Biology
Advising
Advising categories
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Services for student success
- There are many services and resources on campus to empower students for success.
Academic
ACCESS center
ACCESS center collaborates with students with disabilities to identify, reduce, or eliminate barriers to obtaining education within the most integrated settings possible.
Study skills
Skills and resources for academic success
Career Services
Handshake: Internship & Employment, Determine Career Goals, Resumes, Cover Letters & Interviewing
Murphy Library provides access to resources to aid research and studying:
- A large, diverse collection of digital and print resources.
- Facilities designed to accommodate a variety of learning preferences.
- Technology that aids research and studying.
- Staff to help students find what they need.
Each course syllabus will contain statements about, or a link to, important campus policies related to academic integrity & misconduct, religious accommodations, sexual misconduct, student concern procedures, students with disabilities, and veterans & active military personnel.
Records and Registration is the source for information about student records, curriculum, and University academic policies and procedures.
The Student Handbook outlines the policies and procedures that apply to students at UWL.
Tutoring schedule
Use this handy tool to find out when subjects you're interested in offer tutoring help. Use the checkboxes to select your subjects and pick a day to find a time that works for you.
Murphy Learning Center (MLC)
Tutoring, Writing Center, Public Speaking. All UW-La-Crosse students can receive free tutoring services in a variety of courses, as well as utilize the Writing Center and the Center for Public Speaking at the MLC. In addition to on-site tutoring they can also direct you to tutoring offered by other campus departments.
Office of Multicultural Student Services (OMSS)
The OMSS peer tutoring program provides free course specific tutoring to multicultural UWL undergraduate students upon request.
Student Support Services (SSS)
SSS provides academic, personal, career, and financial advising and support services to low income and first generation college students, as well as students with disabilities.
Faculty Advisors
- Assist with course selections and schedule planning for one or more semesters.
- Advice on progression toward graduation (Gen Ed requirements, major, minor, college requirements).
- Discuss opportunities such as undergraduate research and creativity, job shadowing, internships, study abroad programs
- Need the name of your faculty advisor? Check your Student Center in WINGS or Navigate.
College Academic Services
Your major determines which of the following colleges you are in:
- College of Business Administration (CBA)
- College of Arts, Social Sciences, & Humanities (CASSH)
- College of Science and Health (CSH)
- School of Education (SOE)
Each college office provides extensive academic services:
- Process change of major requests.
- Perform credit checks and degree verifications.
- Ensure accuracy of the Advising Report (AR) report.
- Interpret academic policies and procedures
- Advise incoming transfer students and assist with transfer credits.
- Approve off-campus courses for transfer credit.
- Notify and advise students who are ineligible or on probation
Academic Advising Center
- The Academic Advising Center provides academic advisors, career advising specialists, and pre-health advising.
- Assists students with academic advising, exploring majors, transferring to UWL, researching graduate schools, and careers.
Are you ...
- Choosing a major?
- Changing your major?
- Getting the most out of advising?
- Looking for ways to be more academically successful?
- Having trouble with WINGS?
- Planning for Commencement?
- Wondering about the Navigate app?
- Making post-graduation plans?
- A student with other questions about advising, registration, grades or transcripts?
Catalog quicklinks:
How do I declare a major?
You will need to submit a completed Change of Program form, which is an online survey. If you have further questions about this please go to the Academic Services Office of the College of Science and Health (105 Graff Main Hall).
How do I find who my advisor is?
Log in to your WINGS account. Your "Program Advisor" is listed on the right side of your student center. During your first year, at UWL, you will most likely have a professional advisor in the Academic Advising Center. Starting your second year, you will switch to a faculty advisor who teaches in the department and is well-versed in the coursework required for your specific major/concentration/career path.
How often will I meet with my advisor?
You are required to meet with your Biology advisor at least once each fall and spring prior to registering for classes. Biology advisors will email you shortly after mid-semester in the fall and again in the spring with instructions for setting up a meeting time. If you have questions or issues at other times of the semester, feel free to contact your advisor (email or phone) to set up an appointment.
What do we do when we meet for registration advising?
You should arrive to your meeting promptly with an idea of the courses that you want to take. Your advisor will discuss that list of courses with you and make suggestions for better choices, if applicable. It is our job as advisors to give you the best advice we can to help you navigate through your required coursework as swiftly as possible, but in the end, you are the one that chooses the courses to take. You can also ask other questions at this session, including ones about careers, etc.
What if I'm struggling academically?
There are a number of resources on campus for students experiencing difficulty in their coursework. First, you should consult the instructor of the class with which you are struggling. The instructor may have recommendations on how to study or who to ask for help.
The Murphy Learning Center has Biology tutors. Check the website athttps://www.uwlax.edu/Murphy-Learning-Center/ for Biology tutoring hours.
The Counseling & Testing Center has learning specialists on hand to assist with study skills and test anxiety. The self-help page (https://www.uwlax.edu/Counseling-Testing/Self-help/) might be a place to start for some online assistance.
If you believe that dropping the course is in your best interest, be sure to be aware of drop deadlines and methods (consult https://www.uwlax.edu/records/ or the CSH Dean’s Academic Services Office, 105 Graff, 608.785.8218).
What if I'd like more of a challenge or a new experience?
Biology majors have opportunities to do undergraduate research and/or internships. Talk to your faculty advisor about research opportunities, or consult https://www.uwlax.edu/URC/ to learn how to get started. Internships (paid or unpaid) may be taken for academic credit, usually in the junior or senior year. The Career Services office coordinates internship opportunities.
How do I apply to graduate?
Complete the “Apply for Graduation” found in your WINGS Student Center. It is recommended that you make an appointment with the Dean’s Office (608-785-8218) to do a credit check as you approach the time to register for your last semester of classes.
What are my options after graduation?
Over half of Biology graduates continue their education by entering professional or graduate school within six months of graduation. Those who enter the work force are employed in product testing/development organizations such as Covance, PPD; full-time university research positions at universities like UW-Madison, UM-Twin Cities; quality assurance in labs such as Kwik Trip, Organic Valley, City Brewery; and government organizations such as US Geological Survey, DNR.