Bachelor of Science in Medical Biology

UNE is recognized as Maine's leading health professions and health sciences University. Learn about our state-of-the-art labs and academic facilities, our supportive community, and the rewarding careers of UNE Medical Biology graduates.

Study Medical Biology at Maine’s Leading University for the Health Professions

With health care projected to be the fastest-growing industry in the economy, UNE’s Medical Sciences track of the Medical Biology major puts you on sure footing for success. As one of only a handful of private universities with a comprehensive health care mission, UNE can provide its Medical Biology undergraduates up-close interaction with graduate health professions students and opportunities to perform research with faculty across health disciplines.

We offer our GradVantage program for admission into our medical, dental, physician assistant, and physical therapy programs as well as accelerated pathways to our medical and dental colleges.

Why UNE for Medical Biology – Medical Sciences

  • Study at Maine’s leading health professions and health sciences university
  • UNE is ranked #1 in Maine for graduates getting a job — Zippia
  • Complete important prerequisite courses as a pre-med student
  • Join a welcoming community of people who are passionate about health like you are
  • Work on cutting edge research alongside faculty
  • UNE students are more likely to be interviewed and get accepted to UNE’s most competitive professional programs, including medicine, dental medicine, and PA
  • Access to accelerated 3+4 bachelor’s-to-doctorate pathways with UNE’s medical and dental colleges
  • Access to accelerated 4+1 biology bachelor’s to master’s track
Olivia Scott stands smiling at the camera holding her handmade ceramics

[The research I participated in] made me feel like I can make change — like I am part of a much bigger purpose.

Biological Sciences, Environmental Science

What Will You Study? Medical Biology Degree Curriculum Overview

There are many ways you can navigate this major.

B.S. in Medical Biology Courses

  • Human Anatomy, Physiology, and Pathophysiology
  • Genetics
  • Cell and Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Biology
  • One Health Approaches to Medicine
  • Animal/Behavioral Ecology
  • Parasitology

We offer accelerated 3+4 tracks as pathways to our medical and dental colleges. And our 4+1 B.S./M.S. track lets you complete your undergraduate degree and master’s in Biological Sciences in just five years. Our GradVantage program is also available for admission to several of our graduate programs.

Curriculum

CAS Core Requirements Credits
Total 42–46
Program Required Courses Credits
BIO 105/105L – Biology I: Ecology/Evolution with Lab Credits included in Core Requirements
BIO 106/106L – Biology II: Cellular/Molecular with Lab 4
BIO 214/214L – Genetics with Lab 4
BIO 245/245L – Gen Prin of Anatomy, Physiology, and Pathophysiology I with Lab 4
BIO 345/345L – Gen Prin of Anatomy, Physiology, and Pathophysiology II with Lab 5
BIO 370 – Cell and Molecular Biology 3
BIO 200 or higher elective (not satisfied by Internship/Research/Speaker Series) 3–4
BIO 400 or higher capstone course (not satisfied by Internship/Research) 3–4
Total 26–28
Program Required Science and Mathematics Courses Credits
CHE 110/110L – General Chemistry I with Lab or CHE 150/150L – University General Chemistry I with Lab 4
CHE 111/111L – General Chemistry II with Lab or CHE 151/151L – University General Chemistry II with Lab 4
CHE 210/210L/210S or CHE 210G/210LG/210SG – Organic Chemistry I with Lab and LabLecture or CHE 250/250L/250S – University Organic Chemistry I with Lab and LabLecture 5
CHE 211/211L/211S or CHE 211G/211LG/211SG – Organic Chemistry II with Lab and LabLecture or CHE 251/251L/251S – University Organic Chemistry II with Lab and LabLecture 5
CHE 310/310L – Fundamentals of Biochemistry with Lab 4
MAT 150 – Statistics for Life Sciences 3
MAT 190 – Calculus I 4
PHY 110 – Physics I or PHY 210 – University Physics I 4
PHY 111 – Physics II or PHY 211 – University Physics II 4
Total 37
Open Elective Courses (as needed to reach 120 credits) Variable
Minimum Required Total Credits 120

Additional Guidelines

BIO 210, BIO 295, BIO 410, and BIO 495 research and internship courses do not meet 200- and 400-level course requirements.

Accelerated 3+4 Option Medical Biology-Medical Sciences Track

For those students interested in attending the University of New England's College of Osteopathic Medicine (COM), an accelerated version of this track offers the opportunity to complete the Medical Biology – Medical Sciences major upon the successful conclusion of three years of undergraduate work and the first year of medical school. Qualified College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) undergraduate students who wish to become a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) may apply for consideration to the 3+4 program concurrently with their undergraduate application. This 3+4 program allows mature, qualified CAS students to complete an undergraduate degree and Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree in seven (7) years.

Policies and procedures for this program are as follows:
  • Apply for consideration to the 3+4 program concurrently with undergraduate application.
  • Qualified applicants, as indicated by the College of Osteopathic Medicine (COM) Committee on Admissions, will be invited for an on-campus interview.
    • Candidates will be assessed in areas of academic record and scholarship ability, leadership potential, career goals, personal qualities, interpersonal skills, and maturity.
    • Interviews will be conducted in the spring prior to fall matriculation of the first year of undergraduate work, and again at the beginning of the fourth year as part of the normal College of Osteopathic Medicine Committee on Admissions processes.
  • Interviewed candidates accepted by the College of Osteopathic Medicine Committee on Admissions will be conditionally accepted contingent upon the requirements as listed below:
    • Complete College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) course requirements for both the Medical Biology – Medical Sciences major (with the exception of the BIO 4xx elective) and the CAS Core Curriculum.
    • Seventy-five percent, or 90 credit hours, of the total required credit hours for a baccalaureate degree completed prior to matriculation in COM.
    • Complete all admission requirements for the College of Osteopathic Medicine of the University of New England.
    • All prerequisite courses completed at UNE by the end of the spring term of the junior year.
      • Students must pass all COM program prerequisite courses with a grade of “B” or better.
      • Students may take up to 16 credits of non-prerequisite courses at another regionally accredited college or university; students are responsible for ensuring approval of course equivalency in advance of taking any courses.
    • Students in the 3+4 Program must maintain an American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service (AACOMAS) cumulative grade point average of 3.60 or better for all subjects and a science GPA of 3.60 or better.
    • Successfully complete the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) in the spring of the third year of undergraduate studies at UNE, earning a minimum score of 505.
    • Demonstrate a basic understanding of Osteopathic Medicine and show significant exposure to health practices through a minimum of 40 hours of shadowing of clinicians, plus additional volunteer experiences, prior to submission of the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service (AACOMAS).
    • By the time of application, students must have obtained a letter from the Office of the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences verifying good academic and disciplinary standing.
  • Students will undergo the regular admissions processes, as described in the UNE COM catalog, and will need to submit a completed AACOMAS application.
    • Application deadline to electronically submit the application to AACOMAS is August 1 prior to the third year of undergraduate studies.
    • All completed and verified AACOMAS applications must be received in the Office of Graduate Admissions no later than September 15.
    • If accepted, two admission deposits are required.
    • Successfully complete a campus interview as a part of the application process for the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) program.
    • Provide a satisfactory criminal background check and meet all Program Technical Standards prior to matriculation in the College of Osteopathic Medicine.
  • Candidates are strongly advised to seek ongoing advisement and support from the UNE Assistant Director of Pre-Health Advising.
  • First-year 3+4 COM students must submit a "Petition to Graduate" form to the Registrar’s Office during the first week of their second semester at COM and will then be awarded a baccalaureate degree upon satisfactory completion of the first year in UNE COM.

Students must fulfill all other CAS and COM requirements and business office obligations to be awarded the undergraduate degree.

ACCELERATED 3+4 MEDICAL BIOLOGY-DENTAL MEDICINE TRACK

For those students interested in attending the University of New England's College of Dental Medicine (CDM), an accelerated version of this track offers the opportunity to complete the Medical Biology – Medical Sciences major upon the successful conclusion of three years of undergraduate work and the first year of dental school. Qualified College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) undergraduate students who wish to become a Doctor of Dental Medicine (D.M.D.) may apply for consideration to the Accelerated 3+4 D.M.D. Track concurrently with their undergraduate application. This 3+4 Track allows mature, qualified CAS students to complete an undergraduate degree and Doctor of Dental Medicine degree in seven years.

Policies and procedures for this program are as follows:
  • Apply for consideration to the Accelerated 3+4 D.M.D. Track concurrently with undergraduate application.
  • Qualified applicants will be invited for an on-campus interview at the College of Dental Medicine (CDM), which will take place in February or March prior to the first year of undergraduate study.
    • Prior to the interview, candidates will be asked to complete short supplemental essays and submit them to the chair of the CDM Admissions Committee.
    • Candidates will be interviewed by faculty and/or staff from the CDM and will be assessed in areas such as academic strength, leadership potential, career goals, personal qualities, interpersonal skills, and maturity.
  • The CDM Admissions Committee will make admissions decisions based on information collected during the application and interview process. Selected students will be conditionally accepted into the D.M.D. program contingent on fulfilling the academic and general/application requirements described below.
    • Complete College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) course requirements for both the Medical Biology – Medical Sciences major (with the exception of the BIO 4xx elective) and the CAS Core Curriculum.
      • The “Biology 200 or higher” elective course requirement must be satisfied by taking Microbiology (BIO 232/232L).
    • Seventy-five percent, or 90 credit hours, of the total, required credit hours for a baccalaureate degree completed prior to matriculation in CDM.
    • Complete all admission requirements for the College of Dental Medicine of the University of New England.
    • All prerequisite courses must be completed at UNE by the end of the spring term of the junior year.
      • Students must pass all CDM program prerequisite courses with a grade of “B-” or better on the first attempt. One prerequisite course may be retaken one time to meet the minimum grade requirement.
      • Complete English Composition (e.g., ENG 110) as a prerequisite and earn a “B-” or better. AP credit or English Composition from a community college will also be acceptable if a “B-” or better is earned.
      • Students may take up to 16 credits of non-prerequisite courses at another regionally accredited college or university; students are responsible for ensuring approval of course equivalency in advance of taking any courses.
    • Students in the Accelerated 3+4 D.M.D. Track must maintain an American Dental Education Association (ADEA) Associated American Dental Schools Application Service (AADSAS) cumulative grade point average of 3.3 or better for all subjects and a science GPA of 3.3 or better.
    • Complete the US Dental Admissions Test (DAT) by June 30 after the sophomore year of undergraduate studies, with a score of 17 or higher in the Academic Average, Total Science, and PAT sections, in addition to a score of 18 or higher in the Reading Comprehension section.
    • Complete a minimum of 30 hours of dental shadowing/observation. These hours must be reported on the AADSAS application.
    • Obtain one letter of recommendation from a dentist shadowed during undergraduate study (to be submitted with the AADSAS application).
    • Complete a minimum of 30 hours of community service/volunteerism (hours must be distinct from shadowing/observation hours) during undergraduate study at UNE. These hours must be reported on the AADSAS application.
    • Obtain a letter of evaluation from the UNE Assistant Director of Pre-Health Advising (to be submitted with the AADSAS application) verifying good academic and social standing.
  • Submit an application for the D.M.D. program through the ADEA Associated American Dental Schools Application Service (AADSAS).
    • The deadline to submit the application electronically to AADSAS is September 1 the third year of undergraduate study (i.e., one year prior to potential matriculation into the College of Dental Medicine).
    • The Office of Graduate Admissions must receive all completed and verified AADSAS applications no later than October 15.
    • Satisfactory completion of a criminal background check prior to matriculation in the D.M.D. program.
    • Two non-refundable admissions deposits are required at the time of acceptance to secure a seat in the class.
  • Candidates are strongly advised to seek ongoing advisement and support from the UNE Assistant Director of Pre-Health Advising.
  • First-year 3+4 CDM students must submit a "Petition to Graduate" form to the Registrar’s Office during the first week of their second semester at CDM and will then be awarded a baccalaureate degree upon satisfactory completion of the first year in UNE CDM.

Students must fulfill all other CAS and CDM requirements and business office obligations to be awarded the undergraduate degree.

Pre-Health Professions Advisory Committee

The Pre-Health Professions Advisory Committee (PHPAC) consists of staff and faculty members of the College of Arts and Sciences. The major function of this committee is to draft letters of evaluation for students applying to health professions programs such as Medical, Dental, and Veterinary schools. Interested students should view our web page for information regarding the protocol for obtaining a PHPAC letter of evaluation.

Graduation Requirements

A minimum grade of C- must be achieved in all science and mathematics courses used toward graduation in any of the programs in the School of Biological Sciences. A 2.00 cumulative average in sciences is a requirement for graduation in any of the programs in the School of Biological Sciences.

Students in this major can participate in the pre-health graduate school preparation tracks.

To learn more about the program, visit the Academic Catalog.

4+1 Accelerated Master of Science in Biotechnology

UNE has also partnered with The Roux Institute at Northeastern University to offer a 4+1 accelerated M.S. in Biotechnology. In this program, you can enroll in graduate-level courses as an undergraduate and transfer up to 12 credits to Northeastern's master's degree program offered by the Roux Institute. To be eligible, you must be enrolled in the B.S. in Medical Biology - Medical Sciences track or the B.S. in Biochemistry program at UNE. For more information contact your academic advisor.

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.

Academic Advising

First and Second Year Advising

All first-and second-year students are assigned a professional academic advisor. Academic advising gives you the opportunity to gain a greater understanding of:

  • Major specific and core required courses
  • Course selection, registration, and academic plans
  • Adjusting to the academic transition to college
  • Minors or secondary majors
  • Building internships and study abroad into your academic plan
  • On-campus resources available at UNE

You are encouraged to schedule appointments to meet with your advisor on a regular basis and not just in the weeks preceding the registration process.

Faculty Advisors

During your first two years, a member of the Biology faculty will serve as your secondary advisor. After the conclusion of your first two years, a faculty advisor will take over as your primary advisor for the remainder of your undergraduate studies. Faculty advisors are a great resource for information on curriculum-specific questions, research opportunities, and to provide insight into graduate programs or career options in your field of interest.

As a student in a Biology program, you are required to attend mandatory pre-registration advising appointments* with your primary advisor in the fall and spring. You will be given an alternate pin number to use at the time of registration and will receive an email with details on how to sign up for these meetings. Until you attend a mandatory advising meeting, you will not have access to register for classes in the following semester.

Pre-registration advising meetings must be completed during mid-October through mid-November of your fall semester and mid-March through mid-April of your spring semester.

*A drop-in appointment, faculty advisor meeting, or an appointment with a peer advisor will NOT complete this requirement.

Pre-Health Advising

Assistant Director of Pre-Health Advising James Gaffney works with all students interested in applying to a graduate school in the health professions. 

You are expected to perform successfully on admissions tests specific to your graduate program. For information regarding test prep options and when to take these exams, contact James Gaffney.

Learn more about pre-health advising

Meet Kheilin

A Medical Biology Major Planning to Become a Doctor

She cares deeply about how she impacts others, from her future patients to her friends, family, and community. Kheilin is one of the many UNE students who are gaining the skills and knowledge to make an impact and be of service.

Careers for Medical Biology Majors

Whether your ultimate goal is to become a health provider or enter the workforce in medical research, biotechnology, or another cutting-edge profession, UNE’s Medical Biology–Medical Sciences track prepares you as a knowledgeable scientist, a critical thinker, and a valuable member of any professional team. Our graduates have pursued many different careers, including:

  • Physician
  • Dentist
  • Veterinarian
  • Occupational/Physical Therapist
  • Medical Researcher
  • Clinical Researcher
  • Drug Development Scientist
  • Genetic Counselor
  • Medical Editor
  • Instrument Technician

Career Advising for B.S. in Medical Biology Students

Whether you have a specific career goal in mind or a vague idea of the field that interests you, Career Advising is here to help you plan your next step.

2.4M

healthcare jobs expected to open in U.S. between 2016 and 2026

(U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)

An Ideal Pre-Med Major

UNE’s B.S. in Medical Biology sets you up for success as a pre-med student. Whether you are interested in going into medical, dental, veterinary, or physical therapy school, our Medical Biology degree program helps you complete important prerequisites and gain relevant hands-on experience. UNE also offers a Medical Biology Pre-Physician Assistant (Pre-PA) track where your curriculum is tailored to meet all academic requirements for admittance into a PA graduate program, including our own.

There are additional pathways available for your medical biology studies at UNE. Keeping with a pre-med track, you can apply for the accelerated 3+4 programs with UNE’s medical and dental colleges. We also offer a 4+1 B.S./M.S. track where you can complete your undergraduate degree and master’s in Biological Sciences in just five years. UNE has also partnered with The Roux Institute at Northeastern University to offer a 4+1 accelerated M.S. in Biotechnology.

B.S. in Medical Biology Degree Facilities

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

Harold Alfond Center

Sitting at the center of campus, facilities within the Harold Alfond Center for the Health Sciences include numerous lecture halls and teaching labs used by all majors within the School of Biological Sciences.

It is also the primary hub for undergraduate research within the School, housing the majority of faculty research labs and our indoor-access greenhouse.

Take a virtual tour of the Alfond Center

Launch Alfond Center for Health Sciences

Peter and Cécile Morgane Hall

Morgane Hall contains the administrative offices of the School of Biological Sciences and most of its faculty. There are two lecture classrooms, two multi-purpose biology labs, and a genetics and microbiology lab.  

The building also houses chemistry and physics labs with models and computer simulators for in-depth study of both biological and physical science concepts.

Take a virtual tour of Morgane Hall

Launch Morgane Hall

Experiential Learning in the Bachelor’s Degree in Medical Biology Program

We rely heavily on case studies to challenge you to apply scientific concepts to real-world problems. But the classroom is only where hands-on experience begins. In the lab, you’ll engage in research with faculty from across health care fields, colleges, and disciplines. And internships allow you to directly experience different professions in an immersive environment.

Research for Medical Biology Majors

  • Opportunities for undergraduates to participate in cutting-edge research across health care fields
  • Mentorship from faculty at a university categorized as having “High Research Activity” by Carnegie Classification
  • Paid research positions available

Research Opportunities

Cellular and Molecular Biology Labs

Labs dedicated to cellular and molecular research include:

  • Kristin Burkholder, Ph.D., Microbiology Lab
    • Studies the interaction of bacterial pathogens with their environment and host cells by employing techniques of classical microbiology, molecular biology, cell culture and microscopy.
  • Geoff Ganter, Ph.D., Drosophila Neurogenetics Lab
    • Employs genetic, microscopic, and behavior analysis approaches to identify targets for future pain medications.
  • Jenn Garcia, Ph.D., Molecular Genetics Lab
    • Uses techniques such as northern blotting, next-generation sequencing, immunoblotting, molecular cloning, quantitative PCR, microscopy, and yeast genetics to understand mechanisms that regulate gene expression in response to stress.
  • Lei Lei, Ph. D., Molecular Biology Lab
    • Studies developmental neurobiology and molecular evolution using molecular and bioinformatic tools

 

Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Labs

Labs dedicated to ecology and evolutionary biology research include:

  • Ursula Roese, Ph.D., Chemical Ecology Lab
    • Investigates chemical interactions between plants, insects, and microorganisms as well as applications that involve testing of plant compounds against human pathogens - using extractions and head space collections, as well as instrumentation to analyze organic compounds, including Gas Chromatography with Flame Ionization Detection (GC-FID) and Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS)

 

Medical Biology Labs

Labs dedicated to medical biology research include:

  • David Sandmire, M.D., Physiology Lab
    • Contains software and hardware equipment to measure beat-to-beat heart rate variability (HRV) as a gauge of sympathetic nervous system activity to objectively estimate anxiety level in response to art making

Internships for Medical Biology Majors

Our students have performed internships at numerous sites, including:

  • Family Eye Care
  • Biddeford-Saco Dental Associates
  • Kennebunkport Emergency Medical Services
  • Oral Surgery Associates
  • Dempsey Center
  • York County Shelter Programs
  • American Cancer Society

For more information email Donna Gaspar Jarvis in the Academic and Career Advising Center at dgaspar@une.edu.

Travel Courses for Medical Biology Majors

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.

Costa Rica

BIO 290/290L or BIO 451 Tropical Forests and Global Change

Greg Zogg, Ph.D.

This is a spring semester course that includes travel to Costa Rica for nine days during spring break, where you will explore the biodiversity of both tropical rainforests and dry forests. You will conduct fieldwork examining how human-induced changes in the environment — such as defaunation, invasive species, and global warming — impact these two forest types.

In addition, you will have the opportunity to zipline through the forest canopy, spend time at the beach, and enjoy the sights and sounds of tropical forests. Upon return, you will spend the rest of the semester drawing upon your travel experience to help you identify strategies to protect these natural systems from further human disturbance.

This course can be taken at either the 200- or 400-level, with students enrolling at the 400 level having greater expectations in terms of both depth of study and workload, and serving as research team leaders on group projects before, during, and after travel to Costa Rica.

U N E biological sciences students walk the rainforest in Costa Rica while taking a travel course

Greece and Italy

BIO 290 Anatomy Through Classical and Renaissance Art

Kaushik Dutta

This is a semester-long seminar examining the importance of anatomical study as represented in the art of ancient Greece and Rome, and its re-emergence and elaboration during the Italian Renaissance.

The highlight of the course is a 10-day trip to Greece and Italy in May during which you will tour sites in Athens, Rome, Florence, and Bologna, representing the birthplaces of ancient and modern anatomical science. You will discover the many varied connections between anatomical study and art, especially in Renaissance Italy.

An individual research project with a multimedia presentation will be required.

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.

Apply Today

Ready to begin your future and study medicine in UNE’s B.S. in Medical Biology degree program? Get started today.