Natural and Applied Sciences, B.A.

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Admission to the Natural and Applied Sciences Program is suspended effective July, 2020.

The Natural and Applied Sciences (NAS) Program focuses on the intersection of human and environmental health and experience. NAS graduates are practiced in the application of scientific techniques, data collection, and review, and they demonstrate proficiency in clear, succinct, modern modes of communication. The faculty of NAS apply several key themes associated with a transformative and useful liberal arts education in the sciences: Applied Laboratory Skills, Quantitative Analysis, Critical Thinking, Ethical Action, and Effective Communication.

Study in the NAS Program provides a substantial foundation across the physical and life sciences while allowing the student, through judicious choice of electives, to focus their major along pathways in human health or environmental science. These options are suitable for direct entry into a variety of careers as well as admission into graduate and professional studies. Graduates of this program are employed in fields including biotechnology, conservation biology, epidemiology, environmental science, and molecular biology; health fields including dentistry, medicine, nursing, pharmacy, public health, and occupational therapy; laboratory management or natural resource management; and elementary or secondary education.

Potential transfer students are advised to consult with the NAS Department Chair to discuss strategies to maximize credit transfers and minimize course content duplication. Our curriculum is designed to be as transfer- friendly as possible.

Professional programs associated with NAS such as Teacher Education Certification and the Accelerated MOT Option have slightly different requirements and fewer elective options.

Program Requirements

Students with extensive transfer credit may be granted waivers or course equivalencies for certain classes. Students should discuss these options with their advisor.

NAS Required Classes (49 to 52.5 credits)

100 Level (21 credits)

MAT 108 - College Algebra Credits: 4
SCI 105 - Biological Principles I Credits: 3
SCI 106 - Laboratory Biology I Credits: 1.5
SCI 107 - Biological Principles II w/ Lab Credits: 4.5

200 Level (12 credits)

SCI 281 - Microbiology for Health Sciences Credits: 3
SCI 282 - Microbiological Laboratory Credits: 2

300 Level (7 to 7.5 credits)

400 Level (6 to 9 credits)

SBS 447 - Internship Credits: 3-6
LOS 400 - Senior Seminar: Global Citizenship Credits: 3 (Capstone)

Student Selected Electives (to reach 120 required for graduation)

Of the remaining 70.5 to 74 credits required for graduation, students can choose Core courses and electives to fit their desired academic outcomes. For a degree in Natural and Applied Sciences, this should consist of at least 9 credits of science and/or math courses with at least 9 credits being at the 300+ level.

Total Credits Required for Degree - 120

USM Core Requirements

The USM Core Curriculum is a coherent, integrative, and rigorous liberal education that enables our graduates to be world-minded, intentional, life-long learners and captures your general education degree requirements.

Please Note: Core requirements may be part of your major and/or minor, and Core may have been fulfilled with transfer credit. Please consult your MaineStreet Degree Progress Report (DPR) and review your degree progress with your Advisor. For additional information, access the USM Core webpage.