Welcome to the Biology Department at Tufts! By declaring a major in biology, you join a long list of students who have used biology to develop active and satisfying careers in research, medicine, biotechnology, conservation, law, finance, environmental consulting, and more. Biology professors are active and well-connected in their field. As your academic advisor, a professor can help you decide which courses serve your needs and interest, whether to take biology courses abroad (and if so, where), how to get involved in independent research, who to see for specific information about medical schools, graduate schools, etc. If you get to know your advisor well enough, s/he will be in a good position to write you a letter of recommendation in your Junior or Senior year. These letters are important when you apply for professional schools, jobs, scholarships, or academic prizes. Obviously, an academic advisor in the Biology Department is a potent resource for your career at Tufts and beyond.

Getting an Advisor is easy. First, pick up a blue Declaration of Major / Change Advisor form in Dowling Hall. They are available for you to pick up at any time at the student services desk. If you already know which professor you'd like to have as an advisor, meet with them during office hours (office hours are listed on the bulletin board across from the Biology Department office, Dana 120) to discuss what courses you've taken so far, and to ask them to sign your blue form.

If you are not yet sure who you'd want as an advisor, drop by the Biology Department office (Dana 120), where a staff assistant can give you a list of Biology faculty members and their research interests. This list is also available at this site by selecting Faculty & Research. By matching these topics with your plans for the future, you can select an advisor who shares some of your interests. You should plan to call or e-mail the faculty member to discuss your interests and plans.

Once you select your advisor and s/he signs the blue form, it is your responsibility to deliver the form to Student Services, Dowling Hall. They will officially record your advisor's name and you will be declared as a Biology major. Congratulations! In addition to adding the Biology major and your new advisor's name to your transcript, this will put you on our mailing list for Biology functions.

To summarize:

1. Get a blue Declaration of Major / Change of Advisor form from Dowling Hall.
2. Pick up a list of Biology faculty and research areas in the Biology Department office (Dana 120), and meet with a professor of your choice.
3. Fill out the blue form and have it signed by your new advisor in Biology.
4. Return the form to Dowling Hall.