Undergraduate FAQs

Advisement

Should I take Biol 2800?
I need advisement. Who do I talk to regarding curriculum requirements?
I seek pre-med advisement. Who do I talk to?
Where do I go if I want to change my Major?
How Can I request a Credit Limit increase?
What are my Elective Requirements?
Do I need to declare a concentration?
What do I do if the classes needed to complete my concentration are not offered?
What is a pre-med file and do i need to have one?
Where can I find out more information about the MCAT, CDAT, PCAT, OAT, VCAT?
Do I have to minor in Chemistry?

Contact Information

Who do I contact complaints about professors or courses?
Who do I contact with questions regarding our Graduate programs?

Course Offerings

How can I tell when a course will be taught and what semester?
Do we teach Marine Biology?
Do we have a Veterinary Program?

Registration

How do I get authorization to take a course that is marked “Authorization Only”?
What if I register for the wrong lab class?
What if I want to take a course at another University?

Miscellaneous

Is it possible to test out of a biology course?
Who do I see about transfer of credit?
Where do I get my textbooks?
Does the Biology department use plus (+) and minus (-) grades?

Advisement

Should I take Biol 2800?
BIOL2800 is only required for students who enter GSU during Fall 2002 or later AND who took 1107 instead of 2107. If a student took 2107, they do NOT have to take 2800. BIOL2800 is also highly recommended for students who took 1107 before fall 2002 and feel weak in the material covered in BIOL1107. BIOL2800 credits apply to Area F so students can apply the credit hours to their degree. BIOL2800 CAN be taken by anyone to fulfill Area F and can be taken with BIOL3800 (but for weaker students, it is recommended to take 2800 first).
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I need advisement. Who do I talk to?
Kathy Rockwell Room 402 Kell Hall or the Curriculum Chair, Dr. Barbara Baumstark, 1-3156 or Dr. Donald Reinhardt 1-3136. room 441 or 481 Kell Hall.
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I seek pre-med advisement. Who do I talk to?
Students seeking pre-med advisement should contact Kathy Rockwell.
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Where do I go if I want to change my Major?
If you are undeclared you will need to go to the Student Advisement Center in Sparks Hall. Otherwise you will need to go to the office of Academic Assistance of your current program. If you are currently under the College of Arts and Sciences you may download the form here. If you would like to change from the College of Arts and Sciences to a different college please click here.
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How Can I request a Credit Limit increase?
If you wish to take more than 18 credit hours in one semester you will need to fill out the Overload Request Form and submit it tot the office of Academic Assistance, located at room 720 General Class Room Building.
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What are my Elective Requirements?
Please be aware that your biology degreee requirements are equal to 120 hours. No additioanl electives are needed. Any questions please see Kathy Rockwell.
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Do I need to declare a concentration?
Students do not need to declare a concentration. A concentration is for students who wish to focus on a particular aspect of biology. It does not appear on your degree but it will appear on your official transcript.
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What do I do if the classes needed to complete my concentration are not offered?
The Biology department can substitute classes from the recommended course offerings for your concentration. Please email Dr. Therese Poole if you need to have courses substituted.
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What is a pre-med file and do i need to have one?
Many professional programs (spefifically medical and dental) request pre-med files. If you would like more information about this please click here.
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Where can I find out more information about the MCAT, CDAT, PCAT, OAT, VCAT?
For all testing information please click here.
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Do I have to minor in Chemistry?
Yes, in order to receive a degree in biology you must minor in chemistry. You may choose another minor as well and just opt for a double-minor.
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Contact Information

Who do I contact complaints about professors or courses?
Candice Long, 1-3151, room 402 Kell Hall.
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Who do I contact with questions regarding our Graduate programs?
Questions about graduate research assistantships and graduate teaching should be directed to the Graduate Coordinator, Latesha Warren 1-2759, 422 Kell Hall.
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Course Offerings

How can I tell when a course will be taught and what semester?
Check the GoSolar schedule of classes for a list of courses offered each semester. Generally the courses repeat Spring to Spring, Fall to Fall, Summer to Summer. This will give you a general idea of the courses offered but it is not a gurantee that a course will be offered
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Do we teach Marine Biology?
We currently offer a 3.0 hour credit in Marine Biology (Biol 3020) which is also a pre-requisite for Aquarium Internships with the new Georgia Aquarium.
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Do we have a Veterinary Program?
No, the nearest program will be the University of Georgia in Athens, GA.
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Registration

How do I get authorization to take a course that is marked “Authorization Only”?
You need to speak with the professor teaching the course. The professor will contact the Business Manager giving approval. After approval is processed, your student ID number will be accepted if you register for that course. Be sure to use the correct computer number.
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What if I register for the wrong lab class?
You need to speak to the laboratory coordinator for that course and discuss the possibility of changing your lab.
Biol 1107K, 1108K Dr. David Blaustein (404) 651-1648
Biol 1110K, 1120K Dr. Ann Massey (404) 651-3146
Biol 2250/3250/7250 Dr. Carmen Eilerston (404) 463-9133
Biol 3810, 7810 Dr. Therese Poole, (404) 651-0921
Biol 3910, 7910 Dr. Malcolm Zellars (404) 651 4403
Biol 2107K, 2108K Dr. Barbara Baumstark (404) 651-3156
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What if I want to take a course at another University?
You will need to fill out a Transient Request form which is available in teh Office of Academic Assistance at 720 General Classroom Building.
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Miscellaneous

Is it possible to test out of a biology course?
You can check with the testing center (404) 651-2217) to see if there is a test on file for that course. This Only applies to non-major courses, Biol 1103K and Biol 1104K.
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Who do I see about transfer of credit?
You will need to download and submit a transfer of credit form (PDF) with your course description, syllabus and any other pertinent information attached, to be reviewed by the Curriculum Chair, Dr. Barbara Baumstark. Please allow two to three weeks for your request to be processed. Any follow up questions, call her at (404) 651-3156..
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Where do I get my textbooks?
You can purchase your textbooks at the GSU bookstore in the student center or at one of the independent bookstores around campus. You can reserve your book online at the bookstore to make sure it will be in stock for you by going to the bookstore website www.gsu.bkstr.com.
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Does the Biology department use plus (+) and minus (-) grades?
The Biology department courses use whole letter grades only:
    A = 4.0
    B = 3.0
    C = 2.0
    D = 1.0
    F = 0.0
    WF = 0.0

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