Prospective Students

Frequently Asked Questions

Special Edition FAQs: COVID-19

(last updated 1/13/2021)

We have received a number of questions regarding the University's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. We will keep this page updated with best current information.  If you have additional questions, please email an advisor or bioadv@pitt.edu.

Index

Fall classes

Spring classes

Summer classes

General Advising

S/NC grade option

General S/NC Questions

S/NC Questions Related to Degree Requirements

Seniors

How do I appeal for a late W for a fall 2020 class?

If you earned a grade of B- or below, No Credit (NC), or Unsatisfactory (U), and you believe your performance was severely impacted by the pandemic, you may petition to request a late withdrawal (W) from the affected course(s) after grades are posted. This requires that you

  • Discuss the late W with your academic advisor to understand how the W will impact your academic progress
  • Complete a Late Withdrawal Advisor Review Form with your academic advisor
  • Upload the completed Late Withdrawal Advisor Review Form to this survey.

How do I know if my class is in-person or online?

You should check at least 3 places:

  • The class schedule.  If the class is listed as WEB-based, it will be entirely remote for the entire semester. If a classroom is listed, you must check the operational posture and the course syllabus for more information.
  • The University's operational posture.  If we are in high risk, all classes will be 100% remote.  If we are in elevated risk, most classes will be online, but some classes  with a classroom may meet in person.  If we are in guarded risk, classes with a listed classroom may have optional in-person meetings - check with your course syllabus for details. Your course syllabus should outline how it will meet for each posture and how you will be notified if there is a change.
  • Course syllabus.  This will have detailed information regarding how a class will run and how changes will be communicated.

I want to take all of my classes online.  How do I sign up for this?

You do not need to sign up for anything official to take classes online.  With Flex@Pitt, students will have the option to take all of their classes online regardless of how they are listed in the course schedule or the operational posture.  Please see your syllabus or check with your instructor for details about how this work.  And please note that online classes will still have LIVE class meeting times.

For online classes, can we have overlapping classes (classes at the same time)?

No.  Most classes will be having synchronous meetings during the scheduled course time - either in-person or online depending on the class and operational posture.  You should keep this time free to be able to engage with the class and instructor. 

Why aren't class sizes larger for online classes?

Online classes have the same (if not more) requirements for grading and interaction with students.  There is no plan to increase enrollment in online classes.

Will labs be in-person?

Most labs will offer in-person options depending on the operational posture of the University.  Please check with the course syllabus and the current posture for best information.

Can I take a lab online?

With Flex@Pitt, students will have the option to take all of their classes (including labs) online regardless of how they are listed in the course schedule or the operational posture.  Please see your syllabus or check with your instructor for details about how this work.  And please note that online classes will still have LIVE class meeting times.

Will we be able to change our grades to S/NC at the end of the term?

No. Students can choose their grade option (letter grade or S/NC) up through the 4th week of class.  The deadline to make this decision Wednesday, September 16. See the calendar here.

How do I enroll in research credits

  1. Once you have a research mentor and project find the correct research credit form (BIOSC 1901, 1903 or 1904)
  2. Complete the personal info and project portions of the form yourself. Students receive 1 credit for 5 hours/week of research.
  3. Complete the bottom of the form with your research mentor (and BIOSC co-sponsor for external research labs)
  4. Make sure all portions of the form are completed and all signatures present.
  5. To turn in your form, complete this survey by the end of business 2/4.

Which research form do I need?

  • First term in a research lab/learning the ropes: BIOSC 1901
  • Continuing research on an independent project in a lab inside the Dept of BIOSC: BIOSC 1903 - internal
  • Continuing research on an independent project in a lab outside the Dept of BIOSC: BIOSC 1903 - external
  • Honors research (already accepted) in a lab inside the Dept of BIOSC: BIOSC 1904 - internal
  • Honors research (already accepted) in a lab outside the Dept of BIOSC: BIOSC 1904 - external

How do I sign up for UTA credits?

  1. Once you have a UTA position find the BIOSC 1690 form
  2. Complete the personal and class info at the top fo the form. Students receive 1 credit for 5 hours/week of work.
  3. Complete the rest of the form with your UTA mentor.
  4. Make sure all portions of the form are completed and all signatures present.
  5. To turn in your form, complete this survey by the end of business 2/4

What will summer classes look like for summer 2021?

Summer at Pitt will continue under the Flex@Pitt model and includes all of our regularly offered summer BIOSC classes.  Under the Flex@Pitt model, all classes can be taken remotely, but synchronous participation will be expected. Summer open enrollment begins February 15th.  

 

Which BIOSC  courses  will be offered summer 2021?

We will be offering most of our usual summer classes along with PLE field courses (under the Flex@Pitt model).  Please note: this schedule is subject to change. 

The complete Summer 2021 schedule will be live in early February.

6 week 1 (May 17 - June 25):  

BIOSC 0041 + 0042: Anatomy for the Health Professions and lab (must be taken together) 

BIOSC 0057: Foundations of Biology Research Lab 1 

BIOSC 0067: Foundations of Biology Research Lab 2 

BIOSC 0150: Foundations of Biology 1 

BIOSC 0160: Foundations of Biology 2 

BIOSC 0350: Genetics 

BIOSC 0370 + 0390: Ecology and lab (must be taken together – offered as PLE 3-week course) * 

BIOSC 1000: Biochemistry 

BIOSC 1010: Communicating in the Biological Sciences 

BIOSC 1850: Microbiology 

BIOSC 1855: Microbiology Lab 

PLE courses (3-week courses May 17 - June 4 and June 7 - June 25) *

6 week 2 (June 28 - August 6):  

BIOSC 0067: Foundations of Biology Research Lab 2 

BIOSC 0160: Foundations of Biology 2 

BIOSC 0370 + 0390: Ecology and lab (must be taken together – offered as PLE 3-week course) *  

BIOSC 1000: Biochemistry 

BIOSC 1250: Human Physiology 

BIOSC 1255: Physiology Lab 

PLE courses (3-week courses June 28 - July 16 and July 19 - August 6) *

* PLE courses will be offered this summer using the current Flex@Pitt format.  The courses can be taken 100% remotely but may have some optional in-person activities meeting the instructor or TA at sites in Pittsburgh/PLE surroundings.  There will be no housing at PLE.  PLEASE NOTE – most but not all of the PLE courses will count as field/lab courses – more details to follow.  Disease Ecology (HL) will be offered, but it will NOT count as a field/lab course.

Will PLE courses be offered in summer 2021?

PLE courses will be offered this summer using the current Flex@Pitt format.  The courses can be taken 100% remotely but may have some optional in-person activities meeting the instructor or TA at sites in Pittsburgh/PLE surroundings.  There will be no housing at PLE.  PLEASE NOTE – most but not all of the PLE courses will count as field/lab courses – more details to follow.  Disease Ecology (HL) will be offered, but it will NOT count as a field/lab course. The summer course schedule with specific PLE courses listed will be published in early February.

When is my summer enrollment appointment?

All students may enroll on Monday, February 15.  This is  open enrollment; there are not individual enrollment times. 

How do I get my summer enrollment hold lifted?

You will need to make an enrollment appointment with a bio advisor to discuss course scheduling.  You may use the same appointment to discuss Fall 2021 class scheduling and have both holds lifted at the same time. 

Please schedule an appointment using the Navigate Student app, or access the Navigate Student website.

How can I talk with a bio advisor?

The Bio Advising Office is open virtually! The advisors are available by to talk by email, phone, and Zoom.

For phone and Zoom appointments, please schedule through Navigate Student and choose from the following:

  • Pre-Enrollment Advising: If you need your academic advisement holds removed.
  • General Advising: If you have general advising questions that are more extensive and related to academic planning, career goals, etc.
  • 10 Minute Question: If you have quick questions that are easier to talk through than back-and-forth emails.

If you want to email - please reach out to either bioadv@pitt.edu or to a specific advisor if there is one with whom you feel most comfortable talking. Please do not send the same email to multiple advisors.

How do I schedule an appointment with a bio advisor?

Use the Navigate Student app to schedule advising appointments with a biology advisor. The app is available on line here: https://pitt.guide.eab.com/app/#!/authentication/remote/ or from the App Store or Google Play Store by searching for "Navigate Student".   

Once you download the app, you will be prompted to 

  • Select your school (University of PIttsburgh)
  • Sign in with your Pitt username and password
  • Authenticate your login usig two-factor authentication
  • Fill out a short survey about your academic experiences and interests

After you've taken these steps, use the app to schedule an appointment with a biology advisor:

  • Click on the purple "Appointments" button on the Explore menu
  • Click on the blue "Schedule an Appointment" bar at the bottom of the My Appointments screen
  • For Care Unit, hoose "Advising"
  • For Location, choose "A258 Langley Hall - Biological Sciences"
  • For Service, choose the service that is appropriate for you (see above for details). 
  • Choose an Appointment Time* that works for your schedule (you may schedule with any advisor)
  • In the Comments field, please give a brief description of your goals for the meeting and your preference for type of meeting (phone or video conference).

Your biology advisor will reach out with contact information and details on how to prepare for your meeting!

Please note: If you cannot make an appointment you have scheduled, please log back in and cancel the appointment (and reschedule if necessary).  If you do not notify us and do not show up, you may be blocked from making further appointments.

*Appointments must be made at least 4 hours in advance.  You will not be able to get an appointment at the last minute, although we can answer simple questions via email.  Please plan accordingly.

How do I know what will get me a Satisfactory (S) grade as opposed to a No Credit (NC) grade?

Per Pitt's Policy, the table below tells you which letter grades will convert to S and which will convert to NC for undergraduate courses.

Regardless of whether you earn S or NC, neither will impact your Pitt GPA. However, an S earns you the credits for the course, whereas an NC does not earn you the credits.

A+ / A / A-

converts to

S

B+ / B / B-

converts to

S

C+ / C

converts to

S

C-

converts to

NC

D+ / D / D-

converts to

NC

F

converts to

NC

When do I have to decide on switching a course to S/NC?

For Fall 2020, the deadline to switch a course to S/NC is Wednesday, September 16.  Grade option changes can be made through your student center until Friday, September 4th.  After this deadline, students may submit a Grade Option form to the Office of Student Records (email: studentrecords@as.pitt.edu).

More details on the Dietrich School's calendar can be found here.

How do I switch a course to S/NC?

Grade option changes can be made through your student center until Friday, September 4th.  After this deadline, students may submit a Grade Option form to the Office of Student Records (email: studentrecords@as.pitt.edu).

I am repeating a course, will an S/NC grade count as a repeated attempt?

If you earn a Satisfactory (S) grade, this will count as a repeated attempt. Your original grade and credits earned will be excluded from your GPA calculation and total credit count, respectively.

If you earn a No Credit (NC) grade, this will NOT count as a repeated attempt. Your original grade and credits earned will continue to be included in your GPA calculation and total credit count, respectively.

How do I decide which of my courses should be switched to S/NC?

Check out our decision trees for help on how to decide.

I'm enrolled in more than 1 BIOSC course this term, can I use S/NC for all of them?

No. Students with a major in the Department of Biological Sciences may take ONE of their major BIOSC courses for S/NC credit.  Please note that this does NOT include any courses taken during the Spring of 2020.

If I took a bio course S/NC last semester (Spring 2020), does that mean that I cannot take a bio course as S/NC in the future?

No. Any courses taken for S/NC credit during the Spring of 2020 will NOT be counted in the totals allowed for majors.  In the Department of BIological Sciences, majors may take ONE BIOSC class for S/NC credit.  If you took one (or more) BIOSC classe for S/NC in the Spring of 2020, you still have your available one class.

If you already used your one S/NC option for a BIOSC course prior to Spring 2020, then you may not take an additional BIOSC course for S/NC credit in Fall 2020.

I already used my 1 bio S/NC before Spring 2020 - may I take another BIOSC course for S/NC in the fall of 2020?

Since you have used up your 1 bio S/NC prior to Spring 2020, you will not be not be allowed to change any BIOSC courses to S/NC in the Fall 2020.

I am trying to get the chem minor, may I take one (or more) of my CHEM courses for S/NC credit.

No.  The chemistry minor requires that all courses taken be for Letter Grade (LG) and that they average a 2.0.  Please note that this does not apply to courses taken during the Spring 2020 term; S/NC is allowed for chem minor courses in that term as long as an 'S' was earned.

What are the rules on S/NC for general education requirements or wildcard courses?

There are none in our department. We have never had restrictions on how many gen eds or wildcards you elect to take on an S/NC basis.

If you are enrolled in any courses that are required for another major/minor/certificate, you may want to double check about the S/NC grade option with those departments.

 

How will taking an S look for med/grad/dent/pharm/vet/PA/etc. school applications?

Historically, it is recommended that you opt for letter grades for courses that are considered pre-requisites for admissions to your preferred graduate programs. However, it is worth realizing that every institution across the country has been affected by the pandemic and will know that this was an unusual term.

We recommend that you regularly check for up-to-date information from the national associations. If you are on a pre-health path, the Pitt Interprofessional Center for Health Careers may also be a valuable resource at this time.

 

How do I apply for December/April graduation?

You can now do this digitally! Go to Student Records - the applications are on the right side in the blue boxes.

For December 2020 grad applicants: email your complete application to machi@pitt.edu by Tuesday, July 7. (This deadline has now passed and you may be subject to a late fee.)

For April 2021 grad applicants: You will apply after you enroll in Spring 2021 classes in October.  Applications are due by Thursday, November 5th.