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Can I choose any class to count toward the Biology major electives?
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If I want to petition a class for the major, when should I submit the petition?
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I heard Surgery 101 can count for Bio 44X or Y. Is that true?
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I heard that I don't have to take Bio 44Y if I am doing research. Is that true?
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What are the prerequisites for taking classes at Hopkins Marine Station?
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Can I take any classes CR/NC? How will grad school/med school perceive a CR/NC?
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Where are good places to look for research opportunities off campus?
1. How do I pick a faculty advisor?
There is no set way to pick an advisor. Ideally, you would want to pick an advisor that does research in an area you would like to pursue, and one that you would feel comfortable talking to about classes, and goals after graduation. Talk to professors with whom you have taken biology classes (including the bio core). There is a binder with biographical and personal information about our faculty advisors in the Student Services Office. You can also look up faculty member profiles. Finally, talk to your friends, upperclassmen, and BioBridge peer advisors about their experience in the department. For more information, please see the page on declaring the Biology major.
2. How do I get transfer credit to count toward the major?
There are two separate sets of approval that you need to get in order for a transfer course to count toward the Biology major requirements:
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University Approval. The guidelines for transferring courses to Stanford are located on the Registrar's Office webpage. Please be sure to follow these instructions; without doing so, you run the risk of not having your courses transferred.
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Department Approval. The first thing to do is check the "Pre-Approved" binder in the Student Services Office. If the course you want to take is in there, you are done! If not, you will need to fill out a Transfer Credit Evaluation Form . Fill out this form, attach a syllabus and/or course description, and turn it into the appropriate person listed on the back of the form. Once you have obtained a signature on this form, return it to the Student Services Office.
3. Can I choose any class to count toward the Biology major electives?
Any BIO or BIOHOPK class above 100 (not including Stanford Introductory Seminars) can count toward the Biology major electives, however, there are limitations for courses outside the department. Please refer to the list of Out-of-Department Electives. If you believe a class is relevant to the Biology major but is NOT on this list, you are welcome to submit a General Petition.
4. If I want to petition a class for the major, when should I submit the petition?
It is in your best interest to submit any petition prior to taking the course. That way, you will definitively know whether or not it is going to count toward your requirements. You can submit a petition after taking a course, but there will be no leniency on the decision just because you already took the course.
5. How likely is it that my petition will be approved?
We cannot predict whether or not your petition will be approved.
6. How long will it take to hear back about my petition?
It typically takes 1-2 weeks to get a response. Because of this, it is in your best interest to submit the petition as soon as you can.
7. I heard Surgery 101 can count for Bio 44X or Y. Is that true?
No - Surgery 101 cannot be used in place of Bio 44X or 44Y for the Biology major requirements. If you would like to know how to successfully petition for an exemption from BIO 44X or 44Y, please see these guidelines. If you would like to know whether or not Surgery 101 can count as one of the Biology lab requirements for medical school, please consult the pre-med advisors in UAR.
8. I heard that I don't have to take Bio 44Y if I am doing research. Is that true?
This is only true for students that complete the general major with honors or one of the six specialized fields of study with honors. Students that are doing research but not completing honors are still required to take Bio 44Y - there are no exceptions to this policy.
9. What are the prerequisites for taking classes at Hopkins Marine Station?
There are no prerequisites to take classes at Hopkins. Having a biology background from the Bio or Humbio core would be helpful, but not necessary.
10. Can I take any classes CR/NC? How will grad school/med school perceive a CR/NC?
The Bio core must be taken for a letter grade, no exceptions. A maximum of two foundational breadth classes, and a maximum of 6 units toward the elective requirement for the general major can be taken CR/NC. Grading option rules are slightly different for the 6 specialized fields of study; please see individual requirement sheets for details. If you plan on applying to medical school, keep in mind that all of the foundational breadth courses must be taken for a letter grade. Furthermore, certain medical schools require additional advanced courses in genetics, molecular biology, or biochemistry to be taken during the undergraduate curriculum for a grade. This requirement varies widely amongst schools and can be best determined at the individual schools' web-site or by perusing the AAMC Medical School Admissions Requirements (a copy of this is kept at UAR in Sweet Hall).
11. How do I get bio units for out of department research?
The instructions and petition to get credit for out of department research for BIO 199X can be found on the Research and Honors website. Only officially-declared Biology majors are eligible to petition for BIO 199X.
12. When is the deadline to apply to coterm?
You can apply for the coterm once you have completed 120 units towards graduation, but you must apply at least one quarter prior to graduating with your undergraduate degree. Please see our Coterm information for specific deadlines.
13. How do I find a research position on campus?
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Faculty research descriptions (look at the Biology Department faculty listings, as well as other departmental websites.)
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The Community Academic Profiles website lists all biology and medical research associated with Stanford University, except for research in ecology and evolution.
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Check out the Research and Honors website for information about previous internships.
14. Where are good places to look for research opportunities off campus?
15. How do I petition to graduate with honors?
You must complete the Honors Petition form three quarters in advance of your expected graduation date. A minimum Bio GPA of 3.0, ten units of BIO 199 or 199X, and an honors thesis & presentation are also required.
It is a specialized area of biology in which students can choose to study, if they wish. Fields of Study used to be referred to as "Specialization Tracks." More information about fields of study are on the requirements page.
17. Do I have to do honors if I want to do a field of study?
Yes - all Fields of Study require a specific set of course requirements as well as completion of the departmental honors requirements.
