All students first create a rough grad plan (graduation plan) with a student peer mentor.
📣❗️ See bottom of webpage for
ⓓ Answers — Graduation Planning
Grad plans must include
LEP-Benchmark requirements
General Education (GenEd) requirements
27 credits from the specialization’s advanced program (minimum)
At least two upper-level courses designated as Lab (minimum)
(and) coursework for other enrolled programs—such as a second major, a minor, or living learning community
Students can meet a peer mentor to create a rough grad plan at:
1317 Symons Hall, Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. No appointment is necessary.
The Model Grad Plan (MGP)
—illustrates coursework semester-by-semester, and is a model for responsible grad planning under each specialization.
Degree sheets illustrate the several advanced course options that will satisfy degree requirements under each specialization in Biological Sciences. The advanced program is on page two of each degree sheet.
[ NEW ] About BSCI180 lab
New, updated degree sheets and model grad plans will be posted by August 2026
Plan responsibly.
1. Plan your graduation date
Biological Sciences is a 4 year program for most direct-admit freshmen.
Students who have prior learning credit in STEM (BSCI, CHEM, MATH and/or PHYS) may be able to execute a 3.5 year plan.
Other accelerated plans must include STEM courses during the Summer or Winter sessions to keep a balanced course load in the Fall and Spring.
2. Plan two labs or less per semester
Registration more than two labs should not be attempted.
3. Plan 17 credits or less per semester
The maximum credit limit for the College of CMNS is 17 credits.
4. Satisfy LEP-Benchmark requirements first, then attempt additional STEM courses
5. Remember your responsibility
Students are ultimately responsible for their course selections, academic workload, and degree progress.
General Biology (GENB)
GENB Model Grad Plan (MGP)
GENB Degree Sheet
⚗️🥼
Cell Biology & Genetics (CEBG)
CEBG Model Grad Plan (MGP)
CEBG Degree Sheet
🧬 🧫
Ecology & Evolution (ECEV)
ECEV Model Grad Plan (MGP)
ECEV Degree Sheet
🌎 🪴
Microbiology (MICB)
MICB Model Grad Plan (MGP)
MICB Degree Sheet
🔬 🦠
Physiology & Neurobiology (PHNB)
PHNB Model Grad Plan (MGP)
PHNB Degree Sheet
🫀 🧠
Individualized Studies (BIVS)
ⓓ Answers — Graduation Planning
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When students’ registration generally follows the Model Grad Plan (MGP) for their specialization, then yes—the course loads in their grad plan are balanced and responsible.
Students are best prepared to pass their courses the first time by using the pathways illustrated in the MGPs.
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Maybe.
Biological Sciences is a 4-year program for almost all direct-admit freshmen.
Students who have prior learning credit in STEM (BSCI, CHEM, MATH and/or PHYS) may be able to execute a 3.5 year plan.
Other accelerated grad plans must include STEM courses during the Summer or Winter sessions to maintain a balanced course load in the Fall and Spring. Go to bsci.umd.edu/exst for more information.
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Grad plans are not responsible and should not be attempted when:
there is registration more than two labs a semester
(or) the number of STEM credits per semester exceeds what is outlined in the Model Grad Plan (MGP)
This kind of registration is a STEM overload, and the potential consequences can be serious.
STEM overloads can cause students to:
Fail and repeat courses
Earn lower final grades
Lower their in-Major and Cumulative GPA
Fail to graduate within the typical four years
(and / or) Fail to meet the major’s LEP-Benchmark requirements on time
Students who do not meet LEP-Benchmark requirements on time become eligible for dismissal from the Biological Sciences Program
Biological Sciences does not approve or make exceptions for poor judgement
Students are ultimately responsible for their course selections, academic workload, and degree progress.
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Some academic requirements such as course pre-requisites, the University’s repeat policy, and the College’s maximum credit limit will block students from executing a grad plan that is not responsible in Testudo.
Students are ultimately responsible for their course selections, academic workload, and degree progress.
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Peer mentors are fellow students. They are not academic advisors for Biological Sciences Program.
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Biological Sciences students who are interested in the health professions are prepared to attempt the MCAT or DAT exam when it is typically taken–during the late spring of junior year or summer before senior year—by following the Model Grad Plan (MGP) for their specialization.
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Students may take a Summer or Winter course for any number of reasons, such as:
to repeat a course that was not passed the first time
to repeat a course eligible for freshman forgiveness
to complete LEP-Benchmark requirements on time
to remain on track to graduate within four years if behind in the program
to address a delay in the grad plan and to satisfy course pre-requisites on time
to accelerate to an earlier graduation by attempting select STEM requirements
to make degree progress while enrolled in less than 12 credits during Fall or Spring
to incorporate non-major labs for health professions such as BSCI201, 202, or 223
to maintain a balanced course load in the Fall or Spring and prevent a STEM overload
to complete a study abroad experience
For more information, students may discuss Summer or Winter coursework with their academic advisor for Biological Sciences. Instructions for how to register during Summer or Winter are on bsci.umd.edu/exst.
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In several cases, yes.
Learn how Biological Sciences students study abroad at bsci.umd.edu/abroad
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The following course combinations can satisfy the lower-level math requirement:
MATH135 [Discrete Math] and MATH136 [Calculus for Life Sciences]. This is the preferred sequence for students who do not have MATH140 and MATH141
MATH140 [Calculus I] and MATH141 [Calculus II]
MATH140 and MATH135
MATH130 [Calculus I for Life Sciences] and MATH131 [Calculus II for Life Sciences] (both courses are discontinued)
MATH130 and MATH135, for students who took MATH130 before it was discontinued, but have not completed MATH131
MATH120, MATH121, MATH220, or MATH221 do not count towards the Biological Sciences degree.
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The PHYS131/132 requirement is effective Fall 2013.
PHYS121/122 are not accepted for the Biological Sciences Program.
