UMF students can earn credits toward biotechnology master’s
Timothy Breton, left, University of Maine at Farmington associate professor of biology, welcomes Moriah Folsom, education program manager for life sciences, health and engineering at Northeastern University's Roux Institute, to UMF's new biotechnology facilities. The universities have partnered to allow biology students to earn credits toward a master's degree in biotechnology. (Courtesy of University of Maine at Farmington)
FARMINGTON — University of Maine at Farmington biology students can now begin working toward a master’s degree in biotechnology before finishing their undergraduate studies through a new partnership with Northeastern University.
The program, launched this fall, allows eligible UMF biology majors to take three graduate-level science courses that count toward their bachelor’s degrees and up to seven credits toward a master’s degree at Northeastern University’s Roux Institute in Portland.
University of Maine at Farmington student Nora Hull uses a new quantitative PCR machine to test DNA samples in the university’s renovated biotechnology training and research laboratory. UMF has partnered with Northeastern University to allow biology students to earn credits toward a master’s degree in biotechnology. (Courtesy of University of Maine at Farmington)
The partnership is supported by a $400,000, three-year National Science Foundation grant awarded to UMF in 2023 to help smaller colleges develop partnerships, expand innovation and strengthen workforce opportunities.
“The life sciences sector is a growing industry in Maine that offers meaningful career opportunities to academically strong and motivated students throughout the state,” UMF President Joseph McDonnell said in an Oct. 6 news release.
“This new pathway between UMF and the Roux Institute provides our students a head start toward earning their master’s degree in biotechnology and developing the skills that will advance their careers and help support the state’s workforce needs,” he said.
University of Maine at Farmington Associate Professor Timothy Breton and student research assistant Maria Eduarda Oliveira prepare tissue samples for molecular research in a campus laboratory. UMF has partnered with Northeastern University to allow biology students to earn credits toward a master’s degree in biotechnology. (Courtesy of University of Maine at Farmington)
The three courses, Theory and Methods of Scientific Inquiry, Biotechnology Laboratory and Biostatistics, will be taught by full-time, tenured UMF science faculty. They are the university’s first graduate-level science courses and have been approved to count toward degree requirements at both institutions.
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Timothy Breton, UMF associate professor of biology and principal investigator for the federal grant, said the courses are intended to create opportunities for students while supporting the biotechnology industry in Maine and beyond.
“Life science and biotechnology industries are among the fastest growing sectors in New England, especially in Maine, and this pathway will help our students advance their careers in this expanding profession,” Breton said.
Students must maintain a grade point average of at least 3.0 through completion of their UMF bachelor’s degree and earn a B or better in each graduate course for the credits to count toward Northeastern’s master’s program. They must also meet Northeastern’s admission requirements.
The pathway does not automatically grant students a master’s degree. Those admitted to Northeastern must complete the university’s remaining graduate degree requirements.
The Roux Institute, Northeastern’s graduate campus and research center in Portland, focuses on technology, data science, life sciences and entrepreneurship, connecting academic programs with research and industry partnerships.
“We are excited to establish a clear pathway between UMF and the Roux Institute for UMF students interested in an advanced degree in the life sciences,” said Aileen Huang-Saad, director of life sciences, health and engineering programs at the Roux Institute.
“This partnership exemplifies how academic institutions can work together to offer students a diversity of choices for career advancement,” she said.
UMF students interested in the program can contact Breton at [email protected] or 207-778-7364.
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Tagged: biotech, franklin jounal, Roux Institute, UMF, university of maine at farmington
Rebecca Richard is a reporter for the Franklin Journal. She graduated from the University of Maine after studying literature and writing. She is a small business owner, wife of 33 years and mom of eight. More by Rebecca Richard
