The Biological Sciences Department announces a change in course numbering among the introductory courses in Biology. This change affects the majors (BIOL, BIOC, BINF, and BIOE) and minors (BIOL, BINF, BIOQ) offered by the Biological Sciences Department, and may have impacts for other majors and programs that include the courses described below.
In 2010, the Biological Sciences Department established two introductory Biology courses for their majors and minors:
- BIOL 141 Foundations of Biology: Cells, Energy and Organisms
- BIOL 142 Foundations of Biology: Ecology and Evolution
These courses were in an enforced sequence - BIOL 141 was a prerequisite for BIOL 142.
Starting with the Spring 2026 semester, BIOL 142 will be renumbered to BIOL 140, making the new introductory courses for Biological Sciences Department majors and minors:
- BIOL 140 Foundations of Biology: Ecology and Evolution
- BIOL 141 Foundations of Biology: Cells, Energy and Organisms
These courses will not be an enforced sequence, to allow Bio Track Chemical Engineering majors to enroll directly into BIOL 141.
Beginning with Spring 2026 Course Registration and continuing forward, you will no longer find BIOL 142 listed in the Schedule of Classes.
What does this mean for majors and minors?
If you have taken BIOL 141 and BIOL 142: You’re all set! You have already fulfilled your Intro Biology requirement and do not need to take BIOL 140. Just be aware of the numbering change, as documents like the Undergraduate Catalog, Departmental major worksheets, etc., will be updated to reflect the new course numbering.
If you have taken only BIOL 141: Simply take BIOL 140 as your next class, as you will not be able to register for the course as BIOL 142. Degree audit has been set up to recognize that BIOL 140 and BIOL 142 are equivalent, and nothing will be required on your part. It will fulfill your Intro Biol requirement for your major.
If you have taken neither course: We recommend that you take BIOL 140 first (possibly along with CHEM 101 or 102). Your understanding of some of the topics covered in BIOL 141 may be enhanced by having some background knowledge in chemistry, so you can give yourself some extra time to complete CHEM coursework by taking BIOL 140 first. We do not recommend taking BIOL 140 and BIOL 141 at the same time, even though the courses are not in an enforced sequence.
If you are transfer student who took Intro Biology at another institution: If the course you took elsewhere was already considered equivalent to BIOL 142, then it will transfer in to UMBC and be considered equivalent to BIOL 140. There is nothing you need to do.
If you are in a major that is administered by a department other than Biological Sciences that is affected by this change: Please see your academic advisor for your major for guidance.
If you have any questions, please contact the advisor for your major, CNMS Advising, or the Biological Sciences Department.