Sciences
The Sciences at the University of Maine at Farmington (UMF) include our well-respected Biology and Geology majors plus Interdisciplinary Studies concentrations in: Environmental Science, Environmental Policy & Planning, and Geology / Geography; as well as a Pre-Professional track in Health Professions Careers, designed to prepare graduates to enter a variety of medical and health-related schools: medical school, dental school, optometry school, pharmacy school, veterinary school, graduate school (research). Each of the Science programs at UMF combine classroom work, field and lab work.
Biology
In Biology, students work side by side with professors in classes, labs and in the field conducting research in nearby forests, lakes, rivers, hospitals, health agencies and bio-technological settings. You’ll become proficient in doing and communicating science, and will even make presentations in public and scientific arenas. Graduates go on to further study in medical, dental, veterinary and optometry schools, as well as to graduate school and careers in bio-technology, molecular, aquatic and environmental biology and biochemistry.
Environmental Science
Students in our interdisciplinary Environmental Science program gain a strong core in the natural sciences and
mathematics and then in-depth preparation in one of four specialty tracks: Environmental Biology, Environmental
Chemistry / Physics, Environmental Geology, or Environmental Health.
Environmental Policy & Planning
Our interdisciplinary Environmental Policy & Planning program gives you an understanding of planning, policy
issues and analytical skills as they relate to the environment. Hands-on experience is gained through field and
lab work; the use of GPS, GIS and image analysis software; national and international travel courses; research
projects; and the opportunity to present at public forums and to have internships with public agencies or private
companies.
Geology
Farmington's renowned Geology program focuses on field experiences and student research. You’ll conduct field,
laboratory, and computer investigations in order to develop an understanding of earth materials and processes,
geochemical cycles, and the structure, energetics, and origin/evolution of the earth system. Field trips in Geology
take advantage of the nearby mountains and coastal areas of Maine, as well as extended summer experiences in venues
such as Scotland, Ireland, Newfoundland, Alaska and the Grand Canyon. Here, you can focus on your own special areas
of interest such as water quality, toxic waste disposal, and much more.
Geology / Geography
Our highly respected interdisciplinary Geology / Geography program focuses on both Geology and Geography —
combining the physical study of geology with the geography emphasis on how space and place affect our lives.
Hands-on research, field work and lab work are important in the program. Students take advantage of trips to nearby
mountains and lakes as well as extended field trips to Scotland, Ireland, Newfoundland, Alaska and the Grand Canyon
to gain perspective about the importance of geological-geographical issues.
Pre-Professional Health Careers
While there is no universally recognized pre-medical, pre-dental, pre-optometry, pre-pharmacy, pre-veterinary major
anywhere, medical schools and other health-related professional programs typically require a solid background in
biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, and physics, plus usually one semester of calculus. Since additional
recommended courses include genetics, cell biology, microbiology, biochemistry, and anatomy and physiology, most
students choose to major in Biology. But almost any undergraduate major you choose at UMF will help you gain
entrance into some of the finest medical schools in the nation.
The key: selecting and completing the right courses in the right sequence while you're earning your bachelor's degree. The University of Maine at Farmington has the background and successful track record to know just what coursework the top medical schools look for.
