Students must satisfy gateway courses with at least a C- and meet all LEP requirements before they can apply and declare Biological Sciences.

• Learn how to declare the Biological Sciences major at bsci.umd.edu/declare

Get started on bsci.umd.edu/credit

Official midterm grades are submitted by most instructors during the semester. Students can review their official midterm grades under Grades in Testudo. Mind that non-letter grades such as S stand for Satisfactory (passing), and U stands for Unsatisfactory (not passing).

Students can bring specific questions about course topics to discuss with their instructor or TA during office hours or during course discussion sections. Dates and times to report can be found in the course’s syllabus or on ELMS-Canvas.

• If a student earns a midterm grade of U or below C-, then they should report to their instructor or TA’s office hours for learning enrichment. Come prepared and bring specific questions about course topics for discussion.

Go-to bsci.umd.edu/learn for other learning enrichment programs and options.

None of the specializations for Biological Sciences can be combined with Neuroscience (NEUR) due to a significant overlap in the requirements for both programs.

However, the Neuroscience minor can be combined with any of the specializations in Biological Sciences (except PHNB: Physiology & Neurobiology).

Students can use the AP charts on this webpage to assess how incoming AP scores may be marked as academic credit. 

If a student has already sent their AP exam scores from the College Board to the University Registrar, then those credits will be processed and posted to their unofficial transcript, usually during the month of July. Students may review their unofficial transcript in Testudo.

Every semester, Biological Sciences seeks exceptional students to become undergraduate teaching assistants.

• Learn more on bsci.umd.edu/uta

Current students who are looking to change their specialization can submit a request form through TerpEngage at go.umd.edu/majorchange.

If a major change request is submitted during the schedule adjustment period, then it may be reviewed and updated in the same semester.

Submissions after the schedule adjustment period will become effective in the subsequent semester. A major change is not complete until the CMNS Office of Student Services has approved it.

Prospective students or those enrolled in the College of Letters & Sciences who are interested in declaring Biological Sciences: go to bsci.umd.edu/declare for next steps.