We've created a simple worksheet you can use to map out your four year plan and share with your academic advisor.
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Use the four-year academic pathways for each UMBC major/program listed below as a resource for major exploration and development of an individualized degree plan.

Please note that these academic pathways are sample pathways. Students, in consultation with their academic advisor, will create an individualized degree plan, reflecting their academic preparation, interests and goals. Students are strongly encouraged to develop an individualized degree plan by no later than 45 credits earned and to update the plan regularly, in consultation with an academic advisor.

For complete information on degree requirements, reference the Undergraduate Course Catalog (catalog.umbc.edu).

Select a major/program to view its pathway:

Bioinformatics & Computational Biology - B.S.

Degree Requirements
Total Academic Credits:
120
Major Credits:
88-92
Min. Upper-Level Credits:
45
Min. Cumulative GPA:
2.0
§ indicates Benchmark requirements
‡ indicates Gateway courses
Curriculum Notes
  • This sample plan assumes no AP/IB/CLEP or transfer credit, foreign language proficiency up to the 201 level and a math placement level of MATH 151
  • All students must complete a credit-bearing English and Mathematics course in the first year of study
Year One
Fall Semester Credits
BIOL 141 Found. of Biology: Cells, Energy & Org.§ ‡ 4
CHEM 101 Princ. of Chemistry (S non-lab GEP) § ‡ 4
MATH 151 Calc. & Analytic Geom. I (MATH GEP) § ‡ 4
ENGL GEP 3
Total 15
Spring Semester Credits
BIOL 142 Found. of Biology: Ecology & Evolution § 4
CHEM 102 Princ. of Chemistry II (S non-lab GEP) § ‡ 4
MATH 152 Calculus & Analytic Geometry II 4
CMSC 201 Computer Science I for Majors § ‡ 4
Total 16
Year Two
Fall Semester Credits
BIOL 302 Molecular & General Genetics § ‡ 4
CMSC 202 Computer Science II for Majors § ‡ 4
CHEM 102L Introductory Chemistry Lab I 2
Foreign Language 201 4
Total 14
Spring Semester Credits
BIOL 303 Cell Biology 4
BIOL 313 Introduction to Bioinformatics & Computational Biology 3
CMSC 203 Discrete Structures 3
MATH 221 Introduction to Linear Algebra 3
SS GEP 3
Total 16
Year Three
Fall Semester Credits
CHEM 351 Organic Chemistry I 3
PHYS 111 or 121 4
CMSC 341 Data Structures 3
BIOL 300L Experimental Biology Laboratory (Lab GEP) 2
C GEP 3
Total 15
Spring Semester Credits
CMSC 461 Database Management Systems 3
BIOL 430 Biological Chemistry 4
STAT 350 or 355 4
Research/Upper-Level Elective 1
AH GEP 3
Total 15
Year Four
Fall Semester Credits
BINF List A Elective 4
BINF List B Elective 3
Writing Intensive Course (upper-level) 3
SS GEP 3
AH GEP 3
Total 16
Spring Semester Credits
BIOL 495/415/428 Capstone 4
BINF List A or B Elective 3
AH GEP 3
SS GEP 3
Total 13
Advising Coordinator:
cnmsadvising@umbc.edu University Center, Room 205