HELP IN BIOLOGY

The first rule for doing well in a biology course is to keep up with the lectures and assignments. Lectures almost always cover material not in the text; regular attendance is important. If you miss a lecture or wish to review a lecture, video recordings of lectures from Biol 2960, 2970 and some of the other large courses are available at course websites. Completing your reading and problem sets in a timely fashion will make lecture and lab much more meaningful.

If you have difficulty with a course, your first resources are your friends who are also enrolled in the course and the TA. Be sure to attend all discussion and review sessions with the TA, and be prepared to ask questions about aspects you do not understand. Working in small groups is an effective way to tackle problem sets, but only if every group member participates. Tutorial help for individuals and small groups is available from the Department for Biol 2960 and Biol 2970; contact Kathy Hafer (x5-4424; hafer@biology.wustl.edu) for more information. Tutorial rooms are available in the Natural Sciences Learning Center (schedule with David Heyse, x5-4627; heyse@biology.wustl.edu). Note that all TA's hold office hours and they will be happy to work with you. In more advanced classes, problems should be discussed with the TA and then with the instructor. Tutorial assistance is available on a needs-based fee schedule through the Student Education Service (x5-5970).

Hints in Taking Exams

In university science courses you will be asked not simply to remember information, but to use new information and new experimental tools to solve problems. Some students have difficulty on exams that require problem solving. The following techniques may eliminate sources of error:

1. Scan the test at the start. Do the easy questions first.

2. Write down something for every question, even if just to indicate the line of reasoning one would pursue. Most math/science graders give partial credit.

3. Read the question carefully. After you have completed your answer, go back and read the question again to be sure that you have covered all components requested.

4. Show your work. Even if you can work the problem in your head, write down the general principle or relationship you are using. Then indicate how the input numbers get your numerical answer. This information usually will get some points even if you make an arithmetic error.

5. Check your answer in the following ways: does it make sense in the real world? (i.e., the number of DNA copies of a gene can never be less than one); is a numerical answer in the right ballpark - right order of magnitude? Does it have the correct physical units?

6. Do not leave a test early until you have done all of the above and have carefully reread the questions and your answers.

BIOLOGY STUDENT AFFAIRS OFFICE

Erin Gerrity and Jessica Ochoa operate the Biology Student Affairs Office in Jeanette Goldfarb 105. Erin Gerrity is the person to see to declare a major in biology and to obtain a Biology advisor. She also edits BIOrhythms (http://wubio.wustl.edu/BIOrhythms), the undergraduate biology newsletter, which includes items submitted by students. Jessica Ochoa checks students' records for completion of graduation requirements for the biology major and minor and determines eligibility for honors. To register for a class that requires "permission of the department," you must see Ms. Ochoa. Lab courses are limited by the size of our teaching labs, and some upper-level courses are limited in size to encourage discussion.

NATURAL SCIENCES LEARNING CENTER

The NSLC is a study center for undergraduates located close to the teaching laboratories and classrooms. It includes a student lounge, a computer classroom,two conference room, six multipurpose rooms for TA's office hours and study groups. The Center is a "home base" for our freshman and sophomore students taking Bio 2960 (Principles of Biology I), and Bio 2970 (Principles of Biology II).

A second use of NSLC is to bring together information on careers, internships and research programs of interest to students majoring in Biology. This information is displayed and kept on file in the NSLC.

The NSLC is located in Room 104-117 on the ground floor of the Life Sciences Building. Hours are Monday - Thursday 9 am - midnight, Friday 9 am -6 pm, Saturaday 1-5pm, and Sunday 4 PM - midnight. Visit our homepage at http://www.nslc.wustl.edu for more information about NSLC, Biology Courses, Student Research Opportunities, Biology Majors and the Biology Department; the WWW version of this Handbook can also be found at the NSLC homepage.

BIOLOGY LIBRARY

Most of our library materials, including access to most journals, are available electronically at Olin Library’s Life Sciences webpage: http://library.wustl.edu/subjects/life/. For help in using these resources, contact biology librarian Ruth Lewis at Olin Library: 935-4819, e-mail rlewis@wustl.edu.

BIOLOGY CLUB

The activity level of the undergraduate Biology Club at Washington University varies from year to year, depending on the interests and energy of the students. Past activities have included career seminars, local field trips, and volunteer science demonstrations in local schools. Students interested in the Biology Club should contact Dr. Wilhelm Cruz (x5-5436 or cruzws@biology.wustl.edu). For information on science-outreach activities, contact Vicki May (x5-6846; may@biology.wustl.edu).

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