Academic Advising

Advisors

All undergraduate students in the Biology department have an assigned faculty advisor; however the vast majority of your questions can be answered by听S铆le N铆 Scanl谩in听in the Biology Office. Her contact info is as follows:

S铆le N铆 Scanl谩in
355E Higgins Hall
sile.niscanlain@bc.edu
617-552-2292

Prof. Eric Folker, Interim Director of Undergraduate Programs is also available to meet with students and provide academic advising services.

Eric Folker, Ph.D.
Higgins Hall 578
eric.folker@bc.edu
617-552-1809

In AGORA you may view your faculty advisor by selecting 鈥淢y Services,鈥� 鈥淎ccount and Personal Information,鈥� then 鈥淎cademic Advisor.鈥� Freshmen are assigned advisers through the Academic Advising Center. Biology faculty members serve as advisors for sophomores, juniors and seniors. During the registration period the department will provide open office hours for all of our faculty. Feel free to use this time to learn about their research, ask career questions, or get more information on specific courses.

First-Year Students

Majors in Biology

Students aiming to earn a degree in Biology should see the checklists published by the Biology Department with the requirements for earning a B.A. in Biology, a B.S. in Biology, or a B.S. in Biochemistry.

The Chemistry requirements for a B.S. in Biology or a B.S. in Biochemistry are significant and students should prioritize their Chemistry sequence during their first year by completing

  1. General Chemistry 1 (CHEM 1109/1111), Fall Semester
  2. General Chemistry 2 (CHEM1110/1112), Spring Semester
  3. Students who do not feel prepared for the Chemistry sequence should contact the Chemistry Department regarding Fundamentals of Chemistry (CHEM1115) offered during the Spring semester.
  4. Students aiming to earn a B.A. in Biology may consider delaying their Chemistry courses until their second year.

The Quantitative requirements for a B.S. in Biology or a B.S. in Biochemistry are significant and students are encouraged to take their Calculus course or courses during the first year.

Required for a B.A. in Biology, a B.S. in Biology, or a B.S. in Biochemistry

  • Calculus 1 (MATH1100) or by earning a 4 or 5 on the AP Calculus exam (AB version)

Required for a B.S. in Biochemistry, Quantitative elective for a B.S. in Biology

  • Calculus 2 (MATH1101) or by earning a 4 or 5 on the AP Calculus exam (51茶馆 version)
    • Biochemistry majors must complete a calculus course at Boston College. Students who earned a 4 or 5 on the AP Exam (51茶馆 version) can take either MATH1101 or MATH2202 (Multivariable Calculus)

During their first year at Boston College students should complete one or both of the two foundational courses, both of which are offered during both the fall and spring semester. We also encourage students who are pursuing a different degree, but are considering applying to medical school to take one or both of these courses during their first year at Boston College.

  1. Molecules and Cells (BIOL2000)
  2. Ecology and Evolution (BIOL2010)
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Advanced Placement Credits

Students who received a 5 on the Biology AP exam may choose to skip BIOL2000 (Molecules and Cells). Whether one should bypass this course is a personal decision. As a general guide, if you struggled to earn a 5 on the AP exam, or you completed AP Biology early in your High School education, you should consider completing BIOL2000. If you earned a 5 without much difficulty you may consider skipping BIOL2000. Students who choose to skip BIOL2000 must still complete the same number of Biology Credits in order to graduate. Such students are encouraged to complete BIOL2010 (Ecology and Evolution) during their first year. Students who wish to take a second biology course during their first year are encouraged to take either BIOL3040 (Cell Biology), BIOL3090 (Foundations in Microbiology), or BIOL3050 (Genetics) as these classes provide the foundation for most upper level courses.

Guidelines for Biology Course Selection for first-year non-major students

Core Curriculum

Several courses offered in the Biology Department can be used to fulfill one of your Natural Science Core Courses. Some of these courses are also taken by students majoring in Biology or other Natural Sciences whereas others are not typically taken by students majoring in Biology.

Not typically taken by students majoring in biology

  1. General Biology (BIOL1100), Fall Semester
  2. Human Biology and Disease (BIOL1702), Fall Semester
  3. Sustaining the Biosphere (BIOL1440), Spring Semester

Required of Biology majors

  1. Molecules and Cells (BIOL2000), Fall and Spring Semesters
  2. Ecology and Evolution (BIOL2010), Fall and Spring Semesters

Students who want to experience a Biology course as they explore Biology as a possible field of study are encouraged to register for BIOL1100. This course will provide a basic understanding of the ways biologists apply the scientific method and will expose students to fundamental features of cell structure, metabolism, gene organization, and heredity.

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