Program for non-resident credit in Biology

       The purpose of this policy is to encourage BIO majors to take advanced non-resident biology courses as part of
their program of study. Appropriate courses include those offered at another university or those offered at specialized
laboratory or field sites and in conjunction with colleges or universities. Examples of the latter include the University of
Michigan Experiment Station, Highlands Biological Station, the Marine Biological Laboratory and the Shoals Marine Laboratory. Excellent opportunities are also available for study abroad through foreign universities, the Organization for Tropical Studies and other
organizations. If taken together with courses in foreign language, social science, etc., such a program can provide a unique diversity of
experience. While students have always been able take such courses for credit, it has been done on an ad hoc basis and without a formal policy governing the practice. BIO now has such a policy.

        Students should consider taking courses elsewhere for a number of reasons:

a. to expose them to techniques, subject matter and scientists not available at UGA
b. to broaden their knowledge, outlook and appreciation in biology
c. to promote diversity and flexibility which are increasingly important for a successful career
d. to strengthen their records in advance of application for post-baccalaureate training
e. to expose them to different people and viewpoints
f.  to otherwise broaden them as citizens and graduates of a liberal arts college
        Increased emphasis is being placed on non-traditional learning as part of the college and university experience. One of the ways BIO can participate in that trend is to encourage our students to seek experience off campus that will also contribute towards their degree. Taking advanced courses at field stations, experimental laboratories, and prestigious colleges and universities qualifies as such experience.

        Up to 20 quarter credit hours of the 40 currently required for the BIO major can be taken on a non-resident basis. Under the semester system, it's 14-16 of the 29-33 semester credit hours. Students should not necessarily take that many courses away from campus, but certainly one or two courses (6-8 semester credits) are encouraged.

PROCEDURES

        BIO will advertise possibilities for study elsewhere by posting notices in the BioSciences building. A bulletin board describing
various non-resident programs is set up in the BLC hallway, just in from the main lobby. All BIO advisors have been informed of this policy and asked to make it known to their advisees.

        In order to pursue, enroll in and insure credit for biology courses taken off campus, the following procedures should be followed:

1. Students should discuss with their advisor the possibility of taking a course off campus, and seek his/her advice.

 2. The advisor, preferably in collaboration with a faculty member with expertise in the course area, should review the syllabus or other course information and determine if it is equivalent to a UGA course eligible for credit towards the BIO major. For example, a field ecology course at Highlands or OTS could be certified as equivalent to BIOL 3500 or 3510 by a faculty member who teaches those courses. Or, a course in marine biology taken at a marine station could be certified as equivalent to MARS 3450. It is also possible that a student could identify a course for which we have no equivalent but which his/her advisor deems adequate as a BIO elective, lab, organismal requirement, etc. A student may also wish to do research in the laboratory of a scientist off campus to fulfill the intensive lab requirement or as a BIO elective. As long as the student can do so under the rubric of a course and get a grade, credit and transcript, it should qualify.

 3. The advisor and/or consulting faculty member will write a letter to Francine Palevitz stating that the student has been approved to take the course, and that it is equivalent to a particular BIO division course or otherwise satisfies one of our BIO major requirements. Ms. Palevitz will forward the letter to the Graduation Office of Arts and Sciences so that appropriate credit will be awarded. A copy of the letter will be placed in the student's file.

 4. The student is responsible for consulting necessary UGA offices (e.g. Studies Abroad; Registrar) and filling out any and all required forms (e.g. Transient Permission Form) in advance of enrolling in the course, so that proper credit is awarded after the course is completed and a transcript is received. The student begins this paperwork at the DeanUs Office here on campus.

5. The student must have a transcript showing satisfactory completion of the course (grade of C or higher) forwarded from the sponsoring institution to UGA, and then make sure that the transcript was received.

 6. Students may also do research at another institution by taking a course equivalent to our BIOL 4960/4960H. The advisor must certify in a letter to Francine Palevitz that the course is equivalent to BIO 4960 or 4960H, and make sure that the student is aware of our requirements. Written guidelines for 4960/4960H are available in room 401 BioSciences. The student should be reminded that only 4 semester credits (equivalent to 5 quarter credits) of research can be used towards the BIO major.

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