Chemistry & Biochemistry
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 quick links
Department advising resources
- Comparison of chemistry and biochemistry majors (pdf)
- Outline of ACS requirements for certified chemistry major (pdf)
- CSH pre-professional tracks (medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, etc.)
- Course flow charts for majors
- Biochemistry major BS (pdf)
- Chemistry major with ACS certification BS (pdf)
- Chemistry major with business concentration BS (pdf)
- Chemistry major with environmental science concentration BS (pdf)
- Chemistry education major BS (pdf)
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 (room 105 Graff Main Hall).
How do I find out who my advisor is?
Log in to your WINGS account. Your "Program Advisor" is listed on the right side of your student center. Your advisor is typically a faculty member who teaches in the department of your major and knows much about the coursework required for your specific major / concentration / career path and can help you find answers to most all of your questions.
How often will I meet with my advisor?
It is a good idea to meet with your Chemistry/Biochemistry advisor at least once each fall and spring semester, prior to registering for your next classes. You should feel free to email your advisor shortly after mid-semester in the fall and again in the spring to request a meeting time. Of course, if you have any questions or issues at other times, always feel free to contact your advisor (by email or phone) to discuss and/or set up an appointment.
What do we do when we meet for registration advising?
You should arrive to your meeting promptly with an outline of the courses that you want to take in the next semester (or next two or three). Your advisor will discuss that list of courses with you and may suggest alternative options or make suggestions for better choices. 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. However, you are the one who chooses which courses to take. You may ask other questions at your meetings, including ones about potential careers, etc.
What if I'm struggling academically?
There are a number of resources on campus for students experiencing difficulties with their coursework. First, you should consult the instructor of the class in which you are struggling. The instructor may have recommendations on how to study or who else to ask for help.
The Murphy Learning Center (251 Murphy Library) employs Chemistry tutors and some faculty members hold office hours there as well. Check their website for tutoring hours and courses.
The UWL Counseling & Testing Center (2016 CENT) has learning specialists on hand to assist with study skills and test anxiety. Their Self-Help Page might be a good place for you to start in seeking some online assistance.
If you believe that dropping a course is in your best interest, be aware of all drop deadlines and methods (consult the Records and Registration pages or feel free to visit any of our Academic Service Director (Travis Hendrickson) located in the CSH Dean’s Academic Services Office, 105 Graff Main Hall, 608-785-8218).
What if I'd like more of a challenge or a new learning experiences?
Chemistry and Biochemistry majors have numerous opportunities to get involved in undergraduate research projects, internships, and other summer professional activities. Talk to your faculty advisor about research opportunities, or consult the UWL Undergraduate Research and Creativity Page to learn about other opportunities, events, and how you may get started. Internships (paid or unpaid) may be taken for academic credit, usually during your junior and/or senior years. The UWL Career Services Office coordinates most internship opportunities.
How do I apply to graduate?
Complete the “Apply for Graduation” form found within your WINGS Student Center. It is recommended that, as you approach the time to register for your final semester of classes, you make an appointment with one of our Academic Service Directors (Carla Burkhardt or Guy Herling) located in the CSH Dean’s Academic Services Office, 105 Graff Main Hall, 608-785-8218) to do a credit check and assure that you are on track to graduate.
What are my options after graduation?
Approximately half of our graduates continue their education by entering professional or graduate schools within six months of graduation. Those who enter the workforce are routinely employed in chemical product development, analysis, or sales at organizations such as Aldrich, Johnson & Johnson, Cargill, Covance, PPD, and other biotech or scientific instrumentation firms; many graduates find full-time research positions at larger universities and medical schools like UW-Madison, the University of Minnesota, and the Medical College of Wisconsin; others have found quality assurance positions in food labs such as Kwik Trip, Organic Valley, and the La Crosse City Brewery; some find jobs in government organizations such as the US Geological Survey or WI DNR.