Undergraduate Advising

Undergraduate Advising

Fall 2017 Biology Advising 

If you wish to meet with a Biology Advisor, please make sure that you

•stop at the Department of Biology Office HH534

•pick up the BIOLOGY ADVISING CHECKLIST

•read the CHECKLIST

•bring ALL the required documents (Degree Progress Report, ASE, SF State transcripts, transcripts from transfer campus, forms) for your meeting with the Biology Advisor 

IMPORTANT:  The Chemistry & Biochemistry Department has made changes in prerequisites for many of their courses.  These flowcharts for each major clarify the best sequence for completing these Chemistry courses:

Chemistry Requirements Flowchart for all Biology Majors (PDF) - NEW!!

This web page provides general information and links to additional web pages of interest to SFSU Biology majors.  An SFSU Biology Major should meet with his/her major-specific Biology Advisor on a regular basis to ensure timely progress to the baccalaureate degree.

If you do not have a Biology Advisor, please visit the Department of Biology Office (HH534) and request an advisor assignment.  Make sure you pick up the Biology Advising Checklist available in the Biology Office BEFORE you visit your Biology Major Advisor.  Make sure that you bring all the required paperwork indicated in the Checklist for your meeting with your Advisor.

ALWAYS BRING YOUR UNOFFICIAL SFSU TRANSCRIPTS, TRANSCRIPTS FROM ALL TRANSFER CAMPUSES FOR TRANSFER COURSES BEING USED FOR THE MAJOR, DPR/DARS/ASE FORMS, AND PETITIONS/FORMS WHEN YOU MEET WITH YOUR MAJOR-SPECIFIC ADVISOR.

General Information

• Meeting with your Biology Advisor (Spring 2018 Major Advisors List)
• Finding Departmental or University forms
• Changing your major (UPDATED Spring 2015!!!)
• Selecting classes to meet your Biology Major requirements (Need 1 more upper division major unit to graduate??)
• Selecting the appropriate Chemistry classes to meet your Biology Major requirements (UPDATED information on Chem 115 placement exam)
• Meeting the Graduate Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR) in the Department of Biology
• Finding out about awards or scholarships
• Strategies for success in your Biology major (Student Resources:  Where can I study, print, copy, or use a computer??)

New Biology Majors: Freshmen and Transfer Students

• Selecting the correct Biology concentration (NEW MAJOR-SPECIFIC ADVISING!!)
• Obtaining approval for the elective courses for your Major (Substitution Form)
• Obtaining major credit for your high school AP exam in Biology (or other subjects)
• Obtaining major credit for your high school International Baccalaureate units in Biology

New Biology Majors: Transfer Students

• Obtaining approval for transfer courses for your Major
   
• Click here to download the Equivalency Form

Continuing Biology Majors

• Improving your academic performance (tutoring resources, improving study skills)
• Investigating career options  (interested in Teaching K-12?)
• Finding out about pre-health professions advising
• Finding out about working on field or laboratory research with SFSU Biology faculty (Biol 699)
• Using Chem 233/333 Organic Chemistry I instead of Chem 130 General Organic Chemistry
• Appealing the University Course Repeat Policy
• Obtaining advisor approval of an Academic Standing Petition (Mandatory Advising, Probation)
• Procedures for students with a Probation Lock Hold
• Obtaining advisor approval of a Financial Aid Graduation plan (Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal Form)
• Obtaining advisor approval of a Degree Completion plan (High Unit Student)
• Obtaining approval to cross enroll at other UC or CSU campuses or community colleges
• Obtaining approval for your graduation application