Undergraduate Advising

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. An academic advisor in the Biology Department is an important resource for your career at Tufts and beyond.

Getting an advisor is easy. View which faculty members are accepting advisees, reach out to him/her to meet during office hours (office hours are also listed on the bulletin board across from the Biology Department office, Robinson Hall, Room 369) to discuss what courses you've taken so far. Once someone has agreed to be your advisor, please complete the Declaration of Major Form. Make sure to provide your advisor's email address, so s/he will be notified, and can and sign the form electronically.

To summarize:

• Meet with a professor of your choice (review the list of Biology professors who are accepting new advisees).
• Once someone has agreed to be your advisor, complete the Declaration of Major Form.
• Your new advisor will be notified by email once the form is submitted, and will sign the form electronically.