Yes! Those who wish to apply directly to the Biocomputational Engineering degree program – such as soon-to-be high school graduates, or those looking to earn their bachelor's degree from a four-year institution – can apply to the Biocomputational Engineering degree pre-major program at the University of Maryland, College Park.

This option is perfect for those students who wish to experience their first two years of undergraduate studies at the University of Maryland, College Park campus. During these first two years of study, biocomputational engineering pre-major students can take advantage of on-campus room and board, immerse themselves in a variety of student clubs and activities, and more!

Once biocomputational engineering pre-major students successfully complete their first 60 credits as a pre-major, they will transition to our Shady Grove campus for their biocomputational engineering (BCE) degree program classes. At this time, BCE students will gain access to academic counseling, a Shady Grove campus recreation center, an entrepreneurship lab, and more! Plus, students will still have the opportunity to continue their involvement with student activities and organizations at College Park if they so choose. 
 

No, you did not – don't worry! If you are applying as a prospective first-year (freshman) student, you will not be able to select Biocomputational Engineering as your major. Instead, you should denote your intended major in the application by selecting "Engineering: Biocomputational Engineering (Pre)* 0905G" from the drop-down menu. View a screenshot of the selection here.

* If you have fewer than 12 semester hours or 18 quarter hours of university-level credit, you should apply as a first-year applicant and plan to complete your first and second years of undergraduate studies at the College Park campus. Applications can be submitted through CommonApp or StandOut Admissions Network.

Required materials for the Biocomputational Engineering pre-major program application are as follows:

• An application essay
• $75 non-refundable application fee

When completing a UMD application, your student will be required to pay the fee on our secure website with a credit card at the time of application unless you have received a fee waiver. Fee waivers must be submitted prior to application completion for consideration. We cannot accept cash or check payments. For information regarding application fee waiver eligibility, please review the Fee Waivers page.

Optional items for the Biocomputational Engineering pre-major program application are as follows:

Letter of recommendation (optional)
Your student may choose to submit a letter of recommendation with their application. Recommendations must be sent to us directly from the recommender, and they can be written by anyone of the applicants' choosing including teachers, counselors, coaches, and mentors.

Activities and awards list or resume (optional)
Your student can detail and submit their efforts in the community, arts, leadership, athletics, family involvements, work experience, and other extracurricular activities and hobbies in order of interest to them.
 

We also strongly encourage you to apply by the early action deadline to receive priority consideration for admission, merit-based scholarships, and invitations to special programs. The early action deadline for first-year applicants (freshmen) is November 1.

Engineering is one of the University of Maryland's Limited Enrollment Programs (LEP) on the College Park campus, which means that there is not enough space to accomodate all applicants. This generally makes the application process more competitive.

But, there are multiple pathways to the B.S. in biocomputational engineering degree that run through College Park!

Students who select an LEP (such as the biocomputational engineering pre-major program) as their major are reviewed by the specific program to determine admission to that major. While the majority of students are admitted to their preferred major, some LEP applicants may not be. Students who are admitted to UMD but not their preferred LEP major are placed in Letters & Sciences, where they work with an advisor to meet the gateway requirements to earn admission to that major. This ensures that you'll stay on track to earn your B.S. in Biocomputational Engineering degree in four years.
 

In your first and second year at the University of Maryland, College Park, your tuition will coincide with the tuition for University of Maryland, College Park undergraduate students.

Fall 2022 & Spring 2023 rates are as follows:

• $5,616.50 per semester for Resident full-time undergraduate students
• $19,734.50 per semester for Non-Resident full-time undergraduate students
• Mandatory fees are a flat rate of $352.00 for 1-8 credit hours and $769.00 for 9+ credit hours.

Tuition will still coincide with the University of Maryland, College Park tuition rates throughout your junior and senior years, but your facility fees will decrease since you will officially take classes at the Universities at Shady Grove campus.

The USG fees for full-time undergraduate students enrolled in 2023 are reflected below:

Mandatory Auxiliary Fee: $696
Mandatory Facilities Fee: $42
 

Yes – there are many scholarship opportunities, in fact! There is a wide variety of scholarship opportunities available through both the University of Maryland and the A. James Clark School of Engineering.

In addition, you are eligible to apply for scholarships specifically for students attending the Universities at Shady Grove after you complete your first two years at College Park. If you are interested in applying for the USG scholarships, you can conveniently do so by completing the USG General Scholarship Application, which considers you for all scholarship opportunities offered at USG. 

Financial aid and loans are also available for your student. Explore eligibility, the application process, and aid offers and discover helpful links for all other inquiries about financial aid. 

If you are an international or an undocumented student, please visit UMD’s International Student page for information and assistance. Plus, explore our Financial Resources for Immigrant and Undocumented Students. 
 

Yes! All graduates of our Biocomputational Engineering degree program earn their diploma from the University of Maryland, College Park. Although you will take your biocomputational engineering courses at the Universities at Shady Grove campus, your degree – and, thus, your diploma – will be granted by the University of Maryland, exactly as it would if you completed all four years at the College Park campus.