Declaring a CMNS Major or Minor

New students

Visit the Admissions section regarding the process.

Currently enrolled students

Currently enrolled UMD students who wish to declare a major or minor in a CMNS discipline should follow the processes below, depending on which program they are interested in. Students must be in the major in which they will graduate prior to registering for their last semester, and they must officially add a double major/double degree one year prior to graduating. The CMNS Peer Mentors assist students with making graduation plans for their prospective major.

Astronomy | Atmospheric and Oceanic Science | Geology | Mathematics | Physics

• Make an appointment with the CMNS department advisor for your major or minor.  The advisor will explain major/minor requirements and will help you assess whether or not the major is right for you.
• Complete and sign a change of major form at this meeting.
• To declare a major: Submit a change of major request through Terp Engage at go.umd.edu/majorchange.  Your request will be reviewed and become effective in the subsequent academic semester.  A major change is not complete until the CMNS Office of Student Services has approved it.
• To declare a minor: Complete the minor form provided by the department. The form will be reviewed by the department.
• Requests to add a major or minor will be denied if the request requires exception(s) to policy—for example, if adding the major would require the student to exceed the attempted course or repeat credit limits. Students whose major request is denied will be notified by email.
• Requests to add a second major or degree in their first semester at the University will be pending until final grades have been posted and a student has a cumulative grade point average.

Limited Enrollment Programs

Biochemistry | Biological Sciences | Chemistry | Environmental Sciences & Policy - Biodiversity and Conservation | Neuroscience

These majors are limited-enrollment programs. Admission to these majors is highly selective, including the completion of gateway courses and a minimum GPA. To apply to one of these majors, students should:

• Explore the requirements and sample graduation plan: Biochemistry, Biological Sciences, Chemistry, ENSP-Biodiversity & Conservation, and Neuroscience.
• Please note that students may not pursue dual degrees or a double major with Biological Sciences (any track) and Neuroscience ( any track). This also applies to students who have previously completed a Biological Sciences or Neuroscience degree and wish to return to complete another degree.
• Review and complete the gateway course requirements on the limited enrollment programs website.
• Complete the limited enrollment program application. Students must apply by the 5th business day of January for Spring semester admission, and the 5th business day of June for Fall semester admission.

For any additional questions, email lep@umd.edu.

Computer Science

• Visit the prospective students section of the undergraduate Computer Science website for instructions on declaring a Computer Science major or minor.  The Computer Science major and minor were designated as limited enrollment programs beginning in the Fall 2019 semester.  

Immersive Media Design 

Immersive Media Design encompasses two degree programs: the Bachelor of Art, Emerging Creatives and the Bachelor of Science, Computing. Both degree programs are limited-enrollment programs. To be eligible for either the B.A. or the B.S., students must complete a series of gateway courses and achieve a minimum GPA. Students interested in applying should:

• Review the gateway requirements (IMDM-Computing and IMDM-Creatives) and degree requirements;
• Email imd@umd.edu with any questions regarding their coursework and its applicability to the degree;
• Complete the limited enrollment program application through the Office of Undergraduate Admissions by the appropriate deadline.

Any additional questions should be directed to imd@umd.edu.