2020 New Student Checklist & Video

New Student Checklist

Incoming biology students, please refer to the checklist below for important advising information. This checklist also includes info about advising workshops for first- year students.


Find Your Advisor

The Biology Advising Center recommends that students schedule an appointment with an advisor so that their specific needs can be addressed. To make an appointment with your advisor, please use the Nexus scheduling platform. Appointments are only offered during our regular hours of operation.

Learn how to view your advisor in the Student Administration System.

The Biology Advising Center is located in the Biology/Physics Building (BPB), room 101.

Schedule appointments via NEXUS and choose Biology Advising Center.

Before Classes Start

  • Check your university email regularly for important updates.
  • Send your AP scores/transcripts to the Admissions office to receive college credit.
  • “SWAP, DON’T DROP” Use the SWAP tool to ensure you do not lose an important class during the add/drop process, especially when changing sections!
  • Take the Math and Chemistry placement exams if you haven’t already done so.
  • For pre-health information, view the Pre-Med/Pre-Dent website.

When Fall Semester Starts

  • For urgent Fall scheduling concerns, make an appointment with your advisor, or come to the Biology Advising Center drop-in hours.
  • You have through September 14th to add/drop courses and can do so via Student Admin.
  • You must be enrolled in at least 12 credits on September 14th to be considered full-time. You should average 15 credits each semester to graduate in 4 years.
  • You may still withdraw from a class after September 14th, but you will need to complete a Schedule Revision form, signed by your advisor, and will receive a “W” on your transcript for the dropped course.
  • The ABSOLUTE last day to drop a class (with a “W”) will be November 2nd.
  • Accept or reject ECE credits—check your university email for details. This decision is made at the end of the semester and is final.
  • Complete the Biology Advising Workshop. This online workshop will instruct you on the process of registering for your Spring 2021 semester classes. All first-year students in the biological sciences are required to view the advising workshop in its entirety or will receive a hold that prevents them from registering!

Transfer Students

  • Send a final transcript (with spring grades) from your former institution.
  • Request a writing course equivalency review by August 1, if applicable.
  • Look over transfer credit report and contact appropriate faculty evaluator for reevaluation of UConn credit equivalent.
  • Contact your advisor to request a substitution if you have transfer credits in EEB, MCB, or PNB that can count towards the 24 credits in your major.
  • Send syllabi of BIOL 91500 to biologyadvising@uconn.edu for reevaluation as BIOL 1107/1108.
  • Schedule an appointment with your advisor (via nexus) to review your transfer credits and see how they will impact your requirements for a timely graduation.

Videos and Trainings

Please view the biology video for first-year students or transfer students.

Please view this video regarding how to use Student Admin.

First-year students must complete an online workshop in the fall. More details will be emailed in early fall.