The new curriculum affects all new UMBC freshman who chose to major in Biological Sciences. They must choose between the new BIOL B.A. or B.S. majors. The old curriculum will no longer be recognized for students who matriculate in Fall 2010 or later.

The new curriculum is not dramatically different from the old curriculum in terms of the total number of credits required for graduation. For example, the previous BIOL B.A. required 56-57 credits and so does the new BIOL B.A. The BIOL B.S. used to require at least 70 credits and that is still true for the new BIOL B.S.

The difference is that the new curricula provide more choice. The BIOL B.A. includes three BIOL electives (9-10 cr) out of 8 total BIOL classes. The BIOL B.S. degree provides even more choice, with six BIOL electives (at least 17 cr) out of 11 total BIOL classes.

Therefore, the adoption of the new curriculum is an opportunity for incoming students to concentrate their undergraduate training in areas that are most relevant to their post-graduation career plans.