PORTLAND (AP) – Trustees for the University of Maine System on Monday approved the creation of a biomedical doctoral degree program at the flagship campus.

As envisioned, the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences would use existing faculty and expertise as well as partnerships with private-sector research institutes to educate more scientists in the biomedical field.

“Biomedical research is one of the fastest-growing sectors of Maine’s economy,” said University of Maine System Chancellor Joseph W. Westphal.

Money from a bond package approved by Maine voters will be used to renovate the University of Maine’s Camden Hall to serve as home to the graduate school.

The plan calls for the University of Maine to partner with three private entities, The Jackson Laboratory, Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory and Maine Medical Center Research Institute, as well as the University of Southern Maine and the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine.

“This offers Maine a real opportunity to meld our existing university expertise in life sciences and engineering with the resources of Maine-based internationally renowned research labs,” said UMaine President Robert Kennedy.

Trustees also approved a mechanical engineering degree at the University of Southern Maine.

The bachelor’s degree program would be “aimed at working adults and place-bound students” and would utilize distance learning technology for several core engineering courses provided from Orono, said USM President Richard L. Pattenaude.