UMPI Biology Program – Your Path to a Career in the Life Sciences

We offer an outstanding Biology curriculum with opportunities to pursue various careers in the health professions and laboratory sciences or in life sciences such as ecosystems biology, wildlife conservation, environmental consulting, and plant or other organism-based industries, including cultivation, brewing, and aquaculture. Choose among several concentrations for the Biology degree, including Pre-Medical; Ecology, Evolution, and Biodiversity; Psychological Biology; or Self-Designed. Or become an Education major with a concentration in Secondary Education/Biology, preparing you to be a high school science teacher. Our Biology curriculum stresses hands-on experiences providing essential skills that are an integral part of modern molecular, organismal, and environmental biology. Several courses afford opportunities for working outside studying the local flora and fauna of the region. Faculty teach their own laboratory courses and low student-to-faculty ratios ensure one-on-one learning opportunities. Students are also encouraged to participate in faculty research projects focused on topics ranging from bird diet and climate change to organ regeneration, antibiotic-resistant microbes, environmental DNA, and plant viruses.

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Program Highlights

Future Careers

Choose a concentration in Biology that matches your ideal future career or design your own concentration.

Real-World Experience

Participate in research experiences, both in the lab and in the field.

Unique UMPI Opportunities

UMPI has special opportunities in the state and beyond.

Internships

Get hands-on work experiences when you participate in a Biology internship. All majors receive the opportunity and are encouraged to complete an internship.

Faculty Research

UMPI has state-of-the-art molecular biology equipment for classroom and research, along with a wide variety of microscopes and a sophisticated physiological simulation program for Anatomy & Physiology labs.

Student Clubs

Join the Pre-Health Club or GeoEcology Club for opportunities to explore exciting career fields, learn from guest speakers, and participate in field trips and community service activities.

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EXPECT generous scholarships

Financial Aid Scholarships & Awards

Future Careers

What can you do with a Biology degree? While many Biology careers can be started with your earned Biology B.A. degree, others require further post-graduate education. Our Biology program prepares students for both directions, with a solid comprehensive broad set of Biology courses and other opportunities for resume-building.

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Real-World Experience

One of the main strengths of the Biology Program at UMPI is the opportunity for undergraduates to participate in research experiences, both in the lab and in the field. Course-based research projects are offered in both introductory and advanced courses. Students can work as work-study students or paid assistants on faculty research projects, or they can take Independent Study courses or volunteer as well. UMPI faculty are all conducting research projects and undergraduates are encouraged to participate. UMPI also has other special opportunities in the state and beyond.

EXPECT an education tailored to your needs

Unique UMPI Opportunities

Our campus is located in a rural area within short distances of unique natural areas such as forests, lakes, and rivers. These can serve as natural laboratories for biology study. In addition, the city of Presque Isle is a regional economic hub that has a variety of agriculture and healthcare industries, providing opportunities for students to explore science-based careers. Through a partnership with MDI Biological Laboratories in Bar Harbor, students can also participate in biomedical courses and science conferences.

Biomedical Short Course
Pushineer Glacier

Internships

Internships at local job sites provide an opportunity for exposure to the workplace environment and lifestyle of your chosen career.

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Faculty Research

Our faculty members are not just excellent teachers, they’re deeply involved in research projects and publishing their findings. And our Biology students are right beside them, helping with the research and learning how it’s done.

Faculty Research

Student Clubs

You can join our Pre-Health Club or GeoEcology Club, or form your own! Funds are available for helping with events and travel.

Facilities and Field Sites

Folsom Science Laboratories

Folsom Hall houses the science laboratories on the UMPI campus. There are several Biology labs, an Anatomy & Physiology Lab and a Chemistry Lab. In addition there are several research laboratories and an herbarium/specimen collection room. UMPI has state-of-the-art molecular biology equipment for classroom and research, along with a wide variety of microscopes and a sophisticated physiological simulation program for Anatomy & Physiology labs.

Zillman Family Greenhouse

UMPI has a new state-of-the-art greenhouse that is utilized by the Agriculture and the Biology programs for classroom instruction and research. Three large climate-controlled rooms allow for multiple projects and classroom laboratory experiences in plant biology and agriculture.

Faculty

Krista A Delahunty

Adjunct Faculty, Lecturer III
Email
kristad@maine.edu
Photo of Larry Feinstein

Larry Feinstein

Associate Professor of Biology
Location
308 South Hall
Phone
(207) 768-9498
Email
larry.feinstein@maine.edu
Photo of Jason Johnston

Jason C Johnston

Professor of Wildlife Ecology
Location
315 South Hall
Phone
(207) 768-9652
Email
jason.johnston@maine.edu
Photo of Judy Roe

Judith Ladd Roe

Associate Professor of Biology
Location
316 South Hall
Phone
(207) 768-9446
Email
judith.roe@maine.edu

Other Important Links

Northeastern States Research Cooperative Maine INBRE Network Maine Potato Board Maine eDNA Central Aroostook Soil & Water Conservation District All About Arsenic Biomedical Short Course – Bridging Disciplines

EXPECT to Finish in Four

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Biology Program Offerings

Earn your B.A. in Biology with a concentration in Ecology, Evolution and Biodiversity, which will prepare you for biology careers in state or federal government, NGOs, consultants, graduate school, and more.

What can you do with a Biology Degree with a Ecology, Evolution & Biodiversity Concentration?


Earn your B.A. in Biology with a Pre-Medical concentration, which will prepare you for a wide range of careers in the health sciences or for graduate school in biology research. All subjects are taught that are recommended for preparation for the MCAT exam.

What can you do with a Biology Degree with a Pre-Medical Concentration?


The B.A. with a concentration in Psychological Biology is a hybrid degree that offers a wide range of choices of psychology and biology courses that will prepare you for a career in clinical psychology or graduate school.

What can you do with a Biology Degree with a Psychological Biology Concentration?


Choosing the B.A. in Biology with the Self-Designed concentration offers a flexible degree of your choosing within the field of Biology. Many Medical Laboratory Technology graduates with an A.A. complete their B.A. in Biology in this program, furthering their career in the medical laboratory.

What can you do with a Biology Degree with a Self-Designed Concentration?


Prepare yourself for teaching Biology with a B.S. degree in Secondary Education with a concentration in Biology. This program is housed in the Education department, but has course requirements in the Biology department.

The Biology Minor offers students a comprehensive understanding of biological principles and processes. It includes coursework in areas such as genetics, ecology, and cellular biology, providing a solid foundation in the life sciences. This minor is ideal for students looking to complement their major with a strong background in biology, enhancing their scientific knowledge and research skills.

What can you do with a degree in Biology?

Next Step: Admissions

We’re so excited that you’re considering the University of Maine at Presque Isle! As a student at UMPI, we want your experience to be anything but ordinary! So what makes UMPI extraordinary? Our Learning Environment, Our Student Engagement and Our Location!

No matter what stage of life you are in, we can help you take the plunge into higher education and put you on YOUR PATH TO SUCCESS!

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