Advising for the bsci major

All Terps in the Biological Sciences major are assigned to an Academic Advisor around mid-October or after Spring break during their first (fall or spring) semester at the University.

Academic Advisors illustrate the Major LEP-Benchmark Requirements to continue and complete UMD’s Biological Sciences degree, make recommendations for upcoming course registration, refer students to essential campus resources, and discuss students’ personal/professional goals.

meet your assigned advisor

CLICK HERE for instructions and to review BSCI’s Advisor Directory.

If you are a current student who has yet to be assigned to an academic advisor, please email any questions or challenges to bscique@umd.edu until you are matched with an advisor.

curriculum & Graduation Planning

all students are encouraged to review the major’s curricular requirements before and during sessions with their academic advisor.

Information about the Biological Sciences curriculum and sample graduation plans for each major specialization can be found on our Curriculum and Graduation Planning webpage.

If current students would like to create an Individualized Graduation Plan, this is a service they can receive from the College’s CMNS Peer Mentors at 1317 Symons Hall, Monday - Friday, 9 am - 4 pm (no appointment needed!).

date and deadlines

all BSCI terps are responsible for knowing and reviewing the university’s dates and deadlines for course registration.

This information is updated annually by the Office of the Registrar, which determines the start of classes, the Schedule Adjustment Period (course add/drop), and the window for final exams.

BSCI Terps are also recommended to review these steps to complete course registration for the upcoming semester before and after meeting with their Assigned Advisor.

What can I do with my Degree?

Biological Sciences students are broadly trained and, as a result, have diverse career paths. Our students work in an array of fields including medicine, public health, environmental science, biotechnology, law, and education.

They work in governmental and non-governmental agencies, zoos/aquaria, and private foundations. Many of our students pursue postgraduate education in medicine, dentistry, allied health fields, or research (MS/Ph.D. and MD/Ph.D.).

For illustrated career paths, please review the following resources. If you have more questions about career opportunities, you may consult with your Academic Advisor or with a Career Advisor from the University Career Center.

illustrated Career packet

Careers by major specialization

OCCUPATIONAL outlook HANDBOOK

United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)

The Occupational Outlook Handbook published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics is an online resource that documents hundreds of occupations across the labor spectrum. Each profile includes a job outlook of the occupation’s projected growth in the near future, as well as earning potential. The site also features a section on the fastest-growing occupations.

Read more about job trends in the Biological Sciences and other majors via the University Career Center (UCC).

15-MINUTE DROP-in advising

offered only during select dates

The College of CMNS offers 15-minute drop-in advising for ALL CMNS STUDENTS on select dates; however, these sessions are not a substitute for semesterly, pre-registration advising with your Assigned Advisor.

The Undergraduate Program’s Central Office will offer 15-minute drop-in advising during the Fall and Spring Schedule Adjustment Period at 1200B Biology-Psychology Building (BPS). After the Schedule Adjustment Period has ended, students are encouraged to email any questions or challenges to their Assigned Advisor.

If you are a current student who has yet to be assigned to an academic advisor, please email bscique@umd.edu.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is my assigned advisor?

All Terps in the Biological Sciences major are assigned to an Academic Advisor around mid-October or after Spring break during their first (fall or spring) semester at the University.

Please log in to TerpEngage—Maryland’s central advising platform—to review your Assigned Advisor under Success Team.

If no advisor is listed under Success Team, then students may call the Undergraduate Program Office at 301-405-6892 or email bscique@umd.edu to learn more.

BSCI Terps are typically matched with a Professional Staff Advisor while working on the major’s Basic Program (typically first-years and sophomores), and are later reassigned to a Faculty Advisor based on their declared major specialization and as they begin to register for upper-division courses.

Do I have to attend mandatory advising?

All students who are still completing the major’s basic program, students with a GPA below 2.5, university athletes, and students in their first semester assigned to a Faculty Advisor must meet with their advisor before they can register for upcoming courses.

Terps who do not meet this criteria may not be required to meet with their Assigned Advisor, but are encouraged to do so. Refer to your Assigned Advisor to confirm.