Departmental Advising System

Departmental Advising System

Please Note: Prior to an advising appointment, ALL declared students must pick up a registration packet at their department’s main office (See Departmental Directory). Many CAS departments will require an unofficial transcript for your advising appointment. Transcripts may be printed from the Student Link or picked up at the Office of the University Registrar, 881 Commonwealth Avenue, 2nd Floor (M-F 9am-5pm).

American Studies

Professor Jessica Sewell (jesewell@bu.edu) in the American Studies Program does all initial advising, but may reassign students to a secondary advisor. Students should begin the process ASAP. (No additional mailing will be sent to newly declared concentrators.)

Anthropology

Students should report to the Anthropology Department where an advisor will be assigned. Students are encouraged to begin the advising process no later than 2 full weeks in advance of the TELREG/WEBREG start date. Students must also pick up a department advising form from the main office and bring it with them to their appointments. A booklet describing the Anthropology Department, its program and classes offered is available in the main office. (No additional mailing will be sent to newly declared concentrators.)

Archaeology

Students should see Professor Ksenija Borojevic in the Archaeology Department (STO 345B); she will assign them to a permanent advisor. Students should begin the process ASAP. (No additional mailing will be sent to newly declared concentrators.) The best way to reach Professor Borojevic is to go to her office during her office hours (Tuesdays 12:30-1:30 and Thursdays 3:30-5). If those times conflict with your class schedule, call (617-358-1649) or e-mail Professor Borojevic at (boro@bu.edu) to make an appointment.

Art History

Students should report to the Art History Department where an advisor will be assigned. Specific requests for advisors will most likely be honored. Students should begin the process ASAP. A departmental course brochure will be available in CAS 302. Continuing students should bring their departmental file to meetings with their advisors. New concentrators should bring an unofficial transcript. (No additional mailing will be sent to newly declared concentrators.)

Astronomy

Students should arrange a meeting with Professor Jeffrey Hughes, Director of Undergraduate Studies, by sending him an e-mail (hughes@bu.edu). Professor Hughes will discuss the student's interests and career plans, assign an astronomy faculty advisor, and add their names to the e-mail list. Undeclared students interested in astronomy are also invited to visit the department to discuss their academic programs and add their names to the e-mail list, if they wish. A handout describing the Astronomy Department and its programs is available at http://www.bu.edu/astronomy/docs/handout.pdf.

Biology

Students should report to the Biology Department for advising. A list will be posted outside the Main Office at 5 Cummington Street assigning faculty advisors to each student. Students must pick up a folder from the office and bring it with them to their appointments. (No additional mailing will be sent to newly declared concentrators.)

Biology/BMB

Case #1 - Freshman Biology Concentrators — All new freshman biology concentrators are advised in the Introductory Biology Office, Rm. 301 in the Metcalf Science Center. They are assigned an advisor alphabetically by their last names for the first year. Students will not receive an e-mail mailing about this procedure, but each new biology concentrator has a peer advisor assigned to him/her who will telephone the student and make them aware of the advising procedure. Students should begin ASAP.

Case #2 - Freshman BUMP, BMB, or Biotechnology Concentrators, and all continuing students — Students should report to the Biology Department for advising. A list will be posted outside the Main Office at 5 Cummington Street, assigning faculty advisors to each student. Students need to pick up a folder from the office and bring it with them to their appointments. (No additional mailing will be sent to newly declared concentrators.)

Chemistry

Students should report to Sally Moy (sallym@bu.edu) in the Chemistry Department, Room SCI 299. She will schedule an initial appointment with a permanent advisor. Students should schedule registration appointments two weeks before University-wide registration begins.

Classical Studies

The Classical Studies Department sends a letter to all declared concentrators, which explains the registration process. Concentrators who do not yet have an advisor should plan to meet with Professor Várhelyi in STH 404 to discuss picking a Classical Studies faculty member for advising. Old concentrators should make an advising appointment with their advisor. Students should begin the process ASAP; registration materials can be picked up in advance in the Classical Studies Department office, STH 414. Students should bring registration forms (preferably completed) to their advising appointments.

Computer Science

Students potentially interested in selecting computer science as a major or minor are encouraged to explore the department website at http://www.cs.bu.edu/ugradprogram, contact Professor Leo Reyzin, Director of Undergraduate Studies, at reyzin@bu.edu, and place themselves on the department's electronic mailing list at http://cs-mailman.bu.edu/mailman/listinfo/cs-ugrads. Newly declared students will be assigned an advisor in early October or March; students who need registration advising but declare after those dates (or don't receive an e-mail informing them of their advisor assignment) should contact Charles Willis at cwillis@bu.edu to request an advisor assignment./p>

Earth Sciences

Students are encouraged to meet with Professor David Marchant, Director of Undergraduate Studies, at their convenience (CAS 144). All declared majors will be contacted by e-mail with instructions for advising and registration. Prior to advising meetings, it is helpful if students consult the ES course list and major requirements (information in Department Office and on department website at http://www.bu.edu/es).

East Asian Studies

Contact Ms. Sheila Lynch in the International Relations Department. She will be able to put all newly declared East Asian studies majors in touch with the Director of Undergraduate Studies, Professor Joseph Fewsmith.

Economics

Students should report to the Economics Department, where they will initially meet with Mr. Daryl Graves. He will review each student’s program and assign him/her to a faculty advisor. Economics begins early advising appointments three weeks before TELREG/WEBREG begins. Please call the main office to set up an appointment once you've received notice from the department of the advising schedule. Students should begin the process ASAP. (No additional mailing will be sent to newly declared concentrators.)

English

Students should report to Alec Barnes in the English Department to be assigned an advisor. Students should begin the process promptly, before registration. No additional mailing will be sent to newly declared concentrators. Please note: declared students should come to the main office on the 4th floor of the English Department. When students come to their advising appointments, they should bring an unofficial transcript.

Geography & Environment (Human Geography, Physical Geography, Environmental Science and Environmental Analysis & Policy

Students should report to the department main office and meet with Ms. Sayaka Yamaki (Room STO 467). She will review each student's program and assign him/her to a faculty advisor. Students can also contact the Director of Undergraduate Studies, Professor Ian Sue Wing, for more information. No additional mailing will be sent to newly declared concentrators. Pre-registration advising begins three weeks prior to the first day of undergraduate registration. Up-to-date information and instructions can be found on the bulletin board just outside Ms. Yamaki’s office, or in the Geography & Environment student lounge (Room STO 442).

History

All declared concentrators should be receiving the monthly newsletter—the October issue will contain information outlining the registration process. Students may also consult the department's website at http://www.bu.edu/history/news.html for course and registration information. Appointments will begin October 16. It is helpful if majors bring a tentative course plan as well as a copy of degree advice (from the Link) to the advising meeting. Any new students should see the History Department secretary who will assist them in choosing an advisor.

International Relations

Students should report to the Department of International Relations where they will initially meet with Ms. Sheila Lynch. She will review each student’s program and assign him/her to a permanent faculty advisor. Students should begin the process ASAP. (No additional mailing will be sent to newly declared concentrators.)

Latin American Studies

Contact Ms. Sheila Lynch in the International Relations Department. She will be able to put all newly declared Latin American Studies majors in touch with the Director of Undergraduate Studies, Professor Strom Thacker.

Mathematics & Statistics

Students considering a major/minor in Mathematics & Statistics should visit the Mathematics Department office where they will receive assistance in choosing a faculty advisor. Appointments are made with individual advisors. Concentrators should ask to be placed on the department’s electronic mailing list.

Modern Languages & Comparative Literature

The Department posts details of upper-level course offerings on the departmental website at http://www.bu.edu/mlcl. Newly declared majors and minors should register with CAS Records (B-3). CAS will forward this information to the department; new majors and minors will be contacted by e-mail and invited to select an advisor.

Music

The department completes a mailing to all declared students that includes information on advising and registration procedure. Students should make an appointment as soon as possible with Professor Jeremy Yudkin, CAS Music Advisor, at yudkinj@bu.edu, Department of Musicology, 808 Commonwealth Avenue, 2nd floor. Additional questions may be answered by calling 617-353-3341.

Neuroscience

All declared majors will receive an e-mail from the program office with instructions on how to set up an advising appointment within four weeks of the registration period. Newly declared majors should contact Lindsey Clarkson (lclarkso@bu.edu) in the Undergraduate Program in Neuroscience main office, 2 Cummington Street, Room 109C, to ensure they are on the list.

Philosophy

New concentrators should see a staff person in the Philosophy Department (STH 516) to choose an advisor based on the student’s interests. Students should begin the process two to three weeks before the TELREG/WEBREG start date and should bring registration forms (preferably completed) to their advising appointments. (No additional mailing will be sent to newly declared concentrators.) NOTE: There are special advisors for combination Philosophy and Joint Concentrators. Staff in STH 516 or STH 537A will direct students with these special interests.

Physics

New concentrators are assigned a faculty advisor by the Physics Department office (SCI255, 3-7286). Each new concentrator receives a personal e-mail announcing her or his new advisor and providing the advisor’s contact information. When registration material becomes available, each concentrator identifies a tentative schedule and then meets with his or her advisor for discussion and approval. A signed record of the meeting is taken to the Department office, where a copy of it is exchanged for the TELREG/ WEBREG advising code needed for pre-registration. Undeclared students interested in physics should come to the Department office ASAP. An advisor will be assigned to discuss the choice of appropriate prerequisites.

Political Science

All students must make appointments with their advisors by stopping by the PO Department main office (232 Bay State Rd, 2nd Fl) and signing up in the appointment book—all appointments must be made in person in the PO Department. Calls will not be accepted to set up appointments. Upon signing up for an advising appointment, students will pick up a registration packet which includes a course selection worksheet, which students must complete and bring to their appointment. Students needn't bring any paperwork to their meeting besides the worksheet. Advising meetings will begin two weeks prior to the first registration. Specific department registration information will be sent via e-mail to all students with a declared major four weeks prior to the first registration session.

Psychology

Students should see Dr. Joanne Hebden Palfai in the Psychology Department (Room 149B) or Katie O’Shea in the main office (Rm. 149B) to be assigned an advisor and pick up a registration packet. All new majors are required to attend a departmental orientation/advising session, dates of which will be available to students when they are assigned an advisor. Once students have attended an orientation session, they may schedule an appointment with their faculty advisor. Sign-up sheets will be posted on advisors’ doors. All students must bring a registration form (available in the Psychology Department’s main office, Room 149) and an unofficial transcript or a copy of their degree advice to the advising appointment. Students should begin the advising process 2-3 weeks prior to the WEBREG start date. An e-mail will be sent to all declared majors reminding them of registration dates and procedures approximately four weeks prior to the first registration start date.

Religion

Students should report to Wendy Czik in the Religion Department (145 Bay State Rd, Room 201) to be assigned an advisor and to fill out departmental advising forms. Students with particular concerns may contact Paula Fredriksen, 145 BSR Room 101, x4431, e-mail augfred@bu.edu.

Romance Studies

CAS students declare the major/minor by completing a form in CAS B-3. Once they have done this, they should go to http://www.bu.edu/rs/forms/welcome to express any advising preferences so the department can assign an advisor. Students from other colleges use the minor forms from their college; they should check in at this department's website prior to submitting the form to their own college since they will need an advisor's signature on the declaration form. Contact Katie McNamara, department administrator, or Carol Neidle, director of undergraduate studies, with any questions or problems. Complete staff information is available at http://www.bu.edu/rs/people/administration/senior-administrative-staff.html.

Russia & East European Studies

Students should report to the Department of International Relations where they will initially meet with Ms. Sheila Lynch, who will review each student's program and assign him/her to a permanent faculty advisor. Students should begin the process ASAP. (No additional mailing will be sent to newly declared concentrators.)

Sociology

All new concentrators should report to the Sociology Department (second floor at 96-100 Cummington Street, behind Warren Towers, tel. 617-353-2591) in order to be assigned an advisor based upon their interests and faculty advising loads. Students should then go directly to the faculty advisor's office to sign-up for an advising appointment. Sign-up sheets will be posted on faculty doors. Students should make their appointments well before their registration date (at least 2 weeks in advance) to ensure timely approval of their course selections. New concentrators should also bring a copy of their most recent unofficial transcript to the first meeting.