Undergraduate Handbook

This Biology Undergraduate Handbook is a supplement to the Student Guide to University Policies and Rules which should be consulted for details concerning University policies pertaining to the undergraduate programs. Be certain to study the Biology Undergraduate Handbook and learn the various requirements early (this will save you time, money, and frustration). YOU, the student, are responsible for fulfilling all graduation requirements. If you have any questions about policies and programs in this handbook, please consult with an adviser in the Biology Undergraduate Advising Office, 329 Whitmore Lab, 865-2329. The staff wishes you all the best in your undergraduate experience at Penn State. For more Biology Information, send an E-mail with your name and complete address.

Advanced Placement (AP) credits for Biology

For a grade of 3, no credits are awarded. For a grade of 4, credit is awarded for BIOL 11/12 (4 credits). For a grade of 5, credit is awarded for BIOL 110 (4 credits). No credits are awarded for BIOL 220W, 230W, or 240W regardless of your score. If you have taken courses other than in Biology for AP credit, consult with the appropriate department to determine if your AP score(s) are applicable towards fulfilling the requirements of your major or consult the Baccalaureate Degree Programs Bulletin.

"C" Grades in Biology

In order to graduate, students who were most recently admitted as degree candidates SU '01 or later must earn at least a "C" grade in each course designated by the major as a "C" required course. The "C" required courses in the Biology major are BIOL 110, 220W, 230W, and 240W as well as CHEM 110, CHEM 112, and MATH 140.

Chemistry Courses

A student who is planning to declare either the Genetics & Developmental Biology, Plant Biology, or Vertebrate Physiology Option MUST take CHEM 210, 212, and 213 in addition to taking CHEM 110, 111, 112, and 113 since these courses are preparatory for BMB 401 and 402. Alternatively, a student who is planning to declare either the Ecology or General Biology Option can choose between the shorter organic chemistry sequence consisting of CHEM 202 and 203, or the 3-course sequence consisting of CHEM 210, 212, and 213. However, if the ultimate academic goal is to attend graduate or professional school, a student should consider completing the longer organic chemistry sequence because most medical and veterinary schools require eight (8) credits of organic chemistry. CHEM 202 and 203 total only six (6) credits and are appropriate for students who will never take another chemistry course and wish to stop with the Bachelor of Science degree.

Course Sequence Recommended for Biology Majors

The following roster of courses is a suggested sequence of courses for students planning to major in Biology. This sequence may vary, depending on a particular student's academic goal or background, and may include requirements for remedial course work.

To the extent possible, take the 100 and 200-levels of course work in the sciences during the first two years. Post-poning such courses until your junior and senior year may create serious conflicts with required courses in your option. Because an increasing number of 100 and 200-level courses are offered during the same period, dropping one of these may make it impossible to schedule the other courses you need the following semester. Be sure to plan your next semester before dropping a course.

Semesters 5-8: Meet with an adviser, and work out a roster of courses pertaining to the option of your choice. Carefully select 400-level courses because not all biology courses are offered every year. Study the appropriate check sheet for the specific requirements of the option. Plan the electives you may desire to take.

UNITED STATES CULTURES AND INTERNATIONAL

CULTURES REQUIREMENT

All students admitted to baccalaureate degree status after spring 2005 must complete 3 credits in United States Cultures (US) AND 3 credits in International Cultures (IL).  If a student takes a 3-credit course that is both US and IL, to complete the requirement, he/she must take another 3-credit course that is US, IL, or both US and IL.

Note that you will benefit if you can schedule a General Education course that is also an International Cultures (IL) or United States Cultures (US) course, thus meeting two requirements with one course!  (For a list of US and IL courses, refer to the web at  http://www.psu.edu/bulletins/bluebook/gened/gi.html.)

Note also that education abroad courses taken as 199, 299, 399, or 499 in any subject and other credit-bearing experiences such as internships that meet this requirement as outlined at http://www.psu.edu/dus/handbook/df.html will be designated as US, IL, or both US and IL. 

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Disallowed Courses

The following courses MAY NOT be used for credit (NOT EVEN AS ELECTIVES) towards a degree in Biology and will not be counted towards graduation:

**Please note that in the following courses only a specified number of the credits count towards graduation: CHEM 106 (only 3 out of 5 credits count), and MATH 140A (only 4 out of 6 credits count). However, all credits earned at Penn State count in determining your grade point average (GPA).

Note also that ESACT 129 cannot be scheduled if you have already received credit for ESACT 117 or 220. Moreover, students may take only one course for General Education credit from: HD FS 129 (GS) or SOC 030 (GS); PHIL 001 (GH) or PHIL 004 (GH); LARCH 003 (GA) or LARCH 060 (GA); SOC 001 (GS) or R SOC 011 (GS).

Any exceptions need to be petitioned in 329 Whitmore Lab and will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Petition forms for the Department of Biology, Eberly College of Science are available at 329 Whitmore or visit the Biology Form Center to print one.

Diversity Focused Course List

These courses will also satisfy GA, GH, and GS requirements

Dropping a Course

During the first 10 days of either the Fall or Spring semester, students can drop courses without any recording on their transcripts. However, realize that you will be charged $6 for any transaction you carry out between the 8th and 10th day of a 15 week semester. Dropping a course after the tenth day but before the end of the 12th week of the semester constitutes a late drop and will be duly noted on your transcript. The designation on your transcript is made regarding your status when you dropped the course: "WN" - withdrew no grade; "WP" - withdrew passing; "WF" - withdrew failing! Make sure that the designation (WN, WP, WF) is correctly stated on your grade report. Overall, you are allowed only sixteen (16) credits of late drops throughout your entire collegiate career, and NO course drops are permitted during the final three weeks of the semester. Before dropping/adding a course, be sure to consult with your adviser. On-line Drop/Add forms are provided by the University Registrar.

(NOTE: Some courses (e.g., CHEM 111) do not begin and end following full semester dates. Please refer to the Registrar's Courses with Different Begin and End Dates for late drop deadlines for these courses.

Education Abroad Programs

Education Abroad Programs (EAP) enable students to enrich their on-campus studies through an academic experience and cross-cultural contacts in a foreign country. Such programs are available to a select number of qualified students from all colleges and degree-granting units in the University. More than forty-five officially sponsored group programs are currently available in a number of countries throughout Europe, the Middle East, the Far East, Latin America, Africa, and Australia. More than 500 undergraduates per year enroll in a wide variety of course offerings. No transfer of credit is involved since students remain registered at Penn State while abroad. In addition to semester- and year-long programs, several summer Education Abroad opportunities are available.

The Eberly College of Science offers study abroad options in Canada, England, France, Germany, and Wales. For more information, visit http://www.science.psu.edu/scienceabroad, or contact Susan Knell, 108 Whitmore Labs, 865-5000, sek104@psu.edu. Advising information and applications are available through the Education Abroad Office, 410 Boucke Building, 865-7681, http://www.international.psu.edu.

Added: 07/19/2004 - http://www.science.psu.edu/scienceabroad

Students who intend to take courses required for the Biology major while studying abroad should consult with Barbara DeHart to have these courses formally approved.

Note: Failure to contact the Biology Advising Office before leaving for study abroad programs will likely jeopardize course accrediation.

Electives - Supporting Courses

Electives should be used with an objective in mind. Simultaneous degrees or multiple majors can enrich this process (application forms for simultaneous degrees/multiple majors are available in the Dean's Office in 428 Thomas Building). Course work towards certification to teach secondary school biology can be achieved through a judicious selection of electives. (If you are interested in a teaching career, check with the University Certification Office, 228 Chambers Bldg., 865-0488). Electives may also be used to fulfill the requirements for a formal minor degree in another area (for minor degree applications, check with the appropriate department). You are permitted to take any classes as electives, EXCEPT for those disallowed courses. However, you should use electives wisely. Some suggestions: Develop a "kit" of tools by taking a foreign language, more mathematics, statistics, chemistry, or accounting. Consider "hybridizing" biology with another discipline, such as business. (This particular combination could lead to a career in pharmaceutical sales).

NOTE: Independent Studies classes (e.g., BIOL 296 and 496) are counted as electives. Contact an adviser about how best to integrate your electives with your career aspirations.

Procedures for Evaluation of Biology Courses Taken at Other Institutions

1. Current Penn State Students Who Would Like to Register For A Course At a Non-PSU Institution Within the U.S.

   If you are currently a student at Penn State, and want to take a life science course at another institution, we STRONGLY encourage you to follow these guidelines PRIOR to registration at the host institution.

   1. Check with the Admissions Office (310 Shields Bldg.) to see if Penn State will accept the course(s) from the host institution of your choice.

   2. Obtain as much information as you can about the course(s) you are interested in taking. At a minimum, such information consists of a course catalog, but a copy of the syllabus (either hardcopy or Web address) would be most helpful.

   3. Schedule an appointment with an advisor in the Biology Undergraduate Advising Office by calling (814) 865-2329 or stopping by 329 Whitmore Lab. At this meeting, you and the advisor will reach a binding agreement as to how a specific course will transfer. This agreement will be made in writing and you should take a copy of this with you; do not loose this agreement! If you are majoring in a field other than Biology and would like the Biology Department to notify your academic department of our decision, be sure to provide us with the name and campus location (or email address) of the person who should receive this notification.
      Upon your return to Penn State:

   4. Submit an official copy of your transcript from the host institution to Penn State's Admissions Office (201 Shields Bldg.; The Pennsylvania State University; University Park, PA 16802).

   5. If you are Biology major, submit a copy of the above-mentioned agreement along with supporting documents (i.e., the syllabus that was used in the course and/or exams, lab notebooks, etc) to 329 Whitmore Lab so that the course can be processed on your degree audit.
      Note: If you would like to have a course evaluated from another institution and you did not see an advisor before you took the course, shame on you. We will still evaluate your course, but we make no guarantee on how long it will take us to make this evaluation! To process your request, you should submit a copy of the course syllabus (and/or exams, lab notebooks, etc) to 329 Whitmore Lab. In addition, you should submit a petition (forms are available in 329 Whitmore Lab or from the Forms and Procedures section) in which you clearly state the Penn State biology course that you feel most closely fits the description of each course you want evaluated. (A complete listing of all Biology courses offered at Penn State can be found in the Baccalaureate Degree Program Bulletin or on the web under course list). In cases where there may be more than one biology course that can be considered, you should list both.

1. Current Penn State Students Who Would Like To Participate In One of Penn State's Study Abroad Programs

   If you are currently a student at Penn State, and would like to participate in a Study Abroad Program offered through Penn State's Office of International Education Programs and Studies, we STRONGLY encourage you to follow these guidelines.

   1. Choose a program from Penn State's list of International Education Programs and Studies (IEPS) (http://www.international.psu.edu/about_office/ieps.htm) and consult with the International Programs Advisor responsible for your desired program in 222 Boucke Bldg.

   2. Obtain as much information as you can about the course(s) you are interested in taking at the host institution. At a minimum, such information would consist of a course catalog, but a copy of the syllabus (either hardcopy or Web address) would be most helpful.

   3. Schedule an appointment with an advisor in the Biology Undergraduate Advising Office by calling (814) 865-2329 or stopping by 329 Whitmore Lab to request the best evaluation for the courses that you are planning to take. This is important, because certain courses can be considered equivalent to a Biology course OR a Biochemistry and Molecular Biology course, but only the Biology course might be used to fulfill a specific graduation requirement. At the advising meeting, you and the advisor will reach a binding agreement as to how each specific course will transfer. This agreement will be made in writing and you should take a copy of this with you; do not loose this agreement!
      As soon as possible after you begin your classes:

   4. Mail copies of your syllabi and one attached course accreditation form per syllabus to IEPS, 222 Boucke Bldg., The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, in care of your program advisor. (Course accreditation forms are available from the web by going to the specific program on the Course Authorization List ( http://www.international.psu.edu/ieps/course_accred_authlistDept.html ) and clicking on the "Print Course Accreditation Form for this Program" button directly under the name and location of your host institution.) Upon receipt of these papers, your International Programs advisor will forward the forms to the Records Manager who will send them to the Biology Department for official assignment of course numbers.
      Upon your return to Penn State:

   5. Submit a copy of the agreement, which you originally received from the Biology advisor along with supporting documents (i.e., the syllabus that was used in the course and/or exams, lab notebooks, etc) to 329 Whitmore Lab so that the course can be processed on your degree audit. If you feel that more credits should be awarded for the overseas course than you have received or than are listed in the Baccalaureate egree Program Bulletin for the Penn State equivalent course, please provide a clear explanation on a petition to support this request and supply the host institution's course accreditation scheme.
      ATTENTION SENIORS: If you are planning to graduate immediately after returning from your study abroad program, it is imperative that you fax copies of your syllabi to IEPS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE after you have REGISTERED at the host institution. All forms must be received by BOTH IEPS and the Biology Department NO LATER THAN 6 WEEKS PRIOR TO THE COMMENCEMENT DATE!!! NO EXCEPTIONS WILL BE MADE! SORRY!!

1. Current Penn State Students Who Would Like To Participate In A Study Abroad Program Offered Through A Non-PSU Institution

   If you are currently a student at Penn State, and want to take a life science course at another institution, we STRONGLY encourage you to follow these guidelines PRIOR to registration at the host institution.

   1. Obtain as much information as you can about your desired program and the course(s), which you are interested in taking. At a minimum, such information would consist of a course DETAILED course description, but a copy of the syllabus (either hardcopy or Web address) would be most helpful.

   2. Call (814) 865-5471 to schedule an appointment with an international counselor from the Admissions Office (310 Shields Bldg.) to find out if Penn State will accept courses from your desired program. Be aware of the fact that not every program abroad is acceptable! Moreover, you must realize that if you receive financial aid at PSU, you cannot take it with you on a no-PSU study abroad program.

   3. If the Admissions Office confirms that PSU will accept credits from your desired study abroad program, schedule an appointment with an academic advisor in the Biology Undergraduate Advising Office by calling (814) 865-2329 or stopping by 329 Whitmore Lab. Be sure to bring all course information to the meeting with this advisor. At this meeting, you and the advisor will reach a binding agreement as to how a specific course will transfer. This agreement will be made in writing and you should take a copy of this with you; do not loose this agreement! If you are majoring in a field other than Biology and would like the Biology Department to notify your academic department of our decision, be sure to provide us with the name and campus location (or email address) of the person who should receive this notification.

   4. If you are planning to study abroad during either the fall or spring semester, be sure to file a LEAVE OF ABSENCE in the appropriate Dean's Office of your college PRIOR to the last working day before classes start in the semester the leave will begin. For students in the Eberly College of Science, a LEAVE OF ABSENCE must be filed in 428 Thomas Bldg.
      Upon finishing your study abroad program:

   5. Ask the host institution to send a final, official transcript to Penn State's Undergraduate Admissions Office (201 Shields Bldg.; The Pennsylvania State University; University Park, PA 16802). Upon receipt, the Admissions Office will add the appropriate credits to your transcript for a fee of $5.00. Note: You must have earned grades of at least a "C" at the host institution in order for your courses to transfer.

   6. Upon your return to Penn State:

   7. If you are a student majoring in Biology, submit a copy of the above-mentioned agreement along with supporting documents (i.e., the syllabus that was used in the course and/or exams, lab notebooks, etc) to 329 Whitmore Lab so that the course can be processed on your degree audit. Note: If you would like to have a course evaluated from another institution and against our advice, you did not see an advisor before you took the course, shame on you. We will still evaluate your course, but we make no guarantee on how long it will take us to make this evaluation! To process your request, you should submit a copy of the course syllabus (and/or exams, lab notebooks, etc) to 329 Whitmore Lab. In addition, you should submit a petition (forms are available in 329 Whitmore Lab or from the web under Forms and Procedures) in which you clearly state the Penn State biology course that you feel most closely fits the description of each course you want evaluated. (A complete listing of all Biology courses offered at Penn State can be found in the Baccalaureate Degree Program Bulletin or on the web under course list). In cases where there may be more than one biology course that can be considered, you should list both.

1. New Penn State Students

   If you took life science courses at another institution prior to registering at Penn State, then this section is for you. First, welcome and we want you to know that we would like to give you the maximum credit for work done elsewhere. In general, it is often best to meet with an advisor to be sure that you are taking the correct courses for your intended major here at Penn State and that you request the best evaluation for courses that you took elsewhere. This is important, because certain courses can be considered equivalent to a Biology course OR a Biochemistry and Molecular Biology course, but only the Biology course might be used to fulfill a specific graduation requirement. A meeting with an advisor will insure that your courses are evaluated in the most efficient way possible. To schedule an appointment with a Biology advisor, please call (814) 865-2329 or stop by 329 Whitmore Lab.

   To request evaluation, you will need to:

   1. Submit material from the non-Penn State course (e.g., the syllabus, exams, lab notebooks, etc) to 329 Whitmore Lab. If you no longer have the syllabus, contact the instructor (or check the school's course website) to obtain a copy. It is very difficult to evaluate a course from a catalog description only.

   2. If you cannot meet with a biology advisor, you must also submit a petition along with all course materials. In this petition, you need to state clearly the Penn State biology course that most closely matches the description of the course you took elsewhere. (A complete listing of all Biology courses offered at Penn State can be found in the Baccalaureate Degree Program Bulletin or on the worldwide web under course list). In some cases, it may be difficult for you to decide which Penn State course most closely corresponds to the course you took elsewhere. In such cases, feel free to indicate more than one Penn State biology course that appears equivalent. Moreover, if you have more than one course to be evaluated, be sure to fill out a separate petition for each course and to clearly indicate which course you are referring to by including the course title of the non-Penn State course on your petition.

   3. If you are majoring in a field other than Biology and would like the Biology Department to notify your academic department as to how your transfer courses have been evaluated, be sure to provide us with the name and campus location (or email address) of the person who should receive this notification.
      Note: If you take a look at your Penn State transcript, you will note that your biology course(s) to be evaluated is/are designated as "Gen". Even after the Biology Department has evaluated your course(s), this designation will remain on your transcript. However, your academic department will make sure that your computer degree audit indicates that you have fulfilled the specific course requirement that we evaluate. Once a decision has been made, it typically takes a few weeks for this audit page to be changed; if after this time it is not, you should contact your major department and make an inquiry.

400-Level Course Work

Depending on your biology option, a minimum of 15-22 credits of 400-level courses in biology (or acceptable related areas) is required for the Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. Plan ahead! Not every 400-level course is offered every year or every semester. If you have any questions about which courses are offered during any academic year, consult the Biology Undergraduate Advising Office, 329 Whitmore Laboratory. Note that BIOL 496 does not usually fulfill any of the 400-level course requirements in the Biology major.

General Education - Baccalaureate Degree Candidates

General education requirements totaling 46 credits fall in eight areas:

• Writing/Speaking (9 credits in courses designated with GWS suffix)
• Quantification (6 credits in courses designated with GQ suffix)
• Health & Physical Activity (3 credits in courses designated with GHS, GPE, or GHA suffix)
• Distribution (27 credits)
• Natural Sciences (9 credits in courses designated with GN suffix)
• Arts (6 credits in courses designated with GA suffix)
• Humanities (6 credits in courses designated with GH suffix)
• Social & Sciences (6 credits in courses designated with GS suffix)

Under certain circumstances (e.g., pursuit of a double major or a minor degree in addition to a major degree, transfer from another institution, etc.), students are encouraged to develop a sequence of 9 credits in either the arts, humanities, or social and behavioral sciences by substituting 3 credits from one of the other two areas not in the students' major field of study. Consult with an advisor in 329 Whitmore Lab to obtain approval for this alternative distribution of General Education credits.

Graduate School Information

Come to the Undergraduate Advising Office in 329 Whitmore Lab. We have a book listing information about various Graduate Schools throughout the country, plus brochures sent to us by Graduate Schools. We also have a file of "information request" cards from various Graduate Schools. Be sure to check the file often because we receive new cards weekly.

Graduations Requirements

BEFORE BEGINNING your final semester, check with Ms. Deb Lucas or your adviser (329 Whitmore Lab) to confirm that you will have: a) accumulated the minimum number of 124 credits and; b) fulfilled all coursework requirements necessary for graduation by the end of the semester including at least a "C" (2.00) cumulative grade point average for all courses taken at the University, a grade of "C" or better in BIOL 110, 220W, 230W, and 240W, and the Diversity Focused requirement.

As indicated above, 124 credits are required to graduate with a B.S. in Biology. Be sure to add these credits carefully. Be sure you keep an up-to-date log on the number of ACCEPTABLE credits you have earned. Use the CHECK SHEETS for this purpose. Suggestion: Add the credits of each course taken, and do NOT count remedial courses (or partial remedial credits or courses that you repeated. Also, see the list of disallowed courses). If you have any questions about this, consult with your adviser.

Realize also that the last 60 credits required for the baccalaureate degree must be completed within a total elapsed time of five calendar years (whereby an extension of time shall be granted for intervening military services) and that at least 36 of the last 60 credits required for the degree must be completed in courses offered by the University or in cooperative degree programs that have been approved by the University Faculty Senate.

Hints for Studying

1. For each lecture, plan to spend 3 hours of study time including reading ahead of each class.

2. Take complete and careful notes during the lectures. Use a tape recorder if you wish. Some lectures are taped via the Dial Access System, and you may use these services.

3. Rewrite your notes, especially if they are not neat and well organized. Accurate spelling and correct, factual information are essential. Studying with other students may help in insuring your notes are complete and accurate. Moreover, many courses have their own web pages which you should consult regularly. (see the Biology On-line Course Materials Web page)

4. A week or so before exams, condense each lecture to a one page "outline" containing key terms, formulae, etc.

5. Remain up-to-date. Last minute cramming will lessen performance in courses taken in the Eberly College of Science. Always get help from your professor or teaching assistant (TA) if you don't understand the lecture material. Note the office hours of the professor or TA and take advantage of their services. See the list of faculty office hours. Paper copies are available in 329 Whitmore Lab.

Independent Studies - Biol 296 and Biol 496

INDEPENDENT STUDIES refers to creative projects that are supervised on an individual basis and that fall outside the scope of formal courses. Most Biology students use these courses to receive academic credit for working in a faculty's research lab. Credits earned under BIOL 296 and 496 will count as electives.

Note: Students may NOT register for these courses through the telephone registration system. Registration for 296/496 is under department control. Hence you must submit a drop/add form which has been signed on the back by the professor with whom you are enrolling for research credit. For Biology faculty supervising undergraduate research, take the form to the Undergraduate Advising Office in 329 Whitmore Lab to have the course added to your schedule. For non-Biology faculty, go to the appropriate department to add the course to your schedule.

Minors for Biology Students

Biochemistry & Molecular Biology (BMB) Minor
Since 1994 the Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology has been offering a minor in BMB. Students must take BMB 251, 252, 342, 400, 401, 402, and an additional 1-3 credits of BMB courses at the 400 level, for a total of 18-20 credits. For exceptions to these requirements as well as for application forms, contact the departmental office in 108 Althouse Lab.

Marine Science Minor
The Marine Sciences Committee offers a minor degree in Marine Science. To enter the program a student must have attained at least fourth-semester classification and have earned a cumulative grade-point average of at least 2.50. To ensure adequate advising and record keeping, students must apply for the minor in the Marine Sciences program office and must then complete the requirements of the Marine Sciences minor. Students must take BIOL 435 or 417, GEOSC 440, & METEO 022; select a minimum of 6 credits of field studies [This requirement may be satisfied by BIOL 482[4] plus GEOSC 445(4) offered at Wallops Island, a facility of the Marine Science Consortium, during summer intersession.]; select 3 credits from Marine Science program approved list of courses; and select 1 credit of special topics approved by the committee for a total of 18 credits. Information on this program can be obtained from the Penn State Marine Sciences Program, The Pennsylvania State University, 248 Deike Building, University Park, PA 16802.

Neuroscience Minor
Students who are interested in a minor degree in neurosciences and who have completed BIOL 469 (3), BIOL 470 (3), and PSY 203 (3) should contact the Biobehavioral Health Department in 315 East Health and Human Development Bldg. (863-7256). For more on-line information, please visit Penn State's Bluebook

Wildlife & Fisheries Science (WSF) Minor
The Department of Wildlife & Fisheries Science is offering a minor degree. Students must take WSF 309, & 430; select a minimum of 5 credits from WFS 407, 408, and 452; and select 8 credits from WFS 409, 410, 422, 424, 446, 447W, 453, and 463 for a total of 19 credits. For exceptions to these requirements as well as for application forms, contact the departmental office in 213 Ferguson Bldg.

Options in Biology

When you officially enter the Biology major, you will be asked to declare one of the following siz options: Ecology (ECOL), General Biology (GBIOL), Genetics and Developmental Biology (GENET), Plant Biology (PLBIO),  Neuroscience or Vertebrate Physiology (VPHSO). See check sheets. Before declaring a particular option, you may wish to consult a Biology adviser to discuss which option would best prepare you for your particular career goal. For additional questions, contact the Biology staff in 329 Whitmore Lab.

Petitioning the Senate

Petitions to the Senate may be submitted for exceptions to University Academic Policies and Procedures. (Items related to financial or disciplinary issues are referred to other more appropriate channels.) Each petition must include the items listed below, as relevant, or it will be returned for completion. Petitions for course substitutions and other exceptions to the requirements for the major are usually handled at the department or college level.

Typically, students in Biology petition for exceptions to University Policies such as:

• retroactively adding/dropping a course
• exceeding late drop credits (>16)
• retroactively changing a grade
• retroactively withdrawing from a semester/academic year

You must follow these steps:

• You must write a letter stating the reason for the petition.
• Complete the appropriate University forms - drop/add, withdrawal, etc.
• Obtain other supporting documents - letter from instructor of the course to be dropped, physician's note, etc.
• Take all the paperwork to the Dean's Office, 428 Thomas Building.

Note: Students who Petition the Faculty Senate no longer need to pay the $6.00 fee prior to submitting their paperwork. If a petition is granted, a $6.00 fee will be added to your next semester's bill.

Notification of Senate action will be by mail. For more information, go to the World Wide Web at http://www.psu.edu/dus/unadbk/petition.html

Physics Courses

Instrumentation used in biology today was developed on principles explained in physics courses. PHYS 215 and 265 are not based on a knowledge of calculus but use many examples from biology. Students interested in biological engineering and/or the biophysical aspects of biology, or who may wish to pursue a double major in a program requiring a more rigorous physics sequence should take the calculus-based sequence (PHYS 211, 212, 213, 214). Note that the PHYS 215, 265 sequence is acceptable background at all medical schools. For the Biology major, either the PHYS 215, 265, or 211 - 214 sequence is acceptable. In Premedicine, Biochemistry, and many other majors in the Eberly College of Science, the four-course sequence (PHYS 211, 212, 213 and 214) is required. NOTE: Only in exceptional cases will combining sequences be allowed.

Registration by Phone

Please listen to the ENTIRE message when altering your schedule using the phone registration (863-9000). There is a command at the end of the message that completes the transaction. If the call is terminated before performing this command, NO changes are recorded.

You should also obtain a hardcopy of your schedule whenever you make a change.

For more information visit Penn State's General Course Schedule Information: Enrollment and Registration

Requirements for Entrance to Major in Biology

A freshman entering the Eberly College of Science (ECoS) with an intended major in Biology is initially classified as a pre-major student (SCIEN/BIOL). All other students will be classified according to the following scheme:

1. A student transferring into SCIEN/BIOL (pre-major status) must have:

   • Attained at least a 2.00 cumulative grade-point average.
   • Completed MATH 140 with a grade of C or better.

   A student who meets the above mentioned requirements, but who has not demonstrated a comparable level of scholarship in other mathematics & science courses applicable to the major, is strongly encouraged to contact a Biology Advisor for assistance.

1. A student entering the BIOLOGY major must have:

   • Earned a cumulative grade-point average of at least 2.00.
   • Completed BIOL 110, CHEM 110, AND MATH 140 with a grade of C or better in each of these courses.
   • Completed at least one of the following courses with a grade of C or better: BIOL 220W, 230W, or 240W

   During the third or fourth semester, students will be encouraged to declare an OPTION in biology.

ROTC Credits

The Biology Department does not have a limit on the number of ROTC courses that may be applied to the major. All ROTC credits are counted under the elective category.

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Satisfactory/ Unsatisfactory (SA/UN) Grades

Up to twelve (12) credits of ELECTIVES ONLY may be earned on a SA/UN basis. Courses required for the major, including the General Education credits, are NOT permitted for satisfactory/unsatisfactory grading. You must request this designation through the Dean's Office (428 Thomas Bldg.) between the 11th and 21st calendar days of the semester you are enrolled in the course. SA/UN credits count towards graduation, but are not computed in your GPA.

Schreyer Honors College

The Schreyer Honors College enlarges and transforms Penn State's highly successful University Scholars Program into a multidisciplinary center of undergraduate academic excellence. The vast majority of University Scholar's are admitted to the program as entering freshmen. A few Biology students are invited to join the Schreyer Honors College as juniors, at the discretion of the Biology Department. These students must have a GPA in the Biology major of 3.80 or higher and currently be involved in research. Rare exceptions are made for students who can demonstrate other unusually meritorious achievements. Qualified students may contact Dr. Richard Cyr.

Freshmen University Scholars are required to enroll in English 30. All University Scholars are required to maintain a GPA of 3.20 or higher every semester and enroll in a specified number of honors classes. In addition, all University Scholars participate in scholarly research, culminating in an Honors Thesis, approved before graduation. The Honors Thesis, signed by the Thesis Supervisor, must be submitted to the students' Honors Adviser by the end of the eleventh week of classes during the semester in which the student intends to graduate. The signed thesis must be returned to the University Scholars Office one week later, by the last day of classes.

For more information about the Schreyer Honors College, contact the University Scholar's Office, located in 214 Willard Building (863-2635).

Sixth Semester Audit

At the end of your junior year you should obtain a sixth-semester audit from the Undergraduate Secretary in Biology. Be sure to discuss with Ms. Deb Lucas in 329 Whitmore Lab any discrepancies or questions you might have resulting from that information. It is very important to review your course work at this time! We strongly recommend that you consult with your adviser at least once a year to review your progress. Audits (individualized computer versions of checksheets) are printed each fall and spring semester and are available in the Biology Undergraduate Advising Office around the fifth week of the semester.

Staff for the Undergraduate Advising Office

Dr. Richard Cyr, Assistant Department Head for Undergraduate Affairs

Barbara DeHart, Undergraduate Adviser

Dr. Carolyn Jensen, Undergraduate Adviser and Instructor

Taking Courses at Other Institutions

Earning credits at a college or university other than Penn State is possible while you are a student enrolled at Penn State. Before enrolling in course work at another school, be sure to receive prior approval by: 1) checking with the Admissions Office in 201 Shields Building to see whether the credits earned at College "X" are transferable to Penn State, and 2) for any science course not directly transferable as a specific PSU course, consulting with the appropriate authority in each department to determine whether the course transfers as a substitution for required courses in the Biology curriculum.

To determine if biology courses from another institution will be transferable, students must:

1. Obtain the course description from the catalog of the college or university to be attended

2. Obtain a copy of the most recent course syllabus (contact the host institution for this (many syllabi are available on-line.)

3. Meet with Dr. Richard Cyr in the Department of Biology. After approval, you should provide a copy of the course evaluation form (available from the Admissions Office in 201 Shields Bldg.) to the Undergraduate Secretary in 329 Whitmore Lab for your file.

Transfer Credits: Note that for the baccalaureate degree at least 36 of the last 60 credits must be earned in courses offered by Penn State or in cooperative degree programs that have been established by formal agreement and approved by the University Faculty Senate (see 1997-98 Student Guide to Policies and Rules, Section 83-80).

Transfer Credits

Courses taken at other accredited colleges and universities can be transferred to Penn State provided that a grade of "C" or better was earned. Credits will be transferred either as a specific Penn State course (ie., ENGL 15, PSY 2, etc.), or as general (GEN) credit. This means that, except for disallowed courses in the Biology major, the credits will count towards your graduation! However, unless courses transferred as "GEN" are evaluated, all "GEN" courses acceptable to the major will be counted as elective credits only (courses listed as "GEN" may not have an exact Penn State equivalent; therefore, they must be evaluated course by course). Courses in Biology always transfer as "GEN" and thus must be evaluated by an advisor in the Department of Biology. Four items are necessary for an evaluation:

1. a copy of the transcript from the previous institution(s)

2. a copy of your Penn State transcript (obtain this from the Secretary in 329 Whitmore Lab)

3. a copy (or photocopied page) of the catalog describing the course(s) of the college or university you attended, and

4. a course syllabus. For course accredidations of Biology courses taken at foreign institutions, students are required to meet with Dr. Richard Cyr before leaving the country. For course evaluations of science courses other than Biology, students need to contact the appropriate departments. Once courses have been evaluated they will be entered into your computerized degree audit by Ms. Deb Lucas in 329 Whitmore Lab.

Note: Failure to contact the Biology Advising Office before leaving for study abroad programs will likely jeopardize course accredidation.

Undergraduate Research in the Biological Science

Participation in research projects provide students with an opportunity to combine classroom knowledge with practical applications of science through hands-on experience and numerous undergraduates make research an essential part of their collegiate education. If you are thinking of becoming involved in a research project, you should be aware of the different research opportunities available to you. Some of these include:

• Research With A PSU Faculty For 296/496 Credit
• Cooperative Education Program
• On Campus Research Fellowships and Off Campus Internships
• Research at Other Institutions

Note: While you will receive a monetary compensation for some of these experiences, you will receive credit for others.

1. Research with PSU Faculty for 296/396

   If you are interested in working with Biology faculty, there are a number of steps you should be aware of that will improve your chances of reaching your goal.

   1. Become knowledgeable about the research that is conducted in the various departments by reviewing the individual web pages for PSU faculty. In Biology, you can access a collection of their web pages by clicking on the icon Faculty Research after you have entered the departmental home page at http://www.bio.psu.edu. Alternatively, you can stop by the Undergraduate Advising Office (329 Whitmore Lab) and browse through the Biology Graduate Brochure and pick up a copy of the 1998 Peterson Guide's page outlining Biology faculty and their research at Penn State. Moreover, you may want to consider going outside the department for your research experience: consult the web page on university-wide opportunities (http://www.psu.edu/dept/oue/research/research.html).

   2. Prepare a prioritized list of about 4-5 faculty whose research activities are close to your interests.

   3. Make appointments with the faculty you have selected to determine such things as:

      1. available lab space/faculty time/funding to accept you as a 296/496 student/number of hours/week of your time needed for the research effort;
      2. the number of additional semesters you can give to the research
      3. the number of credits for which you should register.

   4. Be aware that you DO NOT register for 296/496 through the telephone registration system. Registration for 296/496 is under department control. Hence you must submit a drop/add form which has been signed on the back by the professor with whom you are enrolling for research credit. For Biology faculty supervising undergraduate research, take the form to the Undergraduate Advising Office in 329 Whitmore Lab to have the course added to your schedule. For non-Biology faculty, go to the appropriate department to add the course to your schedule.

2. Cooperative Education Program

   Penn State's Eberly College of Science Cooperative Education Program provides students with the opportunity to integrate academic studies with on-site work experiences. It is an academic program made available through the support and cooperation of the academic departments within the college.

   The Co-op Program requires that students alternate their periods of work and study in order to derive the greatest benefit from the work experiences. Therefore, students will complete a co-op work assignment, then return to campus to complete additional courses towards fulfilling their degree requirements. After completing additional coursework, the students then are required to complete another co-op work assignment, either with the same company for which they previously worked or with another participating company. This allows the student to put to use the additional classroom knowledge they have gained since completing their first co-op assignment.

   Students typically apply to the Co-op Program during their sophomore year of studies and complete their first work assignment some time during their junior year. Students may complete one of their co-op work assignments during a Summer session, but at least one of their work assignments must be completed during the Spring or Fall semester. In some cases, employers request that students work a consecutive Summer, and Spring or Fall semester (approximately 7 months) in order to become more involved in the work experience and to obtain the maximum benefit from participation in the Co-op Program.

   Students enrolled in the Co-op Program earn academic credit for each of their co-op assignments. For co-op assignments completed within the life sciences, biology students can petition a maximum of 3 credits towards the 400-level biology requirements. See Dr. Cyr for pre-approval. Regardless, Co-op credits always count towards graduation. In addition to earning credit towards degree requirements, students who participate in the Co-op Program also have an opportunity to earn a professional-level income to assist them in defraying educational costs and gaining a competitive edge in today's highly competitive marketplace.

   If you are interested in participating in the Eberly College of Science Cooperative Education Program, please follow the steps below to complete the enrollment process.

   • The first step in looking for a co-op position is to complete your co-op resume. In order to do this, you must stop by 520 Thomas Building to obtain a disk that has the database program for completion of your resume. At this time, you will schedule an intake interview with the Co-op Program Coordinator. This is an informal interview, during which you will review your completed resume with the Coordinator and discuss the requirements and benefits of the Co-op Program.

   • Using the resume disk that you obtained from the Co-op Office, complete your resume on any PC computer. Refer to the attached blue-colored sheets for step-by-step instructions on completing your resume.

   • When you come to the Co-op Office for your intake interview, be sure to bring the disk that contains your resume. Your resume will be imported from your disk to our database and a copy will be printed for you at that time. This is the resume that will be forwarded to interested companies, so make sure that it is accurate and complete.

   • Obtain a posting sheet from the Co-op Office that lists the companies interested in receiving student resumes. Company information and/or position descriptions are available in the company notebooks located in the Co-op Office. After reviewing the available company information, indicate your choices on a posting sheet and return it to the Co-op Office. Initially, your resume will be forwarded only to those companies in which you express an interest, so

     it is to your benefit to request that your resume be forwarded to as many companies as possible.

   PLEASE NOTE: When reviewing the positions available at various companies, you will notice that some companies require information in addition to your resume. They may request letters of recommendation, a completed company application, a personal resume, or a cover letter. Please be aware that the Co-op Office CANNOT forward your resume to a company unless you have supplied all of the information requested by that company. It is YOUR responsibility to make sure that you have provided all of the requested information.

   In addition to the company postings in the Co-op Office, available positions are also posted on the Co-op Program bulletin boards outside of 520 Thomas Building and 420 Boucke Building. For more information on the Eberly College of Science Co-op Program, stop by the Co-op Office at 520 Classroom Building, call 865-5000, or visit the Co-op Program web site at www.science.psu.edu/coop/.

   Eberly College of Science Cooperative Education Program Credit Policy

   Each department within the College will allow a maximum of six (6) co-op credits to be used toward degree requirements. These credits will be earned at a maximum of two (2) for each co-op semester/course (Science 295, 395, 495). Specific use of co-op credits is to be determined by the individual departments, based on curricular requirements. Departments will provide Co-op Office representatives with an overview of ways in which each department will recognize co-op academic credits, but students must confer with a department representative to discuss their individual academic circumstances. Exceptions to the two-credits per co-op semester policy and the maximum of six total co-op credits policy may be possible, but must be approved by a departmental representative in advance of the students' registration for the credits. Retroactive credit for co-op experiences will not be granted. This policy is effective beginning with the Summer 1999 semester for entering students and all students who have not yet completed a co-op assignment. Students who have already participated in the Co-op Program and have questions about their use of co-op credits must make individual arrangements with their representatives.

3. On-Campus Research Fellowships and Off-Campus Internships

   Up-to-date information on research fellowships which are offered on campus as well as on summer internship opportunities nationwide are kept in the Undergraduate Advising Office (329 Whitmore Lab). Feel free to browse through the information and/or to contact your adviser about these offers.

4. Research at Other Institutions

   If you would like to conduct research at another institution (NIH, Smithsonian, etc.) and want to receive BIOL 496 credit for your work, you would need to establish a link between the person under whom you will do the work and a faculty member in the Department of Biology who will assign you a grade. To evaluate your work, the chosen faculty member may consult with your research supervisor, review your research log book, or ask you to provide him/her with a summary report of the conducted research. Note that only faculty in Biology can sign grade forms for courses registered as BIOL 496, etc. In some cases it is better to arrange Independent Research credits at the host institution and then transfer those credits to Penn State. If you have any other questions about this procedure, please contact your adviser or Dr. Richard Cyr.

University Scholars Program

The University Scholars Program is a University-wide Honors program administered by the Schreyer's Honor College for academically superior students. The vast majority of University Scholar's are admitted to the program as entering freshmen. A few Biology students are invited to join the University Scholars Program as juniors, at the discretion of the Biology Department. These students must have a GPA in the Biology major of 3.80 or higher and currently be involved in research. Rare exceptions are made for students who can demonstrate other unusually meritorious achievements. Qualified students may contact Dr. Richard Cyr.

Freshmen University Scholars are required to enroll in English 30. All University Scholars are required to maintain a GPA of 3.20 or higher every semester and enroll in a specified number of honors classes. In addition, all University Scholars participate in scholarly research, culminating in an Honors Thesis, approved before graduation. The Honors Thesis, signed by the Thesis Supervisor, must be submitted to the students' Honors Adviser by the end of the eleventh week of classes during the semester in which the student intends to graduate. The signed thesis must be returned to the University Scholars Office one week later, by the last day of classes.

For more information about the University Scholars Program, contact the University Scholar's Office, located in 10 Schreyer Honors College (863-2635) or go the web at www.shc.psu.edu/.

Writing Requirement in Biology

All entering students must complete at least three credits of writing-intensive courses ("W" courses) prior to graduation. These courses must be selected from "W" courses offered within the major or college of enrollment. Normally, for most majors in Biology, these courses will be BIOL 220W, 230W, and 240W. Each of these courses carries 1 credit of "W", for a total of 3 credits. Other courses in Biology with a "W" designation include BIOL 422W and BIOL 450W. Any student not fulfilling the "W" requirement should consult with Dr. Richard Cyr to work out an alternative plan.

Document Information

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Non-Discrimination

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Accommodation

Penn State encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about physical access provided, please contact 814-865-2329 in advance of your participation.

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