Make an advising appointment

I can best help you if you are prepared for your appointment. Follow the advising appointment checklist and you will be ready for our appointment! 

I only advise biology majors, and I can't advise you for a different major. So if you are thinking about changing your major, then please complete the Update DegreeWorks survey now. Completing the survey is the best way to let me know what information and help you need to transition to your new major or decide whether to stay in biology. I strongly prefer that you complete the survey rather than sending me an email because the survey helps me keep track of your request.

Advising appointment checklist

1. Update your 4-year plan from BIOL 191 or your advising form. Depending on when you started courses at WVU, I will have shared either a 4-year plan or an advising form with you. You can find it in your MIX Google Drive under "Shared with me." Or check your MIX email for my advising appointment email, which has a link to your 4-year plan or adivisng form. You can expect this email in March for spring semester and in October for fall semester.

2. Schedule an advising appointment with me. I only advise biology majors. 

3. Optional: Request to make changes to DegreeWorks by completing the Update DegreeWorks survey. Use the survey to add, remove, or change a minor, for example.

Please take the time to read the information on how to complete the checklist.

Depending on when you started courses at WVU, I will have shared either a 4-year plan or an advising form with you. 

We don't have time to select your courses during our meeting, so it is important that you complete step 1 before we meet. This allows me to give you advice about course selection and answer your questions about your career plans.

Update your plan or form to reflect the courses that you are currently taking this semester

Confirm that the section for this semester correctly shows the courses that you are enrolled in this semester.

Use DegreeWorks, the course catalog, and the course schedule to help you select courses for next semester

A friendly reminder that you are responsible for selecting courses for next semester.

Please use all of these resources to make sure that you select courses that are part of your degree and also check that those courses are being taught next semester. 

DegreeWorks

Log into your portal account and click the DegreeWorks button. We will use this along with your 4-year plan during your advising appointment. 

Help using DegreeWorks

The course catalog appropriate for your degree

• • BA Biology course catalog

  • BS Biology course catalog

The course schedule for next semester

Check the course schedule to make sure that the courses that you want to take are being taught next semester! Not every course is taught every semester.

You have three options to make sure you are selecting classes that will be taught next semester:

• Option 1: Search the course schedule on STAR 

• Option 2: Search for the course in Schedule Builder.

If you don't see the course on STAR or Schedule Builder, then that course isn't being taught next semester. Pick a different course that helps you meet your degree requirements.

• Option 3: Click on the course name in DegreeWorks.  A pop up window  shows course information and scheduling information. 

In DegreeWorks, you should see the upcoming semester along with an update of how many seats are available. If you don't, then that course is not being taught next semester. Pick a different course that helps you meet your degree requirements.

Please don't put this off.  I can't meet with all my advisees a few days before their pre-registration date. So, I have appointments available throughout the advising period. The advantage of meeting early is you have plenty of time to explore and create a schedule.

How to make an appointment

Sign in to your MIX account to access the Make an advising appointment Google Doc. It contains the web link to book appointments with me and instructions for how to use your WVU Zoom account to meet with me.

Please respect our time and other advisees' time

Please be courteous and cancel an appointment if you accidentally picked a time that doesn’t work or if a conflict arises.

You can add a major, change, add a minor, or change biology degree type (BS or BA). 

Please complete the Update DegreeWorks survey so that I have the information that I need to submit paperwork to make the change you are requesting.

If you are a bit uncertain about changes you are considering, go ahead and fill out the survey and make sure to talk to me about it during your advising appointment.