The biology faculty of the Natural and Behavioral Sciences Division at the University of Maine at Fort Kent believe that students come to understand the discipline of biology through a combination of course work, laboratory experiences, research, and fieldwork. The combination of instructional methods leads students to a balanced understanding of the scientific methods used by biologists to make observations, develop insights and create theories about the living organisms that populate our planet. Small class sizes within the biology program foster a close working relationship between faculty and students in an informal and nurturing atmosphere.
The biology faculty pursues a multifaceted charge at the University of Maine at Fort Kent. The Program seeks to provide all biology students with fundamental knowledge of biology, as well as a deeper understanding of a selected focus area within the biological sciences. The curriculum and advising have been designed to prepare graduates for their professional future, whether they choose to work as field biologists specializing in botany or wildlife, or to pursue advanced degrees in the life sciences or health sciences. The biology program also provides the necessary fundamental knowledge of the life sciences to support the Nursing degree, the Environmental Studies degree, and the Associate of Science degree in Forest Technology. In addition, biology courses provide a key laboratory science experience for those students seeking to complete the general education requirements.
The biology curriculum consists of required courses and electives. To meet the needs of students with diverse backgrounds and interests, students have the opportunity to choose elective courses that reflect their individual interests and career paths. Students majoring in biology choose from two options: a major in biology with a minor in a field outside of biology; or a major in biology with a concentration in a specific area of biological science.
All students in the Biology Major will participate in a Field Experience Program as part of their coursework. This program consists of experiential learning activities that students participate in through short field trips in the local area, as well as through multi-day expeditions to destinations across the U.S. The courses included in the Field Experience Program each have a $ 150 fee, which helps to cover necessary costs including travel, entrance fees, and camping. It is important that students take courses during the designated year and semester to ensure that they have the background preparation needed to benefit fully from the field-based activities.
This option provides a broad training in biology and offers students the maximum flexibility in selecting courses that meet their interests. Students complete all required and support courses for the biology major, and they complete all courses necessary for a minor in a field other than biology (see Index under “Minors” for a description of appropriate study areas).
This option provides a broad training in biology and offers students the opportunity to develop more detailed knowledge of a specific area of biological science. Students complete all required and support courses for the biology major, and they complete all courses necessary for the concentration. These concentrations prepare students for continued study in graduate and professional schools, as well providing preparation for many other career goals including teaching, technical, and field positions. Each concentration consists of courses which provide depth in the principal aspects of the subject. This academic track provides a broad exposure in laboratory work and extensive experience in field situations. Students choose to concentrate in one of the following areas: bio-medical science, botany, ecology, or zoology.
Graduates with a major in Biology from the University of Maine at Fort Kent will:
| CRN | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIO 100 | General Biology OR | |
| BIO 220 | Anatomy and Physiology I AND | |
| BIO 221 | Anatomy and Physiology II | 4-8 credits |
| BIO 202 | Botany | 4 credits |
| BIO 204 | Zoology | 4 credits |
| BIO 320 | Genetics | 4 credits |
| BIO 352 | Ecology | 3 credits |
| BIO 353 | General Microbiology with lab | 4 credits |
| BIO 339 | Research Methods and Techniques | 3 credits |
| BIO 498 | Senior Project | 3-6 credits |
| Concentration (select one)* | 9-16 credits | |
| Total | 37-47 credits | |
(These requirements can be taken as part of the general education requirements.)
| CRN | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CHY 100 | Chemistry I | 4 credits |
| CHY 101 | Chemistry II | 4 credits |
| CHY 300/BIO 301 | Biochemistry OR | |
| CHY 310 | Organic Chemistry I | 4 credits |
| MAT 351 | Statistics I | 3 credits |
*Select one of the following concentrations. Note: Courses may be substituted with the approval of the academic advisor to meet a student’s career goal.
Graduates from this B.S. program may contribute to society in the area of health maintenance and is good preparation for students intending to develop research careers in the medical and biological sciences.
| CRN | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Choose three of the following courses: | ||
| BIO 356 | Vertebrate Biology | 3 credits |
| BIO 363 | Human Nutrition | 3 credits |
| BIO 401 | Pathophysiology | 3 credits |
| BIO 412 | Mammalogy | 3 credits |
Students interested in pursuing an organismal approach to the study of animals should follow this career track.
| CRN | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Choose two of the following courses: | ||
| BIO 350 | Invertebrate Zoology | 4 credits |
| BIO 356 | Vertebrate Biology | 3 credits |
| BIO 330 | Comparative Animal Physiology | 4 credits |
| BIO 412 | Mammalogy | 3 credits |
| BIO 420 | Ornithology | 3 credits |
| Choose two of the following courses: | ||
| ENV 326 | Conservation Biology | 3 credits |
| ENV 302 | Wildlife Conservation & Management | 4 credits |
| ENV 328 | Biological Diversity | 3 credits |
| ENV 333 | Fisheries Science | 3 credits |
| ENV 334 | Wildlife Science | 4 credits |
| ENV 354 | Wildlife Habitat Interactions | 4 credits |
For students interested in the interaction of organisms with their natural environment, and the effects of human populations on those ecosystems.
| CRN | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIO 310 | Taxonomy of Vascular Plants | 4 credits |
| BIO 452 | Field Ecology | 4 credits |
| Choose one of the following courses: | ||
| BIO 380 | Limnology | 4 credits |
| FOR 260 | Silvics (Forest Ecology) | 3 credits |
| Choose one of the following courses: | ||
| ENV 326 | Conservation Biology | 3 credits |
| ENV 302 | Wildlife Conservation & Management | 4 credits |
| ENV 328 | Biological Diversity | 3 credits |
| ENV 333 | Fisheries Science | 3 credits |
| ENV 334 | Wildlife Science | 4 credits |
| ENV 354 | Wildlife Habitat Interactions | 4 credits |
Students interested in studying plants in their natural setting and in the laboratory should consider this career track. Faculty has expertise in mycology and lichenology, which allows for students to focus on these aspects within this concentration.
| CRN | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIO 310 | Taxonomy of Vascular Plants | 4 credits |
| BIO 454 | Plant Physiology | 4 credits |
| Choose two of the following courses: | ||
| BIO 109 | Dendrology | 4 credits |
| BIO 311 | Lichenology | 4 credits |
| FOR 260 | Silvics (Forest Ecology) | 3 credits |
Students are assessed in all classes using various means including written assignments, quizzes and exams, field and laboratory practical exams, comprehensive final exams in some classes, and course projects. All students must demonstrate proficiency in written and oral communication skills by satisfactory performance on the written report and public oral presentation for the capstone Senior Project. All students will complete two comprehensive exams to assess knowledge and appreciation of critical content related to organism diversity and ecology. Graduating students complete an exit survey during their last semester to reflect on their BS in Biology program education and provide feedback about their experience. Graduates are required to complete an alumni survey to provide feedback about the quality and effectiveness of their education.
| CRN | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| HUM 102 | First Year Experience | 3 credits |
| BIO 100 | General Biology/Lab* OR | |
| BIO 220 | Anatomy and Physiology I/Lab | 4 credits |
| ENG 100 | English Composition I | 3 credits |
| General Education - Quantitative Reasoning | 3 credits | |
| Total | 13 credits | |
| CRN | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIO 221 | Anatomy and Physiology II (if completed BIO 220) OR | |
| BIO 202 | Botany* | 4 credits |
| ENG 101 | English Composition II | 3 credits |
| General Education Elective | 3 credits | |
| General Education Elective (concentration/minor) | 3-4 credits | |
| Total | 13-14 credits | |
| CRN | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| General Education Elective | 3 credits | |
| General Education - Information Fluency | 4 credits | |
| CHY 100 | Chemistry I with Lab | 4 credits |
| MAT 351 | Statistics I | 3 credits |
| General Education Elective (concentration/minor) | 3-4 credits | |
| Total | 17-18 credits | |
| CRN | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIO 202 | Botany | 4 credits |
| BIO 204 | Zoology with Lab | 4 credits |
| CHY 101 | Chemistry II with Lab | 4 credits |
| General Education Elective (oral communication) | 3 credits | |
| General Education Elective (concentration/minor) | 3-4 credits | |
| Total | 18-19 credits | |
| CRN | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIO 320 | Genetics OR | |
| General Education Elective (concentration/minor) | 3-4 credits | |
| CHY 310 | Organic Chemistry I with Lab OR | |
| General Education Elective (concentration/minor) | 3-4 credits | |
| General Education Electives (concentration/minor) | 9-12 credits | |
| Total | 15-20 credits | |
| CRN | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIO 339 | Research Methods and Techniques* | 3 credits |
| BIO 352 | Ecology* | 3 credits |
| BIO 353 | Microbiology with Lab OR | |
| CHY 300/BIO 301 | Biochemistry with Lab OR | |
| General Education Elective (concentration/minor) | 3-4 credits | |
| General Education Electives (concentration/minor) | 6-8 credits | |
| Total | 15-18 credits | |
| CRN | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIO 320 | Genetics OR | 4 credits |
| General Education Elective (concentration/minor) | 3-4 credits | |
| BIO 498 | Senior Project* | 3 credits |
| General Education Electives (concentration/minor) | 9-12 credits | |
| Total | 15-19 credits | |
| CRN | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIO 353 | Microbiology with Lab OR | 4 credits |
| CHY 300/BIO 301 | Biochemistry with Lab OR | 4 credits |
| General Education Elective (concentration/minor) | 3-4 credits | |
| General Education Electives (concentration/minor) | 12-16 credits | |
| Total | 15-20 credits | |
* Field experience course that should be taken in the semester and year listed
NOTE: For a full printable PDF of the catalog, please contact the Web Services office at umfkweb@maine.edu.
