FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions): BCOR

Enrollment Issues

Can I get a capacity override into a lecture?
Can I get a capacity override into a lab?
There are spaces in a lecture, so why is the section not open to me when I try to enroll?
What if I have AP credit?

Once You're Enrolled

How do I find out what textbook we're using and when labs start?  
What happens if I miss a lab due to illness or something else unforeseen?
Can I reschedule a lab if I know in advance I can't attend one week?


Enrollment Issues

Can I get a capacity override into a lecture?
Overall course capacity is limited for all BCOR courses because lab space and staff are limited.  Also, depending on the room a lecture is scheduled in, it is often not physically possible to accomodate more students in a given section because there are not enough seats. In cases where more than one lecture section is offered and/or lecture seating is not limited, the option to go over capacity to accomodate student needs is sometimes exercised.   Contact the student services coordinator for the course you are interested in to request a capacity override.  


Can I get a capacity override into a lab?
BCOR 11, 12, and 103 have strict lab capacity limits.   Registration generally remains open on a first come first serve basis, so once a certain section is full, the only way to get in is if a registered student switches lab sections or drops.  

BCOR 101 recitations and BCOR 102 labs have more flexible capacity limits.  Nevertheless, we generally try to keep capacity evenly distributed so that teaching loads remain similar among graduate teaching instructors.    Contact the faculty instructor (BCOR 101) or student services coordinator (BCOR 102) to request a capacity override.  


There are spaces in a BCOR 11 (or 12) lecture, so why is the section not open to me when I try to enroll?
There are certain majors whose registration is limited to certain lecture sections. You will need to try to work the open lecture section into your schedule. Refer to the answer above about lecture overrides in the case that you wish to request an exception to this.  


What if I have AP credit?
Incoming students with AP Biology scores of 4 or 5 should discuss their degree program with their advisor. It may be appropriate to register for BCOR 095, Special topics in biology, instead of BCOR 011. Students are also encouraged to complete the Biological Science Placement Exam to determine if BCOR 095 is appropriate.



Once You're Enrolled

How do I find out what textbook we're using and when labs start?  
On the Course Offerings page on this website there are links to the syllabi and/or Blackboard website for each BCOR course. Timely information about each course is posted there.  


What happens if I miss a lab due to illness or something else unforeseen?
Contact your lab TA and/or coordinator and make them aware that you will be unable to attend as expected.  Depending on the course sometimes attendance at a lab later in the week is an option and avoids the need to involve other services.  In those cases, late penalties for assignments not turned in at lab as expected still apply.  Often, missing a lab entails not only the missed activity but a missed quiz and or assignment deadline.  To avoid other point penalties, you must also contact Student Services for the College you are in. They have a procedure for documenting student illnesses and other emergencies and will review your situation and inform course faculty via email as to whether any accomodations.   Your TA retains the right to enforce all course grading policies and to set reasonable limits on what work can be made-up or handed in late.  

• CAS Dean, Student Services

• CALS Dean, Student Services

Can I reschedule a lab if I know in advance I can't attend one week?
Most often, yes.  Contact the lab coordinator and let them know the week you plan to miss and the reason.  Identify which lab sections you could attend to make up the lab that week.  Make a plan with your TA of how you will get any due assignment turned in to him/her.   You should not expect multiple labs to be resceduled for you.  When registering you should choose a lab that will not create undo conflicts with other commitments.  

You will need special permission (Dean's office) to miss a lab completely and not be penalized.  Also, in certain cases because of the nature of the lab, you may not have the option of attending another lab in a given week.  In either case, it may be an option for you to complete the lab write-up with data results provided by your TA.   Each course is different in the way missed labs are handled but we will do our best to work with you, particularly if you are able to notify us in advance.  

Last modified June 22 2010 02:13 PM