WELCOME BMB MAJORS Junior Year Advising Meeting Preparation for Fall 2018 Course Registration

Overview of Advising Session Advising System Catching up Senior Fall semester courses Questions

BMB Advising Updates BMB Primary Academic Advisor: Valerie Miller One BMB primary advisor One Chief Advisor Faculty – secondary advisors BMB Primary Academic Advisor: Valerie Miller BMBadvising@biochem.umass.edu LGRT 914

Other BMB Advising Dr. Amy Springer is the BMB Chief Undergrad Advisor ChiefAdvisor@biochem.umass.edu She is a great resource for questions about curricula and programs, she does approval of transfer courses and advanced electives. Also advice on Scholarships/ internships/ graduate school/independent study, study abroad, or when you need support for any other reason. Dr. Bryan Monesson-Olson is the BMB Honors Program Director bolson@umass.edu He is great resource for navigating CHC requirements for honors theses and honors courses

Includes ALL of the BMB faculty! BMB Faculty Advisors: They are a resource for you for career and field-specific questions. You can go to any secondary advisor (not just the one listed on SPIRE) to discuss scholarships, internships, research opportunities, your interests outside of BMB, and advice about career options. You can sign up online for appointments with any of them. Dr. Alice Cheung Dr. Dan Hebert Dr. David Gross Dr. James Staros Dr. Peter Chien Includes ALL of the BMB faculty!

Departmental Consent 2. Independent  Study:  Using an electronic Google form, found here: BMB website: http://www.umass.edu/biochem/ “Undergraduate> Program Requirements: menu on right side “Forms for undergraduates”  ALL the way at the bottom of the page

Registration and Lifting Holds There are three ways to have your Registration Hold lifted: Attend a group advising session Meet with a Peer Mentor during office hours Meet with BMB Academic Advisor Valerie Miller Your assigned Registration Appointment time is on your Student Center page in SPIRE. You will not be able to register at this time unless your Registration Hold has been lifted.

Departmental Consent Many of your upper level BMB classes are enrolled by “Departmental consent" This is indicated in SPIRE when it says "Department Consent Required" Courses include:  Biochem 394RI, 424, 426, 430H, Independent study You *CANNOT* enroll in these classes yourself, but need to go through the Department. 1. Required major classes (e.g. Biochem426, 430H):  When you are eligible for these, you will receive an email with detailed instructions Note:   You will not get the classes you need unless you follow the instructions *exactly*

Departmental Consent 2. Independent  Study:  Using an electronic Google form, found here: BMB website: http://www.umass.edu/biochem/ “Undergraduate> Program Requirements: menu on right side “Forms for undergraduates”

Pass/Fail Courses You cannot take any courses required for the major as “Pass/Fail” or any of your GenEds. You cannot use a “Pass” grade as a prerequisite for another course. Graduate school and medical school applications will not accept a “Pass” in one of your science or math or other required courses. You cannot legally repeat a course in which you have a “Pass” grade- Can legally repeat if have C- or lower You can revoke P/F status in any required courses and have your grade count, You will need to do this to graduate If you are worried about your grade in any of these courses: please talk to your professor in the course, go to the learning center and/or meet with your BMB advisor.

Courses to take next Fall/Spring: Biochemistry 423/424 Integrative Experience (Biochem 394RI, NatSci 494I, iCons option, or IE in your primary major) Biochem 471 (Physical Chemistry) Biochemistry 426 (requires 423 and 276) Biochemistry 430H (requires 423, and 424 or 426) You must earn C- or better in any course you count toward your major There are several ways to take BMB major; take the classes you need accordingly

Advanced Electives -- 8 credits are required. -- can be coursework, research, or a combination -- Most, but not all, math and science courses at the 300-level or above count. -- Independent studies (but not practica) at the 300-level or above count. -- The BMB webpage has a list of options in the undergraduate resources section (Dr. Springer can approve new courses). -- If you have a 2nd major or minor, check with your other department about “double-dipping”.

General Considerations Honors students, please check with the Commonwealth Honors College for additional requirements and deadlines. Make sure you have completed your GenEd requirements. You must have 12 graded credits / semester to be a full- time student. In total, 120 credits are required for graduation. Major and minor requirements are set by the corresponding department.

Tips and Tricks Check your ARR for accuracy Check your Service Center for holds Take advantage of campus resources and opportunities