Frequently asked questions

—Updated February 13th, 2025

#1.

how do I switch to the bsci major?

I WANT TO BE A BIOLOGY MAJOR.

The Biological Sciences major is a Limited Enrollment Program (LEP), meaning there are gateway requirements that students need to complete before they can apply and become admitted into the major. 

Learn how to complete your switch to BSCI on this webpage for Future Students.

NOTE: If you are a high school student or a student with fewer than 12 semester hours or 18 quarter hours of university-level credit beyond secondary school, you should get started by applying to the University as a freshman applicant. Learn more through UMD’s Office of Undergraduate Admissions.

#2.

Who is my assigned advisor?

I don’t know who my advisor is.

All Terps in the Biological Sciences major are assigned to an Academic Advisor around mid-October or after Spring break during their first (Fall or Spring) semester at the University.

Please log in to TerpEngage—Maryland’s central advising platform—to review your Assigned Advisor under Success Team.

If no advisor is listed under Success Team, then students may call the Undergraduate Program Office at 301-405-6892 or email bscique@umd.edu for next steps.

BSCI Terps are matched with a Professional Staff Advisor while working on the major’s Basic Program (typically first-years and sophomores), and are later reassigned to a Faculty Advisor based on their declared major specialization and as they begin to register for upper-division courses.

#3.

I emailed my advisor and they didn’t respond.

I can’t get in contact with my advisor.

BSCI Terps can expect a response time of 2 - 3 Business Days (or less) for any inquiries or challenges sent to their Assigned Advisor via email. Please be mindful that Advisors are not expected to work or respond to student emails during the weekend or University Holidays.

If it’s been longer than 3 business days, and you’re still without a response, then you’re advised to:

  1. Send your advisor another message (a follow-up in the same thread) so as to raise the query in their Inbox.

  2. If after the second attempt, you are still without a response, you may Copy (CC) the Undergraduate Director of their Department on any subsequent follow-up. Review BSCI’s Advisor Directory to find the appropriate Undergraduate Director to Copy.

#4.

Do I have to attend mandatory advising?

All students who are still completing the major’s basic program, students with a GPA below 2.5, university athletes, and students in their first semester assigned to a Faculty Advisor must meet with their advisor before they can register for upcoming courses.

Terps who do not meet this criteria may not be required to meet with their Assigned Advisor, but are encouraged to do so.

Refer to your Assigned Advisor to confirm.

#5.

I can’t schedule a meeting with my advisor.

Terp Engage says my advisor is not available.

If TerpEngage shows your Advisor as Not Available this means that they either…

  • Have yet to set up their availability on TerpEngage

    OR

  • They book meetings using another platform. Please review the Advisor Directory and email your Assigned Advisor to confirm their preferred method for appointment scheduling (if they have not sent this to you already).

#6.

am I on track to graduate?

Can someone look at my graduation plan?

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

A graduation plan is necessary to track whether students will graduate on time. These plans can be proofread by an Assigned Advisor during scheduled advising sessions or by emailing the plan to your advisor directly.

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

#7.

How do I request A CREDIT OVERLOAD (17+ Credits)?

I am planning to take more than 17 credits next semester.

BSCI Terps should discuss any possible Credit Overloads with their Assigned Advisor during Mandatory Advising or as soon as possible before submitting any requests to the College. After settling on the specific courses and number of credits requested, the Advisor may then add a Note of Support for their advisee in TerpEngage.

The Advisor may also choose to deny the request based on criteria such as lower grades / GPA, unsatisfactory Academic Standing, whether the Credit Overload is time-sensitive to complete in the given semester, or whether the combination of courses requested would impede the completion of Major LEP-Benchmark requirements.

BSCI Terps are responsible for filing a Petition for High Credit Load with the College of CMNS to process the request. Refer to this webpage to access the petition form for Credit Overload.

#8.

I just joined a lab, how do I earn academic credit?

How do I get academic research credit?

Get started on this webpage, also reviewable under Research & Internships on BSCIweb’s navigation. For any specific questions about the process/forms to submit, email bscique@umd.edu.

#9.

Where can I find Learning assistance?

how can I meet with a tutor?

I need help with my courses.

BSCI Terps may review programs and resources related to Learning Assistance in the following web pages on BSCIweb.

Terps are also encouraged to review this comprehensive list of resources from the College of CMNS.

#10.

What courses satisfy the lower-level math requirement?

  • MATH135 (Discrete Mathematics 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.

#11.

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 or bscique@umd.edu.

#12.

may I have an extension to complete THE major LEP-benchmark requirements?

Students who study abroad for a Fall or Spring semester, or who are away from the University for a semester are eligible for an extension to their benchmark reviews.