BSCI 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.

Graduation plan expectations

FUTURE & CURRENT STUDENTS

—first create a rough draft of their graduation plan with a CMNS Peer Mentor—an undergraduate student leader.

  • Graduation plans include required LEP-Benchmark Courses, courses for the student’s specific BSCI Specialization, and coursework for additional academic programs such as a second major, a minor, or a living learning community.

Academic Advisors for BSCI

—check that graduation plans include the appropriate course combinations, meet the program’s LEP-Benchmark Requirements on time, and will confer a Biological Sciences degree upon completion.

Students can also connect with their Academic Advisor about their graduation plan by email, if and when mandatory advising is no longer required.

Peer Mentors create rough graduation plans for all CMNS majors.

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

Any questions about academic policy—including LEP-Benchmark Requirements—should be shared with an Academic Advisor for the Biological Sciences Program.

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

Curriculum Sheets and Sample Graduation Plans by Specialization

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

BSCI Terps are ADVISED:

1. TO SHARE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT ACADEMIC POLICY OR THEIR PLANNED GRADUATION DATE WITH AN ACADEMIC ADVISOR FOR BSCI.

CMNS Peer Mentors do NOT advise for the Biological Sciences major, and the BSCI major is a 4-year program for most direct-admit freshmen.

If revisions were advised by the program for a graduation plan, then Peer Mentors are instructed to revise the plan to align with both Academic Advising and the Curriculum of the BSCI major.

2. 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. TO COMPLETE LEP-BENCHARK COURSES BEFORE ATTEMPTING UPPER LEVEL STEM COURSEWORK [CLICK HERE TO REVIEW THE REQUIREMENTS]

This includes PHYS131 and 132, which are advised to attempt after clearing LEP-Benchmark Courses for chemistry, as illustrated in the sample plans of the BSCI Curriculum.

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

4. TO CREATE THEIR GRADUATION 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 the planned coursework.

5. TO ENSURE THAT THE GRADUATION PLAN IS COMPLETELY FILLED OUT

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

Students, be sure that your Graduation Plan is filled out fully and completely...

…before requesting that an Academic Advisor for BSCI proofread it. Have a closer look at the sample plan (ILLUSTRATIVE PURPOSES ONLY) to review expectations.

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.  The 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.

Pre-Health SMARTER.

BSCI Students who are 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)

Curriculum and SAMPLE 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.