Dear students,

I hope everyone continues to be well and welcome again to the Fischell Department of Bioengineering! Below is the first set of pre-arrival information to help with your transition to UMD. We will continue to update more information through the summer months via this website. 

Should you have any questions in the meantime, feel free to email us at bioe-graduate@umd.edu.

Connect with your cohort: 

If you are interested in connecting with your cohort (and to respect privacy), we have created an open online spreadsheet (link could be found in the email) where you can input your contact information and collaborate. We encourage you to own and edit this document as much as you like (e.g. posting for roommates, arrival dates, sharing a link to an online group/forum if someone creates one, etc). We also include some housing resources links in the "Housing Resources" tab. 

Create your UMD account: 

Log back into your Graduate School Application Portal to activate your UMD directory ID. After activating your UID, you can set up your university email account. Once your UMD account is activated, please send us a quick email (bioe-graduate@umd.edu) with your new email address; we will send all information there from that point forward.

Payroll:

• Attend a payroll session with Ms. Maritza A. Montelara (maritza@umd.edu), Payroll Coordinator. Maritza will be holding several virtual sessions during the months of June and July and will send additional details and payroll items to everyone in the near future.

Registration:

• Register for fall courses via Testudo after getting your directory ID (see item below for course registration instructions). It is best to wait to register until closer to your payroll orientation, so that your tuition remission kicks in.  If you register late, you will incur a late registration fee. Be aware of the add/drop deadlines!

• Email Dr. Helim Aranda at helim@umd.edu to set up a pre-semester advising meeting. This meeting is mandatory for all first-year PhD students. 

• As first-year PhD students, you should register for BIOE 610 (3 credits), two elective course (3 credits each), and BIOE 605 (1 credit). 

  • While not required, some students may consider adding another 3-credit elective course for the fall semester. This possibility can be discussed with Dr. Aranda during your fall pre-semester advising meeting. 

  • You are welcome to refer to the BIOE Graduate Handbook, which outlines course requirements and provides typical course sequences for PhD students. 

  • Please note, all courses must be at the 600-level or above and cannot include M.Eng. Program courses.

Save the dates:

• Thursday, August 21 ---  BIOE Graduate Student Orientation
  BIOE Graduate Student Orientation will be held in-person in Room 3104, A James Clark Hall, on Thursday, August 21. You will connect with your cohort and learn about labs and degree requirements. Place your lunch order here by July 31!

New Student Checklist

• Complete online modules:

  1. Complete TerrapinSTRONG Onboarding Course: go.umd.edu/EnrollGradTS

  2. International students should attend any orientation held by ISSS. Make sure you check your email for any information.

• Submit forms required for you to sign up for second semester classes:

  1. Send in your final transcript to the Graduate School (2123 Lee Building). 

  2. Fill out your immunization form and submit it to the Health Center. 

• You can purchase or download discounted computers and free software through the Terrapin Tech program. 

• Get a parking permit if needed through the Transportation Services website. 

• Once you have activated your directory ID and registered for fall classes, you can go get your Graduate Student Picture ID from the Mitchell Building.

Lab Rotations

The 2025-26 Lab Rotation Guide will be sent out to students doing rotation later - please stay tuned!

Important Dates:

You can find the campus calendar here.