Natural and Applied Sciences

About the Degree
The natural and applied sciences (SCI) program provides students with a liberal arts education emphasizing the basic sciences. In this major, students develop a concentration focusing on the biology of human health and illness or one focusing on environmental issues.

The biology of health and illness concentration at Lewiston-Auburn College (LAC) provides students with an excellent understanding of human biology to enable them to pursue careers in health education, to teach life sciences, and to better communicate with health care providers. Upon completion of the degree with this concentration, students may also elect to pursue graduate studies in health-related fields, such as the immunology, biology and occupational therapy programs offered by USM.

The environmental issues concentration provides students with a solid foundation in the environmental sciences to enable them to make wise decisions concerning the use of natural resources and the preservation of natural areas and species, to communicate with regional planners, and to teach life sciences. Students who select this concentration may also choose to complete the environmental science and policy degree at USM.  Upon completion of the natural and applied sciences degree at LAC, students may elect to pursue their environmental education at the graduate level.

Students interested in the SCI program who wish to become teachers should explore the CLASS program, an elementary and middle-school teacher education program that can be combined with their SCI studies.

Career Options
In addition to providing a solid foundation for graduate study, the natural and applied sciences program prepares graduates for laboratory work in basic research and biotechnology.

It also provides the academic background for those who wish to become elementary or secondary science teachers, or for those who aspire to environmental positions in the public and private sectors.

Requirements for the Major
In addition to fulfilling the requirements of the SCI major, students are responsible for completing USM’s Core curriculum, which provides students with a solid background in diverse areas in the liberal arts.  Students must complete 120 credit hours of coursework (which may include transfer credits) to complete the degree.

Major Requirements (29.5  credits)
Biological Principles II
Organic and Biochemistry with Lab
Principles of Chemistry I with Lab
Principles of Chemistry II with Lab
College Algebra
Environmental Health
Writing in the Disciplines

Biology of Health and Illness Concentration Requirements (40 credits)
Anatomy and Physiology I with Lab
Anatomy and Physiology II with Lab
Human Genetics
Medical Microbiology with Lab
Molecular Physiology with Lab
Pathophysiology I
Pathophysiology II

Environmental Issues Concentration Requirements (40  credits)
Biological Principles I with Lab
Applied Botany
Ecology
Environmental Issues
Marine and Coastal Biology
Natural Resources Policy
Any Geographic Information Systems Course

Electives
At least 9 credits must be completed from the chemistry, biology, science programs or with sonsent of advisor.

How to Get Involved in the Natural and Applied Sciences Program
If the B.A. degree in natural and applied sciences fits your educational interests and needs, please submit a request online for more information or call 753-6500 for an appointment to talk about your future and how USM might be able to serve you.

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