UMF student Emmet Lani-Caputo uses a dissecting microscope to identify a tick to species, sex, and age class prior to tick zoonosis testing.

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)

Turn Curiosity into Discovery

At University of Maine Farmington (UMF), STEM students connect classroom learning with hands-on experience. Programs focus on problem-solving, research, and interdisciplinary collaboration, preparing graduates to succeed in a rapidly evolving scientific and technological world.

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UMF biology professor helps students collect a tick from a tick drag cloth
UMF biology professor helps students collect a tick from a tick drag cloth

STEM Programs

UMF offers a full range of STEM pathways—including bachelor’s degrees, minors, and certificates:

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Why Study S.T.E.M. at UMF

Close-Knit Community

With small class sizes and personalized mentorship, students collaborate closely with faculty and peers, working closely with you through research, coursework, and career preparation.

Affordability & Quality

UMF provides one of the most affordable liberal arts educations in the Northeast, combining high-quality academics with opportunities that prepare students for success.

Hand-On Learning

With Maine’s mountains, rivers, and forests just steps from campus, UMF students gain real-world field experience from day one.

Advanced Scientific Equipment

Access instrumentation and technology typically reserved for graduate students.

Research-Driven. Student-Focused.

At UMF, you don’t just study STEM—you actively explore, experiment, and solve real-world problems. Through hands-on labs, research opportunities, and dynamic coursework, you’ll gain practical skills that help prepare you for your career. Students have helped contribute to publishable research and have access to advanced instrumentation and technology typically reserved for graduate programs.

Here, learning goes beyond the classroom.

Explore Research

Featured Research Projects

Research is not an extra—it’s embedded in your education. Learn more about a few of the recent research projects.

Tick-Borne Disease Research Initiative

UMF students and faculty research ticks and tick-borne diseases through field collection and lab analysis, helping address a growing public health concern in Maine while providing hands-on research experience in biology and environmental science.

Groundbreaking Genetic Research on Fish

UMF received a $500,000 NSF grant to study fish genetics and hormone systems with implications for human health. Students gain hands-on experience in molecular biology using advanced lab tools like confocal microscopy, contributing to biomedical and applied research.

Maine Mountain Ponds Project

The Maine Mountain Ponds project engages students in hands-on ecological research, studying climate change impacts on northern Appalachian mountain watersheds while contributing valuable data to regional conservation efforts.

This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant Number 2331556. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

News & Stories

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UMF in the News: Stories from Maine Mountain Ponds
June 12, 2026
How are University of Maine at Farmington (UMF) students helping scientists better understand climate change in Maine? In a recent episode of the podcast High Water: Stories from Maine’s Mountain Ponds, UMF professors Julia Daly and Rachel Hovel discuss…
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Brennick banding a bird.
UMF graduating senior and Jay native sees career in Bioscience take flight
May 04, 2026
FARMINGTON, ME  (May 4, 2026)—Spencer Brennick, Jay native, was looking for a reason to get excited about his future. It was his second try at college when he received an email from UMF Biology Professor Sarah Sloane, an avian behavioral…
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Voices of UMF: Joanna Korasadowicz
April 08, 2026
“UMF is a breath of fresh air that helped me discover my passions, favorite people, and a better version of myself.” Joanna Korasadowicz is a 2026 graduate of UMF’s Bachelor’s of Art Biology program with a…
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Inside headshot
UMF Student Ryan Martin-Hachey Turns Curiosity into Tick Research
March 29, 2026
Ryan Martin-Hachey, UMF graduating senior from Fairfield, had charted his future in psychology when he came to Farmington, but all that changed at the end of his sophomore year when his biology professor told him about a unique opportunity.
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Meet the Faculty

Our STEM faculty are more than instructors—they’re mentors, researchers, and innovators who bring real-world experience into the classroom. At UMF, you’ll work closely with professors who are passionate about your growth, whether it’s in the lab, the field, or through hands-on projects. Get to know the experts guiding your journey in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Andrew Barton
Andrew Barton

Professor of Biology

About Andrew
Douglas Reusch
Douglas Reusch

Professor of Geology

About Douglas
Jean Doty
Jean Doty

Professor of Biology

About Jean
Julia Daly
Julia Daly

Professor of Geology

About Julia
Lori Koban
Lori Koban

Professor of Mathematics

About Lori
Christopher Magri
Christopher Magri

Associate Professor of Physics

About Christopher
Christopher Bennett
Christopher Bennett

Associate Professor of Computer Science

About Christopher
Brad Dearden
Brad Dearden

Associate Professor of Geography and Environmental Planning

About Brad
Rachel Hovel
Rachel Hovel

Associate Professor of Biology

About Rachel
Matthew McCourt
Matthew McCourt

Associate Professor of Geography

About Matthew
Paul Gies
Paul Gies

Associate Professor Mathematics

About Paul
Daniel Jackson
Daniel Jackson

Associate Professor of Mathematics

About Daniel
Peter Hardy
Peter Hardy

Associate Professor Mathematics

About Peter
Donelle Schwalm
Donelle Schwalm

Assistant Professor of Environmental Biology

About Donelle
Next Steps

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