Oh no! I missed the June 1st deadline and have not yet completed Guide to the U and/or my placement tests!
It is OK! Just work towards completing these items ASAP and as soon as you have completed your guide to the U you will get a personalized link to schedule your course registration advising appointment.
I want to change my major to something other than Biology, what do I do?
You will still receive a link to schedule your course registration appointment with Biology Advising. Be sure to tell us in your appointment comments what major you want to change to. If the major is open we can change your major during your appointment and your Biology Advisor will make sure you are in the right set of classes for your first semester.
The courses I’m enrolled in this fall are different from the courses that my friend/roommate/etc. are taking? Am I behind?
Everyone will start at a different place (based on AP/IB/Transfer Credits that they bring in, and based upon their Math Placement Score). We have built a great deal of flexibility into the Biology major, so everyone will start at a different place, but all students will finish on time!
I took AP courses… will I get credit for them?
Yes! AP credits will transfer to UMass (if you meet score requirements). You can learn more about how specific AP scores transfer to UMass HERE.
What gen-eds will I need to take?
You can learn more about UMass general education requirements HERE.
First year students need to take a United States Diversity (DU) or a Global Diversity (DG) course during their first year.
I’m not sure if Biology is the right fit for me… what should I do?
There are lots of majors to choose from at UMass! If you know what major you would like to pursue, you can discuss this change with your NSOT Advisor. If you aren’t sure what path you’d like to take, the first step in finding the right major for you is to try out classes in a couple of different fields. You can also meet with advisors / peer advisors in any major to get more information. HERE is a list of all of the majors at UMass!
Can I double major?
Yes, UMass permits double majors. However, there are pros and cons to having two majors, so you should consult with a Biology advisor before making a decision. (Note that you cannot add a second major during NSOT).
Can I go abroad as a Biology Major?
Yes, absolutely! There is a lot of flexibility in both the Junior and (especially) Senior year as a Biology major, so it’s easy to plan for a semester abroad. Taking a semester abroad will not delay your graduation. The Biology Advising Office has info sessions for students interested in Study Abroad every semester, and the International Programs Office (IPO) has a great website to gather more information!
If I complete a Biology Major, will I also complete all requirements needed to apply to medical/dental/PA school?
There will be a lot of overlap between Biology requirements and Pre-Health (Medical/Dental/PA) requirements. Your major requirements will cover most, but not all, pre-health requirements. UMass has a Pre-Health Advising Office that will be more than happy to help you with Pre-Health questions beginning in your sophomore year. For now, you can access their website for more information!