Q: How does one enroll in 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 101 and BIOL 102 in addition to a 50-minute discussion section (typically designated on Yale Course Search as section A, B, C, etc.) that matches between BIOL 101 and BIOL 102 to be taken back-to-back in the same semester.

Be advised that BIOL101 and BIOL102 are non-overlapping back-to-back half-semester modules. That is, each module is a HALF semester course: BIOL101 occurring during the FIRST half of the semester and BIOL102 occurring during the SECOND half of the semester. Typically students take them in one semester, followed by BIOL 103 and BIOL 104 the following semester so as to complete the year-long BIOL sequence. If you intend to follow this trajectory, you MUST sign up for lecture and a matching section for each in the same semester. Therefore, you must sign up for (1) BIOL 101 lecture, (2) BIOL 102 lecture, and (3) one discussion section for BIOL 101 and one for BIOL 102, and they must MATCH!

Q: When do we enroll? 

A: Registration for BIOL discussion section for incoming first-years will open on August 28th @ 2:30 PM – 4:30 PM and for ALL STUDENTS (incoming and rising/current upper-level) students on August 29th @ 8 AM. Registration will then close on September 5th @ 5 PM.

Q: Some of my other courses are using preference selection. Is BIOL using preference selection? 
A: Preference selection is not being utilized this year for BIOL. Therefore, you will register for BIOL lecture and section when registration opens for you (see above)! However, if you are an upper-level student and did not enroll in BIOL during Spring early registration, email immediately Profs Loreng (thomas.loreng@yale.edu), Benavides (edgarbenavides1@gmail.com) and Hartman (amaleah.hartman@yale.edu) as we would like to guarantee you a spot in the course.

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

If you received a seat in discussion section, you will see a checkmark on your online course selection worksheet under your class registration for BIOL101 and BIOL102. 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 discussion section and may be unable to take BIOL101 and BIOL102 during the Fall term.

If you unable to obtain a seat in discussion section, you will still see that you are registered for the class but unassigned for 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 101 and BIOL 102?

IMPORTANTLY, if you are an incoming student and are not able to take BIOL101/102 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 101/102 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. The BIOL101/102 modules are typically 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 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 on any of this?

A: If you have any questions, please e-mail Profs Loreng (thomas.loreng@yale.edu), Benavides (edgarbenavides1@gmail.com) and Hartman (amaleah.hartman@yale.edu).