Undergraduate Degrees
Marine Science
Marine Sciences B.S. – View required courses, regardless of specialization, here or printer-friendly pdf. If you are looking for a general impression, use the html version. The pdf version has much more detail and is the checklist used by faculty advisors.
Areas of Concentration:
Aquaculture – View the curriculum here or download the printer-friendly pdf. If you are looking for a general impression, use the html version. The pdf version has much more detail and is the checklist used by faculty advisors.
The aquaculture track provides training equivalent to a B.S. in Biology, but with a focus on finfish (food fishes and model research species such as zebrafish as well as ornamentals) and shellfish aquaculture, system design and nutrition. Students majoring in aquaculture learn to apply biological, physical and business management principles to solve problems encountered with the production, processing, marketing, and management of aquatic plants and animals. They literally get wet in the on-campus Aquaculture Research Center (ARC) that incubates new commercial programs, currently including a very innovative program that breeds tropical reef fishes, thereby beginning to stem their exploitation. Until global warming goes quite a bit further, tropical fishes won’t get away in Maine. Students from CT, MA, and VT who specialize in Aquaculture at UMaine may be eligible for reduced tuition through the New England Regional Student Program.
Marine Biology – View the curriculum here. The Marine Biology track provides training equivalent to a B.S. in Biology, but with a major focus on marine organisms — in the context of an overall appreciation and understanding of the chemical, geological, and physical environment of the ocean.
Physical Marine Science – View the curriculum here or download the printer-friendly pdf. If you are looking for a general impression, use the html version. The pdf version has much more detail and is the checklist used by faculty advisors.
The Physical Marine Sciences track provides training in the physical sciences as they relate to processes in the ocean, and it allows students to specialize in a subdiscipline such as marine geology, chemical oceanography or physical oceanography.
Fisheries Minor
The School of Marine Sciences together with the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Conservation Biologyhave put together a fisheries minor that can be integrated with any of these majors. The practical distinction is that students most interested in freshwater fisheries typically come from the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Conservation Biology, whereas students most interested in marine fisheries come from the School of Marine Sciences.
Semester by the Sea
Semester by the Sea is total immersion in marine science. Formats vary, but the typical Semester-by-the-Sea (SBS) class engages students for an entire day of the week with multiple, hands-on activities during each week of the 16-week semester. Students spend that semester in residence at the University of Maine’s Darling Marine Center in midcoast Maine. They explore the organisms, habitats and maritime history of the Gulf of Maine in experiential, field-oriented classes. The unique marine archaeology class provides unique opportunities to curate artifacts from as early as the colonial period. SBS students report that this setting is often the first time that they have had extended exposure to individual faculty members and that this experience is extremely valuable in making career decisions, especially about graduate school. SBS is open to juniors and seniors from the University of Maine and qualified students from other undergraduate institutions. Perhaps the best way to see if this program is for you is to visit the description prepared by students and alumni of SBS. Visit the Darling Marine Center website for more details and an application (due around March 1).
Areas of Concentration:
Semester by the Sea – View Curriculum
Semester by the Sea is a residential program offered at the Darling Marine Center in Fall semesters. Students choose 12 credits from the available courses. All students get a taste of graduate school in the Undergraduate Seminar. Biology of Marine Invertebrates, Marine Ecology, and Design of Marine Organisms fulfill requirements for the Marine Biology Major. Maritime History & Archaeology and Human Impacts on the Ocean satisfy University of Maine general education requirements. Fisheries Biology and Zooplankton Ecology fill other niches. Design of Marine Organisms offers undergraduates unique opportunities to understand biological fluid dynamics through hands-on activities in flow visualization. Being in residence with the researchers at the Darling Marine Center also provides ideal opportunities for capstone experiences. Students who choose to complete their capstone research or conduct independent research at Semester by the Sea should contact a sponsoring faculty member before registering.
Related Programs
Within the College of Natural Sciences, Forestry and Agriculture, you can find a range of environmental sciences. We hate to see you go, but if they might fit you better, you should explore:
Molecular & Biomedical Sciences—access to the microbial world
School of Biology and Ecology—terrestrial, freshwater and some marine topics at multiple scales
School of Earth and Climate Sciences—a range of topics on the composition and dynamics of Earth, including its climate system
Ecology and Environmental Sciences—lots of opportunity for specialization or breadth
School of Forest Resources—forestry, conservation, recreation, to wood science and technology
School of Food and Agriculture—plants, soils and sustainability in natural, horticultural and agricultural contexts
Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Conservation Biology—from basic ecology to management