Science in the Evening (SIE)

SIE advising supports students to begin preparation for a new career, helping students find their way. SIE advising assists with course load and course selection, preparation for MCAT, DAT, and other professional and graduate school entrance exams, the application process for professional and graduate schools, and other academic issues.

Dr. Joelle C. Presson serves as the SIE Academic Director. Dr. Presson oversees academics, advising, select and review instructors, and ensures the program’s overall quality. For assistance, email jpresson@umd.edu or Schedule an Appointment.

Elaine Shaw-Taylor, SIE Program Manager, assists Dr. Presson with all program aspects. If you need to be in touch with the SIE office, include Ms. Shaw-Taylor on any email using estaylor@umd.edu.

Science in the Evening offers a well-rounded curriculum in biochemistry, biology, chemistry, and physics. Structured to meet individual needs, students enroll for courses that fulfill their intended career path and are not obligated to take every recommended course.

General

• SIE course sections are smaller than daytime sections with lecture sessions generally having 20-40 enrolled students. 
• Small discussion and state-of-the-art lab sections ensure interactive instruction. 
• Registration is not restricted to a particular course sequence. Students must, however, meet all course pre- and co-requisites.
• Credits and grades earned post to the University of Maryland transcript.

Courses

• Courses are scheduled for weekday evenings, Mondays through Thursdays, within the following time frames:
  • Biochemistry: 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
  • Biological Sciences: 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
  • Chemistry: 6:00 - 10:00 p.m. 
  • Physics: 7:00 - 10:00 p.m. 
• Course sections follow the same curriculum, have the same academic rigor, and follow the same academic policies as the University’s degree-seeking undergraduate program. The content for these UMD-approved courses—lectures, discussions, and labs—are identical to those sections offered to degree-seeking UMD students.

Overall 

• Features mostly in-person learning with occasional online offered
• Instruction is provided by UMD faculty and professionals in the field. 
• Instructors are carefully screened and regularly evaluated to maintain quality. All course lecturers have an earned doctoral degree in the discipline they teach, have a history with the Biology, Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, and the Chemistry and Biochemistry Departments, and are approved by those departments to teach. The laboratory teaching assistants are predominantly UMD graduate students, with experience teaching these same courses in the traditional day program.
• Uses the semester academic calendar with classes held in the fall and spring semester (16 weeks each).
• Students enrolled in a program that features in-person instruction are required to submit the University’s Immunization Record Form prior to the first day of their first semester/term. See Health Requirements.

In-Person Learning

• Classes are held in UMD College Park campus classrooms, offering a focused, distraction-free learning environment.
• Instructors present dynamic and interactive instruction.

Online Learning

• Using advanced audio and video technology, UMD’s online learning environment delivers dynamic and interactive content.
• Featuring convenience and flexibility, courses feature synchronous instruction and some asynchronous work.
• Lectures are video or audio archived for students who are unable to attend due to illness or emergencies.