Apply Now!General Information
How can I get in contact with a professor?
How do I know a professor's office hours?
How do I get in contact with a TA?
I can't make it for a test, who do I notify?
Where is Turnbull?
What is Turnbull?
What is the Academic Integrity Policy?
Biology Degree Information
How do I declare biology as my major?
How do I know what degrees or options are available from the Biology Department?
How do I get information on the Master's Program in Biology?
How many students go on to Medical School or other professional schools?
Where is the Science Building?
Where do I go to get information on Forensic Science?
I want to major in Zoology but I see you don't have a zoology program.
I would like information about the Pre-Med program?
Forms, Paperwork and Signatures
Where do I get Independent Study/Directed Study forms for BIOL 399, 499, or 600 credits?
When is my graduation application due?
Where do I get an Undergraduate Graduation Application?
Who has to sign my graduation application?
Advising
How do I make an advising appointment?
How do I know who my advisor is?
How do I choose an advisor?
I am transferring from SCC/SFCC, how do I know what classes are transferable?
How do I find out what courses from other colleges are equivalent to Eastern's?
I have courses from another University and nothing is listed on Eastern's website for course equivalencies, how do get my courses evaluated?
What are the best courses to start out taking in Biology?
Registration
How do I get a hold lifted?
I took Biology courses at another college but I can't register because of a pre-requisite block, what do I do?
I have a hold and can not register, who do I contact?
I want to take a class, but I don't have all of the pre-requisites, can I still take the class?
Employment, Jobs and Internships
Does the Biology department have job listings?
How do I get a Biology internship?
How do I become a TA for a Biology Course?
How do I become employed by the Biology Department?
Biology Courses
I'm trying to plan my courses for the next year, are the schedules available?
How can I get in contact with a professor?
Click here for a directory of all Biology Faculty and Staff and their current quarter office hours. You may contact Faculty and Staff by phone, email, or visit during their office hours.
How do I know a professor's office hours?
Each professor will have their own office hours during the academic year. Please consult the syllabus for the course they are teaching for office hours or the directory posted outside of SC 258 each quarter. The Directory also has a link to current office hours.
During the summer, if a professor is not teaching, they will periodically be in. Please check with the department secretary for more information.
How do I get in contact with a TA?
You can also leave the TA a message in their box. Please familiarize yourself with their procedures as to how they can be contacted and their box location.
I can't make it for a test, who do I notify?
Notify your professor well in advance if you can not attend an exam. Most professors will work with you and make arrangements as long as you follow the policies of the class.
If you have an emergency, call the professor to leave a voicemail and call the department secretary at 359-6977 to leave a message as well. If at all possible, email a message to both the professor and the secretary describing your emergency and where you can be contacted if their are any questions.
Turnbull is located just south of Cheney. For complete directions, click here.
Turnbull is a National Wildlife Refuge that was established in 1937 to provide productive breeding and nesting grounds for migratory birds and other wildlife.
What is the Academic Integrity Policy (Academic Honesty)?
EWU expects the highest standards of academic integrity of its students. Academic honesty is the foundation of a fair and supportive learning environment for all students. Personal responsibility for academic performance is essential for equitable assessment of student accomplishments. The university supports the faculty in setting and maintaining standards of academic integrity. Charges of academic dishonesty are reviewed through a process that allows for student learning and impartial review.
Click here for the complete policy.
How do I declare biology as my major?
If you are a freshman admitted to Eastern Washington University after Fall 2003, come to the Department of Biology, SC 258. You will fill out a Major Declaration Card. You will take the hard copy of the card to Academic Advising, Sutton Hall 3rd floor to become officially declared. Please know the following:
If you are a freshman admitted to Eastern Washington University before Fall 2003, go to General Academic Advising, Sutton Hall 3rd floor to retrieve your student file. Bring your file to the Department of Biology, SC 258. You will fill out a Major Declaration Card. Take the hard copy back to Academic Advising to become officially declared.
Please know the following:
If you are a transfer student admitted to Eastern Washington University, go to General Academic Advising, Sutton Hall 3rd floor to retrieve your student file. If you have not had your transcripts evaluated yet, please bring an unofficial transcript of your course work to the Biology office, SC 258. You will fill out a Major Declaration Card and be set up with a "General Biology Advisor" to have your Biology course work evaluated. You will need to take the hard copy of the declaration card to Academic Advising to become officially declared.
Please know the following:
How do I know what degrees or options are available from the Biology Department?
You can view our current degrees and options in the University Catalog
How do I get information on the Master's Program in Biology?
Click Graduate Program for information and application forms or email the department at biology@mail.ewu.edu.
How many students go on to Medical School or other professional schools?
EWU Biology Students Admitted to Professional Schools. This information is only updated when students contact the department to let us know their admittance.
Please keep in mind that not all Pre-Med/Pre-Dent students go on to medical school. There is varied reasons for this; such as tuition cost, financial situations, career goals, academic goals, etc.
Where do I go to get information on Forensic Science?
The Forensic Science department is within the Chemistry and Biochemistry Department. Click here for the Forensic Science homepage.
I want to major in Zoology but I see you don't have a zoology program.
Although we don't have an option in zoology, it can be an area of emphasis. To accommodate our zoology students, we customize the general biology curriculum to make wildlife/zoology an area of emphasis. Contact Dr. Peggy O'Connell for more information regarding this emphasis.
How do I get information on the Pre-Med program?
Information can be found by going to Pre-med/Pre-dent Major.
Where do I get Independent Study/Directed Study forms for BIOL 399, 499, or 600 credits?
Forms are found in the Biology office, SC 258. Independent Studies/Directed Studies are by professor permission only. Once you have permission, fill out the form completely. You will need the professor that you will work with and the department chair's signature (see department secretary.) Take one e copy to the registrar's office to register for the course and leave another copy with the department secretary in SC 258.
Where do I get an Undergraduate Graduation Application?
Graduation applications can be picked up at:
- Sutton Hall, 2nd floor
- Biology office, SC 258
- Online
When is my graduation application due?
Deadlines for Undergraduate Applications can be found at Applying for Baccalaureate Degree.
Who has to sign my graduation application?
Please be advised by your advisor when filling out this form. Have your advisor initial your application then you will need the chair's signature. It takes some time to go over these applications. If the chair is not available, please leave your application with the department secretary. Agree to a time when it can be picked up so that the Chair will have time to review it. It is your responsibility to deliver it to the appropriate office.
How do I make an advising appointment?
When you declare Biology as your major, you will be assigned an advisor. Please contact your advisor directly unless your advisor is Dr. Gibson. Please call 359-6977 to make an appointment with Dr. Gibson.
How do I know who my advisor is?
You advisor is assigned by area of emphasis or general interest. Click here for a list of advisor by subject. If you are still unsure, email the Biology Department and ask who you have been assigned to and someone will get back to you.
Advisors are professors from the Biology department. Dependent upon your interests and career goals an advisor will be assigned accordingly.
I am transferring from SCC/SFCC, how do I know what classes are transferable?
Click here for our transfer equivalency guide for area schools.
How do I find out what courses from other colleges are equivalent to Eastern's?
If the school you are transferring from is not listed on our Transferring from a Community College, check with a General Biology Advisor to determine course equivalences. Please have any syllabi available for better assessment of the courses you took at another University.
Make an appointment with a General Biology Advisor to determine course equivalences. Please have any syllabi available for better assessment of the courses you took at another University.
What are the best courses to start out taking in Biology?
If you are freshman or a transfer student without having taken any Biology courses it is best to first see an advisor. Generally speaking, Fall quarter you should start with the BIOL 170 series, CHEM 150 series and the MATH course you test into.
Contact the Biology Department Office at (509) 259-6977 if you have a prerequisite or advising hold. For other types of holds, you will need to contact Records and Registration at (509) 359-2321 to discuss the hold status.
If you have transferred from another college or University and your biology courses have been evaluated by the Biology Chair, Dr. Flash Gibson or another general biology advisor, call the Biology Office to discuss. (509) 359-6977.
I have a hold and can not register, who do I contact?
Contact Records and Registration, 359-2321 to find out what holds are on your account.
You will need to speak with professor of the class requiring the pre-requisite. Pre-requisites are important because they prepare a student for the material that will be covered. We promote the success of our students and consider pre-requisites serious. If the professor is willing to make an exception for you, have them call the department secretary with your name, EWU ID#, and the Biology course and section # they are authorizing you for.
Please understand, you are responsible for all material covered in the course. If you need help, see your professor immediately. There are resources available that can assist you with certain subjects.
Does the Biology department have job listings?
Yes we do! Between September and June, a list is compiled from different sources and posted in the hallway across from SC 254. This does not include any jobs that may be available in the Department of Biology. This compilation is a courtesy and is updated as regularly as help is available.
How do I get a Biology internship?
An internship is a job and will take just as much leg work. Another resource for internships is Career Services located in SHW 114. Once you have an internship lined up, please see Sue Murphy, the departments internship coordinator for all of the necessary paperwork.
How do I become a TA for a Biology Course?
We look for people who have either taken the course they are interested in being an assistant for or who has demonstrated ability. If you are interested in being an assistant, please see John Shields.
How do I become employed by the Biology Department?
If you have a genuine interest in working for the Biology Department, please see John Shields. Hard working, knowledgeable, dedicated students are sought out for various positions in the department. There are not many positions, but when one is available, John Shields is the contact.
I'm trying to plan my courses for the next year, are the schedules available?
Tentative schedules are available and are updated as needed. This means that they can change based on enrollment, demand, or available faculty. We will make our best effort to give as much notice as possible in the event of changes.