NEW STUDENT CONFERENCE

PRESENTATION

TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY

Biochemistry & Biophysics

HOWDY!!! WELCOME CLASS OF 2023COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE & LIFE SCIENCES (COALS)

DEPARTMENT OF BIOCHEMISTRY & BIOPHYSICS (BCBP)

Two Undergraduate Majors:• BIOCHEMISTRY (BICH)• GENETICS (GENE)

CREATING NEW KNOWLEDGE Not only an opportunity, but a REQUIREMENT to get involved in research• BICH 491 or GENE 491 is required for

graduation• Many research topics are under active

investigation• Many undergraduates earn co-

authorship on publications

BIOCHEMISTRY & GENETICS ADVISING –ROOM 104Tami Hawkins – Undergraduate AdvisorKhara Spears – Undergraduate AdvisorKaitlyn McGaff – Administrative AssistantDr. Tim Devarenne – Associate Department Head (incoming)Dr. David Peterson – Associate Department Head (outgoing)

SEE US FOR ALL QUESTIONS ABOUT:registration

adding/dropping coursescourse adjustmentsdegree evaluations

degree planner

BCBP MENTORS –FACULTY MEMBERS TO TALK WITH YOUAdvice on such topics as:• How to find a research lab• Career options• Graduate schools• Medical schools• Industry• Personal advice

WHAT BICH & GENE GRADUATES DO:Medical SchoolTexas A&MTexas TechBaylor College of MedicineUT SouthwesternUT San AntonioUT Medical BranchGalveston (MD/PhD)UT HoustonTexas College of Osteopathic MedicineMayo Clinic (MD/PhD)Indiana University (MD/PhD)Columbia University (MD/PhD)University of Iowa (MD/PhD)

Other Health SciencesTexas A&M Vet SchoolUniversity of Illinois Vet SchoolTexas Tech Physician Assistant ProgramUniversity of Houston Optometry SchoolUT Houston Dental School

Graduate SchoolTexas A&MDuke UniversityUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of IllinoisUT SouthwesternHarvard UniversityUC BerkeleyUT Houston Genetic Counseling ProgramUNT Forensic Sciences

EmploymentKalon BiotherapeuticsSaint Arnold Brewing CompanyM-BioLabs, Inc.UT Houston Medical SchoolTexas A&M University

OtherTeach for AmericaUnited States Army / Navy / Marine Corps

THE KEY TO SUCCESS IN COLLEGE…

GO TO CLASS!!!

YOUR ACADEMIC RECORD

• Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)• Your academic record is private• YOU are the ONLY person with whom we can discuss your

academic record• Your college experience is up to YOU!

ADVISING SYLLABUS

• How your Advisor can help you…• What are your responsibilities?• How to schedule an appointment…• USE YOUR ADVISING FOLDER!

Subscribe to the BCBP Undergraduate Listserv

Be sure to read ALL emails sent to your TAMU email account

DEPARTMENT ACADEMIC PROBATION POLICYOverall GPA below 2.25

Semester GPA below 2.00 for two consecutive semesters

Consequences• Hold placed on your account until you see Tami or Khara• Develop a formal plan for improvement or change of major

FRESHMAN COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Students not meeting these requirements will be placed on Departmental Academic ProbationBy the end of the first calendar year, BICH or GENE majors must complete (with a grade of C or better):• CHEM 119• CHEM 120• MATH 151 or MATH 171

NOTE: If a first year student must take MATH 150 before enrolling in MATH 151 or 171, then MATH 150 must be taken the FIRST semester of enrollment.

GABEE

Genetics and Biochemistry Enrichment Experience• Promote friendships• Information on TAMU services• Adapting to college life• How to succeed as a freshman

GABEE FALL 2019

• Career Center• Office of Professional School Advising• Moneywise Workshop• Degree Planner• All About Research• Preregistration

Starts at 5:30PM. Pizza and conversation at 6:30PM.

GET INVOLVED

• Biochemistry & Genetics Society (BGS)• Bioethics Forum• Information at MSC Open House• Become an Officer – show leadership

PREPARING FOR FALL

• Degree Plans• Trial schedules• Choosing courses• Registration

DEGREE PLANS

DEGREE PLANS (CONT’D)

1. 120 SCH to graduate as a BICH or GENE major• To graduate in 4 years => average 30 hours per year• If you plan to take a course at another university for transfer credit, be

sure to check with Tami or Khara, first.• Do NOT take chemistry courses elsewhere once at A&M.

2. Pay attention to prerequisites/restrictions (eg BIOL, CHEM, MATH)

3. Take sequential courses (eg CALC) without a break

DEGREE PLANS (CONT’D)

4. Consider a double major• Must be declared and approved through the department of the major

you wish to pursue before senior standing• Most departments have GPA or other requirements• Not a decision to make right away

5. General electives can be almost any course offered for credit • Exceptions: those at a level lower than required by your major (eg

MATH 102) or non-majors courses (eg BICH 303)

SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

• Recipients of certain scholarships must register for andcomplete 30 credit hours within the academic year (Fall, Spring and Summer) in order for the scholarship to be renewed.

• This is in addition to other GPR and completion rate rules. These hours can be earned via transfer credit, dual credit, or AP/IB testing.

For more information visit:https://scholarships.tamu.edu/

TYPICAL FRESHMAN SCHEDULE

BICH/GENE 101 (1)CHEM 119 (4)MATH 150 or 151 or 171 (4)BIOL 111 or core course or elective* (3-6)TOTAL…………………………………………… (12-15)

*ENGL 104 (3)• All BICH/GENE Freshmen are expected to enroll in a MATH

and CHEM course regardless of AP/IB/Dual Credit.

AP, SAT II & IB CREDIT

• AP, SAT II and/or IB credit is offered to any student who has the minimum score set by Texas A&M

• Students can choose whether to accept credit• Meet with Tami or Khara before accepting credit• Credit can be accepted under My Record in Howdy

(This can be done anytime before graduation, but it cannot be revoked.)

For more information visit:https://testing.tamu.edu/AP-IB-Credit

LAB SAFETY ACKNOWLEDGMENT

You must complete the Lab Safety Acknowledgment before registering for any lab course (eg CHEM 119, BIOL 111).

REGISTRATION

CRNCourse Reference Number

CONTACT US FOLLOW US@Texas A&M University Biochemistry & Biophysics@TAMUBIOBIO(979) 458-1136

biobiougradadv@tamu.edu

TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY

Biochemistry & Biophysics

Biochemsitry/Biophysics (Bio-Bio)