Welcome New Biology Majors! Advising for Freshmen Orientation

What do you think the biggest difference is?

Department Contact Department ChairDepartment Associate Chair Dr. Michael GroveDr. Maria Tahamont 130 Science Hall 256 Science Hall Program Academic AdvisorFreshmen/Sophomore Advising Susan Schmidt UAC Advising 225 Science Hall Savitz Hall Department website: Advising

Minimum expectations of you as a biology major 1.Observe advising resources or announcements made available to you 2.Understand course requirements for major 3.Meet deadlines 4.Good citizenship: to all faculty, professional staff and your student colleagues 5.Observe and follow all safety procedures 6.Appropriate use of electronic technology 7.Observe and follow University policies 8.Know how to find written information on policies

Some things to do before/during the Fall semester… to help you get off to a good start at Rowan Know your Rowan ID and !!! Familiarize yourself with Rowan’s website, Biology, Banner, RSN What can Rowan U offer you? (Fin Aid, CMC, ASC) If you are transferring AP credits, carefully review your transfer course credits and use the appropriate program guide to determine your course needs from Spring 2015 onwards for graduation If you are considering more school after graduation (medical school, graduate school, professional school), investigate carefully the admissions requirements Read more about the University’s programs and policies in the Undergraduate Catalog (to find it, use the search bar in the website) Carefully consider your other commitments during the semester (Do you have too many things on your plate, aside from being a student?)

Who is my Advisor? All advisors will be listed in GRAD Students with 57 credits and below report to: – University Advising Center – Savitz Hall 323 – Students with 58+ credits will be assigned a faculty advisor from the department

First of all: Total credits To graduate from Rowan, you must have: 120 credits (passed all classes) GPA = x 8 = ?

General Education requirements 42 credits total of non-Biology courses Specific requirements: Here are some that don’t get fulfilled by the major requirements Communication: College Comp I, College Comp II HHL: 6 credits (Philosophy of Science counts toward this) SBS: 6 credits (psych, soc, anthropology, geo) Non-program courses: 16 Things that could fit in here include courses for a minor or other major

Rowan Experience requirements Rowan Seminar: should have fulfilled this in freshman year, probably with Bio 1 (doesn‘t apply to transfers) Public Speaking An Art/Creative Experience course (ART) A Literature course (LIT) A Multicultural/Global course (M/G) You get this by taking Philosophy of Science A Writing Intensive course (WI): You get this by taking Philosophy of Science or Special Topics in Biology. WI must be completed at Rowan (can not be a transfer course).

The core courses for the major Bio 1 to 4 (or Bio 3T and Bio 4) Chemistry I and II Organic I and II Physics I and II Calculus I Biometry

Electives for the major You need 22 credits in electives: Any upper-level Biology course (i.e., Bio 4 is a prereq.) Can include Biochemistry I (Chemistry course) Can include either Human Anatomy I or II (see below) Special requirements At least 4 lab courses (at least three must be 300- or 400-level; only one 200 level lab can count towards the 4 total labs needed If you take A&P I and II, one will count towards BIO lab, one will count towards Free Electives Must include Special Topics OR Lab/Field Research

Grade requirements – major classes You need at least a C in ANY Biology course for it to count toward the major Got a C- or less in Bio 1, 2, 3, 3T or 4? Take the course again and get a C or better Got a C- or less in an elective? Take the course again or take a different elective and get a C or better

You need to AVERAGE a C in the following courses Chemistry I and II Organic I and II Physics I and II Calculus I Biometry So, you CAN get a D in one, but you’ll need to get better than a C in one or more of the others You still have to PASS ALL OF THEM Grade requirements: non-biology required classes

Example: Biology Courses Biology 1: B+ Biology 2: A- Biology 3: B Biology 4: B- Genetics (300+ lab): C Cell Biology (300+ lab): B+ Microbiology (300+ lab): A- Intro to Biochemistry (300+ elective): A A&P I (200 lab): A- Special Topics/Research Lab: A Non-Biology Required Courses Chemistry I B+ Chemistry II C Organic Chemistry I D+ Organic Chemistry II B- Physics I B+ Physics II A Calculus I B Biometry B+ GPA = 2.86

Thinking about the future…. Independent research Biology Lab/Field Research – 3 course credits To participate, you MUST make arrangements with a faculty member. Contact individual faculty one or more semesters before you hope to begin research, and/or look for announcements distributed by Course credit is available: “Biology Lab / Field Research” Minimum of two semester commitment is generally expected This is a limited resource: keep trying if no position is offered! You’re not required to take Special Topics if you take this course.

Freshmen Possible Fall Schedule Biology 1 Chemistry I College Composition I or Intensive College Composition I Calculus I or Precalculus Missing any of these? Then be sure to take them in the Spring! In Basic Skills? Do not count towards 120 college credits Note the colors, as they indicate which Spring courses have prerequisites listed in the Fall courses Possible Spring Schedule Fall courses that you haven’t taken! Biology 2 Chemistry II College Composition II either Calculus 1 or Physics 1 (whichever one you didn’t take in the Fall) ( Note that Introduction to Mechanics, a calculus-based course in Physics, also fulfills graduation requirement of Physics I) If ALL of the above are scheduled or completed, what else? an approved General Education Course (examples: Introduction to Sociology Essentials of Psychology) Human Anatomy and Physiology I or II

Basic Skills? If you are enrolled in Basic Skills, consider the following: Retest? Contact Can I handle lab sciences with basic skills courses? Re-evaluate your schedule Courses are not college credit – how can I “make up” the credits? Is summer an option?

I am enrolled in classes, now what?? Student Groups!! How do I get involved? Can I join as a Commuter? The Biology Club The Health Professions Society Minority Association of Pre-Medical Students (MAPS) Pre-Allied Health Club Rowan Pre-Health Club For more information about either club, see the link “Student Organizations” in the Department’s Webpage

Thinking about the future…. Health professions career interests? Meet with the Health Professions Advisor: Mr. Varela (ROB 203; Graduate school aspirations? Meet with the Bio Dept.’s Graduate School Advisors: Cell & Molecular fields: Drs. Iftode & Krufka Environmental & Ecology fields: Dr. Crumrine Interests in other biological careers? Talk to faculty in a related field BioJobs list: (include your name in the body of the )

Minors and Concentrations: Minors and concentrations are a great way to fill non- program/free elective spots Take courses you enjoy or may enhance your education/career goals DO NOT TAKE IF: You do not enjoy the subject, your skills in that subject are not the best, possible lowering of GPA, push back anticipated graduation date Popular options include: Minor: Chemistry, Psychology Concentration: Environmental Science, Health Professions, Neuroscience

Self Service Registration: “Student Self Service” on Registrar’s website Rowan ID (9-digit number beginning with 9) PIN (default is your 6-digit date of birth: MMDDYY)

Your RSN Dashboard

How Registration at RU Works (Honors, athletes, and accommodations) Seniors (90+ credits) and Students with Priority Registration Status First Week of Registration Juniors (58+ credits) Second Week of Registration Sophomores (24+ credits) Third Week of Registration Freshmen (Any) Fourth Week of Registration

What is next? CHECK YOUR STUDENT !!! Navigate the website Banner? RSN? Schedule? Advising? Books Campus Map

Welcome to Rowan University! #BeWiseGetAdvised #RowanPROUD Friend us on Facebook at Bio Rowan