Q: How does one enroll in BIOL 1010 and 1020 (formerly known as BIOL 101 and 102)

A: In order to confirm a seat in BIOL, you must enroll in lecture (MW @ 11:35 AM – 12:50 PM) for BOTH BIOL 1010 and BIOL 1020 in addition to a 50-minute discussion section (typically designated on Yale Course Search as section A, B, C, etc.) that matches between BIOL 1010 and BIOL 1020, to be taken back-to-back in the same semester.

Please note that BIOL 1010 and BIOL 1020 are non-overlapping, consecutive half-semester modules. BIOL 1010 meets during the FIRST half of the semester and BIOL 1020 meets during the SECOND half of the semester. Typically, students take both in the same semester, followed by BIOL 1030 and BIOL 1040 in the following semester, to complete the year-long BIOL sequence. When you sign up for two modules in the same semester, you MUST sign up for both lecture courses, and you must choose a matching discussion section for each. For instance, if you enroll in BIOL 1010 with discussion section C, you must also enroll in BIOL 1020 with discussion section C. The discussion sections for both courses MUST match!

Q: When do we enroll? 

A: Registration for incoming first-years will open on August 20th (time TBD) and for ALL STUDENTS (incoming and rising/current upper-level) students on August 25th @ 8 AM. Registration will then close on September 9th @ 5 PM.

Q: Does BIOL limit enrollment? Will I be able to get a spot in the BIOL courses?   (YES to both questions!)
A: All the BIOL modules (1010-1040) are offered every semester. For first-year students headed for a bioscience major or who are pre-medical, it should not matter whether you start the series with BIOL 1010-1020 in the Fall or Spring. Everyone who wants to take BIOL 1010-1020 in their first year will be able to do so, but to even out enrollment numbers in the Fall and Spring, we cap enrollment in the Fall. Thus, some first-year students may not be able to secure a seat in BIOL 1010/1020 in the Fall and may need to wait until Spring to take these courses. If you are an upper-level student and did not enroll in BIOL during Spring early registration, email immediately to Profs Thomas Loreng (thomas.loreng@yale.edu) and Edgar Benavides (edgar.benavides@yale.edu) as we would like to guarantee you a spot in BIOL 1010-1020 for the Fall.

Q: How do I know I have a confirmed seat in BIOL?

If you received a seat in the discussion section, you will see a checkmark on your online course selection worksheet under your class registration for BIOL1010  and BIOL1020. If you unseat yourself from your assigned discussion section and decide to sign up for a section that is full, you will be placed on the waitlist for that specific section. As a result, if you are an incoming student, you will not be guaranteed a seat in the discussion section and may be unable to take BIOL1010 and BIOL1020 during the Fall term.

If you are unable to obtain a seat in the discussion section, you will still see that you are registered for the class, but you will be unassigned to a discussion section. This means that you do not have a confirmed seat in the course! If this is the case, and you still want to take the class this Fall term, sign up for a remaining empty spot in a discussion section (if available) or put yourself on a waitlist for a discussion section on the off-chance another student decides to drop the class during shopping period.

Q: Should I be worried if I am an incoming student and wasn’t able to get a seat in Fall BIOL 1010 and BIOL 1020?

IMPORTANTLY, if you are an incoming student and are not able to take BIOL1010/1020 during the Fall term due to the enrollment cap, do not worry!  We strongly emphasize that this should not be a point of stress. Each module is taught in both Fall and Spring to reduce class size and increase flexibility in student schedules. If you are unable to take BIOL 1010/1020 in the Fall term of your first year, we encourage you to start one of the other introductory math or science courses that you might also need to complete. Enrollment in the BIOL1010/1020 modules are uncapped in the Spring term. Thus, you can begin the BIOL sequence in Spring and conclude the series in the following Fall term. We assure you that you will not fall behind in your course studies if you choose to start the BIOL sequence later than the Fall term.

Q: Who do I contact if I have questions about any of this?

A: If you have any questions, please e-mail Profs Thomas Loreng (thomas.loreng@yale.edu) and Edgar Benavides (edgar.benavides@yale.edu).