General questions about advising

1. When can I see a biology advisor? 

You will be assigned a biology advisor once you have successfully completed (meaning C or better) Biol 2120, Biol 2130, Chem 1251, Chem 1252, and all of the associated labs.  If you have not yet completed these courses, you are considered a pre-biology major and your advisor can be found in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Advising Center located in Fretwell 324 (704-687-3800). 

2. How do I find out who my biology advisor is? 

There is a link on this page which will have your name and your advisor’s name.  If you are not on this list, it is likely that you are still a pre-biology major and should be advised in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Advising Center (Fretwell 324, 704-687-3800).  

3. How do I make appointments with my advisor? 

Please understand that all biology advisors are full time instructors in the department.  While some departments have professional advisors (meaning that is all they do), we do not.  Therefore it is usually necessary for you to set up an appointment in advance with your advisor.  During the three week registration period, all advisors will have sign up sheets outside of their offices where you simply sign up for an appointment.  If it is outside of the normal registration period, you should email (do not call) your advisor to set up an appointment.  (To find your advisor’s email address, click here http://www.bioweb.uncc.edu/directory/faculty.htm). 

4. I have a hold on my account, what do I need to do? 

If you have an advising hold, this means you must make an appointment to see your advisor to have the hold removed.  See the previous FAQ on how to make an appointment with your advisor.  Please remember that your advisor can only remove holds placed on your account by the Biology Department.  If you have a hold from another department (a second major or minor), or a hold due to financial reasons we can not remove those holds. 

5.  I have general questions about advising that I need help with right now.  Where do I go?

The Biology Peer Advising Office in Woodward Hall room 355 is the place for you!  This office is staffed by peer advisors who can answer many of your advising related questions on a walk-in basis.

Questions about the biology degree requirements and classes

1. What is the difference between a BS and a BA in Biology? 

The BA degree requires 32 hours of biology courses including 5 labs.  The BS degree requires 44 hours of biology courses including 7 labs.  The BS degree also requires an additional math course, two semesters of physics with labs (1101 and 1102), and chemistry 2132 and lab. 

2. Do 1000 level biology classes count towards a BA or BS in Biology? 

No.  Any class at the 1000 level (1110, 1115, 1259, 1273, and 1274) is designated as a non-majors courses.  If you take Biol 1110 and 1115 with labs and later become a biology major, you can receive 4 hours of biology elective credit.

3. Which biology classes count as electives? 

Anything at the 3000 level or above that is not a core course (3111, 3144, 3166, 3273, or 4600) is considered a biology elective.  There are many such classes to choose from.  Please note that certain electives have specific pre-requisites.

4. How many labs do I have to take? 

If you are a BA major, you need 5 labs.  If you are a BS major, you need 7 labs.  These must be biology labs.  Chemistry and physics labs do not count towards your biology lab requirements.

5. Can I take Chem 2130 instead of Chem 2131? 

You may take Chem 2130 for credit only if you are a BA major.

6. I heard that certain classes can count as lab credit.  Is this true? 

Yes, certain classes count as lab credit.  For example, Biol 3900 may count for a maximum of 1 lab credit (but you must complete 3 hours of 3900 to receive 1 lab credit).  Completion of the honors sequence (Biol 4601, 4700, and 4701) may also substitute for 1 lab credit.  Field courses offered in the pre-session count as a single lab credit as well.

7. What if I am applying to a professional school (for example, pharmacy) that requires two semesters of anatomy and physiology? 

Students who plan to attend professional schools that require Human Anatomy and Physiology (BIOL 1273/1273L & 1274/1274L) for admission may substitute these two courses and two labs for the required Physiology course (BIOL 3272/3272L or BIOL 3273/3273L), but only if their grades in all four courses are B or better.  You will receive 4 total hours of biology credit for this.  You will not receive writing intensive credit (W) for the lab substitution.

8. What are the “options” in biology? 

We offer several options or concentrations in biology.  A list of each option and its requirements is listed on this site.  Biology options are not a requirement.

9. Can I change my major from a BS to a BA in biology? 

Yes.  Simply fill out a change of major form and submit it to the biology department office (Woodward 257).

10  What labs do I have to take?

The labs that all students must take are 2120, 2130, and 3111 labs.

Questions about graduation and GPA requirements

1. How many hours do I need in order graduate? 

Even if you have completed all of your biology requirements, you must have a total of 120 hours to graduate from UNCC.

2. What GPA do I have to have to graduate? 

You must have an overall GPA of 2.0 AND a Biology GPA (this is your GPA in all of your biology courses) of at least 2.0 to graduate.  Even if you have enough earned hours to graduate, you will not be eligible with a GPA below 2.0.

3. What is my Biology GPA?   

While Banner displays your overall GPA in your transcript, it does not currently display your Biology GPA.  You must calculate this by hand.  You must include every biology class you have taken. If you have repeated a course, you must include both grades in the calculation. 

4. How do I find out if I have enough credits/all classes required to graduate? 

Print out a copy of our degree checklist (either BS or BA) and your transcript from Banner.  Simply check off the classes you have completed and this will leave you with the remaining courses you need to take.  Please do not ask your advisors to do this for you.  If you have done this and still have questions, we will be glad to answer them.

5. How many times can I take a class? 

A student who fails a course may retake the course twice, for a total of three attempts.  After three failures the student may not enroll in the course again. 

6. What if my biology GPA falls below 2.0 for more than one semester? 

The Department of Biology has a policy on cumulative GPA that reads: A student who has two successive semesters with a cumulative GPA in Biology of less than 2.0 is ineligible for continuation in bachelors’ degree programs in Biology.  This means that you must select another major.

7. Do I have to make a C or better in all biology classes? 

You must make a C or better in any biology class that is a pre-requisite for another class.  For example, you must make a C or better in Biol2120, 2130, and 3111. 

8. What if I make a D in a course that is not a prerequisite for another course (Biol 3144 for example)?

While this is not ideal, a D is considered passing.  If you are not taking another class that requires the class you made a D in as a pre-requisite, you do not have to take the class again.  However, you still must maintain at least a 2.0 overall and Biology GPA.  If you made below a C in a class that is pre-requisite for another biology class, you will have to re-take the class.

9. What if I made a D in a chemistry class? 

You must make a C or better in all chemistry classes except for your final organic class.  The chemistry department requires a C or better to move on to the next course.  If you are pursuing the BA degree, you can make a D in Chem 2130 or 2131 (assuming you have made a C or better in Chem 1251 and 1252) and still meet the biology requirements because you do not have to take any more chemistry courses.  If you are doing the BS degree, you can make a D in Chem 2132 (assuming you made a C or better in 1251, 1252, and 2131). 

10.  I've heard about a "grade replacement policy".  What is that?

Beginning for the fall of 2007, UNCC has implemented a new grade replacement policy.  It reads:  “Undergraduate students may replace up to two (2) courses (maximum of 8 hours) for grade replacement. Both grades will be reflected on transcript. However, the higher of the two grades will be used in calculation of the GPA.”  This policy may ONLY be applied to courses taken during or after the fall semester of 2007.  In order to use this policy, students must file a completed “Grade Replacement Form” with the Registrar’s Office by the last day to drop a course with no record in the semester or summer session in which the course is to be repeated. A repeated course may not be selected retroactively to use this grade replacement policy.  Once a student has filed a grade replacement form for a course, that choice cannot be revoked due to withdrawing from the class or from the University. [Medical or special circumstances may be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.] The original course grade will be the grade of record for the course and not the W. Any such withdrawal still consumes one of the two course substitutions permitted under this policy.

Registration for classes and restricted courses

1. Where do I find important dates for registration, drop-add, etc.?

 Go to the following web site:  http://www.registrar.uncc.edu/students/index.htm

2. Can I bypass pre-requisites for a course?

 No.  You must have the required pre-requisites for a course.  Even if Banner allows you to register, your instructor can have you removed from the class if you do not have the proper pre-requisites.

3. How do I get a permit for a class? 

In order to get a permit for a restricted or closed class, you must see the instructor of the class.  They will be able to issue the permit.  Please note that if a class is closed, instructors generally cannot add additional students but there may be a wait list available. 

4. How and when do I sign up for senior seminar? 

You should sign up for senior seminar (Biol 4600) as a senior.  You should have completed all core classes (2120, 2130, 3111, 3144, 3166, and 3273) before you sign up for seminar.  This is a restricted class that requires a permit to enter.  Go to the main biology office to obtain a permit. 

5. How do I sign up for tutorial (3800) or undergrad research (3900)? 

These are both restricted classes.  You must identify a professor who you would like to work with and talk with them about the potential for undergraduate research.  If they are agreeable, they will issue a permit for the course.  Please note that you must have a Biology GPA above 2.0 to be eligible for these classes. 

6. How do I sign up for honors research? 

Honors research is by invitation only.  You must have a minimum overall GPA of 3.4 and a biology GPA of 3.4 to participate.  If you are eligible, you will receive a written invitation during your junior year.  If you did not receive a letter and feel that you qualify, you may contact Dr. Laura Schrum at lwschrum@uncc.edu.