University of New England

College: Arts and Sciences

Department: Biological Sciences

Contact: Dr. Lawrence Fritz (Chair) lfritz@une.edu

Biology is an exploration of the living world that underscores and explains the unity and diversity of life. But it is also a truly human endeavor in that it affects us all in many ways. Because we live at this time in human history - at the beginning of what many believe to be a biological age - students must understand the subject well enough to apply biological concepts and skills to the wide array of problems and choices they will inevitably face. The Department of Biological Sciences' program is not only designed to provide an excellent foundation in the field of biology and prepare students for careers and further study, but also to emphasize biology's relevance to their lives.

The department offers bachelor of science degrees in aquaculture and aquarium science, biological sciences, marine biology and medical biology. In addition, it also provides a prescribed course of study designed to prepare students for admission to programs in allopathic or osteopathic medicine, physician's assistant, dentistry, physical therapy and occupational therapy. An interdisciplinary major in psychobiology is offered through this department and the Department of Psychology.

Students who major in biological science programs become familiar with all levels of biological organization from molecules to ecosystems, and gain practical experience in both laboratory and field studies. Small classes enable the faculty to adopt an approach to learning that stresses how different subjects are related to each other, facilitates critical thinking, and encourages a collaborative approach to learning between students and faculty. Professors want students to experience the excitement and to see the applications of biology as well as appreciate science as a way of knowing about the world around them.

In addition, all programs stress the importance of field opportunities, research experience and experiential learning. The marine-based programs benefit from the University's state of the art Marine Science Education and Research Center, in addition to its ideal coastal setting with the ocean, estuary, freshwater marshes and ponds, major river drainage basins and large lakes just minutes from campus. The department also offers two graduate degrees (masters level) which are detailed in the graduate portion of this catalog.  The department's medically-related programs benefit from interaction with the College of Osteopathic Medicine as well as UNE's graduate programs in physical therapy, occupational therapy and physician assistant. Please visit our graduate programs page for details.

Students are encouraged to enroll in a variety of internal and external internship opportunities including research and job experiences.  Students will fulfill requirements for biological science majors by taking courses listed under headings for that specific major. There are also a variety of courses recommended for selection as electives in each degree program. This is to ensure that students, regardless of their major, receive a balanced exposure to major topics in modern biology as they progress through their major field of study. A minimum grade of C- must be achieved in all science and mathematics courses used toward graduation in any of the programs in the Department of Biological Sciences. A 2.00 cumulative average in sciences is a requirement for graduation in any of the programs in the Department of Biological Sciences

In each major in biological sciences there are topic area requirements. The following list indicates those courses that can fulfill the various topic area requirements for the different majors.

See individual major program pages for details.

Secondary Education Certification

The department offers biology majors the opportunity to select all of the EDU secondary education certification courses (listed below) as their electives in order to become middle school or high school teachers (grades 7-12) in the area of life sciences. While providing a solid foundation in biology, this program includes extensive coursework in education, which, when combined with the secondary teaching internship, will result in State of Maine teacher certification upon completion of the degree program. This program is approved by the State of Maine Board of Education.

See Education link for more details.

Transfer Credit and Advanced Standing

Courses previously completed at another accredited college can be transferred to this degree program.  Transferred biology courses must be reasonably close in scope and content to the biology courses offered at UNE in order to count as exact equivalents.  Otherwise, they will transfer as general electives.  All Biology courses previously completed must be no older than five years (eight years for BIO 100 level courses).  Other options and restrictions apply.  See Undergraduate Admissions also.

The Honors Program, offered by the Departments of Biological Sciences , gives select students the opportunity to do independent study and research in their major, ultimately leading to graduation "with honors." Students with exemplary high school academic performance, or during their first year, are invited to enroll in a series of honors courses designed to introduce students to the research process; help them identify their research interests and identify potential faculty mentors to supervise their work; and aid in the development of a thesis proposal. Students who have had their thesis proposal approved by the faculty Honors Committee in the spring semester of their third year conduct their research projects under the guidance of their faculty mentor. The culmination of the student's honors research is a written thesis and oral presentation. Bachelor's degree "with honors" is awarded upon approval of the written thesis and presentation by the Honors Examining Committee.

The Pre-Health Professions Advisory Committee consists of faculty members of the Department of Biological Sciences. The major function of this committee is to offer information and advice to students interested in applying to health professional schools (e.g., medical schools, dental schools, physician assistant programs). In addition, this committee drafts letters of evaluation for students applying to these programs. Interested students should contact their advisors to receive information regarding the protocol for obtaining a PHPAC letter of evaluation.

Minors in Biological Sciences

A biology minor requires 6 (additional) biology courses, including the introductory biology series (BIO 100 and 101 or BIO 104 and one of: BIO 150, BIO 100 or BIO 101). For all department of biological sciences majors, this means the biology minor requires an additional 4 biology courses because no single course meets two area requirements. The minor must include specific courses focused in one of the following areas:

• Animal Studies minors must complete the introductory biology series and BIO 322 Comparative Physiology, BIO 335 Animal Behavior / Behavioral Ecology and two additional organismal topics courses.
• Aquaculture minors must complete the introductory biology series and BIO 221 Principles of Aquaculture, BIO 222 Finfish/Shellfish Culture Techniques, BIO 223 Health/Nutrition/Feeding Cultured Organisms, and BIO 323 Principles of Aquarium Operations Science.
• Biology minors must complete the introductory biology series and one organismal, one ecology and one cell/physiology and one additional biology course.
• Marine Biology minors must complete the introductory biology series and BIO 250 Marine Biology, one ecology topic and two additional organismal topics courses.
• Medical Biology minors must complete the introductory biology series and BIO 200 Genetics, BIO 245AP+P -1, BIO 345 AP+P II and BIO 370 Cell Biology.

Department of Biological Sciences Faculty

Notice and Responsibilities Regarding this Catalog

This Catalog documents the academic programs, policies, and activities of the University of New England for the 2006-2007 academic year. The information contained herein is accurate as of date of publication August 1, 2006.

The University of New England reserves the right in its sole judgment to make changes of any nature in its programs, calendar, or academic schedule whenever it is deemed necessary or desirable, including changes in course content, the rescheduling of classes with or without extending the academic term, canceling of scheduled classes or other academic activities, in any such case giving such notice thereof as is reasonably practicable under the circumstances.

While each student may work closely with an academic advisor, he or she must retain individual responsibility for meeting requirements in this catalog and for being aware of any changes in provisions or requirements.