Bachelor of Science in Medical Biology

UNE is recognized as Maine’s leading health professions and health sciences University. Learn about our state-of-the-art labs and academic facilities, our supportive community, and the rewarding careers of UNE Medical Biology graduates.

Study Medical Biology at Maine’s Leading University for the Health Professions

With health care projected to be the fastest-growing industry in the economy, UNE’s Medical Sciences track of the Medical Biology major puts you on sure footing for success. As one of only a handful of private universities with a comprehensive health care mission, UNE can provide its Medical Biology undergraduates up-close interaction with graduate health professions students and opportunities to perform research with faculty across health disciplines.

Explore UNE’s Medical Biology Program

Why UNE for Medical Biology – Medical Sciences

  • Study at Maine’s leading health professions and health sciences university
  • UNE is ranked #1 in Maine for graduates getting a job — Zippia
  • Complete important prerequisite courses as a pre-med student
  • Join a welcoming community of people who are passionate about health like you are
  • Work on cutting edge research alongside faculty
  • UNE students are more likely to be interviewed and get accepted to UNE’s most competitive professional programs, including medicine, dental medicine, and PA
  • Access to accelerated 3+4 bachelor’s-to-doctorate pathway with UNE’s dental college

Pathway to Pre-Med Success

UNE’s B.S. in Medical Biology is designed to pave the way for your success as a pre-med student. Whether you plan to pursue medical, dental, veterinary, or physical therapy school, our program helps you fulfill essential prerequisites and gain valuable hands-on experience. We offer our GradVantage program for admission into our medical, dental, physician assistant, and physical therapy programs as well as accelerated pathways to our medical and dental colleges.

Two students prepare a medical tool for testing lung capacity
nicole robitaille

Nicole Robitaille ’18

Medical Biology (Pre-Physician Assistant Track), Physician Assistant (M.S.P.A.)

From a young age I knew I wanted to pursue a career in the medical field. I chose UNE because I knew both its undergraduate and graduate schools were well accredited in the health professions. The advisors, professors, and professional staff at UNE really helped prepare me for my future because they helped me to understand what it takes to get into Physician Assistant school.

By taking summer classes, I was able to get ahead, and I am currently on track to graduate a year early from undergrad with a Medical Biology/Pre-PA major and a Philosophy minor. I was also able to get a position as a Patient Care Assistant in Cardiopulmonary Rehab at Central Maine Medical Center to help me fulfill the necessary health care experience needed for PA school.

With a lot of hard work and help from the faculty and staff at UNE, I was recently accepted to the Physician Assistant Program at UNE and will begin school in May of 2018, right after graduation. Being a medical biology major is hard, but the small class sizes really let me get to know my professors. I quickly learned that the professors, both on the Biddeford and Portland campuses, genuinely cared about me and wanted me to succeed. When I got accepted to PA school, the professor for the program called me to congratulate me. Little things like that are the reason I chose to come to UNE in the first place and why I am proud and excited to continue my education on the Portland campus. 

The advisors, professors, and professional staff at UNE really helped prepare me for my future.

Medical Biology (Pre-Physician Assistant Track), Physician Assistant (M.S.P.A.)

What Will You Study? Medical Biology Degree Curriculum Overview

There are many ways you can navigate this major.

B.S. in Medical Biology Courses

  • Human Anatomy, Physiology, and Pathophysiology
  • Genetics
  • Cell and Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Biology
  • One Health Approaches to Medicine
  • Animal/Behavioral Ecology
  • Parasitology

We offer an accelerated 3+4 track as a pathway to our dental college. Our GradVantage program is also available for admission to several of our graduate programs.

Academic Advising

Meet Kheilin

A Medical Biology Major Planning to Become a Doctor

She cares deeply about how she impacts others, from her future patients to her friends, family, and community. Kheilin is one of the many UNE students who are gaining the skills and knowledge to make an impact and be of service.

Careers for Medical Biology Majors

Whether your ultimate goal is to become a health provider or enter the workforce in medical research, biotechnology, or another cutting-edge profession, UNE’s Medical Biology–Medical Sciences track prepares you as a knowledgeable scientist, a critical thinker, and a valuable member of any professional team. Our graduates have pursued many different careers, including:

  • Physician
  • Dentist
  • Veterinarian
  • Occupational/Physical Therapist
  • Medical Researcher
  • Clinical Researcher
  • Drug Development Scientist
  • Genetic Counselor
  • Medical Editor
  • Instrument Technician

Career Advising for B.S. in Medical Biology Students

Whether you have a specific career goal in mind or a vague idea of the field that interests you, Career Advising is here to help you plan your next step.

2.4M

healthcare jobs expected to open in U.S. between 2016 and 2026

(U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)

An Ideal Pre-Med Major

UNE’s B.S. in Medical Biology sets you up for success as a pre-med student. Whether you are interested in going into medical, dental, veterinary, or physical therapy school, our Medical Biology degree program helps you complete important prerequisites and gain relevant hands-on experience. UNE also offers a Medical Biology Pre-Physician Assistant (Pre-PA) track where your curriculum is tailored to meet all academic requirements for admittance into a PA graduate program, including our own.

There are additional pathways available for your medical biology studies at UNE. Keeping with a pre-med track, you can apply for the accelerated 3+4 program with UNE’s dental college.

B.S. in Medical Biology Degree Facilities

In addition to the typical resources found on a college campus, we also offer extensive computer resources, laboratories, and classroom facilities.

Harold Alfond Center

Sitting at the center of campus, facilities within the Harold Alfond Center for the Health Sciences include numerous lecture halls and teaching labs used by all majors within the School of Biological Sciences.

It is also the primary hub for undergraduate research within the School, housing the majority of faculty research labs and our indoor-access greenhouse.

Take a virtual tour of the Alfond Center for the Health Sciences

Peter and Cécile Morgane Hall

Morgane Hall contains the administrative offices of the School of Biological Sciences and most of its faculty. There are two lecture classrooms, two multi-purpose biology labs, and a genetics and microbiology lab.  

The building also houses chemistry and physics labs with models and computer simulators for in-depth study of both biological and physical science concepts.

Take a virtual tour of Biddeford Campus Labs and Learning Spaces

Experiential Learning in the Bachelor’s Degree in Medical Biology Program

We rely heavily on case studies to challenge you to apply scientific concepts to real-world problems. But the classroom is only where hands-on experience begins. In the lab, you’ll engage in research with faculty from across health care fields, colleges, and disciplines. And internships allow you to directly experience different professions in an immersive environment.

Research for Medical Biology Majors

  • Opportunities for undergraduates to participate in cutting-edge research across health care fields
  • Mentorship from faculty at a university categorized as having “High Research Activity” by Carnegie Classification
  • Paid research positions available

Research Opportunities

Internships for Medical Biology Majors

Our students have performed internships at numerous sites, including:

  • Family Eye Care
  • Biddeford-Saco Dental Associates
  • Kennebunkport Emergency Medical Services
  • Oral Surgery Associates
  • Dempsey Center
  • York County Shelter Programs
  • American Cancer Society

For more information email the Academic and Career Advising Center at advising@parkviewhousebb.com.

Medical Biology Students Provide EMS Care to the UNE Community

Travel Courses for Medical Biology Majors

UNE's travel courses allow you to stay on track with your lab sciences and College of Arts and Sciences core curriculum while gaining enriching international experience.

The below travel courses are taught by Biology faculty.

To enroll in these courses, you must submit an application to the Global Education Program. You can also apply for a Global Education scholarship when applying to these courses.