Education

UMaine Alert

Posted: April 19, 2024 - 1:32 PM

At approximately 9:24 a.m. on Friday, April 19, a University of Maine graduate student was struck by a university vehicle on Long Road at the University of Maine campus in Orono. The student reports that they are at a local hospital with minor injuries.

Emergency services, including the Orono Fire Department, University Volunteer Ambulance Corps, University of Maine Police Department, Orono Police Department and Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene.

The university vehicle involved in the incident was a Chevrolet Express van. It was being operated by a university employee.

Counseling services and support are available for students, faculty or staff who may have been affected. The Counseling Center can be reached at 207-581-1392 and the Dean of Students Office can be reached at 207-581-1406.

The scene has been cleared and Long Road is now accessible. An investigation is being conducted by the University of Maine Police Department with assistance from the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office Crash Reconstruction Unit. Any witnesses to the incident are encouraged to contact Lt. Noel Santiago at noel.santiago@maine.edu.

Undergraduate Opportunities

Undergraduates are actively involved in research experiences at FIRST. This research can take the form of capstone senior projects, work-study and work-merit jobs, participation in externally funded projects with individual faculty, and the NSF-REU Research Experience for Undergraduates Program in Sensor Science and Engineering. Students are encouraged to speak with individual faculty members to further explore these opportunities.

Graduate Opportunities

Graduate students working at FIRST are enrolled in the Departments of Physics & Astronomy, Chemistry, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Environmental Engineering or Chemical & Biological Engineering where they fulfill the academic requirements within that department. However, they perform their research together using FIRST facilities. Many interdisciplinary opportunities involve joint supervision by faculty from different disciplines. An Individualized Ph.D. Program in an interdisciplinary field is also possible, as well as our new Individualized Ph.D. program in Materials Science and Engineering. Information about applying to the graduate program is available through the Graduate School or by contacting individual academic departments.

Graduate Student Assistantships and Fellowships

Students receive a stipend and tuition waiver to carry out graduate research. Support comes in the form of Research Assistantships from external research grants awarded to FIRST, Teaching Assistantships in individual departments, Research Fellowships from the University of Maine, and other sources. Prospective students are encouraged to contact the FIRST Director or individual faculty members to find out more about these opportunities.

Specialized Courses

Faculty associated with FIRST teach specialized courses in physics and chemistry of surfaces and interfaces, vacuum science and technology, thin film technology, materials analysis techniques, adsorption and catalysis, microsensor design and fabrication, bioengineering, MEMS/NEMS, microelectronic devices, as well as traditional foundation courses in their home departments. Specialized seminars and mini-courses are presented by visiting scholars from around the world, and many students have the opportunity to work with scientists from other university, government, and industrial laboratories through collaborative research projects with FIRST personnel.

Environment

Maine is a great place to live. In addition to becoming a member of a stimulating scientific community, students can enjoy excellent outdoor and cultural activities. Acadia National Park, Baxter State Park, and other nearby areas are ideal for hiking, camping, climbing, sailing, and skiing. The Collins Center for the Arts draws music, dance and theater groups from around the world. The University is located in the town of Orono, Maine, which is ten miles north of Bangor, Maine the third largest city in Maine.