Registering for BIOS 211

• This course requires a special registration process
• Please consider taking Bios 111 before attempting Bios 211
• We do not use ESTHER; during the time of pre-registration, use the procedure described below
• Other times, please use the instructions that follow

During pre-registration week (or orientation week)

If this is not the week of pre-registration, do not use these instructions.

1. Carefully read the course descriptions for BIOS 111 and BIOS 211; decide which course is best for you.
2. For either course, complete the ON-LINE sign-up form (Sign up) and submit it electronically. To sign up from off campus, first contact an instructor (see contact information below).
3. After submitting the form make sure that a confirmation window pops up, and print the information. This is your "receipt." By the end of the next working day you should receive a message from an instructor.
4. Wait a full working day, then obtain a special registration request form for BIOS 211 at the Registrar's Office, fill it out, and turn it in. Give them a few days then check ESTHER to ensure that you are on the course roster.
5. If you will be taking BIOS 211 then attend the first class meeting (BL 131, 3 pm, first day of classes) and fill out the confirmation/attendance form.
6. if you will take BIOS 111, then obtain a special registration request form from an instructor during office hours (see below) to take to the Registrar's Office; See the schedule on the BIOS 111 home page for available sections; section 001 starts the afternoon of the first day of classes

For BIOS 211 you need not to go to the instructor's office for a signature. At the first lecture, first day of classes, we will collect the information needed in order to assign specific laboratory sections. Space in BIOS 211 is limited. We cannot take additional students once we reach the enrollment cap. To reduce the risk of being "bumped" from the course, please try to keep as many afternoons open as possible.

After pre-registration week

Follow the instructions posted above, but plan to delay completion of registration until classes resume.

Instructors and office hours – BIOS 211

The course instructors are listed below. We are both in the Department of Biochemistry & Cell Biology. To meet with the instructor it would be best to check the posted hours or set up a meeting by e-mail.

When and where

• BIOS 111 and 211 are offered each semester
• BIOS 211
• The first lecture will be presented the first Monday of the semester, 3 pm, 131 Biology Building
• Lectures meet each Monday until the break, except for holidays (Labor Day or MLK holiday)
• The first laboratory session will start at 1 pm the FIRST week of classes, on your selected lab day, 141 Biology Building
• Subsequent sessions will meet each week, same day and time, for a total of seven weeks
• There will be a final examination in this course, place(s) and time(s) to be announced
• BIOS 111
• See the course web site for further information

Schedule changes and conflicts

For policies regarding BIOS 111, please see the course web site.

Switching sections in BIOS 211 is strongly discouraged. If a change is absolutely necessary, a section assignment can be changed before the course starts or during the first week, depending on availability. To change a laboratory assignment -

• Ask to be switched to another section with less than full capacity (check the class list first – Rice campus access only)
• Get someone in another section to change places with you

A very short semester, course conflicts, large enrollments, and other constraints on time and resources tend to compromise what is intended to be a meaningful learning experience. Please do not make it harder by making travel plans that take you out of an assigned laboratory session (or letting someone else make them for you). If an unavoidable conflict crops up, inform the instructor immediately. BIOS 211 is offered each semester. If you know that you will miss a laboratory session for an interview, family event, early start on vacation, etc., then please postpone taking the course.

Prospective Biosciences majors

There are two biosciences departments, namely Biochemistry and Cell Biology (BCB) and Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (EEB). BCB focuses on cell and molecular biology and related areas. EEB focuses on the biology of populations, environments, and ecosystems. Both departments offer a B.A. in biological sciences. If you declare a major in biological sciences, please sign up with the department that best represents your interests. BCB also offers a B.A. in biochemistry & cell biology and a B.S. in biochemistry & cell biology, while EEB offers a B.S. in ecology & evolutionary biology. There is no "biology" major nor is there a"biochemistry" major.

See Advising and Program Information (Rice access only) for more details on major fields, advisors, and a list of laboratory courses.