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Department of Biology
Undergraduate Advising
Butler Hall, Room 107
979-845-3116

Frequently Asked Questions about Registration

2. How do I get forced into a class?
Each department handles "forces" differently. A student who desires to be forced into a Department of Biology course should obtain an add slip from our Undergraduate Advising Office in 107 Butler Hall. The add slip should be taken to the course instructor for signature (indicating permission to add the course). After the slip has been signed by the instructor, return it to 107 Butler for an advisor's signature. The slip should then be taken to the registration center. If the course in question is in another department, the student should contact that department (using the telephone number in the registration schedule of classes) and ask for the proper procedure.

3. What should I take next semester?
All students should have a copy of their degree plan and know what courses they have completed prior to meeting with an advisor. This is to ensure the student has completed any prerequisites for the courses needed. Prerequisites as well as course descriptions are listed in the undergraduate catalog.

4. What catalog should I follow?
Students are held to the catalog in effect when they enter Texas A&M unless they change their major. The catalog requirements in effect at the time of the change of major then apply. For example, a student who entered TAMU as a psychology major in the Fall of 2000 would be held under catalog #123. If that student changes her/his major to biology in the Fall of 2001, then she/he would be held to catalog #124.

5. Can I take a course pass/fail (S/U)?
Any student may take up to three credit hours of KINE 199 and 1 hour of KINE 199 Health and Fitness Kinesiology on an S/U basis. An additional hour of KINE 199 may be taken on an S/U basis and used as a one hour general elective. Beginning in catalog #124, the required KINE 199 must be taken S/U. If you choose to take one additional KINE 199 hour it may be taken either for a grade or S/U.
Junior or senior undergraduates with a 2.50 or higher GPR may take up to 12 credit hours of general electives on an S/U basis. The student must register for the courses on an S/U basis during registration periods and can not change the basis on which their grades will be recorded. [These regulations are covered in detail in the TAMU Rules and Regulations booklet.]

6. Can an undergraduate take a graduate course?
An undergraduate student with a GPR of at 3.25 or higher may register for and apply a graduate course toward an undergraduate degree by filing a written petition for approval that has been signed by the course instructor, a representative of the student's department, the dean of the college where the course is taught, and the student's dean. These credit hours may not be used to meet graduate degree requirements. Students interested in this option should come to the department's Undergraduate Advising Office in 107 Butler Hall.
A senior undergraduate student with a GPR of 3.0 or higher may enroll in a graduate course and reserve that course for graduate credit by filing a petition stating their intentions. The petition must be signed by the course instructor, a representative of the student's department, the dean of the college where the course is taught, and the student's dean.

7. What day do I register?
The registration schedule is listed in the Schedule of Classes produced for each semester. Registration dates are determined by the student's classification and the first letter of their last name.

8. What is my classification?
A student's classification is based on the total number of credit hours earned (this does not include hours in which the student is currently enrolled).
Freshman(U1) = < 30 hours; Sophomore (U2) = 30-59 hours; Junior (U3) = 60-94 hours; Senior (U4) = 95 or more hours. Students may contact our Undergraduate Advising Office in 107 Butler Hall (845-3116) to determine their classification.

9. I missed my registration day. What can I do?
A student who misses their assigned registration day must wait until the open registration day for their classification. If the open day for that student's classification was also missed, the student may register for classes only during the open registration period for all students.

10. I forgot to pay my fees and my schedule was dropped. What can I do?
Any student who does not meet the deadlines for fee payment as shown in the Schedule of Classes is subject to having a hold placed of their schedule. If this occurs, the student must pay their tuition plus $100 late fee during the first 5 days to be reinstated into his/her classes. This is done at the Pavilion. It is very important that tuition and fees be paid by the published deadlines. An installment plan is available; contact the Student Financial Services at 845-8127 for more information.

11. Why does the registrar add penalties to my fees?

• Students who are allowed to register after classes begin and before the 13th class day are required to pay their tuition and fees as well as a $100 late registration penalty.
• Students who are permitted to register and pay fees after the census day (12th class day) will be assessed a $200 late registration penalty.
• Students who add classes after the 12th class day and the net result of the change in registration is an increase in the number of credit hours will pay a $50 late add fee.

13. How do I co-enroll at another university?
For Department of Biology majors (BIOL, BOTN, MBIO, ZOOL, MICR), permission to co-enroll at another college while attending classes at TAMU may only be granted by the Dean's Office (College of Science) in 514 Blocker.

14. How many times may I take the same KINE 199 (physical education) ?
We are not aware of any policy which limits the number of times a student may take any particular activity course. On occasion, students have been moved from beginning to intermediate activities due to their skills level. However, student are allowed to take only one Health and Fitness Kinesiology (currently KINE 199).