Integrated life sciences: General FAqs

1. what is the integrated life sciences (ILS) honors program at UMD?

ILS is a biological sciences-focused and accelerated curriculum for talented STEM students.  The program includes a significant research requirement, a two-year commitment of coursework, a student-driven service-learning experience, and a holistic education that values community and self-care.  Our living-learning program fosters collaboration, nourishes relationships between students, and offers accessible staff and faculty to mentor and guide each cohort.  We strive to assist our students to identify and achieve their unique goals to launch their careers in the life sciences. 

2. what are the components of the ILS community?

The ILS community is a multifaceted partnership of faculty, staff, students, and university partners centered on a living-learning experience in designated housing in LaPlata Hall. It is intentionally designed to build relationships among our students, who are neighbors, frequent collaborators, and classmates.  

LaPlata Hall is the center of our community; home to all of our first-year students, where the staff offices are located for students' convenience, where faculty hold office hours, where Teaching Assistants host study sessions, where some classes are located, and the location of many programs throughout the year.  Community programs on and off campus are planned by the Assistant Director and promote relationship building, scholarship, leadership development, wellness, and an encouraging environment for students to be successful, healthy, and happy.  

The academic component of ILS is intentionally designed to work in concert with the residential community of ILS.  Our two required fall classes in the first year of the program are designed to encourage our students to get to know each other, value their diverse backgrounds and experiences, and work collaboratively on assignments and projects.  HLSC100 is a customized introduction to the ILS community and the University of Maryland and facilitated by trained ILS upperclass student Section Leaders in partnership with the Assistant Director.  HLSC207 is taught by our Director and lays the groundwork for critical thinking, mentorship, and student partnership that is pervasive throughout the ILS experience.

Additional components of our community include the Peer Mentor Family Program, which matches first-year students with upperclass ILSers to serve as a resource, friendly face, and point of contact throughout the ILS experience.  Resident Advisors live on the floors to serve as embedded sources of support, guidance, and assistance.  Various social media platforms and a closed listserv keep our students informed of community events, research opportunities, upcoming programs, and encourage communication between staff and students. 

All students complete a 25-hour service-learning requirement with a community partner of their choosing to contribute to that community partner's mission. Such community involvement is vital in practicing modern science, and our students earn 1 credit for their service-learning experience in HLSC102.  Previous partners' missions include tutoring underserved local students in STEM, serving guests meals at a D.C. soup kitchen, and experiencing first-hand organic and sustainable farming practices at TerpFarm.  Please see our Community page for additional information.

3. are all First-Year ils STudents required to Live on campus?

Yes.  ILS is a living-learning program with the goal of fostering meaningful academic, professional, and personal experiences for our students. The development of an interactive and supportive residential community is essential to the success of all first-year students in the ILS program, and builds a strong foundation for the entirety of their college experience.  By living together, students build lasting friendships, complete group assignments for their classes, adjust to life at UMD, and create their first professional network.  All students live on the ILS floors in the air-conditioned LaPlata Hall, which also conveniently holds the classrooms for some ILS courses, the offices of ILS faculty and staff, and group study rooms.  

*Since our inception, the community aspect is one of the most highly rated components of the ILS program by our students. 

4. IS ILS ONLY FOR biology MAJORS?

No.  ILS for students interested in all aspects of the life sciences.  Our community includes students from a wide range of majors including Animal Science, Public Health, Neuroscience, Environmental Science, and Psychology.  Our students aspire to careers in research, veterinary science, medicine, dentistry, and global service.  We are unified by our excitement for the life sciences, and designed this course of study to help our students reach personal and professional goals.  However, if you are not passionate about science, ILS will not be a good fit for you.

5. will ils get me into medical school?

The ILS courses and research requirement are intentionally aligned with the guidelines in the 2009 Association of American Medical Colleges report entitled "The Scientific Foundations for Future Physicians."  Nevertheless, ILS may or may not be the best path to medical school for YOU. Your honors living-learning program is only one component of your undergraduate experience.  The University of Maryland as a whole has a commendable history of students significantly exceeding the national acceptance rates to medical school. This success has been achieved on the basis of the excellence of our life science departments, numerous extracurricular opportunities, determined hard work and commitment by talented students, and strong advising support for pre-med students with the Health Professions Advising Office (HPAO).  All UMD students have equal access to HPAO's services and preparation, and students from many living-learning programs successfully earn admission to medical school each year.

6. How long is the ils program?

Although the ILS course requirements are typically satisfied during the first two years of college, ILS continues to offer leadership, service, and mentoring activities to upperclass ILS students.  Most ILS juniors and seniors pursue a wide range of individualized activities including study abroad experiences, specialized off-campus research, community service projects, to MCAT or GRE preparation.  In order to give our students the flexibility necessary to achieve a wide range of goals, ILS coursework is condensed to two years, while the ILS relationships, mentoring, and professional staff guidance continue to be available for all of our students as long as they wish. 

7. What if I have a chronic health issue, disability, mental Health Concerns, or uncommon identity? Will ILS be a safe and welcoming place for me?

Yes! ILS and LaPlata has been home to students who have navigated chronic and even life-threatening health conditions, a range of disabilities, mental health concerns, and a wide range of religious, cultural, racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, and sexuality identities. One of the greatest strengths of our program is the people in it and their shared living experience, and we are an intrinsically richer and stronger community for the diversity of perspective, identity, and talent our students share with us. We have been able to accommodate a variety of student needs in collaboration with our students. Please reach out and communicate with us if you have questions about your particular situation so we can be prepared to meet your unique needs.

8. HOW DOES ILS COMPARE TO THE OTHER HONORS PROGRAMS?

ILS is one of the eight Honors College programs at the University of Maryland that offers its students unique academic and co-curricular experiences. This link compares key features of each program and can help you determine which program is the best path for your goals and aspirations. To learn more about each program, please visit the program websites and contact their staff directly. Honors students are amazingly talented and can succeed in multiple programs.

9. does ILS require a research experience?

Yes.  Research shows that college students with experience in their intended career prior to graduation helps them realize their career goals.  This is especially important for students interested in a career in the life sciences, as a research internship allows students to acquire a deep appreciation for the research process responsible for generating new scientific knowledge.  Thus, ILS requires students to complete a 240-hour experience with a mentor contributing to original research.  The research experience can take place on campus, at world-class federal research centers in the Washington, D.C. area, or at other research institutions and universities.  Please see Question 9 below.

10. What does the ILS research internship involve?

1)  Working with the ILS Associate Director to identify a research mentor and project, 2) a commitment of 240 hours to that project, and 3) an e-Portfolio.  However, no need to worry about this until you get here!

                   Still have questions?  Please contact our office via email at: ils-honors@umd.edu or
via phone at 301-405-5086.