Most college students require some sort of academic assistance at some point in their college careers. This page offers multiple types of assistance ranging from tools to help you organize your time to finding out the specifics of being on academic probation.

Your academic advisor is always your first stop when dealing with any type of academic struggle. Make an appointment with an IB advisor.

If you are a high school student or undergraduate elsewhere, you can make an appointment to chat with one of our academic advisors by calling 217-333-3046 or emailing prospective@sib.illinois.edu. They can tell you more about the advantages of an IB degree. If you are a prospective graduate student, you should contact the Department or Graduate Degree Program you are interested in and make arrangements to talk with faculty while you are here.

For answers to our frequently asked questions, please refer to the relevant menu(s) below.

Academic Support | Resources & Tools

SIB Learning Center

Both schools of biology have Learning Centers students can utilize for study sessions or individual computer work.

  • The IB Learning Center is in 2092 Natural History Building. There are spaces for individual study and computers available for your use. There are also 2 group study rooms that can be reserved:
  • The MCB Learning Center is in 101 Burrill Hall. Visit the MCB website for current hours.

Campus Student Support Resources

Academics

Careers

Health & Wellness

Extracurriculars

Crisis Services

Financial Services

Miscellaneous

General and Subject-Specific Resources

Illinois Remote: Resources to help navigate Online Learning.

Keep Assignments Organized: DateCat is a tool that automatically merges assignments and due dates from Moodle and Compass into one calendar. It’s a great way to keep track of due dates for courses.

LAS Success Workshops: The College of LAS offers the LAS Success Workshop Series to support students’ academic, personal, and professional development.

Office of Minority Student Affairs: Through the OMSA website, they offer supplemental instruction, review sessions, and study skills workshops. Open to all University of Illinois students.

Student Success Toolkit: This toolkit is designed to help students with academic performance and develop concrete action steps to improve study skills.

Studying Advice Videos: “How to Get the Most out of Studying” video series was developed in Samford and provide helpful tips when studying.

Research Skills Guidelines: Science majors will find the School of Integrative Biology’s Guidelines: Research Skills helpful as they progress through their majors.

Writer’s Workshop: The Center for Writing Studies offers The Writers Workshop to help support all writers on campus. Individual consultations are available.

Technical Help for Students in LAS: ATLAS (Applied Technologies for Learning in the Arts & Sciences) has many resources for computing and technology needs specific to students in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences.

Technology Services for all UIUC Students: Technology Resource Guide for Students.

 

Subject Specific Resources

Biology: Strategies for Studying Biology Video by Brad Mehrtens, Instructor of MCB 150 and MCB Academic Advisor

Both schools of biology have Learning Centers students can utilize for study sessions or individual computer work.

Chemistry: The Department of Chemistry offers a variety of types of academic support.

Math: The Department of Mathematics offers Tutoring Services for many of its classes.

Physics: The Department of Physics posts a list of all the physics tutors available with the fees listed. Fees range from $5/hour and up.

CARE: The Center for Academic Resources in Engineering (CARE) offers services including: tutoring, supported study halls, and exam review sessions, open to all University of Illinois students.

Office of Minority Student Affairs: In addition to services listed above, OMSA offers subject-specific tutoring services, open to all University of Illinois students.

 

Organization Tools & Academic Probation

Weekly Planning Sheet

Download the Weekly Planning Sheet to help you plan your week to account for your school and work obligations and how you will schedule specific times to accomplish specific tasks.

Course Organizers

Students sometimes struggle keeping track of all the weekly assignments required in each class. Use this Course Weekly Organizer to help make sure you always complete your weekly tasks.  The example shows how to use the organizer and below is a link to a blank copy of the organizer.

Example #1

Download the Course Weekly Organizer to help you organize your weekly assignments.

Students need to prepare for exams and papers weeks in advance.  Use this Course Due Dates Organizer to help make sure you are always properly prepared.  The example shows how to use the organizer and below is a link to a blank copy of the organizer.

Example #2

Download the Course Due Dates Organizer or use the DateCat app to help you remember all your assignment and exam dates.

Academic Probation

A student is placed on academic probation if his or her semester GPA is below a 2.0. Academic probation is to serve as warning that failure to improve academic performance could impact the student’s eligibility for continued enrollment on our campus.

When an IB student is placed on academic probation, an advisor will email him or her asking the student to meet with an advisor. We understand there are many reasons a student may have had poor academic performance and we approach each situation individually. The advisors want to assist each student with ways to improve academic performance. This may be simply connecting the student to campus resources or meeting with the student bi-weekly. These are things that the advisor with discuss with the student during an appointment.

The College of LAS manages academic probation for IB students. Please refer to the LAS Probation and Drop Status page for specifics about probation levels, drop status, and appeals.

Registration and Advising FAQ

Undergraduate Advising FAQ

What can my advisor do?

Your advisor can help you in many ways during your time at the university. The IB Academic Advisors strive to provide undergraduate students with timely and informative advice regarding appropriate course selection, academic strategies, career planning, and professional/graduate school planning. We also endeavor to help guide students’ decision-making processes and foster in our students a sense of ownership of their undergraduate educations.

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

Get to know the IB Advisors. You may visit any of them to talk about your academic progress, your future career, or other matters. You may schedule an appointment using our online scheduler.

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 them more often to plan for your career, and to learn about internships and other non-academic opportunities.

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

Check out your degree audit. 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 degree audit for the first time.

What are IB certificates?

Certificate programs typically involve fewer courses than a minor, while enabling students to develop additional knowledge in a field or subfield. The School of Integrative Biology offers several certificates.

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.). Keep in mind that some health professional schools require a "C" or better in prerequisite courses.

If I retake a class, how will my GPA be affected?

It depends on whether you are eligible to take the class for grade replacement. Please see the LAS College policy page for more information. Please note that many professional schools (for example: medical, dental, law) will not accept the replaced grade and will average the two grades.

Is there an easy way to calculate my GPA?

Use the GPA Calculator, which 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.

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

Credit/no credit means that you take a course not for a letter grade. Learn more about credit/no credit, restrictions and the process for declaring credit/no-credit for courses. Keep in mind that this option cannot be used for courses that you need for your major, for gen-eds, or for other University courses needed for graduation.

I'm thinking about taking a class at my community college this summer. Will it transfer to U of I?

Transferology is a great website containing course articulations for many classes that have already been evaluated by U of I; so, check there first. Please note that the transfer course equivalencies contained there, and the reports generated from the system do not constitute a contract between the student and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Students still need to contact their assigned College of LAS Admissions/Records Officer (ARO) to verify how the transfer coursework will be accepted and used towards graduation requirements. If the course is not in this database, you must submit the syllabus for the course for evaluation.

I took a class at my community college this summer, what do I need to do to transfer credit?

You must send the official transcript from the school at which you took the course to the University of Illinois Office of the Registrar.

How can I get research experience?

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 our page that describes undergraduate research for more information. You can earn academic credit for these experiences through IB 390 and IB 490.

Is this a good major if I want to pursue a health career?

Yes! IB majors are highly competitive in gaining admission to professional schools, including medicine, veterinary medicine, dentistry, nursing, and pharmacy. While you can gain admission to a professional school via a wide variety of majors, many students choose to major in Integrative Biology because our courses prepare students well for the necessary admissions test (for example: MCAT, DAT, GRE) and also provide a solid foundation for the demands of future schooling. Also check out The Career Center for more information on this topic.

How can I earn a minor in chemistry?

Since so much of biology is related to chemistry, IB students are required to take General Chemistry I and II and Organic Chemistry I along with the labs for each, totaling 13-16 hours. A minor in chemistry requires a minimum of 20 hours. Therefore, in addition to the IB major requirements, most IB students need to take 2 more (advanced) courses in chemistry to earn a minor.

Can I take more than 18 hours?

Students may carry as many as 18 hours without special permission. Approval for more than 18 hours, "course overload", must be obtained from the College of LAS.

Preparation & Registration FAQ

Registration Preparation

What is a Time-Ticket?

Your Time-Ticket is the day and time your registration window will open for the upcoming term. The Office of the Register will send this email.

How do I check my Time-Ticket?

Plan for registration by checking the Registrar's Time Tickets page.

 

Before your Time-Ticket Opens

How do I know which courses I need to take?

Run your Degree Audit (DARS).

I ran my DARS. What am I looking at? I’m Confused.

Compare results to these pages:

How do I use the Schedule Generator?

Watch the Schedule Generator video on the Registrar's website.

When should I schedule an appointment about Spring 2022 registration?

Ideally, your appointment is about 1 week before the start of your registration.

 

During Registration

I am trying to register for a course (e.g., IB, MCB, CHEM, etc.) and it is not working. What should I do?

First, read the error message to figure out why you cannot register. To better understand what the error message means and next steps, refer to the Common Registration Errors page, Common Registration Errors page, courtesy of the Department of Statistics. Second, refer to the “Section Info” and/or “Restrictions” on Course Explorer. For example, certain classes will open for non-majors to register for certain sections starting at a delayed date and time.

One of the classes I wanted to register for is closed. Can an advisor get me into the class?

No, the academic advisors cannot grant a course override. You can either contact the instructor or the department that is offering the course and ask if you can register for the class or see if there is a waitlist. Refer to the Information & Opportunities Newsletter email for waitlist and other information.

How do I declare a minor, second major, or request a course overload or underload, etc.?

You can find most student forms and requests on the College of LAS Forms webpage.

Prospective Student FAQ

High School Student FAQ

What is Integrative Biology?

Integrative Biology is the study of life, from the level of molecules and cells to that of global ecosystems. The word integrative merely means that the emphasis is on how different parts of biological systems interact with one another.

How is IB different from MCB?

As the name implies, the School of Molecular and Cellular Biology (MCB) has a heavy emphasis on cells and the molecules that make them function, including DNA. Integrative Biology (IB), on the other hand, has an emphasis on systems biology, in which the relationship of one component is studied in relation to other components.

Is Integrative Biology a good major to prepare for medical or dental school or for training in other health professions?

Yes! IB majors are highly competitive in gaining admission to professional schools, including medicine, veterinary medicine, dentistry, nursing, and pharmacy. While you can gain admission to a professional school via a wide variety of majors, many students choose to major in Integrative Biology because our courses prepare students well for the necessary admissions test (for example: MCAT, DAT, GRE) and also provide a solid foundation for the demands of future schooling. Also check out The Career Center for more information on this topic.

Does it cost more to be a Biology student?

Yes. Instruction that involves laboratory or field work is much more expensive than that involving lectures only. For this reason, the University charges a higher (differential) tuition to students majoring in many STEM fields, including biology (both IB and MCB).

What are IB certificates?

Certificate programs typically involve fewer courses than a minor, while enabling students to develop additional knowledge in a field or subfield.

When should I apply to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign?

You should apply in the fall of the year preceding the year in which you want to enroll. You should check out the LAS Admissions web site for more specific information.

Do I have to register for classes by myself?

No. The first time through, academic advisors and upperclassmen in Biology will assist you with registration. They will be available for registration questions in subsequent semesters as well.

Is there a foreign language requirement?

Yes. The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences requires that undergraduate students show proficiency in a non-primary language (NPL), either through high school or college study or via a proficiency exam. Check out the LAS language requirement page for specific details.

Will I be in large classes with several hundred other students?

IB 150 and MCB 150 must be taken by all biology majors and are also taken by students who require biology credits but will not major in it. Therefore, both IB 150 and MCB 150 are large. The IB core courses may also have 100-200 students in them. However, in IB 300- and 400-level classes sizes are typically fewer than 100 and more often about 50 or so. The IB student to faculty ratio is 13:1.

Can I get to all my classes with only 10 minutes between classes?

Yes. Though the campus is large, classes in broad disciplines like Engineering or Liberal Arts and Science tend to be clustered in just a few buildings. Most science and general education courses you will be taking are given in buildings around the quad. Furthermore, there's good bus service for those instances where you might have to go some distance between classes.

Can I apply AP credits in biology and other sciences?

Yes, but... You can certainly receive AP credit for biology or other science courses, but we encourage you to take the introductory IB 150 and MCB 150 courses even though you might have scored high enough on the AP exam to bypass them. This is because these courses cover such a diversity of material that it is hard to consider that any experience you had in high school is genuinely equivalent. We also encourage you to take the introductory chemistry sequence here rather than opting out via AP credit. In other subject areas, if you have the required score, we encourage you to bypass the relevant class to give yourself time to take classes you might want to take.

Do I have to take bio and chemistry and math together in a semester?

You do have to double up on some science and math courses. Since as an IB (or MCB) major you must take biology, chemistry, physics, and math, it is unavoidable that you will have to take at least two of these subjects in the same semester several semesters. 

Can I do research and what's the process?

You certainly can, and we encourage you to do so. Check out our Undergraduate Research web page for detailed information.

Can I get paid to do research?

Yes and no. Some laboratories hire undergraduates as paid assistants, but you should not expect the same kind of experience as an assistant as you would have doing independent research. Furthermore, if you are a paid assistant, you will not receive academic credit for your research. On the other hand, it may be possible for you to obtain financial assistance while you are doing independent academic research. Check out our Undergraduate Support web page for more details.

UIUC Student FAQ

What is Integrative Biology?

Integrative Biology is the study of life, from the level of molecules and cells to that of global ecosystems. The word integrative merely means that the emphasis is on how different parts of biological systems interact with one another.

How is IB different from MCB?

As the name implies, the School of Molecular and Cellular Biology (MCB) has a heavy emphasis on cells and the molecules that make them function, including DNA. Integrative Biology (IB), on the other hand, has an emphasis on systems biology, in which the relationship of one component is studied in relation to other components.

Is Integrative Biology a good major to prepare for medical or dental school or for training in other health professions?

Yes! IB majors are highly competitive in gaining admission to professional schools, including medicine, veterinary medicine, dentistry, nursing, and pharmacy. While you can gain admission to a professional school via a wide variety of majors, many students choose to major in Integrative Biology because our courses prepare students well for the necessary admissions test (for example: MCAT, DAT, GRE) and also provide a solid foundation for the demands of future schooling. Also check out The Career Center for more information on this topic.

Does it cost more to be a Biology student?

Yes. Instruction that involves laboratory or field work is much more expensive than that involving lectures only. For this reason, the University charges a higher (differential) tuition to students majoring in many STEM fields, including biology (both IB and MCB).

What are IB certificates?

Certificate programs typically involve fewer courses than a minor, while enabling students to develop additional knowledge in a field or subfield.

Can I apply AP credits in biology and other sciences?

Yes, but... You can certainly receive AP credit for biology or other science courses, but we encourage you to take the introductory IB 150 and MCB 150 courses even though you might have scored high enough on the AP exam to bypass them. This is because these courses cover such a diversity of material that it is hard to consider that any experience you had in high school is genuinely equivalent. We also encourage you to take the introductory chemistry sequence here rather than opting out via AP credit. In other subject areas, if you have the required score, we encourage you to bypass the relevant class to give yourself time to take classes you might want to take.

Do I have to take bio and chemistry and math together in a semester?

You do have to double up on some science and math courses. Since as an IB (or MCB) major you must take biology, chemistry, physics, and math, it is unavoidable that you will have to take at least two of these subjects in the same semester several semesters.

Can I do research and what's the process?

You certainly can, and we encourage you to do so. Check out our Undergraduate Research web page for detailed information.

Can I get paid to do research?

Yes and no. Some laboratories hire undergraduates as paid assistants, but you should not expect the same kind of experience as an assistant as you would have doing independent research. Furthermore, if you are a paid assistant, you will not receive academic credit for your research. On the other hand, it may be possible for you to obtain financial assistance while you are doing independent academic research. Check out our Undergraduate Support web page for more details.

 

How to Declare IB Major

Are you in biological sciences at UIUC?

If you are a freshman or sophomore in biology, you may declare IB as a major at the beginning of a semester or before the early registration period for the following semester. Check out the LAS declaring or changing major page for specific dates, the link to declare, and other important information. You do not need to meet with an IB advisor or obtain paperwork to declare IB if you are a biological sciences student.

Are you in another major in LAS at UIUC?

If you want to transfer to IB from another major in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, you may declare IB as a major at the beginning of a semester or before the early registration period for the following semester. You may apply to IB electronically and your application will be reviewed holistically. Previous success in science courses such as introductory Biology and Chemistry is important. Check out the LAS declaring or changing major page for specific dates, the link to declare and other important information.

Are you in another major outside LAS at UIUC?

If you want to transfer to IB from another major outside the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, you may declare IB as a major at the beginning of a semester or before the early registration period for the following semester. You may apply to IB electronically and your application will be reviewed holistically. Previous success in science courses such as introductory Biology and Chemistry is important. Then, you will be required to attend a College of LAS Intercollegiate Transfer (ICT) meeting. Check out the LAS declaring or changing major page for specific dates, the link to declare, and other important information.

Transfer Student FAQ

What is Integrative Biology?

Integrative Biology is the study of life, from the level of molecules and cells to that of global ecosystems. The word integrative merely means that the emphasis is on how different parts of biological systems interact with one another.

How is IB different from MCB?

As the name implies, the School of Molecular and Cellular Biology (MCB) has a heavy emphasis on cells and the molecules that make them function, including DNA. Integrative Biology (IB), on the other hand, has an emphasis on systems biology, in which the relationship of one component is studied in relation to other components.

Is Integrative Biology a good major to prepare for medical or dental school or for training in other health professions?

Yes! IB majors are highly competitive in gaining admission to professional schools, including medicine, veterinary medicine, dentistry, nursing, and pharmacy. While you can gain admission to a professional school via a wide variety of majors, many students choose to major in Integrative Biology because our courses prepare students well for the necessary admissions test (for example: MCAT, DAT, GRE) and also provide a solid foundation for the demands of future schooling. Also check out The Career Center for more information on this topic.

Does it cost more to be a Biology student?

Yes. Instruction that involves laboratory or field work is much more expensive than that involving lectures only. For this reason, the University charges a higher (differential) tuition to students majoring in many STEM fields, including biology (both IB and MCB).

What are IB certificates?

Certificate programs typically involve fewer courses than a minor, while enabling students to develop additional knowledge in a field or subfield.

Can I still graduate in four years, as a transfer student?

With appropriate foundational coursework at your previous institution, yes.

How much of my coursework will transfer?

Transferology is a great website containing course articulations for many classes that have already been evaluated by U of I; so, check there first. Please note that the transfer course equivalencies contained there, and the reports generated from the system do not constitute a contract between the student and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Do I have to take both MCB 150 and IB 150 equivalents before transferring to UIUC?

Yes, students must satisfactorily complete coursework equivalent to these two courses prior to admission. IB advisors also strongly suggest taking General Chemistry before transferring. Other recommended courses include Organic Chemistry, Physics and Calculus.

If I go to summer school, can I take these courses anywhere or do I have to take them here?

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences requires a certain number of credit hours to be earned here on campus. If you take summer courses here, these will count toward these residency requirements. You should contact your LAS Records Officer in the Student Affairs Office for more detailed information.

What kind of jobs can I get with this degree?

The major in Integrative Biology is great preparation for just about any career in the life sciences. Check out our Careers area for more information. 

How do I get tutoring assistance in biology, chemistry, physics, and math?

Each department offers academic assistance to students. Check out our webpage devoted to students getting academic assistance.

Can I study abroad as a transfer student?

Yes, we have had lots of IB transfer students go abroad to earn credit hours toward graduation. Many great opportunities exist across the world to study biology abroad.

Can I get research experience even though I'm a transfer student?

Yes. Faculty make no distinction between students who started at the UIUC and those who transferred from elsewhere. Check out our Undergraduate Research web page for additional information.

What minors are available to me?

Students may choose any minor; many IB students have supplemented their academic records with minors in a foreign language, Business, Anthropology, Chemistry, and the Environmental Fellows Program. The College of Liberal Arts & Sciences has detailed information regarding minors.