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.

CMNS Peer Mentors create and revise graduation plans for BSCI and other CMNS majors.

Create a Graduation plan

Students are advised to connect with the college’s CMNS Peer Mentors to create a graduation plan for Biological Sciences, which will include the requirements for their major, specialization, and relevant coursework for additional programs.

These plans are then proofread by your Assigned BSCI Advisor during scheduled advising sessions.

The Peer Mentors can meet with Terps in 1317 Symons Hall, Monday-Friday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm (NO APPOINTMENT NEEDED!).

sample graduation Plans [for terps under gened]

What BSCI Terps are ADVISED.

1. SHARE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT ACADEMIC POLICY OR EARLY GRADUATION WITH YOUR ASSIGNED ADVISOR FOR BSCI

CMNS Peer Mentors do NOT advise for the Biological Sciences major. If you have questions about academic policy or whether an early graduation is feasible, then you're instructed to connect with your Assigned Advisor for Biological Sciences.

Remember that for most direct-admit freshmen, the BSCI major is a 4-year program.

If a BSCI Advisor has delivered REVISIONS for a graduation plan, then CMNS Peer Mentors are instructed to revise the plan so it aligns with both Academic Advising and the Curriculum of the BSCI major.

2. PLAN 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. TERPS ARE NOT ADVISED TO ATTEMPT UPPER LEVEL COURSEWORK UNTIL THEY HAVE COMPLETED ALL LEP-BENCHARK COURSES [CLICK HERE TO REVIEW THE REQUIREMENTS]

This includes PHYS131 and 132, which ought to be attempted in Semesters 5 and 6 for direct-admit freshmen, as is illustrated in the sample plans of the BSCI Curriculum.

4. CREATE THE 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 your planned coursework.

5. ENSURE THAT THE PLAN IS COMPLETELY FILLED OUT

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

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. Questions about transfer and AP/IB credit should be directed to the Biological Sciences Undergraduate Program Office at (301) 405-6892.