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; 44-45 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 CoursesMath 116 and 117, or higherPhys 231/232 or 255/256Chem 120/121, andTwo 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 YearEnglish 100Comm 145 or 161Hist 119 or 120Math 116Chem 120 & 121Biol 120 & 121,

122 & 123Cat. F ElectiveApprox. 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

iCAPDegree Audit for your major“What if” AuditTopNet

• Student ServicesiCAP (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 email/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 CenterTCNW Room 203

270-745-2638Biology.advising@wku.edu

Major and Minors Fair September 19, 2012 at the Raymond B. Preston Center