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George Mason University

Advising

All Biology students are encouraged to meet with an Academic Advisor at least once a semester.

Two Students studying in Exploratory Hall

Biology majors and minors are open to meet with any of our advising staff. Through the Navigate Mason (SSC) appointment scheduler, 20-minute advising sessions are available on the Fairfax Campus many days of the week.  Options for Drop-In and Online appointments available. 

Prospective Biology Majors should fill out the form below. We have scheduled and drop-in appointments available once you submit the form.

Image stating to click here if you need advising

 

To make an appointment, you must go to NAVIGATE Mason. 

To log in:

  • Enter your GMU NetID and password and select Login.
  • Submit and confirm your password sharing preference before clicking on “Accept.”
  • Click "Schedule your advising appointment" on the top right
  • Select College of Science
  • Select "Biology"
  • Select "Biology" as the location
  • For Drop Ins: Click the yellow banner at the bottom for drop-in times (temporarily offline)
  • For Appointments: Choose the day and time you would like to meet (you may need to skip ahead a few weeks); Add comments explaining your reason for the appointment; Click Confirm appointment- You will receive a confirmation email and a reminder email.

If you have any issues with NavigateMason, general policy/registration questions, or need a form, email biology@gmu.edu.

For special accommodations, academic requests/appeals, and emergency advising, email Dr. Deborah Polayes at dpolayes@gmu.edu.

Checklist for your Advising Meeting

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Prepare

Be prepared to discuss and explore course options, address academic concerns, and make decisions about the upcoming semester. It’s helpful to review your course options for the next semester and make a list of those that interest you. Please review your Degree Evaluation in PatriotWeb.

We highly recommend you seek advising early in the semester, as soon as the schedule of classes is released.

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Day of

All academic advising takes place in Exploratory Hall 1200. When you arrive, please stop at the front desk. For all Mason Navigate appointments, students will sign in on the iPad. For all other appointments, you will check in at the Front Desk. Once checked in, an advisor will come greet you shortly.

If you need to cancel/reschedule an appointment, cancel/reschedule your appointment through the online system or email the advisor directly through Mason NAVIGATE. Alternatively, email biology@gmu.edu to inform our office directly.

 

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Drop In Advising

Drop in appointments are first come, first serve. You may not be able to see your regular advisor. The wait for a walk-in appointment may be considerable, especially during busy times of the semester. If your situation is complicated, you may be asked to schedule an appointment with the Undergraduate Director of Advising, Dr. Polayes. Common complicated situations include, but are not limited to, Satisfactory Academic Progress appeals, transfer credits, or late graduation forms.

What are the Advising Categories?

Biology Advising falls into a few distinct categories.

Biology Major Advising

Biology Major Advising covers almost all advising topics, always has drop in times and is available every week during Fall and Spring semester by appointment. Summer and Winter break hours are very limited.

Biology- Honors in the Major

Biology- Honors in the Major is by appointment only with Dr. Kocache. This is for admitted Honors in the Major students only, not applicants. Interested in applying to Honors in the Major? Email Dr. Kocache at mkocache@gmu.edu.

Biology Freshman Advising

Biology Freshman Advising is an extension of Biology Major Advising as an introduction to advising. This category is not as expansive as Biology Major Advising.

Declare/change major/minor Advising

Declare/change major/minor Advising are drop in times to change your major. This is not a typical advising appointment. To access Biology Major Advising, you must be a declared Major. You can simply drop in to the office fill out the form. Need an advising appointment before deciding? Email Dr. Polayes, dpolayes@gmu.edu or Dr. Olmo, volmo@gmu.edu, or come to EXPL 1200.

Medical Laboratory Science Advising

Medical Laboratory Science Advising is by appointment only with Dr.Verhoeven. This is for admitted MLAB students only. Interested in changing majors or learning more? Email Dr. Verhoeven, averhoev@gmu.edu for an appointment.

Checklist for your Advising Meeting

You scheduled your appointment, now what?

Prepare

Be prepared to discuss and explore course options, address academic concerns, and make decisions about the upcoming semester. It’s helpful to review your course options for the next semester and make a list of those that interest you. Please review your Degree Evaluation in PatriotWeb.

We highly recommend you seek advising early in the semester, as soon as the schedule of classes is released.
 

Day of appointment

All academic advising takes place in Exploratory Hall 1200. When you arrive, please stop at the front desk. For all Mason Navigate appointments, students will sign in on the iPad. For all other appointments, you will check in at the Front Desk. Once checked in, an advisor will come greet you shortly.

If you need to cancel/reschedule an appointment, cancel/reschedule your appointment through the online system or email the advisor directly through Mason NAVIGATE. Alternatively, email biology@gmu.edu to inform our office directly.
 

Drop In Appointments

Drop in appointments are first come, first serve. You may not be able to see your regular advisor. The wait for a walk-in appointment may be considerable, especially during busy times of the semester. If your situation is complicated, you may be asked to schedule an appointment with the Undergraduate Director of Advising, Dr. Polayes. Common complicated situations include, but are not limited to, Satisfactory Academic Progress appeals, transfer credits, or late graduation forms.

Advising Resources

Office of the Registrar

An invaluable website where you can find academic calendars, forms, order transcripts/verifications, and file for graduation.

Pre-Health @ GMU

Need Pre-Health Advising?
Visit the GMU Health Professions Advising website if you are interested in health professions.

Mason Academic Advising Center

General Advising plans such as a road map to success and advising FAQs.

Accessibility @ Mason

For more information about Mason’s commitment to accessibility, please visit Accessibility@Mason

NavigateMason

For NavigateMason questions, configuration concerns, and feedback on your user experience, please contact SSC Help Desk.

FERPA

This is a federal law that gives protection to student educational records and provides students with certain rights. See more information at the Office of the Registrar’s website.