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.
FUTURE & CURRENT STUDENTS
—first create a rough draft of their graduation plan with a CMNS Peer Mentor—an undergraduate student worker.
Rough grad plans are expected to include…
The required LEP-Benchmark Courses for Biological Sciences
Upper level coursework required for the student’s specific BSCI Specialization
& coursework for other enrolled programs—such as a second major, a minor, or living learning community
Academic Advisors for BSCI
Proofread that grad plans…
Follow the curriculum for Biological Sciences
Have responsibly balanced course loads
Two labs or less a semester
17 credits or less a semester (the maximum credit limit set by the College of CMNS is 17)
Complete the program’s LEP-Benchmark Requirements on time
& will confer a Biological Sciences degree upon completion
Students may connect with their academic advisor about their grad plan by email if mandatory advising for the semester has already been completed. See the program’s Directory for contact information.
Peer Mentors create rough grad plans.
CMNS Peer Mentors are NOT Academic Advisors for the Biological Sciences Program.
Students are to refer questions about academic policy—including LEP-Benchmark Requirements—to their Academic Advisor.
Students can meet with a Peer Mentor to create a rough grad plan in 1317 Symons Hall, Monday-Friday from 9 AM to 4 PM —No appointment is necessary.
Degree Sheets & Model Grad Plans (MGP)
—General Education (GenEd) Curriculum applies to all students admitted AFTER Fall 2012
» DEGREE SHEETS illustrate the courses that students need to complete to earn the Biological Sciences degree.
» MODEL GRAD PLANS (MGP) illustrate coursework semester-by-semester as advised by the program, and are a model for responsible graduation planning. Students who have earned prior learning credit in STEM (AP/IB exam or transfer credit) will receive further instruction on how to build a responsible grad plan during mandatory advising.
PRE-HEALTH? —Professional advising for careers in healthcare is delivered by the Health Professions Advising Office (HPAO). Pre-health curricular requirements are listed on this webpage from HPAO. Mind that being a pre-health student does not change the academic expectations or policies of the Biological Sciences Program. Review expectations below (Plan for graduation responsibly).
Plan for graduation responsibly:
1. SHARE QUESTIONS ABOUT ACADEMIC POLICY OR ELIGIBLE GRADUATION DATE WITH AN ACADEMIC ADVISOR
» CMNS Peer Mentors are not Academic Advisors for the Biological Sciences Program. The major is a 4-year program for almost all direct-admit freshmen.
If a student has several instances of STEM prior learning credit (BSCI, CHEM, MATH and/or PHYS), then they may submit a 3.5 year grad plan to their academic advisor for review.
If revisions were instructed by the program for a student’s grad plan, then Peer Mentors shall revise the grad plan to align with the academic advising delivered.
2. PLAN FOR TWO LABS OR LESS PER SEMESTER
» The Biological Sciences Program does not sign off on registration in excess of two labs a semester.
BSCI222, PHYS131, and PHYS132 are all designated as labs. Registration with these courses should not exceed more than two labs per semester.
3. PLAN FOR 17 CREDITS OR LESS A SEMESTER
» The Maximum Credit Limit for the College of CMNS is 17 credits. Registration shall not exceed 17 credits.
4. COMPLETE LEP-BENCHMARK REQUIREMENTS FIRST, THEN ATTEMPT ADDITIONAL STEM COURSES
» PHYS131 and PHYS132 are attempted after all LEP-Benchmark courses (including chemistry) are cleared, as illustrated in the Model Grad Plans posted.
Students are encouraged to discuss additional STEM courses being considered for an upcoming semester with their academic advisor.
General Biology (GENB)
GENB DEGREE SHEET
GENB MODEL GRAD PLAN (MGP)
⚗️🥼
Cell Biology & Genetics (CEBG)
CEBG DEGREE SHEET
CEBG MODEL GRAD PLAN (MGP)
🧬 🧫
Ecology & Evolution (ECEV)
ECEV DEGREE SHEET
ECEV MODEL GRAD PLAN (MGP)
🌎 🪴
Microbiology (MICB)
MICB DEGREE SHEET
MICB MODEL GRAD PLAN (MGP)
🔬 🦠
Physiology & Neurobiology (PHNB)
PHNB DEGREE SHEET
PHNB MODEL GRAD PLAN (MGP)
🫀 🧠
Individualized Studies (BIVS)
Students, fill out your rough Graduation Plan completely
…before requesting that an Academic Advisor for BSCI proofread it. Have a closer look at the sample grad plan above (ILLUSTRATIVE PURPOSES ONLY).
Want to switch Specializations?
Current Students 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.
Compare BSCI Specializations and career paths on bsci.umd.edu/specialize
Future Students or those enrolled in the College of Letters & Sciences who are interested in becoming a BSCI Terp, refer to bsci.umd.edu/switch for next steps.
Pre-Health SMARTER.
BSCI Students who are looking to complete additional STEM courses for medical school are advised to register during a Maryland Summer Session so as to maintain a balanced course load [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)
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.
Where can I find the CORE Curriculum?
—The CORE Curriculum applies only to students admitted BEFORE Fall 2012
Contact the Biological Sciences Program to request copies of the BSCI-CORE Curriculum (Pre-General Education) at bscique@umd.edu
