Questions Frequently
Asked by Biology Students
Course Related
Advisement
Registration
UMD Information Sources
OVERRIDES
OR PERMISSION NUMBERS:
The Biology
Department uses an override system (permission to register) to:
1) Control
entry into courses- for example, an override "magic number" is necessary
to register for courses such as Biol 3993, 3994, 3996 and in other courses where
instructor or departmental permission is necessary. Contact
Ruth
Hemming in the Biology Department Office (Swenson Science Bldg [SSB] 207B) for override numbers or
to locate a course instructor.
2)
Control or limit class size - most Biology courses, particularly those
with labs, have limited class enrollment because of room size (Biology and Society,
General Biology, Human Anatomy, General Ecology and others), restricted number
of sections or limitations on instructional resources - teaching staff, bench
space, room scheduling conflicts or equipment. If a class is already fully enrolled,
an override cannot be immediately granted.
For 1,000 level courses - Contact
the College of Science and Engineering Student Affairs Office (140 Engr) to
put your name on a "waiting list".
For all other courses (2,000 level and higher) - Contact Ruth
Hemming (SSB 207B) to receive a "Magic" (override)
number or to be placed on a course waiting list. As
other students drop the section you are requesting, space becomes available
and are filled from the waiting list on a "need" basis. Sometimes new
sections are added, if demand is high and instructional resources can be found.
Be sure to notify the Biology Department and the CSE office about course
access problems. Also consult with your advisor about acceptable substitutes
and changes. Do not request an override from the instructor
or teaching assistants.
PETITIONS:
A petition is a request for an exception
to established rules, policies or dates. A petition requires a rationale
explanation of the situation and requires supporting information and documentation.
It is used to request substitutions, waivers of courses or other registration
or curricular matters; exceptions to deadlines; retroactive withdrawals, medical
absences, and for other situations in which there are extenuating circumstances.
Transfer students can use the petition process to request that the Biology Department
Curriculum Committee evaluate non-equivalent courses from other institutions.
The "UMD Petition" form is available in any of the college offices
(CSE 140 EngrB; CLA Cina 109; CEHSP 125 BohH, etc) and should
be completed carefully with the assistance of the student's academic advisor.
If the request requires Biology Department recommendation, it should be
brought to Ruth Hemming (SSB 207Bin the Department of Biology Office) with the
signature of your advisor and all support documentation attached.
Your petition will then be routed to the Department of Biology Curriculum Committee
for the appropriate signature. Your petition is then forwarded to your college
office. You will receive notification from the Registrar's Office when your
petition is approved/not approved. Approved petitions are retained in your
student file and are important documentation of changes that have been accepted
in the student's academic program.
COURSES:
What is...?
Biol
3993 - Laboratory Teaching Experience
This course offers students majoring
in Biology, Cell Biology or Teaching Life Sciences an opportunity to assist in
laboratory courses as an undergraduate teaching assistant. It is intended for
junior or senior students, the prerequisites include 60 semester college credits,
including 18 credits ( 4 or 5 courses) in Biology. A maximum of 2 credits
is possible and can be applied as elective credit for the major or minor.
The student participates in the teaching of one laboratory section under the supervision
of a faculty member or graduate teaching assistant. Activities also include
helping to set up labs, grading quizzes, assisting in review labs, and attending
weekly staff preparation meetings. Permission
to register requires departmental approval. Students
wishing to register must contact the faculty member or coordinator in charge
of the course in which they want to participate- for example, Biology and
Society, General Biology I, General Biology II, Human Anatomy, or other
courses, as listed in the class schedule. The details of the hourly commitment
and participation are agreed upon by the student and faculty member. The
student should fill out a "Request to Register for Biol 3993, Laboratory Teaching
Experience" available from the Biology Department Office in SSB 207or
on the Biology web page. When the form
is signed by the faculty member in charge, it should be brought to Ruth Hemming,
SSB 207B to receive an override number to register.
Biol
3994 - Undergraduate Research
This course is arranged between a student
and a faculty member involving research in a special area of Biology, usually
laboratory or field research. A maximum of 3 credits per term is allowed,
up to a maximum of 6 credits, although only 4 credits may be applied to a Biology
or Cell Biology major or minor. Permission
to register requires departmental approval. Students should
arrange the details of the research experience with a faculty member, then fill
out the "Request to Register for Biology 3994, Undergraduate Research"
form, available from the Biology Department Office, SSB 207or on the Biology
web page. Signatures of faculty advisor and research supervisor,
as a well as an unofficial transcript, are required. Bring the signed form
and transcript to Ruth Hemming, SSB 207B, who will route it to the Biology Curriculum
Committee for approval. Once approved, Ruth will issue your override number
to register.
Biol
3996 - Internship in Biology
An internship is a way for a student
to receive up to 2 credits for paid or volunteer work with a non-university agency.
In the past, internships have been completed with the DNR, 3M, US Forest
Service, Lake Superior Zoo, Nature Conservancy, Voyageurs National Park, MPCA
and others. The work experience must be of a biological nature and at
an academic level equivalent to an upper division Biology course. In
other words, custodial tasks or menial routine assignments will not receive credit.
You should contact the participating agency and arrange the details of
the commitment together with the agency supervisor and your college advisor.
Registration requires prior departmental approval.
You will need to complete the "Request to Register for Biol 3996: Internship"
form, available from the Biology Department Office, SSB 207, or on the
Biology web page. Bring the completed
form with required signatures to Ruth Hemming, SSB 207B, who will route it to
the Biology Curriculum Committee for approval. Once approved, Ruth will
issue your override number to register. Credits can be used to fulfill elective
credits for the Biology major or minor.
Registration
and Advisement for Enrolled Students
Who
is My Advisor?
Each UMD student is assigned an
academic advisor by their respective college. If you do not know who your
advisor is, or wish to change advisors, you should contact your appropriate
college office. The College of Science
and Engineering (CSE) Office is 140 Engineering Building; the College
of Liberal Arts (CLA) ; Office is 109 Cina Hall; the College
of Education and Human Services Professions (CEHSP) is in 125 BohH.
You should establish a close
working relationship with your academic advisor. Your advisor will help
you plan your academic schedule to meet your educational goals and timelines,
develop a better understanding of your responsibilities, and the requirements
of your curriculum.
When
Should I See My Advisor?
Your academic advisor keeps scheduled
office hours so you can arrange a meeting to seek advice or discuss a problem.
You can contact your advisor in person, by phone or by email. In addition,
there is a three week period during each semester when you are required to schedule
an appointmant with your advisor to plan your course schedule for the next semester.
During this time, you should go to your advisor's office and look for an
appointment schedule posted by the door. Sign up for an appointment at
a time and make sure you keep the appointment!
How
do I find my advisor?
Check
out the list of biology faculty on the Biology
Department web site to find your advisor's office location, phone, and email
address.
Where
do I get a "Class Schedule"?
Class Schedule
How
can I find out whether a class section is closed?
Check
the UMD Section
Status Reports
Last Updated Tuesday, November 1, 2005 9:48 AM