Our Advising Program is a part of the College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences' mandatory advising program.  All departmental advisors are faculty in the Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics. 

BSCI students are assigned to advisors in two phases:

Phase 1: Freshman Advising

Students are advised by specially trained advisors in the Student Services Office in the College of Computer, Mathematical and Natural Sciences in Symons Hall.

Phase 2: Major Advising & Exit/Clearance Advising

Once students have completed the basic biology program and organic chemistry, they are assigned to an advisor in a department reflecting their specialization. CBMG Faculty serve as advisors to students in the following specializations:

• Microbiology
• Cell Biology and Genetics
• General Biology, if your last name begins with N-Z

BSCI specialization requirements sheets and 4-year plans

Students can run degree audits in UAchieve to review satisfied requirements and those that remain to be completed. 

UAchieve can also be used to review course requirements for other BSCI specializations or majors.

During senior year, advisors review a student's plan for graduation and complete a senior audit.

Schedule an Advising Appointment

Each semester before the start of pre-registration, advisors will contact students with information regarding the advising appointment. 

To schedule an appointment, visit TerpEngage. If you do not see any available appointments for your assigned advisor, please contact them directly:  

• Dr. John Buchner, jbuchner@umd.edu  
• Dr. Kenneth Frauwirth, kfrauwir@umd.edu
• Dr. Michael Keller, kellermi@umd.edu
• Dr. Edgar Moctezuma, emoctezu@umd.edu
• Dr. Swarna Mohan, smohan12@umd.edu
• Dr. David Straney, straney@umd.edu
• Dr. Erin Tran, eehtran@umd.edu

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who is my advisor?

• Contact Megan Leung in the CBMG Undergraduate Office (mleung3@umd.edu or 301-405-2766).
• An email should be sent in mid-October or after Spring Break with your assigned advisor.

2. Do I have mandatory advising? 

• Mandatory advising is required initially for new or transferred students. Students who switch from a college advisor to a departmental advisor will have mandatory advising for the first semester with the departmental advisor.
• All students with a GPA below 2.5 or who are on academic probation will have mandatory advising. 
• Faculty advisors will contact students about scheduling an advising appointment. 

3. Are there walk-in hours for advising?

• There are no Zoom drop-in hours. The Advising Office is open from 9 AM - 4 PM for walk-ins.
• Please check the advising page for more information.

4. Non-Mandatory Advising:

• Students who do not fall into the category above are not required to meet with an advisor before registration.
• The CBMG Undergraduate Office will contact students with their assigned advisor and students are encouraged to meet with their advisor if they have questions or would like assistance with course or career decisions.

5. Advising blocks for double major/degree:

• If you are completing a double major/degree, you may have a registration block with your other major and need an advising stamp from your other advisor.
• There is only one advising block that is removed by the last advisor. 
• Contact Megan Leung in the CBMG Undergraduate Office if your advising is satisfied and your advising block remains.

Additional Resources