CURRENT & FUTURE 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 from Biological Sciences Program
Proofread that grad plans…
Have responsibly balanced course loads
Two labs or less a semester
17 credits or less a semester
The Maximum Credit Limit for the College of CMNS is 17 credits
Appropriate number of STEM credits per semester (see the Model Grad Plans posted)
Will complete LEP-Benchmark Requirements on time
& Will confer a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Biological Sciences upon completion
Academic advisors will document whether students’ grad plans are responsible or must be revised during mandatory advising.
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 Biological Sciences Directory for contact information.
CMNS Peer Mentors
…map out rough grad plans for CMNS majors and discuss college transition topics such as time management, getting involved on campus, making friends, and learning campus resources.
Peer mentors are undergraduate workers. They are NOT academic advisors for the Biological Sciences Program.
Academic advisors for Biological Sciences will document whether students’ grad plans are responsible or must be revised during mandatory advising.
If revisions were instructed by the program for a student’s grad plan, then peer mentors shall revise the grad plan to meet the expectations set.
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
—illustrate the courses that students need to complete to earn the BS in Biological Sciences
» MODEL GRAD PLANS (MGP)
—illustrate coursework semester-by-semester, 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.
For responsible grad planning:
1. CONFIRM ELIGIBLE GRADUATION DATE WITH AN ACADEMIC ADVISOR FOR BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
» 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 plan to their academic advisor for review.
Other accelerated grad plans must include STEM courses during the Summer or Winter semesters to maintain a balanced course load in the Fall and Spring. Go to bsci.umd.edu/exst for more information.
Any 3.5 or accelerated grad plan must adhere to the expectations posted for responsible grad planning to be approved by the Biological Sciences Program.
2. PLAN FOR TWO LABS OR LESS PER SEMESTER
» The Biological Sciences Program does not approve registration more than two labs per semester. Any registration more than two labs is referred to as a STEM Overload.
BSCI222, PHYS131 and 132 are all designated as Labs. Registration with these courses shall not exceed 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 COURSES FIRST, THEN ATTEMPT ADDITIONAL STEM COURSES
» For example, PHYS131 and 132 are attempted after all LEP-Benchmark courses (including chemistry) have been completed. See year three of the Model Grad Plans posted.
If the number of STEM credits per semester exceeds what is outlined in the Model Grad Plans, then that is referred to as a STEM Overload.
5. THE BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES PROGRAM DOES NOT APPROVE STEM OVERLOADS
» Students are responsible for their decisions and can register for the courses they meet pre-requisites for; however, this autonomy does not change the academic policies or expectations of the Biological Sciences Program.
Any registration or grad plans that are not balanced or responsible will be documented.
General Biology (GENB)
GENB DEGREE SHEET
GENB MODEL GRAD PLAN (MGP)
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Cell Biology & Genetics (CEBG)
CEBG DEGREE SHEET
CEBG MODEL GRAD PLAN (MGP)
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Ecology & Evolution (ECEV)
ECEV DEGREE SHEET
ECEV MODEL GRAD PLAN (MGP)
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Microbiology (MICB)
MICB DEGREE SHEET
MICB MODEL GRAD PLAN (MGP)
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Physiology & Neurobiology (PHNB)
PHNB DEGREE SHEET
PHNB MODEL GRAD PLAN (MGP)
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Individualized Studies (BIVS)
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: go to bsci.umd.edu/declare for next steps.
