Build Your Knowledge of Living Things

From unraveling molecular pathways to studying entire ecosystems, if your passion lies with living things UNE’s Biological Sciences program may be just what you’re looking for. 

Our program offers three options to tailor your studies. You can major in Biological Sciences for a broad-based education or focus your studies with a concentration in Cellular and Molecular Biology or Ecology and Evolution. Regardless of the path you choose, with a strong focus on undergraduate research and a robust internship program, our Biological Sciences degree will set you apart in the eyes of employers and graduate schools alike.

Concentrations

Cellular and Molecular Biology focuses on the cellular processes that allow organisms to live, grow and adapt as well as the molecular mechanisms of disease and disease resistance.

Ecology and Evolutionary Biology focuses on relationships between organisms and their environment as well as selective pressures that have shaped organisms’ adaptations and the diversity on Earth.

A student in a white lab coat marks a petri dish with a permanent marker
A student measuring grass in the field

Why UNE for Your B.S. in Biological Sciences

As a Biological Sciences major at UNE, you have access to a wealth of faculty expertise from across our science and health programs. No matter what area of biology interests you, you'll experience:

valerie pendleton

Valerie Pendleton ’18

Medical Biology (Medical Sciences), Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.)

Why UNE

I knew I wanted to go to med school, so that was part of the reason why I [came] to UNE [for undergrad]. I wanted to have better resources to get to that point.

I picked the medical biology major because of the way it was set up. It includes all of the premed classes that you need to apply to any medical school, but it also has other topics in it that are super relevant. My favorite class was Anatomy and Physiology, and that has pretty much been my entire first-year of medical school. It was really nice to go from taking that Anatomy class and getting excited about it then to go on to finishing my first year of medical school. I really enjoyed how well prepared I was.

Hands-on Learning

One of the most influential parts of my education was on the rural health immersion trip that I did with the Care for the Underserved Pathways (CUP) Scholars Program. Having the hands-on experience of working with all of these different people from different professions was very interprofessional, and that's not something I realized was an opportunity until I got to my first week of COM.

Then I got an email saying that UNE was bringing a few students from CUP to Greece, so I signed up to go. That was one of the best hands-on experiences I've had. We brought aid over and worked with the refugee, homeless, and asylum-seeking population there who otherwise had no aid. They had nothing. We distributed diapers, and we did a lot of food distribution.

It’s something that I don't think I would've gotten elsewhere. I'm not sure of what other medical schools have as far as programs like this. While in Greece, I got to do a medical component where we set up a health hygiene clinic. We were able to teach pertinent skills like handwashing, female hygiene, and oral hygiene. It was a super interesting hands-on experience, and it was also very interprofessional. I highly recommend it to anybody who wants to go.

Welcoming Community

[The UNE community is] really inclusive. We have an awesome program where we're not ranked, so we're not competitive. We’re all trying to make sure that we are all succeeding. Your neighbors, your classmates, whoever you’re next to — their wellness and their overall mental health is always getting checked on. We make sure we are all supported.

I remember during the first week at orientation, all the orientation leaders who were part of the second-year class were like, “You’re going to be family.” It’s true. If someone's struggling, someone else in our program is reaching out to them. The faculty members keep up with us too. We have a lot of phenomenal faculty members who are huge advocates for us as students and who want to check in on us.

The courses that I’ve take at UNE, in combination with support from my professors, have taught me the critical thinking skills crucial to become a well-rounded healthcare professional.

Medical Biology (Medical Sciences), Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.)

What Will You Study? Biological Sciences Degree Curriculum Overview

As a Biological Sciences major, you have the option, but are not required, to concentrate in either Cellular and Molecular Biology or Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. 

B.S. in Biological Sciences Courses

The following are some examples of the courses you might take, depending on if, or on what, you choose to concentrate:

Graduate Program Pathways

UNE’s B.S. in Biological Sciences provides an ideal stepping stone to a graduate degree if you choose to pursue one, laying a solid foundation for our traditional two-year M.S. program as well as UNE’s graduate programs in medicine, dental medicine, physical therapy, and physician assistant – all of which you may apply for through our GradVantage program.

Honors Program

We offer qualified students the option of graduating with Honors. This includes significant research, scholarship or creative activity under the direction of a faculty member. Interested students should consult with their advisor. 

Secondary Education

If your goal is to be a high school or middle school science teacher, you may enroll in secondary education courses at UNE to meet the standards for State of Maine certification (grades 7-12) upon graduation.

Academic Advising

Biology Research at UNE: Fruit Flies and Chronic Pain

Look closer at the research that Biology professor Geoffrey Ganter, Ph.D., performs with the help of UNE students. Ganter’s lab focuses on studying fruit flies to understand the cellular, molecular, and genetic mechanisms of chronic pain.

Biological Sciences Careers and Graduate Study

Through coursework, labs, research, and internships, your degree in Biological Sciences will either set a sturdy foundation for graduate study or prepare you for a variety of exciting professions.

Our students have gone on to graduate programs such as:

And pursued many successful careers including:

  • Bioengineering Research Assistant
  • Environmental Manager
  • Environmental Specialist
  • Microscopy Research Associate
  • Pharmaceutical Research Associate
  • Public Health Research Assistant

B.S. in Biological Sciences Degree Facilities

Our oceanside campus in Biddeford provides you with some of the best research and classroom facilities in the nation for the study of biology.

Two students testing technology in the biology lab

Campus Resources

In addition to the typical resources found on a college campus, we also offer extensive computer resources, laboratories, and classroom facilities.

Diverse Habitats

Within a short walk or drive from our Biddeford Campus, you may explore a variety of unique habitats, including UNE’s 350 acres of contiguous forest. The State of Maine’s Natural Areas Program has labeled the land a habitat of significant value due to its high density of pocket swamps and vernal pools. The area is comprised of both uplands and wetlands and is home to many species, including wild turkeys, deer, coyotes, and moose.

A bit farther afield, you may study some of Northern New England’s most intriguing ecosystems.

Experiential Learning in the Bachelor’s Degree in Biological Sciences Program

Research for Biological Sciences Majors

  • Conduct research as early as freshman year
  • Perform paid research over the summer
  • Engage in cross-disciplinary research with faculty from other programs, such as Environmental Studies, Marine Sciences, and the Center for Excellence for Neurosciences
  • Present at conferences and publish your findings

Research Opportunities

As a Biological Sciences major, you can work with faculty on research devoted to cellular and molecular biology or ecology and evolutionary biology.

Internships for Biological Sciences Majors

Our students have completed internships at many exciting sites, including:

  • Animal Medical Associates
  • RadonCheck
  • Center for Wildlife
  • BBI Pharmaceutical
  • Partners for World Health
  • Mainely Kidz Physical Therapy

For more information visit the Academic and Career Advising Center.

A student takes notes while holding up a small bottle of clear liquid
Five students prepare to do fieldwork in a forest off the Biddeford campus

Travel Courses in the Bachelor’s Degree in Biological Sciences

UNE's travel courses allow you to stay on track with your lab sciences and College of Arts and Sciences core curriculum while gaining enriching international experience.

The below travel courses are taught by Biology faculty.

To enroll in these courses, you must submit an application to the Global Education Program. You can also apply for a Global Education scholarship when applying to these courses.