Registering for Bios 211

• This course requires a special registration process
• Prerequisite: Bios 111 or a passing score on our qualifying exam
• We do not use ESTHER
• During the week 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. Read the course description.
2. Complete the ON-LINE lab section selection form and survey (Sign up) and submit it electronically. To sign up from off campus, first contact the 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."
4. By the end of the next working day you should receive a message from an instructor
5. If you have not taken Bios 111 then you will be assigned an exam day and time
6. Upon qualification you will be notified that you are on the class list for Bios 211. 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.
7. Give them a few days then check ESTHER to ensure that you are on the course roster.
8. Attend the first class meeting (BL 131, 3 pm, first day of classes) and fill out the confirmation/attendance form

You will not need to go to the instructor's office for a signature. After you sign up on the course web site your name will appear on a list sent to the Registrar's Office. If you sign up over the summer, during Orientation Week, or over the end of year break, please wait until the first lecture, first day of classes, for instructions on how to complete registration (see below).

After pre-registration week

1. Complete steps 1-3 (above). Within a short time you should receive confirmation that your information was received.
2. If you have not taken Bios 111, then plan to be on campus the Friday before classes start in order to take the qualifying exam
3. See steps 6-8 above.

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.

Instructors

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

When

• Bios 211 is offered each semester
• The first lecture will be presented the first Monday of the semester, 3 pm
• 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
• 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

Where

• Lectures: 131 Biology Building
• Laboratory sessions: 141 Biology Building

Schedule changes and conflicts

Switching sections 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.