BIOL B.S. additional notes:
Students must earn a “C” or better in all major courses and course prerequisites. At least half of the required BIOL courses and electives for the BIOL B.S. degree (six of eleven) must be completed in residence at UMBC. The ‘Column B BIOL 4XX elective’ course must be taken at UMBC.
BIOL B.S. majors receive 33 - 43 Upper Level Credits (3XX/4XX) that may be applied to the University requirement of 45 Upper Level credits for graduation, and 69 - 77 credits toward the 120 total credits needed for graduation.
Students may substitute PHYS 121 for PHYS 111 , and PHYS 122 for PHYS 112 , but should note that PHYS 121 /PHYS 122 may not satisfy some professional school admission requirements.
Students can substitute CHEM 352 and CHEM 352L together (must take both) for one Column B course.
Students who are BIOC (Biochemistry and Molecular Biology) majors who wish to also pursue a BIOL B.S. degree may use Core BIOL, CHEM, MATH and PHYS courses from the BIOC major towards the BIOL B.S. degree, but MUST take separate electives for the two degrees.
Under exceptional circumstances, the Department may waive or alter a BIOL major requirement. Students seeking to petition for a waiver must consult with their academic adviser, then may submit a ‘Petition for Waiver/Substitution of Program Requirements’ form, found on the Department web site.
Biologically-relevant 4XX level courses from other departments may be acceptable as a ‘Column B’ elective for the BIOL BS degree. Prior approval from the Biological Sciences Department Undergraduate Committee is required, using the Petition/Waiver form indicated above. Such courses may not substitute for the BIOL 4XX course requirement (all majors must complete at least one BIOL 4XX course for column B).
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