University of New England - Overview
Wide-ranging Academics in a Maritime Setting
The University of New England, located in southern Maine, offers liberal arts, allied health programs, and many opportunities for outdoor recreation to its 2,400 undergraduates. Its two campuses enjoy the best of New England's maritime culture -- the 540-acre main campus in Biddeford sits in a spectacular waterfront location where the Saco River meets the Atlantic Ocean, while the 41-acre Portland campus is convenient to that city's hip urban scene.
UNE was recognized by "U.S. News and World Report" as one of the Best Universities in the North that offer "a full range of undergraduate and master's programs."
Marine and Environmental Specialties Plus Traditional Science Majors
The College of Arts and Sciences takes great advantage of its seaside location, providing programs in aquaculture and aquarium science, environmental science, and marine sciences. Additional science-related programs include biochemistry, biochemistry/pre-pharmacy, biological sciences, chemistry, laboratory science, medical biology, medical sciences, medical biology, pre-physician assistant, neuroscience, and pre-pharmacy.
Liberal Arts Majors and Interdisciplinary Options
Other liberal arts majors at the University of New England include art education, business administration, communications, education (art, elementary, or secondary education), English and language studies, environmental studies, history, mathematics, political science, pre-physical therapy, psychology, sociology, and sport management.
Interdisciplinary programs include animal behavior, Latin American studies (minor), liberal studies, neuroscience, psychology and social relations, and women's and gender studies (minor).
In-demand Allied Health Programs
The Westbrook College of Health Professions offers undergraduate programs in such in-demand professions as applied exercise science, athletic training, dental hygiene, nursing, and occupational therapy. The college provides interdisciplinary programming through its Center for Transcultural Health, which focuses on the development of culturally sensitive health care and social service delivery strategies.
Challenging, Comprehensive Core Curriculum
UNE's required "Core Curriculum" spans the entire course of the undergraduate experience, reflecting the school's emphasis on interdisciplinary education and the development of students' intellectual skills.
Each of the 4 academic years focuses on a particular theme. The first year theme, environmental awareness, introduces students to environmental issues and laboratory science; enrollment in humanities and social/behavioral science exploration classes is also required. The second year theme, social and global awareness, focuses on human interaction and growth within cultural, societal, national, and global contexts. The third year theme, critical thinking/human responses to problems and challenges, develops research and problem solving skills. The fourth year theme, citizenship, includes interdisciplinary study and community service.
Undergraduates at the University of New England are also expected to take advanced studies classes outside of their majors, and to participate in a creative arts experience.
Unique School-sponsored Study Abroad Programs
The university strongly promotes study abroad through several venues. UNE faculty lead short term programs to places like Brazil, Ireland, and Kenya, focusing on service-learning, foreign languages, local culture and history, environment, and public health. These programs typically take place during semester breaks. UNE also offers a semester abroad in Cuernavaca, Mexico.
Students from the Westbrook College of Health Professions have access to specialized international opportunities, such as the semi-annual UNE trips to the Ghana Health Mission community clinic in Sekondi, Ghana.
Two Honors Tracks
The College of Arts and Science honors program has 2 tracks -- research honors, which requires significant faculty directed research, scholarship, or creative activity along with a limited number of honors courses; and scholastic honors, which requires taking a larger number of honors courses.
Undergraduate Research Encouraged
All undergraduates are encouraged to participate in research. Student entry points include talking to professors about their research and scholarship interests, investigating advertised research projects, taking a research-based course, and attending the undergraduate research symposium.
In further support of student research, UNE has established a number of centers and institutes for research, including the Center for Land-Sea Interactions: Human, River, and Ocean Health; the Center for Excellence in Neuroscience; the Center for Global Humanities; the Center for Community and Public Health; the Marine Science Education and Research Center (the only facility of its kind on any university campus); the Center for Health Policy, Planning, and Research; and the New England Institute for Cognitive Science and Evolutionary Studies.
Myriad Outdoor Recreation and Sports Opportunities
Popular recreational interests include intramural and varsity sports, community service programs, photography, swimming, scuba diving, canoeing, kayaking, sailing, cross-country skiing, hiking, biking, and surfing. UNE's NCAA Division III varsity athletics program includes championship teams in women's field hockey and basketball.
Convenient Local and Long Distance Transportation Options
Both of UNE's campuses are served by the Portland International Jetport and by bus and train service with stations in Biddeford/Saco and Portland. The Biddeford campus is located 90 miles north of Boston and 20 miles south of Portland, Maine's largest city.
With an eye towards a sustainable lifestyle, the university offers free bicycles or free Zipcar usage to incoming freshmen who opt to leave their cars at home. There is also a convenient free downtown shuttle service and discounted taxi or limo service.