CSUS Biological Sciences: Advising Guide

To make the most of your advising experience, read the following questions and be prepared to answer them when talking with an advisor.

	Question	Information	Solution
1.	Have you had your GE (General Education) looked at by a GE advisor?	Many students think that they are done their GE but they are not. For example, transfer students need to take 9 units of GE at Sac State, regardless of where they transferred from.	Go see a GE advisor and be absolutely sure about your GE status.
2.	When was the last time you saw a Biology Advisor?	Biology Majors must see a Biology Advisor EVERY year. Failure to do so will result in a HOLD on your ability to register.	Make an appointment to see a biology advisor. Here is a list of advisors .
3.	Did you start university at Sac State or did you transfer from another institution?	Transferring credits from other institutions can be complex.	Be sure to bring copies of your transcripts to show your advisor.
4.	How many units can you handle in a semester?	It doesn't benefit you to take more units than you can successfully complete. Your grades will suffer and these effects last a long time. Think seriously about your other committments (e.g., family obligations, work, etc) when deciding whether to take 9, 12 or 15 units. Most biology classes have labs as well as lectures and remember that for each hour you spend in class, you need to spend a significant amount of additional time outside of class preparing for class, doing assignments, writing term papers and studying for exams.	Be realistic and plan for success.
5.	Have you started with Math and Chemistry?	You must get started right away on your Math and Chemistry courses. For both Math and Chemistry, you have to take tests to determine whether you are sufficiently prepared to take the required Math and Chemistry courses. If you do not "place" sufficiently well, you will need to take some additional courses prior to taking the required Math and Chemistry courses. Further, many biology courses require chemistry courses as prerequisites.	Find out about Math and Chemistry and get started with them right away.
6.	What is your career goal (short-term, long-term)?	There are literally thousands of things you can do with your life. Find out what some of those are. You do not need to decide today what to do with the rest of your life. Sometimes it helps to think what you do NOT want to do and work from there.	Start thinking about this and talk to lots of people
7.	Are you interested in pursuing the No Concentration or one of the Concentrations (Conservation Biology, Molecular Biology, etc)?	You do not need to be in a concentration. Concentrations are there for students that want a more focussed path through their degree.

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