning what is currently known about animals but also learning how to do research to increase our basic knowledge about animals and to solve problems in many fields including medicine, agriculture, and ecology. Students with a degree in zoology can pursue a variety of careers in human and veterinary medicine, scientific research and development, education, environmental monitoring and regulation, and private design and consulting.

Students choose between a B.S. or B.A. degree:

Both the B.S. and B.A. degrees provide a strong background in the biology of animals, but the B.S. degree requires more math, chemistry, and physics and is pursued by most of our students. The B.S. program prepares students for a career in the health professions, graduate study in zoology, or a career that requires a higher level of technical skill. In contrast, the B.A. degree has a stronger focus on the social sciences and humanities and is particularly well suited for students pursuing a double major or seeking an international perspective.

Students pursuing a B.S. in Zoology can declare a concentration in Pre-Medical Studies and students pursuing a B.A. or a B.S. in Zoology can declare a concentration in Ecology. Students in both degrees may also declare a minor in Neuroscience.

The Zoology curriculum offers a wide range of choice:

The program is solidly grounded in the basic sciences (general biology, chemistry, math, and physics) needed to understand the latest research in the biology of animals. It also allows a wide range of choice in upper level animal biology courses permitting students to tailor their degrees to their particular interests within zoology. Students choose from a large number of upper level courses taught by distinguished faculty who are accomplished teachers and have cutting edge research programs. The courses include 50 taught by biology faculty and an additional 22 taught by faculty in related disciplines (biochemistry, microbiology, molecular biology, plant science, animal science, marine science and wildlife ecology). 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 have many opportunities for research:

Students interested in research have many opportunities to participate in important investigations in faculty research laboratories or in the field. This can be for academic credit or for employment during the academic year or the summer and is an important resume builder. Students in their third and fourth years of study who intend to pursue graduate studies are strongly encouraged to include independent research under the guidance of a member of the biology faculty in their program.

Check out our degree checklist

Zoology-major-checklist.xlsx-Zoology_checklist_FrontDownload

Special opportunity:

Biology from the Ocean to Orono, formerly the Schoodic Experience, is a Research Learning Experience for incoming first-year students that takes place at the Schoodic Institute in Acadia National Park the week before classes officially start. Incoming students meet their faculty advisors and each other, are introduced to the academic program, view animals and plants in a variety of habitats, and enjoy recreational time in a beautiful setting.

Concentrations and Minors

The Biology, Botany, and Zoology majors are quite flexible.  While each student becomes a well-rounded biologist, taking courses in Cell and Molecular Biology, Genetics, Evolution, Physiology, Biodiversity, and Ecology, students have a choice of many courses to complete each of these required areas.

A CONCENTRATION directs these choices to give students a specialization.  Each student has an academic advisor to help them decide the best set of courses for their particular interests. A concentration is optional.

A MINOR is intended for students to gain knowledge and skills in topics outside of their major as a way to diversify. BA students are required to complete a minor or second major.  A minor is optional for BS students. Biology or Zoology majors with an interest in Ecology, Entomology, or Pre-Medical Studies normally declare a concentration in these areas.  A Botany major can declare a concentration in Ecology or Entomology, and can select a minor in Pre-Medical Studies.  The minors in these subjects are intended for students from outside the School of Biology and Ecology. The Neuroscience minor is open to all students regardless of major.

While a major in Zoology can declare a minor in Botany and vice versa, normally students with interests in both subjects would declare a major in Biology.  A Zoology or Botany major declaring the other minor would need to take 12 credits for the minor that would not overlap with requirements for their major, resulting in a minimum of 39 credits in the BIO areas (including capstone).

The School of Biology & Ecology offers the following concentrations:

Concentrations in the B.S. and B.A. degrees in Biology

Concentrations in the B.S. and B.A. degrees in Botany

Concentrations in the B.S. and B.A. degrees in Zoology

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 for students studying biology, botany, or zoology. We aim to provide students with a broad understanding of the form and function of insects, their diversity, their interactions with people and society, and insect conservation and management in natural and human-derived systems.

The Pre-Medical Studies Concentration is open to students in the B.S. degree program only, not the B.A.  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.

Minors offered by the School of Biology and Ecology:

Biology

Zoology

Botany

Entomology

Neuroscience

Pre-Medical Studies

Complete list of UMaine minors

See Entomology in the field

Biology is the most popular major nationwide for students preparing for graduate study in the Health Professions.

Our BS degrees in Biology, Zoology, and Botany provide a solid foundation for further study in medicine, dentistry, osteopathy, optometry, podiatry, veterinary medicine, and other health-related fields. For more information got to Program Overview – Health Professions – University of Maine.

The School of Biology & Ecology offers an optional Concentration in Pre-Medical Studies that includes all of the requirements for admission to medical school and other health-related fields along with several courses that further strengthen preparation.

You can find more information about Pre-Medical Studies at UMaine through this reference sheet.

Research Opportunities

Students can get great research experience while in the undergraduate program. The Biology and Ecology faculty provide opportunities for students to conduct research in laboratory and field settings through courses such as BIO 387/388 (Undergraduate Research in Biology) and HON 490 (Honors Thesis). Independent-research opportunities also exist within certain upper-level courses. All of these research experiences can be used for credit toward the Capstone Experience, which is one of the General Education Requirements.

Literature-based research, in the form of an independent-reading project under the direction of a faculty member, is also possible and can also satisfy the requirement for a Capstone Experience. This can be done through BIO 391/392 (Independent Study in Biology).

There are also research employment opportunities such as student lab and field assistants.  Students who do undergraduate research often develop useful skills, get ideas about careers, and have something significant to add to their resumes.

Faculty in SBE advertise opportunities for student research on the CUGR site (Center for Undergraduate Research), through Student Employment, and job postings. Students who have an interest in the topics of a class they may have had with a faculty member are encouraged to contact them to explore possibilities. Interest in research projects that faculty describe in their web pages may lead to opportunities for student research. Faculty are willing to discuss these opportunities.

Philip Fanning studies a small parasitic wasp that finds small flies that burrow into blueberries and lays it's eggs inside them. This is a method of pest control. 082722
Students peering through microscopes
Student picks blueberries for research
Students in Talbot lab
Student holds beehive

opportunities for sbe majors

biology from the ocean to orono

The “From the Ocean to Orono” is part of the School of Biology and Ecology orientation and a research learning experience (RLE) that helps you explore different aspects of biological sciences. All first-year students in Biology, Botany, and Zoology majors participate in the week-before-semester event, which 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. This course also introduces you to your major and lets you know about important campus resources available to support you.

Biology from the ocean to orono
Part of Bridge Week, Professor of Ornithology, Brian Olsen leads a team of students on a field expedition down the Penbscot River. Packraft Maine guide Alejandro Strong provided rafting instruction and rafts for the expedition. Part of Bridge Week, Professor of Ornithology, Brian Olsen leads a team of students on a field expedition down the Penbscot River. Packraft Maine guide Alejandro Strong provided rafting instruction and rafts for the expedition.
Students in Jared Talbot's class look through microscope

Adventure semester in costa rica

SBE Adventure Semester in Costa Rica is an optional study abroad opportunity for SBE majors. 
Costa Rica supports diverse ecosystems and microclimates and some of the greatest biodiversity in the world.  The nation has invested substantially in restoration of its forest and preservation of its natural areas.  It’s a fabulous place to study tropical ecology and conservation.

sbe adventure semester in costa rica
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