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.

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.

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.

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.

Peer mentors are fellow students. They are not academic advisors for Biological Sciences Program.

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.

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.

In many cases, yes. Before a study abroad experience can be thoughtfully incorporated into a grad plan, students must meet with a study abroad advisor to assess which programs they are eligible for based on:

• what the student would like to gain from a study abroad experience

• (and) the specific degree requirements the student can prioritize while studying abroad

In any event, interrupting the completion of LEP-Benchmark requirements is strongly discouraged and should not be attempted.

Biological Sciences students are encouraged to explore study aboard experiences that are offered during the Summer and Winter sessions or during Spring break, so that consistent progress can be made across all degree requirements without interruption.

• See Short Term Programs by Maryland Global for more information.

After a student has identified the specific study abroad program that they plan to enroll in, they are then prepared to incorporate the experience into their grad plan thoughtfully.

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.

The PHYS131/132 requirement is effective Fall 2013.

PHYS121/122 are not accepted for the Biological Sciences Program.