Getting Advised

Getting advised

Curriculum and class scheduling

As you schedule your classes each semester, you should consult with advisors in the Arts and Sciences Advising Center.   These advisors have the most up-to-date information regarding requirements for all majors and minors in the college. They can also serve as consultants for transfer students and those students who will be studying abroad. A&S advisors use special software to ensure that you schedule will keep you on track to graduate when you have planned. They also provide valuable advice on which classes you may want to take (and the timing of those classes) given your professional career goals. You should visit your A&S advisor once or twice a year as needed.

Freshman Advising

All freshmen are advised through the Arts and Sciences Advising Center.   After you declare a Biology major, (Freshman or Sophomore year, after completion of Biology 240, 242, and 244 with a grade of C or better) you will be assigned a biology faculty member as your advisor, and you will receive notification of your new advisor via e-mail. You should request meetings with your Biology advisor to discuss career goals, to get help picking the most relevant courses, find new opportunities for research or scholarships, and to access professional development tools such as mock interviews. For most students, it is useful to meet with your advisor at least once a year in order to be certain that you are making satisfactory progress toward your degree and to discuss your career trajectory.  If you have been admitted to the major and do not know who your Biology advisor is, please call the Biology Department office at 502-852-6771.

Meeting with your advisor

You should then meet with your advisor, who will give you a copy of your degree plan. This document will show you which courses you have completed and which you still need to take to finish your degree.

After this meeting, you can decide how often you want to meet with your advisor. For most students, it is useful to meet with your advisor at least once a year in order to be certain that you are making satisfactory progress toward your degree.

Making appointments with your departmental advisor

Most advisors in the Biology Department prefer that you e-mail them to set up an appointment, although some prefer telephone calls and others take drop-ins. To find out your advisor’s preference, go to thelist of Biology advisors at this link.

Changing your advisor

To change your advisor, please send an email containing the name of the advisor you wish to have (if you have one in mind) and the reason why you wish you change to the Director of Undergraduate Studies, Dr. Deborah Yoder-Himes, at deborah.yoder-himes@louisville.edu.

Finding out when and how to register

Not all students register for classes at the same time.  To find out when you will be able to register, and for instructions on using the Ulink portal to register, go to the Registrar's Office web site.

Students may wish to consult our suggested study plans, which lead to completion of a degree in four years.