Transcript New Student Conference 2014 presentation

BIOLOGY DEPARTMENT
Texas A&M University
New Student Conference 2015
Freshman Advising Meeting
Conference Objectives
• Review Biology Degree Plan
Options
• Review Core Curriculum
• Department Grade Requirements
• Scheduling and Registration
• Announcements
• Make this a WHOOPIN’
Experience
Undergraduate Programs Office Staff
Office: 107 Butler
Phone: 979-845-3116
Christine Farris-Director
[email protected]
Tara Hardin-Advisor
[email protected]
Vanessa Nordell-Senior Advisor
[email protected]
Victor Castillo-Advisor
[email protected]
Clint Crampton-Advisor II
[email protected]
Crystal Wager-Office Associate
[email protected]
LIFE SCIENCES CAREER SERVICES
Career Advising
Workshops Specifically Targeted to Life Sciences
Majors (including Resume Writing and Job Search
Strategies)
On-Campus Interviewing
Science Careers Listserv
Website (with specific information about finding
employment with a science degree)
Resume Review
Special Events (including Biotechnology and
Pharmaceutical Sales Panel Discussions)
Life Sciences Career Fair
LIFE SCIENCES CAREER SERVICES
Marilyn Yeager
Coordinator, Life Sciences Career
Services
Koldus Building, Suite 209
(979) 458-1303
[email protected]
http://careercenter.tamu.edu
BIOLOGY CURRICULUM
*All Biology Degrees are 120 credit hours*
First two years common science requirements in all degree plans.
B.A. Biology
Similar to B.S. Biology; Mandatory Minor (list
included in your packet)
B.S. Biology
Basic Biology Degree. Biology electives can be
freely chosen from an approved list.
B.S. Microbiology
Focused on prokaryotic biology including
bacterial genetics and bacterial physiology.
B.S. Molecular Cell
Directed electives are focused on cell, molecular
and developmental biology.
B.S. Zoology
Focuses on chordate and invertebrate anatomy
along with physiology and other zoology
directed electives.
FOUNDATION COURSE
COMPLETION TIMELINE
• Specific courses must be completed before
starting your 5th full semester (indicated by
** on the degree plans) for entry to upperdivision BIOL elective courses. These are
as follows:
–
–
–
–
–
Introductory Biology: BIOL111 & BIOL112
Secondary/Foundation Biology: BIOL213 & BIOL214
Introductory Chemistry: CHEM101, 111, 102, 112
Organic Chemistry: CHEM227, 237, 228, 238
Calculus: MATH147 & MATH148, or equivalents
TESTING, TESTING…1, 2, 3
• AP Testing
– Refer to the undergraduate catalog for a listing of
AP scores and their course equivalents
• CLEP Testing
– Contact Data and Research Services (DARS) at
979-845-0532
• Departmental/Placement Tests
– Foreign Language
– Core Curriculum Courses
• Math Assessment Test
– mathassessment.tamu.edu
Math Assessment
What is it?
A tool to determine your placement in MATH at Texas A&M University.
There are 33 questions.
What if I scored…
22 + : You are eligible to enroll in MATH147/151/171.
less than 22: You should enroll in pre-calculus (MATH150).
Can I retake the exam for a higher score?
Yes, you may take the MPE up to three times, with a 14-day waiting
period between attempts.
Consider the Personalized Pre-calculus Program through the MATH
department to help you brush up on skills before retaking the MPE.
Go to ppp.tamu.edu for available session dates.
UNIVERSITY CORE CURRICULUM
All students entering Texas A&M University Summer 2014
onward have a required core curriculum different than
previous years. For a complete list of courses used to satisfy
the specific areas, please refer to http://core.tamu.edu.
IMPORTANT DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
• RESIDENCE REQUIREMENT
– A minimum of 36 hours of 300-400 level course work must be
completed at A&M to obtain a baccalaureate degree.
– 12 of the 36 hours must be within your major field of study.
• WRITING INTENSIVE COURSES
– Two Writing Intensive (WI) courses are required in your
major field of study.
• Courses currently approved include: BIOL351, 388, 400,
401, 423, 491 (with instructor approval), designated
sections of OCNG420 and VIBS443
• ELECTIVE RESTRICITIONS
– Non-majors courses and courses below the minimum level
required in other areas of the degree program. (i.e. BIOL107,
BIOL206, MATH102, etc.), introductory courses to another
field of study. (i.e. BIMS101,etc.), any ROTC course.
– Some may need to be specific for International/Cultural
Diversity or 300-400 level to meet Residency.
Department Grading Requirements
Students in the Department of Biology
• A grade of “C” or better in BIOL111
and BIOL112 is required.
• Only 1 “D” is allowed in courses
within the major as long as the GPA
remains 2.0+. This means all BIOL
classes (excluding 111/112) and any
course used as a major-specific
elective.
• D’s are allowed outside the major field
of study. However, D’s are
unacceptable if you plan to attend a
graduate or professional school.
GENERAL
REGISTRATION
INFORMATION
Example First Year
Freshman Year
First Semester:
(Th-Pr)
Credit
BIOL 111 Intro. Biol.
(3-3)
4
CHEM 101 Fund. Of Chem 1
(3-0)
3
CHEM 111 Fund Of Chem Lab
(0-3)
1
Core Curriculum Elective
(3-0)
3
MATH 147 Biological Calculus 1
(3-1)
4
Total
15
Example – AP/dual credit
Freshman Year
First Semester:
(Th-Pr)
Credit
BIOL 214 Genes Ecol Evol.
(3-0)
3
CHEM 101 Fund. Of Chem 1
(3-0)
3
CHEM 111 Fund. Of Chem Lab
(0-3)
1
Core Curriculum Elective
(3-0)
3
MATH 147 Biological Calculus 1
(3-1)
4
Total
14
SAMPLE TRIAL SCHEDULE
MWF
MON.
8:00
9:10
TUE.
WED.
MATH147 LAB
THUR.
MATH147 LAB
MATH147-501
MATH147-501
FRI.
BIOL111-511
TR
8:00
MATH147-501
BIOL111-511
9:35
10:20
11:30
CHEM101-510
CHEM101-510
CHEM101-510
11:10
12:40
PSYC107-505
PSYC107-505
PSYC107-505
12:45
1:50
3:00
CHEM 111-502
LAB
BIOL111-511
LAB
4:10
5:45
MWF classes are 50 minutes long; TR are 1 hr and 15 minutes
20 minute break in between classes
*MW 4:10 and MW 5:45 are 1 hr and 15 minutes
2:20
3:55
5:30
IMPORTANT!!
IMPORTANT!!
• BIOL111 is lecture/lab combined. Look through
the sections to find the combination you prefer
and register for a section with available spots.
• Introductory CHEM is not lecture/lab combined
so you must sign up for them separately. Make
sure to sign up for a CHEM111 lab when you
sign up for a CHEM101 class. You will add the
CRN for both 101 and 111 to your worksheet,
then submit. Check restrictions.
My Record
Example course search
result
Quick Registration
COMMON REGISTRATION
PROBLEMS and SOLUTIONS
• Time Conflicts = Pay careful attention to the class times listed.
• Field of study restriction = majors only section. CHEM111
common
• Honors restriction = take only if admitted to Honors program or
if minimum requirements are met. HNR is in the title of the
course. Section numbers start with a 2 (ex: CHEM101-201).
• Some classes fill up quickly. Core curriculum classes are
generally flexible and may be taken in any semester.
• Prerequisite & Test Score error = Accept Lab Safety
Acknowledgement for any lab course (do each semester);
Accept AP credits if it is a prerequisite for another course you
want to take (ex: MATH151 credit to enroll in MATH152)
• KINE 198, 199 and 120 sections fill up quickly.
END OF MEETING ANNOUNCEMENTS
The registration process:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
UNTIL 12:30PM-ask any questions concerning
your registration and/or degree plan.
Group registration will begin promptly at 2:00 PM
at the second floor of the STUDENT
COMPUTING CENTER. Be there by 1:45PM to
be sure your login is working.
Make sure before registration to have your net ID
set up and remember to accept the Lab Safety
Acknowledgement.
Please be sure to verify your class selections
with an advisor once your registration is
complete. Pay fees (if needed) and
have a student ID card made (if not already
done). You may also go to a bookstore and
purchase or reserve textbooks.
Remember, we are here to help you. If you have
any questions please feel free to call or drop by
our office. 979-845-3116.
Biology Department
Texas A&M University