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Advising FAQs

This page lists Frequently Asked Questions about the IB advising program. Also check out our workshops for great information pertaining to IB majors. Other FAQs on the SIB web site are relevant to:

 

1) What can my advisor do for me?

Your advisor can help you in many ways during your time at the university. The following are some possibilities:

  • Help you select courses that fit well with your career goals.
  • Help you make sure you are on track to graduate.
  • Help connect you with biologically- or career-relevant extracurricular activities.

 

2) How do I know who my academic advisor is and how can I make an appointment?

IB has two advisors, Gary Spezia and Allison Musser. You may visit either of them to talk about your academic progress, your future career, or other matters. Once you have established contact with one of them, that person will be your regular advisor. You may schedule an appointment with either of them by calling 217-333-6774, or by dropping in to the advising office in 127 Burrill Hall to schedule in person.

 

3) How often should I see my advisor?

You should meet with your advisor at least once a semester to plan your classes and check on your academic progress. However, we encourage you to meet with him or her more often to plan for your career, and to learn about internship and other non-academic opportunities.

 

4) How do I know what classes I still need to graduate?

Every student has access to his/her graduation (degree) audit information (DARS - Degree Audit Reporting System). Meet with your advisor to get help in accessing and interpreting your DARS for the first time. You can then keep track of your progress in your major and your other requirements on your own.

 

5) How can I find out if I am on track to graduate?

The same way you find out what classes you need to graduate - check out DARS (DARS - Degree Audit Reporting System). This valuable tool permits you to view your progress toward fulfilling degree requirements, including campus, general education, non-primary language and major requirements. See your advisor for help in accessing and interpreting your DARS for the first time.

 

6) What advanced courses should I take in IB?

The answer to this question depends entirely on your interests and career goals. IB does have advanced hour requirements (check out the description of degree requirements here), but there are options within these requirements.

 

7) What are IB advising options?

Advising options are a set of recommended courses for students who wish to follow a particular academic path or prepare for a particular career. The list of options and an explanation of what purpose each serves may be found here.

 

8) Must I follow one of the IB advising options?

No. The options are sets of suggested courses to meet specific educational or career goals. They are entirely optional.

 

9) If I get a "D" in a class in my major, do I need to retake it?

No, you will receive credit for that class. However, in order to graduate, you must maintain a 2.0 GPA in the classes in your major (called your "major GPA"). This includes the IB classes needed for your major and all of the supporting math and science courses needed for the major as well (not your gen-eds, NPL, etc.).

 

10) If I retake a class, will the grade in the first class be deleted?

No, the new grade will be averaged into your over-all GPA.

 

11) Is there an easy way to calculate my GPA?

It can be a pain to recalculate your GPA every semester. Use the GPA Calculator to help take the guesswork out of the process! This tool will compute your GPA for the current semester. It will also recalculate your cumulative GPA if you enter your current GPA and total class hours.

 

12) What does "credit/no credit (cr/ncr)" mean and how does that work?

Credit/no credit means that you take a course not for a letter grade but on a pass/fail basis. Pass and you get credit for the course, fail and you do not. Follow this link to learn about the requirements, restrictions and process for declaring credit/no-credit for courses. Keep in mind that this option can not be used for courses that you need for your major, for gen-eds, or for other University courses needed for graduation.

 

13) How can I get involved in student clubs and volunteer activities?

There are many student clubs and volunteer activities that relate directly to IB students. The Office of RSOs (Registered Student Organizations) in room 280 Illini Union has a list of all student organizations. There is also a hard-copy list of IB-related student organizations in the hand-out rack in the IB advising office, 127 Burrill Hall.

 

14) How can I get lab experience?

By being accepted to work in a lab by a faculty member or other researcher. If you are interested in conducting research, we urge you to familiarize yourself with instructors and areas of interest beginning as early as your freshman year, then contact a faculty member. Check out the web page that describes undergraduate research for more information. You can earn academic credit for these experiences through IB 390 and IB 490.

 

15) Can I discuss career options with my advisor?

Certainly! The advisors are well-informed about the various career options that an IB degree may lead to and will be glad to talk with you about them. You can also check out the IB Careers web page.

 

16) Should I pursue an internship and if so, how can I find one?

Absolutely! There are many internship options for IB students, and participating in an internship enables you to fine-tune your interests, obtain valuable work and research experience, and network with experts in your area of interest. For more specific information about IB internships, check the fliers on the advising office bulletin boards, meet with the IB advisors, read the IB advising electronic newsletter (IB SPOTLIGHT), or follow this link.