curriculum & Graduation planNING

Students can choose between taking courses for the major’s General Biology (GENB) track, or specialize in another area of the Biological Sciences. For descriptions of each specialization area, see this webpage.

Creating a Graduation Plan FOR BSCI

Terps in the BSCI Major first create a rough draft of their graduation plan with a CMNS Peer Mentor.

  • The plan includes LEP-Benchmark Courses that are required to remain and make progress in the Biological Sciences major, the necessary courses for your specific BSCI Specialization, and relevant coursework for additional programs.

These plans are then proofread by your Assigned Advisor during scheduled advising sessions.

  • Your BSCI Advisor is responsible for ensuring that the plan only includes course combinations that are advised for your academic success and that follow the BSCI Curriculum.

The Peer Mentors can meet with Terps in 1317 Symons Hall, Monday-Friday from 9AM to 4PM —No Appointment Needed!

You may also connect with your BSCI Advisor about your graduation plan by email, if and when mandatory advising is no longer required.

CMNS Peer Mentors create rough graduation plans for BSCI and other CMNS majors.

CMNS Peer Mentors are NOT Advisors for the Biological Sciences Program.

Any questions about academic policy or graduation should be shared with an Academic Advisor for BSCI.

Be sure that your Graduation Plan is filled out fully and completely.

Have a closer look at the sample plan (ILLUSTRATIVE PURPOSES ONLY) to review expectations for building graduation plans on the Standardized College Template.

Curriculum Sheets and Sample Plans by Specialization

—FOR TERPS UNDER GENED: applies to all students admitted AFTER Fall 2012

What BSCI Terps are ADVISED.

1. SHARE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT ACADEMIC POLICY OR EARLY GRADUATION WITH YOUR ASSIGNED ADVISOR FOR BSCI

CMNS Peer Mentors do NOT advise for the Biological Sciences major. If you have questions about academic policy or whether an early graduation is feasible, then you're instructed to connect with your Assigned Advisor for Biological Sciences.

Remember that for most direct-admit freshmen, the BSCI major is a 4-year program.

If a BSCI Advisor has delivered revisions for a graduation plan, then CMNS Peer Mentors are instructed to revise the plan so it aligns with both Academic Advising and the Curriculum of the BSCI major.

2. PLAN TO REGISTER FOR NO MORE THAN TWO LABS IN A GIVEN SEMESTER

This includes any combination of courses with BSCI222 (4 credits), which is now designated as a Lab for the Biological Sciences Program.

3. MOST TERPS ARE ADVISED TO COMPLETE ALL LEP-BENCHARK COURSES BEFORE ATTEMPTING UPPER LEVEL COURSEWORK [CLICK HERE TO REVIEW THE REQUIREMENTS]

This includes PHYS131 and 132, which are advised to attempt in Year 3 / Semesters 5 and 6 for most direct-admit freshmen, as is illustrated in the sample plans of the BSCI Curriculum.

Students are encouraged to discuss any additional STEM coursework in a given semester with their Academic Advisor.

4. CREATE THE PLAN ON THE STANDARDIZED COLLEGE TEMPLATE

The most recent version of the college template will have columns to mark all outstanding GenEd Requirements to be completed with your planned coursework.

5. ENSURE THAT THE PLAN IS COMPLETELY FILLED OUT

Mark the semesters enrolled at the University, all outstanding GenEds to be completed with your planned coursework, and the appropriate number of credits for planned courses. The name of the CMNS Peer Mentor who helped create your plan and your plan’s creation date should also be included.

Pre-Health SMARTER.

BSCI Terps looking to complete courses for medical school are advised to register during a Maryland Summer Session [CLICK HERE TO GET STARTED].

SUMMER FINANCIAL AID IS AVAILABLE TO APPLY FOR! [CLICK HERE TO GET STARTED].

PRE-HEALTH COURSE OFFERINGS:

BSCI201 - Human Anatomy & Physiology I w/ lab w/ lab (4 credits)

BSCI202 - Human Anatomy & Physiology I w/ lab w/ lab (4 credits)

BSCI223 - General Microbiology w/ lab (4 credits)

Want to switch Specializations?

Current BSCI Terps who would like to switch their specialization can initiate this change with a Change of Major Request through TerpEngage at go.umd.edu/majorchange.  Your request will be reviewed and become effective in the subsequent academic semester.  A major change is not complete until the CMNS Dean's Office has approved it.

Non-majors and Terps enrolled in the College of Letters & Sciences who are interested in becoming a BSCI Terp, please refer to this webpage for your Switch to The BSCI Major.

Curriculum and graduation plans for terps under core

—applies ONLY to students admitted BEFORE Fall 2012

See Curriculum & Graduation Planning for Terps under CORE.

Frequently asked Questions

What courses satisfy the lower-level math requirement?

  • MATH135 (Discrete Math for Life Sciences) and MATH136 (Calculus for Life Sciences). This is the preferred sequence for students who do not have MATH140 and MATH141.

  • MATH140 (Calculus 1) and MATH141 (Calculus 2)

  • MATH140 and MATH135

  • MATH130 (Calculus 1 for Life Sciences) and MATH131 (Calculus 2 for Life Sciences) (both courses discontinued)

  • MATH130 and MATH135, for students who took MATH130 before it was discontinued, but have not completed MATH131

  • Other course combinations are possible in unusual circumstances and require approval by an advisor.

  • Students cannot use MATH120, MATH121, MATH220, or MATH221 towards the Biological Sciences major.

Do I need to take PHYS131 and PHYS132?

The PHYS131/132 requirement is effective Fall 2013. If you completed PHYS121 before Fall 2013, you may complete the physics sequence by taking PHYS122. Any student who did not start on the completion of the Physics requirement before Fall 2013 must take PHYS131 and PHYS132 or a more advanced physics sequence. Questions about transfer and AP/IB credit should be directed to the Biological Sciences Undergraduate Program Office at (301) 405-6892.