![Student with Professor working with equipment in a field with tall grass](http://newsite.umpi.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/20/2022/09/DSC_1819m-comp.jpg)
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That’s how many of our students conduct field work. So if you want your Biology coursework to be hands-on, this is the place for you.
Impacting our Community
We make it our goal to spread our love for neuroscience and brain function by hosting free community events like our Brain Awareness Week.
![A child's hand finger painting a ceramic model brain](http://newsite.umpi.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/20/2022/05/BAW4m.jpg)
![A group of students and professor smiling for the camera at Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory](http://newsite.umpi.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/20/2022/09/UMPI-FK-15-groupm-comp.jpg)
Get an Inside Look
Through our partnerships with organizations like the Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory, our students get to explore cutting-edge research techniques in a real lab environment.
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.
![Professor and student working in the field with a wind turbine in the background](http://newsite.umpi.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/20/2022/09/UMPI01DrJohnstonTowerm-comp.jpg)
![Bio-Med Club students working a booth for the Purple Pinky Project](http://newsite.umpi.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/20/2022/05/IMG_3258m-comp.jpg)
Join our Bio-Med Club
Whether it’s leading brain dissection activities with high school students or collecting medical supplies to be sent to developing countries, our club is working to make an impact locally and globally
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.
Plants genetics Lab
Greenhouse
Zillman Family Greenhouse
Lab caption
Greenhouse
Zillman Family Greenhouse
Research Experiences
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. 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.
Dr. Jason Johnston, Associate Professor of Wildlife Ecology, has led several years’ of research on the Aroostook River Watershed through EPSCoR grants [Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research], bringing more than $416,000 in National Science Foundation monies to the institution. Biology students have been able to help out with various aspects of this research, including work on ecological aspects of current and proposed new grasslands and evaluating the potential impact to grassland birds.
Students work in the lab with professors who are supported by Maine INBRE on biomedical research projects which currently include genomics of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, organ regeneration in insects, and cancer treatment strategies.
Directed by Dr. Li Zuo, Associate Professor of Biology, this lab is designed to study ROS formation in cancer cells, and elucidate new pathways in an effort to develop more effective therapeutics that targets cancer cells with minimal harming effects on the neighboring healthy cells. In addition, we are interested in the redox regulation in cancer stem cells, which may enhance the understanding of the stem cell-based therapeutics at molecular levels.
UMPI faculty are actively involved in many areas of molecular-based research that utilize cutting-edge technology. This gives UMPI students the opportunity to learn skills that are utilized in labs around the world. Molecular-based projects have included next-gen sequencing, microbiome analysis, bacterial and viral pathogenesis, phylogenetic analysis of gene sequences, metabarcoding,and comparative functional genomics. Molecular-based research is a great way for students to expand skill sets and increase competitiveness in the job market.
Northern Maine offers opportunities for field projects right in our own backyard. The North Maine Woods is very close to the UMPI campus and this extensive natural area has been extensively used by UMPI scientists to explore both ecological and genetic questions of regional interest. Studies have included bird diet and climate change, the genetics of snails in the Fish River chain of lakes, the carbon budget of local Native American lands, and the vegetation community structure and population genetics of lichens on rock glaciers in Deboullie Public Lands.
UMPI faculty are also conducting research projects on the response of plants to the environment, their association with other organisms such as bacteria and viruses, and soil biology. Many undergraduate students have participated in these projects, and a number of them are done in collaboration with local agricultural associations or state agencies. Our greenhouse is used for teaching and research where we provide students with real-world experience on projects that have been funded by the USDA and the Maine Potato Board.
UMPI Biology undergraduates have the opportunity to participate in a week-long biomedical research short course in January every year that is fully supported by Maine INBRE. Students are instructed by high caliber biomedical research scientists at the MDI Biological Laboratory in Bar Harbor, Maine. The week includes working on a biomedical research project in the state-of-the-art teaching lab, bioinformatics instruction, exploration of current technologies such as PCR and high resolution microscopes, and career exploration.
UMPI Biology students have many opportunities to attend scientific conferences, such as the MBMSS conference each year at the MDI Biological Laboratory. The conference is attended by Biology undergraduate and graduate students from all over Maine, and UMPI students often present posters on their research. If you work with a professor on a research project, you may be included in trips to conferences such as the American Society of Microbiology or the Northeastern Natural History Conference to present your work. Students also present their research at the annual University Day held every spring.
The final course in your Biology program is the Capstone Course. One opportunity is an Internship at a local institution, agency or business in the area of your career choice. Examples might include working and observing at a local hospital, a physical therapy business, or an agriculture agency. You also have the option of doing a Senior Project where you do in-depth literature research and grant proposal writing or a Senior Thesis where you participate in a research project with a faculty member and write a senior thesis on your results.
If you’re interested in becoming a medical laboratory technician, check out our Medical Laboratory Technology degree program.
To view more information and program requirements, see the Course Catalog
While many of these careers require further post-graduate education, our Biology program prepares students for continuing their education after UMPI to join future careers as a(n):
- Research biologist*
- Wildlife biologist*
- Doctor of Medicine*
- Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine*
- Physician’s Assistant*
- Health-Related Professionals*
- Pharmacist*
- Veterinarian*
- Research laboratory technician
- Life sciences company positions including quality control, research, etc.*
- Bioinformaticist*
- Environmental manager
- Medical Laboratory Technician
- Biology educator
- Natural resources/conservation specialist
- Science museum/nature center educator
- Science advisor
- Science writer
Positions in the fields of agricultural industry, public health, marine biology, pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry, community health, mental health and wellness, nutrition science, conservation and environmental policy*
*May require further education after graduating with a B.A. in Biology