Home     Faculty    News     Programs     Courses     GeoEcology-Club     Links     UMPI

Science and Mathematics Programs

Courses and Course Descriptions

The following is a listing of all courses available through the Science and Mathematics Programs.

Course descriptions provide specifics about each course offered by the college. Most listings also show prerequisites for the class.

Courses are listed alphabetically by subject heading (right). Click the subject heading will guide you to the courses under the subject.

Biology

Chemistry

Ecology

Environmental Science

Geology

Medical Laboratory Technology

Physics

Science

BIOLOGY

Description: 4 credits Prerequisite: A passing score on both the mathematics and the science placement tests or, if required, successful completion of Pbs 012 and Pbs 017 or evidence of competency in basic mathematics and science at least equivalent to that of Pbs 012 and Pbs 017. The first semester of a two semester lecture and laboratory course in biology which serves as the prerequisite for upper level biology courses. The lecture portion introduces the basic principles and levels of biological organization from the cell through the organism to ecosystems. The laboratory introduces scientific investigative procedures, methods, equipment, and techniques as applied to selected biological phenomena. Three lecture hours and three laboratory hours per week. Offered fall semester. Lab fee. General Education Core option. An honors section of Bio 112/112L interweaves lecture and laboratory into two 3-hour active learning sessions each week. "Lecture-free" teaching with inquiry-based activities is used to explore the topics above.

Course Name: Bio 113 General Biology II

Description: 4 credits. Prerequisite: Bio 112 or permission of the instructor. The second semester of a two semester lecture and laboratory course in biology which serves as the prerequisite for upper level biology courses. The lectures introduce the diversity of life through a phylogenetic survey of major taxa in the five kingdom classification system. The laboratories introduce the morphology of living organisms representative of the major taxa. Three lecture hours and three laboratory hours per week. Offered spring semester. Lab fee. General Education Core option.

Course Name: Bio 161 Human Biology for Health and Physical Education and Recreation

Description: 4 credits. Prerequisite: A declared major in Health Education or Physical Education or a Therapeutic Recreation Emphasis in Recreation and Leisure Service. The first semester of the two semester sequence lecture and laboratory (Bio 161, 162) is designed to give students an introduction to human biology by providing a basic background in chemistry, various aspects of cell and body organization and function. The laboratory provides a didactic exposure to cells, tissues and organ systems introduced in lecture. Three lecture hours and two laboratory hours per week. Offered fall semester. Lab fee.

Course Name: Bio 162 Human Anatomy and Physiology for Health and Physical Education and Recreation

Description: 4 credits. Prerequisite: Bio 161. The lecture is a continuation of Bio 161 dealing with organ systems, their structure and function. The laboratory focuses on anatomy, utilizing the human skeleton and cat cadavers. Selected physiological experiments are performed to illustrate the lecture topics. Three lecture hours and two laboratory hours per week. Offered spring semester. Lab fee.

Course Name: Bio 260 Human Anatomy and Physiology

Description: 4 credits. Prerequisite: Bio 113 (Bio 112 for MLT majors and Nursing transfer students) or permission of the instructor. A lecture and laboratory course in human anatomy and physiology for students majoring in biology or the health sciences. A functional and anatomical study of each of the organ systems of the human body is followed by a corresponding laboratory exercise. The human skeleton and laboratory rat are the primary anatomical specimens used for the lab. They are supplemented with models of the human body. Three lecture hours and two laboratory hours per week. Offered fall semester. Lab fee.

Course Name: Bio 300 Human Nutrition

Description: 3 credits. Prerequisite: Any 100 level biology or chemistry course sequence. A "lecture-free" course using inquiry-based activities to explore nutrients, human metabolism, energy balance, nutrition for fitness and sports, eating disorders, and food safety. During a service-learning component, each student completes a nutritional assessment of a volunteer participant using computer software for diet and activity analysis. Offered spring semesters.

Course Name: Bio 316 General Microbiology

Description: 5 credits. Prerequisite: Bio 113 (Bio 112 for MLT majors and Nursing transfer students) or permission of instructor. A lecture and laboratory course which presents a survey of microorganisms emphasizing fungi and bacteria for students majoring in biology or the health sciences. The classification, genetics, physiology, life history, and ecology of representative microorganisms along with virology, immune system, serology, microscopy and biotechnology are studied. Laboratory experiences include culturing, isolation and identification of bacteria and fungi. Additional components include procedures associated with water quality, serology, antimicrobial testing, phase contrast, and fluorescent microscopy. Three lecture hours and four laboratory hours per week. Offered spring semester. Lab fee.

Course Name: Bio 327 Biochemistry

Description: 4 credits. Prerequisites: Chy 111 & 112 or Chy 121 & 122 or permission of the instructor. A lecture and laboratory course which presents an introduction to biochemistry with studies concerning functional groups, buffer systems, biochemical classification, and basic biochemical molecules. Buffers, proteins, carbohydrates and lipids are studied by qualitative and quantitative techniques in the laboratory. Three lecture hours and three laboratory hours per week. Of-fered spring semester of odd numbered years. Lab fee.

Course Name: Bio 332 Plant Taxonomy

Description: 4 credits. Prerequisite: Bio 113 or permission of the instructor. A lecture and laboratory course which presents an introduction to the structure, evolution and economic importance of vascular plants emphasizing the flowering plants. Principles of identification, classification, and nomenclature are studied. Laboratory includes a survey of vegetative and floral structures used in identification, and student collections involving pressing, mounting, database application, identification of local plants and use of the herbarium. Three lecture hours and three laboratory hours per week. Offered fall semester of odd numbered years. Lab fee.

Course Name: Bio 340 Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy

Description: 4 credits. Prerequisite: Bio 113 or permission of the instructor. A lecture and laboratory course which presents a comparative anatomical study of the five major vertebrate groups. Laboratory dissections are performed upon the representatives of the groups. Lab fee. Three lecture hours and three laboratory hours per week. Offered spring semester of even numbered years. Lab fee.

Course Name: Bio 350 Genetics

Description: 4 credits. Prerequisite: Bio 113 or permission of instructor. Using inquiry-based activities, students explore molecular and classical genetics including DNA, protein synthesis, genetic engineering, mutations, Mendelian inheritance, mitosis, meiosis, gene mapping, and chromosome abnormalities. Human heredity and disease are emphasized. Short student presentations throughout the semester. Offered fall semester of odd number years. Lab fee.

Course Name: Bio 423 Microtechnique

Description: 4 credits. Prerequisite: Bio 113 or permission of instructor. A lecture and laboratory course presenting the theoretical and practical aspects of preparing small specimens, including animals and their tissues, for microscopic examination. Special staining techniques, light and electron microscopic methods applicable to biological investigations will be studied with hands-on experience in the laboratory, and visits to research and forensic laboratories. Three lecture hours and a three-hour laboratory session per week. Offered fall semester of odd num-bered years. Lab fee.

Course Name: Bio 430 Molds and Mushrooms

Description: 4 credits. Prerequisite: Bio 113 or permission of the instructor. A lecture and laboratory course which presents an introduction to the fungi. The lectures study the life histories of the major groups with an emphasis on the classification, genetics, physiology, ecology, and economic importance of the higher fungi. Laboratories give experience in collecting, database applications, preserving, isolating, culturing, identifying, and using fungi in experimental work. Three lecture hours and three laboratory hours per week. Offered fall semester of even numbered years. Lab fee.

Course Name: Bio 445 Invertebrate Zoology

Description: 4 credits. Prerequisite: Bio 113 or permission of the instructor. A lecture and laboratory course in which an overview of the organismal diversity within the invertebrates is given by studying the biology of selected taxa. This information is coordinated with the labs to critically examine current hypotheses in phylogeny and supported by a weekend field course to a marine biological center. Three lecture hours and three laboratory hours per week. Offered fall semester of even numbered years. Lab fee.

Course Name: Bio 486 Histology/ Microtechniques

Description: 4 credits. Prerequisite: Bio 112/Lab. The course introduces students to basic mammalian histology through theory and microscopic examinations. Students are also introduced to the theory of tissue fixation, preparation of wax blocks, microtome sectioning, and routine staining. The use of various types of microscopy are studied such as dark-field, phase contrast and fluorescence illumination. The same techniques are concomitantly practiced in the laboratory. Lecture and laboratory. Offered fall, odd years.

Course Name: Bio 171 Principles of Wildlife Management

Description: 3 credits. Principles of Wildlife Management is an introductory class with no prior knowledge of wildlife necessary. It focuses on the history of wildlife management; public attitudes, values, and perceptions and their social and cultural impacts; economics; animal wildlife with respect to food, cover, population ecology and water; forest management and wildlife.

Description: 4 credits. Prerequisite: a passing score on both the mathematics and science placement tests or, if required, successful completion of Pbs 012 and Pbs 017 or evidence of competency in basic mathematics and science at least equivalent to that of Pbs 012 and Pbs 017. The first semester of a two semester lecture and laboratory introductory course for students in allied health programs. Topics will include the study of the states of matter, structure of matter, chemical reaction, stoichiometric problems, and solutions. Three lecture hours and three laboratory hours per week. Offered fall semester. Lab fee.

Course Name: Chy 112 Introductory Chemistry II

Description: 4 credits. Prerequisite: Chy 111. The second semester of a two semester lecture and laboratory introductory course for students in allied health programs. Topics will include acids and bases, reaction rates, equilibrium constants, nuclear reactions, buffers, and organic chemistry. Three lecture hours and three laboratory hours per week. Offered spring semester. Lab fee.

Course Name: Chy 121 General Chemistry I

Description: 4 credits. Prerequisite: one year of high school chemistry and a passing score on both the mathematics and science placement tests with math placement in Mat 121 or higher or, if required, successful completion of Pbs 012, Pbs 017, and Mat 117 or evidence of competency in basic mathematics and science at least equivalent to that of Pbs 012, Pbs 017, and Mat 117. The first semester of a two semester lecture and laboratory course in general chemistry. Topics will include stoichiometry, thermochemistry, atomic and electronic structure, periodic relationships and periodic table, molecular structure, and gas laws. Three lecture hours and three laboratory hours per week. Offered fall semester. Lab fee. General Education Core option.

Course Name: Chy 122 General Chemistry II

Description: 4 credits. Prerequisite: Chy 121. The second semester of a two semester lecture and laboratory course in general chemistry. Topics include intermolecular forces, solutions, chemical kinetics, chemical equilibria, acids and bases, ionic equilibria of slightly soluble salts and acids and bases, and an introduction to thermodynamics. Three lecture hours and three laboratory hours per week. Offered spring semester. Lab fee.

Course Name: Chy 221 Organic Chemistry I

Description: 4 credits. Prerequisite: Chy 122. The first semester of a two semester lecture and laboratory course in organic chemistry. The course presents a survey of the classes of organic compounds, their reactions with emphasis on mechanisms, and the relationship between structure and reactivity. Three lecture hours and three laboratory hours per week. Offered fall semester of odd numbered years. Lab fee.

Course Name: Chy 222 Organic Chemistry II

Description: 4 credits. Prerequisite: Chy 221. The second semester of a two semester lecture and laboratory course in organic chemistry. The course presents a survey of the classes of organic compounds, their reactions with emphasis on mechanisms, and the relationship between structure and reactivity. Three lecture hours and three laboratory hours per week. Offered spring semester of even num-bered years. Lab fee.

Description: 3 credits. Prerequisite: Bio 113 or permission of the instructor. A lecture course which presents an introduction to evolutionary ecology, physiological ecology, population ecology, community ecology and ecosystem ecology. Three lecture hours per week. Offered spring semester.

Course Name: Ecy 324 Paleoecology

Description: 3 credits. Prerequisites: Bio 113 and Gey 113 or permission of the instructor. A lecture course which presents an introduction to the study of how and where plants and animals lived in the past. Three lecture hours per week. Offered spring semester of odd numbered years.

Description: 3 credits. Prerequisite: A passing score on the science placement test or, if required, successful completion of Pbs 012 or evidence of competency in basic science at least equivalent to that of Pbs 012. A lecture course which presents an introduction to the scientific study of our environment. Topics include basic ecological principles, human population dynamics, environmental health, biological resources, physical resources and pollution, resource economics, and waste. Three lecture hours per week. Offered spring semester.

Course Name: Env 186 Introduction to Meteorology: A Field Course in Weather Observation

Description: 3 credits. Many of the clues needed for short-term weather forecasting are right there in front of us ! Anyone can be "weatherwise" just by knowing how to read the signs ! In this course you will learn about basic weather systems (Highs, Lows, Fronts, etc.). You'll also learn how to identify clouds and interpret what they mean in terms of upcoming weather. Emphasis will be placed on the weather we get in northern Maine.

Course Name: Env 305 Environmental Chemistry

Description: 4 credits. Prerequisites: Chy 122, Ecy 355, and Gey 112 or permission of the instructor. A lecture and laboratory course which presents an introduction to selected instruments and instrumentation applicable to the measurement of physical and chemical properties of water germane to environmental issues. Required field trips. Three lecture hours and three laboratory hours per week. Offered fall semester each even numbered year. Lab fee.

Course Name: Env 386 Fundamental of GIS (GIS I) with Laboratory

Description: 4 credits. Prerequisite: Math and science general education core course or permission of the instructor. The course introduces students to basic concepts and techniques of digital mapping. Topics include location referencing methods, data collection techniques, spatial data models and structure, geodatabase creation and manipulation, basic spatial queries and problem solving with GIS.  The course focuses on vector-based GIS data. The course is divided into: lectures, which introduce basic theories and concepts of mapping science, geographic information science, and GIS technology, and lab exercises, which address hands-on exercises with ArcGIS, covering the whole GIS production process from data modeling and acquisition to data editing, spatial queries, basic analysis, geoprocessing, and cartographic output.

Course Name: Env 486 GIS Applications (GIS I) with Laboratory

Description: 4 credits. Prerequisite: Env 386 (GIS I) or permission of the instructor. The course focuses on advanced spatial analysis methods and GIS techniques and skills, including geocoding, georeferencing, CAD data conversion, raster-based spatial analysis such as digital terrain modeling and 3-D analysis and visualization, and surface analysis. The course is divided into: lectures, which address basic theories and methods of advanced spatial analysis and GIS techniques and skills, and applications of GIS skills in fields of students’ interests, and lab exercises, which focus on hands-on experiences in the advanced and critical GIS techniques and skills.  The course is project-based: each student is required to pick up a project and to work it through the semester. The project deals with real GIS data and solves a real problem.

Course Name: Env 489 Environmental Studies Senior Seminar

Description: 3 credits. Prerequisite: senior standing in Environmental Studies. A seminar course for Environmental Studies seniors. Students make written and oral presentations on a topic of environmental concern. Emphasis is placed on the students ability to find, obtain, review, analyze, evaluate, and present available information in a written report and an oral presentation. Offered spring semester.

Description: 4 credits. Prerequisite: a passing score on both the mathematics and science placement tests or, if required, successful completion of Pbs 012 and Pbs 017 or evidence of competency in basic mathematics and science at least equivalent to that of Pbs 012 and Pbs 017. The first semester of a two-semester lecture and laboratory course in geology which serves as the prerequisite for upper level geology courses. The lecture presents a study of the earth and the processes that shape it. The laboratory includes identification of minerals and rocks, and mapping exercises. Three lecture hours and two laboratory hours per week. Offered fall semester. Lab fee.

Course Name: Gey 113 Historical Geology

Description: 4 credits. Prerequisite: Gey 112 or permission of the instructor. The second semester of a two semester lecture and laboratory course in geology which serves as the prerequisite for upper level geology courses. The lecture presents a historical perspective of the development of scientific ideas, the study of matter, the origin of the geologic time scale, and plate tectonics. Laboratory activities are designed to illustrate the topics covered in the lecture. Three lecture hours and two laboratory hours per week. Offered spring semester. Lab fee.

Course Name: Gey 212 Marine Geology

Description: 3 credits. Prerequisite: Gey 113 or permission of the instructor. A lecture course which deals with the ocean shore and sea floor, and studies methods of examination, dating, and interpreting the history of ocean sediments. Three lecture hours per week. Offered spring semester of even numbered years.

Course Name: Gey 213 Environmental Geology

Description: 3 credits. Prerequisite: Gey 113 or permission of the instructor. A lecture course which deals with the interrelationship of geologic processes, earth materials, and humanity. Three lecture hours per week. Offered fall semester of odd numbered years.

Course Name: Gey 322 Paleontology

Description: 4 credits. Prerequisites: Bio 113 and Gey 113, or permission of the instructor. A lecture and laboratory course which deals with the life of the past as that life is revealed in the fossil records. Laboratory activities are designed to illustrate the topics covered in the lecture. Three lecture hours and three laboratory hours per week. Offered fall se-mester of even numbered years. Lab fee.

Course Name: Gey 386 Glacial Geology Field Research

Description: 3 credits. Classroom lecture covers aspects of glacial geology and the significance of rock glaciers. Daily readings are assigned from a reference library of journal articles. Research is conducted from a field tent camp. Research teams investigate the local surficial geology on foot and from canoes. A final field report is required.

Description: 3 credits. A general orientation to the field of the medical laboratory including medical ethics, laboratory safety, and medical terminology. The second part of the semester will include didactic and laboratory instruction in macroscopic and microscopic urinalysis. Offered fall semester.

Course Name: Mlt 102 Instrumentation/Clinical Chemistry

Description: 3 credits. Prerequisite: Mlt 101 and Chy 111 (UMPI) or Chy 115 (UMA) or permission of the instructor. An introduction to the mode and theory of operation of commonly used laboratory instruments. Clinical chemistry will stress glucose, NPN, enzymes, bilirubin, and protein methodologies and their clinical significance. Offered spring semester.

Course Name: Mlt 203 Clinical Chemistry

Description: 3 credits. Prerequisite: Mlt 102 or permission of the instructor. The analysis of electrolytes, blood gases, minerals, hormones and therapeutic drug monitoring and their relationship to pathological conditions. EIA, EMIT, FPIA and ELISA methodologies and quality control are discussed. Laboratory mathematics is reviewed. Offered each summer.

Course Name: Mlt 204 Clinical Microbiology

Description: 4 credits. Prerequisite: Mlt 203 or permission of the instructor. Consideration of pathological forms of microbes including their morphological, physiological, and nutritive characteristics. Some emphasis will be given to mycology and parasitology. Three weekend intensive labs and/or review sessions. Offered fall semester.

Course Name: Mlt 205 Blood Banking/Serology

Description: 4 credits. Prerequisite: Mlt 203 or permission of the instructor. Fundamentals of immunohematology and immunology with emphasis on blood grouping, crossmatching, and antibody identification. Routine serological tests and quality control are included. Three weekend intensive labs and/or review sessions. Offered fall semester.

Course Name: Mlt 206 Hematology/Coagulation

Description: 4 credits. Prerequisite: Mlt 203 or permissions of the instructor. Identification of blood cell types and their enumeration in body fluids. Various red cell and white cell disorders are discussed. Coagulation including routine coagulation tests, coagulation disorders, and anticoagulant therapy is covered. Three weekend intensive labs and/or review sessions. Offered fall semester.

Course Name: Mlt 395 Hospital Practicum

Description: 12 credits. Prerequisites: Mlt 101-206. A twenty-week practicum in hematology, coagulation, blood banking, serology, urinalysis, clinical chemistry, and microbiology utilizing the laboratory facilities and staff at The Aroostook Medical Center, Cary Medical Center, Houlton Regional Hospital, and Maine General Medical Center (Augusta and Thayer campuses). Offered spring semester.

Course Name: Mlt 103 Phlebotomy

Description: 2 credits. Prerequisite: Mlt 102 or permission of the instructor. An introduction to blood collection: safety precautions, types of specimens, collection and handling techniques. Routine venipuncture and dermal puncture equipment and procedures as well as special situations and additional techniques used to accommodate them. Offered summer session.

Course Name: Phy 117 Descriptive Astronomy

Description: 3 credits. A descriptive treatment of the nature and origin of the solar system, celestial coordinates, astronomical instruments, classifications, and life processes of stars and star systems.

Course Name: Phy 153 General Physics I

Description: 4 credits. Prerequisite: Mat 131 or equivalent. Lectures, demonstrations, and laboratories covering mechanics, heat, and wave motion. Laboratory time used for problem solving and performing experiments. Offered fall semester. Lab fee. General Education Core option.

Course Name: Phy 154 General Physics II

Description: 4 credits. Prerequisite: Phy 153. Lectures, demonstrations, and laboratories covering electricity, magnetism, light, and introduction to modern physics. Laboratory time used for problem solving and performing experiments. Offered spring semester. Lab fee. General Education Core option.

w

Description: 4 credits. Prerequisites: A passing score on both the mathematics and the science placement tests or, if required, successful completion of Pbs 012 and 017 or evidence of competency in basic mathematics and science at least equivalent to that of Pbs 012 and 017. The first semester of a two semester lecture and laboratory course in the sciences for the non-science major. This course introduces the scientific method and major unifying theories from physics and the earth sciences with applications to real world problems. Three lecture hours and two laboratory hours per week. Offered fall semester. Lab fee.

Course Name: Sci 111 The Sciences II

Description: 4 credits. Prerequisite: Sci 110. The second semester of a two semester lecture and laboratory course in the sciences for the non-science major. This course introduces major unifying theories from chemistry, biology, and the environmental sciences with applications to real world problems. Three lecture hours and two laboratory hours per week. Offered spring semester. Lab fee.

Course Name: Sci 480 Research Methods in Science

Description: 3 credits. Prerequisite: Permission of a science faculty member from the Department of Mathematics and Science who will serve as the supervisor. A seminar which provides an introduction to procedures involved in scientific research. Emphasis is placed upon experimental design, methodology, and technique. The student works under the supervision of a faculty member on a project in the general areas of biology, chemistry, ecology, or geology. Offered by arrangement.