Dept. Chair:Dept. Associate Chair: Dr. Michael GroveDr. Maria Tahamont Science HallScience Hall Academic Advisor (58+ credits)Academic Advisor (0-57 credits) Susan SchmidtUniversity Advising Center 225 Science Hall Savitz Hall Department website: Advising Welcome New Biology majors!

What will we cover today Some things for you to do before/during the Fall semester What can you do to be successful here? Expectations of you How to get advising help this before the semester starts Important resources for new students Course requirements for the biology major Determining your course needs Course registration

Some things to do before/during the Fall semester… to help you get off to a good start at Rowan CHECK YOUR ROWAN ! Carefully review your transfer course credits and use the appropriate program guide to determine your course needs from Spring 2016 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?) Read the next two slides carefully!

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

10 ways to be a model student: Rowan Culture be involved in department events or research (contribute to department culture) interact with department faculty and students (contribute to department culture) observing all announcements directed to biology majors from the department Chair or faculty regularly use our available advising resources or events identify a clear plan of your ideal course sequence to graduate observe and plan for deadlines (in courses as well as University deadlines) understand the University’s academic policies and where to find the policies understand and pursue the admission requirements for post-graduate schools or the hiring criteria for employers limit and manage your employment (or non-class) schedule, and be effective in time management

No doubt you will have questions after today Looking ahead … The Department circulates an advisement bulletin about 3 weeks before course registration each semester. Look for this in your in October. (And in March, in the Spring semester.) Each semester, the Department offers multiple advising sessions before and during course registration. Individual Advising is available for all students!

If you have unresolved course registration needs for the Fall after today, you are welcome to contact … Susan Schmidt, Academic Advisor 225 Science Hall / / University Advising Center 323 Savitz Hall / / the Department Chair or the Associate Chair: – Dr. Grove and/or Dr. Tahamont

Information and resources about major requirements, course availability, and registration : Department Webpage: Transfer Student Resources in Registrar’s Webpage: Registration Information Guide, in: Academic Advisor: Meet with an advisor and check for advising and department updates

Grad may be useful to assess your progress to graduation … but remember that is a not a perfect tool.

Department Secretary Tricia Joslin Science Hall How can she help you? – For general questions if you don’t know where to get help – Direct you to the form bin for the Chairperson’s signature – Can change your assigned advisor, or provide your advisor’s name – Literature about the Department or its programs What can’t she do? – Cannot provide academic advising – Cannot sign forms for the Chair or an Instructor

Who is your advisor --- if a junior or senior? If you will be a junior or senior in the Fall (58 or more credits), your advisor will be Susan Schmidt (Science Hall 225) or a faculty advisor in the department In October, check GRAD in online self-service for your advisor listing If it is not posted in GRAD by October, contact Tricia Joslin, Department Secretary, 130 Science Hall. You may later wish to switch advisors to someone else whose interests better match your career goals. If you’ve identified someone else in the biology department, then: 1. Contact a potential faculty advisor and ask. 2. If the faculty member agrees, report the agreement to Tricia Joslin (130 Science Hall)

Who is your advisor --- if you are a freshman or sophomore? If you will be a freshman or sophomore in the Fall (< 58 credits), your advising is provided by the University Advising Center. Savitz Hall, Room Once you are a junior (58 or more credits), your advising will be provided by Susan Schmidt or Department faculty member. Again, check GRAD for your assigned department advisor.

Thinking about the future…. Health professions career interests? – Meet with the Health Professions Advisor: Mr. Varela (Robinson Hall 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 )

Student groups How do I get involved? Can I join as a Commuter? The Biology Club: organizes a number of different educational and social events every year The Health Professions Society: invites speakers with expertise in health or other professional fields, in preparing for application to medical, dental or other professional schools, and in visiting places of interest For more information about either club, see the link “Student Organizations” in the Department’s Webpage

Research Opportunities 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!

Course requirements and registration information 1.Course Equivalent documents (Registrar’s website) 2.Program Guide (advisor, department website)* 3.Section Tally (Registrar’s website)* 4. General Education and Rowan Experience courses (Found in the Attribute menu in Section Tally)* 5.CLM (College Level Mathematics) Placement Exam* 6.6.Self Service (Registrar’s website) * Emphasized today

If you have taken or will take courses elsewhere, see: “Transfer Credits” menu, Registrar’s website

NJtransfer.org

Example: Research/Special Topics 300+ lab Genetics 200 Lab A & P I 300+ lab Plant Diversity 300+ lab Animal Ethology (200) Elective A & P II

Grade requirements for the major A grade of C or higher must be earned in each biology course. (C- does not meet the requirement) An average grade of C or higher must be earned in chemistry, physics, and math courses required for the major: Chemistry I & II Organic Chemistry I & II Calculus I Biometry Physics I & II additional details on the requirements for a degree in biology are in the Undergraduate Catalog, available through the Registrar’s website:

Rowan Experience requirements You must take one course in each category: – Public Speaking, Writing Intensive, Literature, Artistic and Creative Experience, Multicultural/Global (listed on your program guide) – Rowan Seminar if required only if a freshman The General Education course requirements are separate (but some courses fulfill both Gen. Ed. Course and Rowan Experience requirements) Public Speaking is a course required for all students Both General Education Courses and Rowan Experience courses can be found by searching Section Tally within the Attribute menu One Writing Intensive Course must be completed at Rowan (but Philosophy of Science and Special Topics in Biology are both WI)

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

BA in Biology Ask an advisor

Some new Biology transfers are required to take the CLM (College Level Math) placement test Placement tests are given by the Testing Center: 304 Savitz Hall, You must take the CLM exam unless ONE of the following is true … You have completed a college course equivalent to Precalculus You have completed a college course equivalent to Calculus I you completed and passed AP Calculus in high school If required to take the CLM, your score indicates: - which math course to take (Calculus I, if CLM score ≥ 60, Pre-Calculus if CLM < 60) - whether you have math proficiency to enroll in Physics I (recommendation: CLM score ≥ 60) *If you transfer over 30+ credits, you are exempt from taking the Math Placement Test (for basic skills), but not the College Level Math Placement Test! *If you transfer over less than 30 credits, you MUST TAKE THE Math Placement Test if you do not have a college level math on your Rowan U transcript

Search for Courses Self-Service/Banner Banner homepage, enter ID and PIN (mmddyy) Student Tab Registration Search for courses Section Tally Select Term Search by: – Subject – Session – Professor – Attribute – Campus – Building

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

Course Registration for New Transfers to the Biology Major Ideally, you should already have taken (or currently are taking): Biology I and II Chemistry I and II Precalculus or Calculus I Physics I and Physics II (Note that Physics I could be Physics I for Life Sciences Majors or Introduction to Mechanics) College Composition I and II General Education or Rowan Experience courses: a. Public Speaking (Oral Comm.) b. Social/Behavioral Sciences c. History, Humanities and Languages d. Course in Literature e. Course in Artistic and Creative Experience NOTE: If your previous coursework is substantially different than the list above, be sure to consult an advisor before choosing courses for registration. Your Fall semester should include: Biology 3T, if you’ve completed Biology I and II OR Biology 1, if you’ve not completed Biology I AND not completed Biology II An appropriate math course: Calculus I or Precalculus An appropriate chemistry course: Chemistry I, Chemistry II Organic Chemistry I or Organic Chemistry II Biometry, if you have completed Biology I and II and Calculus I. Physics I or Introductory Mechanics, or Physics II (note: math prerequisites apply) Make the courses above your top priority in registration! Other options: Philosophy of Science or Phil. of Medicine Human Anatomy and Physiology I or II Courses from a-e to the left (all are nonlab courses)

How Registration at RU works: 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

Helpful information: ! This is worth repeating! Full time status is 12+ credits – credits pay same flat rate – 18 credits pay for the extra credit – 19+ must earn special permission from department Registration goes by applied credits Grade/Repeat Policy – Cannot replace a grade with non-Rowan University course – Yes, you must pass all of your classes! Helpful information can all be found on the website! Program guides, electives, PowerPoint…. Always plan ahead “15” what does that mean??

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