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
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.
SHOULD I PURSUE A B.A. OR B.S.?
A Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree focuses on humanities and social sciences. This path offers a more broad, flexible curriculum for those interested in interdisciplinary studies or pursuing a minor and/or concentration.
A Bachelor of Science (B.S.) is more technical and specialized in math, science, and technology. Minors and concentrations can also be added to this degree path.
WHY PURSUE A B.A?
“I did a Bachelor of Arts in Biology and History many years ago, and I feel that the second major in history has really enhanced my career as a biologist. I spent a lot of time reading and writing and thinking about social context while I was working on that degree, and I think that that really informs both my research interests as well as my skills as a professional biologist today”
Dr. Allison Gardner,
Associate Professor of Arthropod Vector Biology
Expertise in Biology, Zoology, or 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 businesspeople 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 courses in humanities and social sciences significantly contribute to a career in science.
Students are encouraged to explore career options through the University of Maine Career Center and with their academic advisor.
A minor or second major that adds breadth to the academic program by developing skills and knowledge outside of the primary major can make a student stand out from the pack.
The School of Biology and Ecology offers both B.S. and B.A. degrees in Biology, Botany, and Zoology. Both degrees provide a strong background in biological sciences. They have the same requirements in biological sciences and 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 more in-depth study of social sciences and humanities. The B.A. ensures a broad societal context through a liberal arts education.
B.A. versus B.S. Requirements For Biology, zoology, and botany
| B.A. | B.S. | |
| Biology | 35 credits | |
| Math | Statistics and one additional quantitative literacy course | Statistics and Calculus |
| General Chemistry | 1 semester | 2 semesters |
| Earth, Chemical & Physical Systems | 2 semesters | 2 semesters Organic Chemistry, 2 semesters Physics |
| A minor or second major in an approved subject | ||
Suggested majors/minors to pair with a B.A. in Biology, Zoology, or Botany toward different career paths
education, museums, environmental education centers
BA in Secondary Education
Minor in Education
Minor in Theatre
numerical methods and data analysis
Minor or Major in Mathematics
Minor or major in Computer Science
Minor in Statistics
writing, editing, publishing
Minor in English
Minor in Journalism
Minor in Creative Writing
public relations
Minor in New Media
Minor in Media Studies
A minor or major in any foreign language
illustration, design, art
Minor in Graphic Design
Major or Minor in Studio Art
business and law
Minor in Accounting
Minor in Business Administration
Minor in Resource and Agribusiness Management
Minor in Marketing
Minor in Management
Minor in Legal Studies
public policy, government agencies, non-governmental organizations, resource management
Minor in Political Science
Minor in Political Theory
Minor in Philosophy
Minor in Sociology
Minor in Anthropology
Minor in Economics
Minor in Ethics and Political Philosophy
Minor in International Affairs
Minor in Marxist and Socialist Studies
Minor in Leadership Studies
Minor in Renewable Energy Science and Technology
“I completed an undergraduate B.A. degree in
ecology and was accepted directly into a doctoral
program in biological sciences at Dartmouth
College with a full graduate fellowship. There was
no question about my undergraduate preparation
for graduate studies.”
Professor Emeritus Christopher Cronan,
author of the textbook
Ecosystem Biogeochemistry – Element Cycling in the Forest Landscape
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.
SBE 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.
