Advising FAQ

A concentration in Biology focuses your studies around a specific subject matter.  In a concentration, the additional Biology electives are chosen for you.  more information on Biology concentrations can be found in the University Catalog.

A Biology elective is any course offered by the Biology department that is not required for the Biology major. These courses let you explore areas that match your interests and career goals, adding flexibility and depth to your degree.

Examples of Biology Electives:

• 100/200 Lower-Level Courses: Certain lower-level courses count toward your elective requirements. For example: BIOL 101 Biology Freshman Seminar (introduces the major, coursework, careers, and professionalism). For more options, please contact your advisor.
• Upper-level 300 Level Courses: Most courses over 300 count towards electives. For example: BIOL 374 (Biogeography), BIOL 439 (Herpetology), BIOL 430/431 (Advanced Human Anatomy & Physiology I and II), and other specialized courses that cover topics such as pharmacology, vaccines, and biotechnology. New electives become available every year, so please ask your advisor for courses that may help you in the future.
• Not Applicable:
  • BIOL 301 and BIOL 401 (Biology and Society: Variable Topics) counts toward the synthesis capstone, not electives.
  • BIOL 124/125 (Human Anatomy & Physiology I & II) are for Health and Human Services majors and do not count toward a Biology degree. Biology majors should instead take BIOL 430/431 for elective credit.

Degree Requirements:

• BS Degree: 22 credits of Biology electives (at least 2 with labs). Up to 8 credits may be 100- or 200-level, if taken before an upper-division course.
• BA Degree: 10 credits of Biology electives (at least 1 with a lab). Up to 4 credits may be 100- or 200-level, if taken before an upper-division course.

Your catalog year is the semester and year you first started at Mason.

Why it’s important:

• Your catalog year decides which set of major and minor requirements you need to follow.
• Requirements can change from year to year, but you only have to meet the ones from your starting year (unless an advisor recommends a different year that benefits you).

A few tips:

• Don’t rely only on friends’ advice! They may have a different catalog year, which means their requirements aren’t the same as yours.
• If you’re ever unsure which catalog year you’re on—or whether switching years would help—check with your advisor.

The math placement test helps place students into the math courses that align with their current skill level, ensuring they are neither overwhelmed nor under-challenged. It covers topics from pre-algebra, algebra, and geometry, and assesses students' readiness for college-level math courses. The test is adaptive, meaning the difficulty adjusts based on the student's responses. 

For a Biology major, students are recommended to take MATH 113 (Analytic Geometry and Calculus I), or the sequence MATH 123 (Calculus with Algebra/Trigonometry Part A) and MATH 124 (Calculus with Algebra/Trigonometry Part B), which requires a math placement test. A student could also take MATH 111 (Linear Mathematical Modeling) which doesn't require a math placement test. 

Learn more here: https://science.gmu.edu/academics/departments-units/mathematical-sciences/mathematical-sciences-testing-center 

A degree evaluation is an online, individualized report that shows a student's progress toward meeting graduation requirements. It's a tool to help students track their academic progress and understand what courses and requirements are still needed to graduate. Students can access their degree evaluation through Patriot Web. 

Accessing Degree Works:

Log into Patriot Web and find Degree Works under the Student Services tab.  

Degree Works Overview:

The initial view shows your basic information, including name, G#, degree title, earned credits, and admit term.

Understanding the Evaluation:

• Sections: Requirements are grouped into sections (e.g., General Education, Major, Minor, etc.).
• Symbols:
  • Green Checkmark: Indicates a requirement has been fulfilled.
  • Blue Half-Moon: Indicates a course is currently in progress.
  • Red Bubble (Not Complete): Indicates a requirement needs to be satisfied. 

Exploring Details:

You can click on specific requirements to see available courses that fulfill them. 

Checking Prerequisites:

Degree Works displays course prerequisites, allowing you to verify if you meet the requirements before enrolling. 

Concentrations, Majors, and Minors:

The evaluation also shows your declared concentrations, majors, and minors along with their respective requirements and electives. 

Electives:

Be aware that Degree Works may not display the full number of open electives; it's recommended to consult with your advisor for clarification. 

Checking Graduation Status:

To confirm graduation, check your unofficial transcript on Patriot Web. Look for "Degree Awarded" followed by your graduation date

Here are examples of the most common errors we see in Biology. For all common errors, check out the Registrar Common Errors page here.

When you retake a course at Mason, only your most recent grade counts toward your GPA. Both grades will still appear on your transcript, and some graduate schools may average them when reviewing applications. To replace a grade, the course must be retaken at Mason, not at another institution.

Why this matters:
Retaking a class can be a smart way to raise your GPA or improve your foundation in a subject, especially if the course is required for your major or as a prerequisite. Always talk with your advisor before retaking a course to make sure it’s the best option for you.

Yes, you can obtain information regarding language placement/exemption.

To transfer from Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) to George Mason University (GMU), you should meet with an academic advisor at NOVA to discuss your goals. Students can enroll into the ADVANCE program for a seamless transition, or they can apply to GMU to transfer normally, as long as they meet standard transfer requirements. Key factors include GPA, earned credits, and specific course requirements. 

Common Mistakes to Avoid (this information may need to be updated- please contact us with specific questions)

• Information Technology Requirement:
  • Biology majors must take IT 104 (formerly IT 103) or CDS 130.
  • NOVA’s CSC 110 does NOT count.
  • If you’re transferring from NOVA, take CSC 155 or ITE 115 instead.
• Math Requirement:
  • In addition to BIOL 214 (Biostatistics), Biology majors must take one math course.
  • MTH 272 does NOT count.
  • You could take one of the following: MTH 173, 180, 181, 273, or 275.
• For Pre-Health Students:
  • Most graduate programs require a calculus course. Choose MTH 173, 273, or 275.
  • Graduate programs also require upper-division (300- or 400-level) Organic Chemistry. Since this is not offered at community colleges, you’ll need to take it at Mason or another four-year institution.

First and foremost, you'll need to apply to GMU for us to help you. Once accepted, there are a few things we recommend you do. 

• Prospective Students should use the Transfer Credit Matrix to have an idea on how your classes may transfer. Not all schools or courses are listed, so you may need to provide syllabi for classes that don’t appear.
• Attend a Transfer Student Orientation: Before registering for classes, you must attend a Transfer Student Orientation. At orientation, advisors will review your previous coursework and help you plan your first semester.
• Send Your Transcripts: Make sure all official transcripts are sent to Mason before orientation. Also keep unofficial copies (PDFs or screenshots) handy in case advisors or staff need them during your transition.
• Important to Know: Not all transfer credits apply directly to a Biology degree. For some students, this may extend graduation by one semester to a year. For questions about transfer credit issues, contact Valerie Olmo.

Most Biology electives have prerequisites—courses you must complete first to be prepared for success.

• You will likely see an error when you try to register for a course without the pre-requisite.
• You can check the Mason Catalog for each course to see the prerequisites.
• Be sure you’re looking at the current academic year’s catalog so the information is accurate.
• If you’re not sure whether you meet the requirements, or if you have pending transfer credits, ask your advisor before registering.

Example: You must complete BIOL 213 (Cell Structure & Function) before taking upper-level courses in areas like microbiology or physiology.

The What-If Analysis in Degree Works lets you see how changes to your academic plan—like switching majors, adding a minor, or updating your catalog year—would affect your degree requirements.

• Use it to preview how your current credits would apply (or not apply) to a new program.
• This is just a planning tool—it does not officially change your record.
• You can access your degree evaluation and the What-If tool throughDegree Works in Patriot Web.
• For more information on the Degree Audit/What If Analysis, visit this link.

You must make an appointment with a Biology advisor.  An advisor will assess your progress and potential in the new major and help you determine your best course of action for this new program. The advisor will then sign your Undergraduate Change/Declaration of Academic Program form. The registrar can only process change of major forms in the beginning of the Spring and Fall semesters.

Please note: if you want to change your major from Biology to another subject, you must see an advisor from that other subject.

You must make an appointment with a Biology advisor.  An advisor will assess your progress and potential in the new minor and help you determine your best course of action for this new program. The advisor will then sign your Undergraduate Change/Declaration of Academic Program form. 

Please note: to fulfill a Biology minor you must have at least 8 credits that are not used in any other portion of your Biology degree.

A double major is when you are studying for a one type of degree and want to obtain another degree of the same type in a different subject; for example, a BS in  Biology and a BS in Psychology; or a BA in  Biology and a BA in Communication.  These degrees must be in the same catalog year and must have the same graduation year.  For this type of degree you must have 18 credits that are not used in the first major.  A dual major in which you earn a BA in one subject and a BS in another is also possible.  Please talk to an advisor in both areas for more information.

Yes, you can take courses elsewhere, but it requires prior written permission and adherence to specific policies. Students generally need to demonstrate a valid reason, like limited course availability at GMU, and maintain a satisfactory academic standing. 

If you have already transferred credits from another school, you may NOT take classes elsewhere.  For example, you may not return to Northern Virginia Community College for coursework once you transfer to George Mason. There are very few exceptions to this rule.

For more information on how to start the process, visit the COS Study Elsewhere page and schedule a meeting with your academic advisor.

To make an appointment, you must go to Patriot Connect.  Go to https://science.gmu.edu/biology-department/advising for more information.

You should see an advisor to help plan your classes every semester.  Although you can view your degree evaluation using Patriot Web, only an advisor is familiar with how to balance and sequence your schedule.  Please DO NOT wait for registration to open to discuss your classes for the next semester.  Advising appointments fill up quickly and walk-ins are not guaranteed or may have longer wait times.  It is your responsibility to be proactive about your degree. 

No, the Biology department does not accept these tests.  Please contact other departments directly if you are interested in taking a CLEP test for another subject.

Yes, please look here for score requirements for AP and IB scores.
 

This is a combined BS and MS program for students currently enrolled at Mason.  

Within the Biology department, a BS in Medical Laboratory Science is offered.  If you are interested in this degree please contact Dr. Anne Verhoeven via the online advising appointment calendar.

Please note:  The Medical Laboratory Science degree is NOT a degree to be used as a secondary option if acceptance into a health profession school is not achieved.

Yes.  It is highly suggested you declare this concentration no later than the end of your sophomore year. You MUST also apply and be accepted to the School of Education to receive your licensure.  In order to apply, you need to meet with their advisor. 

• Information for those interested in working toward a pre-health profession. 
• Sign up for the pre-health listserv.
• Access additional information for other health career opportunities.

Please note:   Biology 124/125 are human anatomy and physiology classes provided for students in the College of Health and Human Services.  These courses DO NOT apply toward a  Biology degree.   Biology majors should take BIOL 430/431 (Advanced Human Anatomy and Physiology I and II) if they want credit for Biology electives.  Furthermore, BIOL 214 (Biostatistics for Biology Majors) is required of all Biology majors.  It simultaneously fulfills a requirement for a second MATH class.  STAT 250 does not fulfill any requirements for a Biology degree.

First, make an appointment with your advisor to confirm that you have met all degree requirements.  Follow the steps outlined on the registrar's office website.