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.
expectations for students
FUTURE & CURRENT STUDENTS
—first create a rough draft of their graduation plan with a CMNS Peer Mentor—an undergraduate student leader.
Rough grad plans are expected to include…
The required LEP-Benchmark Courses
Courses required for the student’s specific BSCI Specialization
& coursework for other enrolled programs—such as a second major, a minor, or a living learning community
Academic Advisors for BSCI
—proofread that grad plans…
Follow the curriculum for Biological Sciences
Have responsibly balanced course loads
Complete the program’s LEP-Benchmark Requirements on time
& will confer a Biological Sciences degree upon completion
Students may connect with their Advisor about their grad plan by email, if and when mandatory advising is no longer required. See the program’s Directory for contact information.
CMNS Peer Mentors create rough grad plans.
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.
Peer Mentors can meet with students in 1317 Symons Hall, Monday-Friday from 9 AM to 4 PM —No appointment is necessary.
Curriculum by specialization & Grad Plan Guides
—General Education (GenEd) Curriculum applies to all students admitted AFTER Fall 2012
» CURRICULUM SHEETS illustrate course requirements and options available for students to complete the Biological Sciences degree under one of the six specializations.
» GRAD PLAN GUIDES illustrate the Biological Sciences Curriculum semester-by-semester, and are expected to be used as a model for students when creating their graduation plan.
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-BENCHMARK 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 THEIR 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.
General Biology (GENB)
GENB CURRICULUM SHEET
GENB GRAD PLAN GUIDE
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Cell Biology & Genetics (CEBG)
CEBG CURRICULUM SHEET
CEBG GRAD PLAN GUIDE
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Ecology & Evolution (ECEV)
ECEV CURRICULUM SHEET
ECEV GRAD PLAN GUIDE
🌎 🪴
Microbiology (MICB)
MICB CURRICULUM SHEET
MICB GRAD PLAN GUIDE
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Physiology & Neurobiology (PHNB)
PHNB CURRICULUM SHEET
PHNB GRAD PLAN GUIDE
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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) to review expectations.
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: please refer to this webpage: bsci.umd.edu/switch
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)
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
