Biology Major Academic Advising

Aims of this Session … Familiarize Students with Requirements for Graduation Familiarize Students with Requirements of the Biology Majors Check Your Progress toward Graduation Answer any Scheduling Questions for Next Semester Release your Advisement Hold

Advising Who has to be advised? What can an advisor do for me? How do I find out who my advisor is? TopNet, Student Services, Registration, View Advisor Information Advisor Expectations

The ABCs of Grades A, B, C, D, F… Fn, W? Grade requirement for Biology majors “C” or better Academic Standing Minimum 2.0 GPA for Biology Majors Financial Aid and Grades

Requirements for Graduation 120 Credit Hours; 42 must be 300 or 400 level Major in Biology 36 Credit hrs. (#617) requires a minor (18 hours) 48 Credit hrs. (#525) no minor required Major in Medical Technology (#582) Major in Biochemistry (#519) General Education; credit hours Really 36 Hours (double dip the Math and Science)

Requirements for the Biology Majors Biol 120/121 and 122/123 (8) Biol 222/223 or Biol 224/225 or Biol 226/227 (4) Biol 319/322 or Biol 327 (4) Biol 315 or Biol 430 (3-4.5) Electives to reach 36 or 48 hrs. Select electives in consultation with your advisor

Required Supporting Courses Math 116 and 117, or higher Phys 231/232 or 255/256 Chem 120/121, and Two of the following: Agro 350, 452, 454, 455 & 456, 457 & 458, Biol 283, Chem 222/223, Chem 314 or Chem 340/341, Chem 330, CIS 343, CIS 226 or CS 226 or CS 230, Geog 316, Geog 317, Geog 415, Geog 417, Math 136, Math 137 or Math 142, Math 305, Math 307, Phys 332/233 or Phys 265/266, Socl 302. Required for most health professions

Cat. A (Org./Comm.) Eng 100, Eng 300, Comm 145 or 161, Foreign Lang. (102) Cat. B (Humanities) Eng 200, + 6 hours Cat. C (Soc./Beh. Sci.) Hist 119 or 120, + 6 hrs Cat. D (Math & Sci.) Double dip from Major and/or Minor Cat. E (Culture) 3 credit hours Cat. F (Health) 2 credit hours General Education

What should I have completed during… First Year English 100 Comm 145 or 161 Hist 119 or 120 Math 116 Chem 120 & 121 Biol 120 & 121, 122 & 123 Cat. F Elective Approx. 30 total credit hours Second Year English 200 Math 117 Phys 231/232 Biol 222 or 224 or 226 (+lab) Biol Supporting Course Course in Minor or Additional Bio Course Cat. B Elective Cat. C Elective Approx. 60 total credit hours

Graduation Reality Minimum of 120 hours needed 12 hour minimum to be full time BUT… 12 hours X 8 semester = 96 hours 15 hrs/semester = 120 hours in 4 years Or winter and summer hours can be taken to supplement spring and fall classes Developmental courses Failing a course

iCAP Degree Audit for your major “What if” Audit TopNet Student Services  iCAP (Interactive Degree Audit)

Attend class Notify your instructor before missing a class if possible Do the required reading Complete assignments on-time/early Keep coursework high on your priorities Academic Dishonesty will earn you an F, or worse Check your WKU /Blackboard every morning Tips for Academic Success

More Tips for Academic Success Get to know your instructors Get to know your academic advisor Treat school as a full-time job (40 hours a week) Make study time a regular part of your day Make friends in class… the kind that will help you, not the kind that will distract you Get tutoring/help when you need it Get involved in your Major’s student organizations Student Resources and Organizations

In Conclusion: Enjoy your time at WKU. Make new friends. Learn. Participate in campus activities. Get to know your advisors and instructors. Prepare for an exciting future.

Biology Advising Center TCNW Room Major and Minors Fair September 19, 2012 at the Raymond B. Preston Center