Instructions for Completing the Degree Completion Plan

Revised 9-24-16

INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETING THE DEGREE COMPLETION PLAN

Step 1 – Getting Started Download and open the Degree Completion Plan template. This is an Excel file. You will need to have access to Microsoft Office with Excel. Save the template with a new file name with this format: student ID number_your last name_date.xlsx So, for example: “0555432_Smith_10-5-16.xlsx” Fill in your personal information at the top of the template (see below for instructions on entering credits earned). Under “Career Interests” feel free to list multiple possible interests. You can also indicate that you are uncertain about a career choice.

Step 2 – Course Credits So Far Open up an unofficial copy of your transcript from your Towson Online Services page. At the end of the transcript, under “Undergraduate Career Totals,” find your cumulative total number of credits earned. Enter this number on the template on the left side below your personal information where it asks for “Total Credits Earned To Date.” Count up the number of UPPER LEVEL credits (300-400 level) that you have already completed and passed with a D grade or higher (exclude courses you are currently taking). Enter this number on the template where it says “Total Upper Level Credits Earned To Date.” Finally, where requested on the template, enter the total number of credits you are taking in the current term/semester (lower+upper level) AND the number of upper level credits you are taking in the current term/semester. If you are doing your plan during minimester or summer (because you doing this for Biol 204), then the minimester or summer is your current term.

Step 3 – Making a List of Courses You Still Need to Take Open a blank Word document and save it with the file name: your last name-Courses Still Needed.docx Type in your full name at the top of the document and next to it write “Courses Still Needed. Below your name, vertically list the Core courses you will still need to take after the current term. DO NOT specify which courses you will take, just indicate the categories you have left to fulfill. So, your document should look something like this at the top:

Jane Smith – Courses Still Needed Core 9 Core 10 Core 11

Some advice! The easiest way to determine what Core courses you need is to access your Academic Requirements report. On the left side of your TU Online Services main webpage you will find the “Academic Requirements” link. After clicking on that link, you will have a number of options, one of which is “view report as a PDF.” The PDF is generally easier to read so you might want to start with that. If you choose to view the report online, click on the “Expand All” option. Next, list vertically on your document the courses that you plan to take in future semesters, minimesters and summers to complete your chosen Biology concentration after the current term. To help with this, please complete the “course checklist” for your chosen concentration. You will find checklists and all other helpful documents mentioned below online under “Information You Will Need.” Your list of courses needed document will then start to look something like this: Jane Smith – Courses Still Needed Core 9 Core 10 Core 11

Biol 309 Biol 208 Biol 221/221L Biol 222/222L Biol 318 Biol 470

Chem 132/132L Chem 331 Chem 332 Chem 351

Math 211

More advice! The Quick Guide to Course Requirements for the Biology Concentrations document will also be quite helpful. You especially want to see the reverse side of this document if you are pre-med, pre-dental, pre-PA or pre-vet.

Finally, list any courses you need for a second major or a minor, if you have one, and list any additional courses that you would like to take.

Step 4 – Making Your Plan You will next indicate on your Degree Completion Plan template when you plan to take each of the courses on the list you just made. However, before you start, consider the following two notes of caution: 1. Not every course is offered in every semester! Use the Anticipated Offerings of Biology Courses document to determine in which semester Biology courses are offered. Likewise, use the Anticipated Offering of Ancillary Courses document to help schedule your Chemistry, Physics, and Math Courses. Note: The Anticipated Offerings of Biology Courses document may not show course offerings for your last semester or two at TU. However, the Biology Department has a four-semester course rotation scheme. Thus, you can assume that the Fall of 2019 will have the same courses as the Fall of 2017. Likewise, what will be available in Spring 2020 will match what is available in Spring 2018.

2. Watch out for pre-requisite requirements! For example, you must take Biol 309-Genetics before you take many other courses. Prerequisites for Biology courses can be found on the List of Pre-Requisites for Biology Courses document. Ok, paying attention to when courses are offered and course pre-requisites, start to fill out the template, indicating what courses you will take in each of your remaining terms. Start with the NEXT TERM coming up (not the current term). Work left-to-right (rather than vertically) on the temple. Include minimester and summer terms if appropriate. For courses you are taking, give the course number, the abbreviated course name, number of credits and list any pre-requisites for the course (just provide the course number for these). An example appears next: Term/Year : Spring 2019 Course Number Course Name Credits Prerequisite(s) 1 Biol 470 Adv Physiology 4 Biol 221+222 or 325 2 Biol 409 Molec Biol 4 Biol 309 3 Chem 356 Biochem 3 Chem 332 or 330 4 Core TBD (to be determined) 3 5 Total for term: 14

Note that for Core courses you only need to write “Core” and indicate the number of credits (usually 3). Do NOT specify the core category or give the course name. You need to be flexible about which Core courses you take and when. Step 5 – Making Sure You Have Enough Credits To Graduate The template should automatically calculate the number of credits for each term and automatically put the total number of credits you have on the plan, and the total number of credits you will have at graduation, up above. The total number of credits at graduation must be at least 120. You also need to have at least 32 upper level credits at graduation. The template does not automatically calculate total number of upper level credits. You have to do that and enter the information in the appropriate box.

DON’T FORGET that all Core 9 courses are upper level courses worth 3 credits. So if you still need to take a Core 9, count those 3 credits as upper level credits. Certain courses in other Core categories are also upper level courses. See: https://www.towson.edu/academicadvising/current/curriculum.html. If you plan to take one of those courses, indicate in the “Student Notes” box at the top of the spreadsheet which other upper level Core course(s) you plan to take and what Core category each course fulfills. For example: “I plan to take FMST 310 – LGBT Families, to satisfy Core 13.” Caution: Some upper level Core courses have restrictive prerequisites. Check the course descriptions in the undergraduate catalog.

Step 6 – If You Are a Transfer Student… Complete the special grid at the bottom of the Excel template where you indicate how many Biology course credits you will take at TU. Be aware that Biology majors must take a minimum of 19 course credits in Biology at TU, with at least 10 of these credits being upper level. “Biology courses” include all “BIOL” courses that satisfy concentration requirements, as well as MBBB 301 & 315, and CHEM 351 & 356. Step 7 – If You are an Honors College Student… At the bottom of the template, include the number of non-elective Honors courses you will have completed by the end of the current term, and how many credits are from Honors Seminar courses. Completing a plan is especially challenging for Honors students. You are strongly encouraged to see the “Tips for Honors Students” document for helpful advice.

Continued… Step 8 - Submit Your Plan For Review You will submit three items to the faculty member responsible for reviewing your plan: 1) Your concentration checklist 2) Your “Courses Still Needed” Word document 3) Your Degree Completion Plan (the Excel template)

TWO FINAL NOTES 1. At least once a year, you are strongly encouraged to get an updated list of when BIOL courses are going to be offered over the coming four semesters (available in the Biology Department office) and double-check your Degree Completion Plan to make sure that courses will still be offered when you think they will be offered. The rotation scheme for courses is NOT set in stone and changes occur every year for various reasons. 2. The faculty member reviewing your plan will do their best to make sure that your plan will allow you to complete requirements for the B.S. degree in Biology. However, ultimately it is YOUR responsibility to make sure that, when you are applying for graduation, you will have completed all course requirements. We strongly recommend that you review and update your plan every semester and review it with your advisor before registering for your next set of courses. Indeed, your advisor may require you to do this.