Academic Advisors
For personal, academic or career plan guidance, talking to your academic advisor is a good place to start. Not sure who your advisor is? Contact the department’s undergraduate advisor.
Undergraduate Student Resources
From tutoring and advising to guidance on transfers and credits, Columbian College and the Department of Biological Sciences offer students a range of resources to make their biology experience as productive and enjoyable as possible.
Academic Commons
Find in-person or online peer tutoring, group or individual coaching, drop-in hours and review sessions.
Writing Center
Want a second opinion on a completed or in-progress assignment? Make a free appointment at the GW Writing Center.
Faculty Office Hours
Faculty set aside time each semester for student visits. If you’re having trouble with a course, need help choosing a research project or simply want to talk through an idea, stop by during office hours.
Transfer Students
To transfer credit for a course taken outside of GW (AP/IB/A-Level) or at another GW school, visit the Undergraduate Academic Advising website. Questions? Contact the department’s undergraduate advisor.
Declaring a Major or Minor
Before declaring, speak to the undergraduate advisor for the Department of Biological Sciences. He/she will help you select an advisor in your area of interest. Print or retrieve a Declaration of Major/Minor Form (PDF) from the Columbian College Undergraduate Academic Advising Office and complete it with your advisor. Cross-school minors are handled by a different form called a Secondary Field of Study Form.
Employment and Funding
Scholarships, assistantships and other professional opportunities can help fund education and build impressive résumé material.
The Department of Biological Sciences employs students and volunteers in the office, greenhouse and as learning assistants (LAs) in lecture classes and undergraduate teaching assistants (UGTAs) in laboratory classes. Students who receive Federal Work-Study (FWS) are given preference for many of these positions.
Paid Department Positions
Laboratory Preparation Assistants
Apply through GW Handshake or contact Lab Coordinator Meggan Bridgett.
Undergraduate Teaching Assistants
Contact Tara Scully (Introductory Biology for Non-Majors) or Hartmut Doebel (Introductory Biology for Majors).
Learning Assistants
Contact Hartmut Doebel.
Volunteer With Us
The department welcomes social media volunteers to assist with the management of the biology website, conduct interviews, write news articles and manage departmental social media accounts. Contact the department to apply. The greenhouse also invites students to help care for plants and projects. Interested students may contact the greenhouse manager.
GW Funding and Employment
Office of Student Financial Assistance
The office offers financial aid in the form of grants, scholarships, loans, Federal Work Study, tuition benefits and exchanges.
The Rice Fellowships offer support for student research carried out under the guidance of at least one faculty mentor. The research project may be carried out over several weeks or continued across multiple semesters.
Forms
Declaration of Major/Minor Form (PDF)
Use this form to declare a major or a minor in the Columbian College. Questions? Contact the department’s undergraduate advisor.
Transfer Credit Approval Form (PDF)
Use this form to transfer credits from another academic institution. Questions? Contact the undergraduate advisor.
Registration Forms
The Office of the Registrar has forms for adding or dropping courses, obtaining special permission for closed courses, waiving certain degree requirements and other exceptions to academic policy.
Combined Bachelor’s/Master’s Program Application for Admission (PDF)
Use this form to apply for the combined BS/MS program.
GW Course Bulletin
See all currently scheduled biology courses.
