Academic Credit for Research

Students can request formal recognition for their research and internship experiences in the form of academic credit.

—Whether or not academic credit can be earned depends on the content of the research or internship experience. For an off-campus experience to qualify for academic credit, it must have a strong academic component that Biological Sciences faculty can evaluate.

Faculty-Mentored Research Credit

CHEM399, BSCI379, BSCI389, BSCI399 (Credits Vary)

—Academic credit for research experiences is evaluated by the Undergraduate Director of the department that oversees the student’s specific BSCI specialization (see under Contact Us).

For credit evaluation

…of *Faculty-Mentored Research. Also available for questions.*
—When reaching out, be sure to include your UID, BSCI specialization, and information about your research.
**SEE CONTACTS BY BSCI SPECIALIZATION:**
**» ECEV, PHNB**
—Email **DR. KIMBERLY PACZOLT**, Director of Undergraduate Studies (BIOL), **kpaczolt@umd.edu**
**» CEBG, MICB, or GENB (last names N-Z)**
—Email **DR. MICHAEL KELLER**, Associate Chair of Undergraduate Programs (CBMG), **kellermi@umd.edu**
**» GENB (last names A-M)**
—Email **DR. DAVID HAWTHORNE**, Undergraduate Director (ENTM), **djh@umd.edu**

Students can apply up to three (3) research credits toward the upper-level requirements of the Biological Sciences Major. A total of eight (8) credits can be applied to a UMD degree. Students are able to complete more than eight credits of research, but only eight credits are applicable to the UMD degree.
Students can register for one to three (1-3) credits of research in any given semester. Students can expect to work three to four hours a week while at a campus lab during the academic semester. In rare circumstances, students can register for up to four research credits in an academic semester.

Upper-Level Lab Credit

BSCI379L, BSCI389L, BSCI399L (1-3 Credits)

—Some research experiences at UMD labs (and under special circumastances) can count toward the upper-level lab requirement in the Biological Sciences degree.

With the approval of their faculty research mentor, students who are already enrolled in BSCI379G, BSCI389, or BSCI399 can subsequently enroll in BSCI379L, BSCI389L, or BSCI399L and apply the two semesters of research credit towards the upper-level lab requirement of their Biological Sciences degree. To do so, submit the permission form to the appropriate departmental office—it can be filled out electronically prior to printing.

Off-Campus Research Credit

BSCI349 (1-3 Credits)

—By permission only and restricted to Biological Sciences majors. Can be applied to Biological Sciences enrichment category in PHNB, CEBG, ECEV, MICB and the additional credits category of GENB.

An opportunity for Biological Sciences students to pursue a research project in an off-campus lab. To register, send an email to: bscique@umd.edu or contact the instructors of the course directly. Search BSCI349 in Testudo’s Schedule of Classes for the current instructors listed.

BSCI348R (1-3 Credits)

—Graded credit that may apply toward upper-level requirements (check with your advisor). This is specifically for microbiology majors or microbiology internships. Sponsored by the Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics (CBMG). Search BSCI348R in Testudo’s Schedule of Classes for the current faculty sponsor. Contact the Department of CBMG for any forms that are necessary to complete.

Internship Credit (Clinical, Non-research)

College of Behavioral and Social Sciences (BSOS)

—BSOS offers off-campus internship credit to students of all majors. Academic credit can be earned for para- or pre-professional work with well-established organizations and regular and frequent supervision from experienced professionals. Get started on the Feller Center’s Internships for Credit webpage. Contact information will be listed there.

UNIV099 Internship Seminar

—Non-credit course. Provides transcript verification of your internship without a tuition charge (although a modest fee is required to enroll). This is frequently used for summer internships or when the internship provider requires the student to be enrolled for credit during the internship period. Sponsored by the University Career Center—see this webpage or call 301-314-7225 for more information.

Campus Living Learning Communities

—Some campus living learning communities, such as College Park Scholars (CPS), offer credit for internships that were completed to fulfill a program requirement. Contact the director of your CPS program for more information.

Whether or not academic credit is earned for an internship, the practical experience and professional connections that students gain have a positive impact. Students should list internships on their curriculum vitae or resume as evidence of their experience in a given field. Furthermore, internship supervisors can attest to students’ intellectual skills, problem-solving abilities, work ethic, and ability to work as part of a team in letters of recommendation for graduate or professional school.