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.
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.

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