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Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Student Announcements

This page contains announcements and reminders for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology undergraduate students


Announcements from Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, March 19, 2024

I hope everyone had a wonderful Spring Break. Below, you will find important dates and deadlines for the remainder of the semester. 

Fall Early Registration: April 8 - 26, 2024

Advising

Starting immediately:  If you haven’t already done so, please schedule an advising appointment through the “Advising Appointment” tile in the Student Information section of MyUI. Contact Judy Means (judy-means@uiowa.edu) if your advisor does not use the scheduler.

Double majors: You may obtain authorization to register from your non-BMB advisor; however, we encouraged you to meet with your BMB advisor as well. 

First-year students: You will be notified when you are transferred from the Academic Advising Center to a BMB Advisor (after you have completed 29 credit hours). If you are advised at Academic Advising, you should make an appointment with them. 

Preparation for your advising meeting:

  • Make a list of the courses you want to take during the Fall semester.
  • Be sure your degree intention is listed correctly.  Students in CLAS may email clas-undergrad@uiowa.edu to declare a major, add a new major, and/or drop a major.  The email must come from your University of Iowa email account and include your University ID number and Hawk ID. 

Graduating with Honors

Attention seniors graduating with Honors in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology: We will send out more information on the Lata Symposium (see below) and the process for graduating with Honors in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology soon.  Honors theses should be completed and approved by mentors by the end of the semester.  Final Honors theses must be submitted electronically (to Judy Means) on Monday of Finals Week.

Events and Opportunities

20th Annual Gene F. Lata Biochemistry Undergraduate Honors Symposium: The 20th Annual Lata Undergraduate Honors Symposium is scheduled for Tuesday, April 30 at 1:00 - ~4:00 PM in 1117 MERF.  Graduating Biochemistry and Molecular Biology majors will present their research projects. Students obtaining Honors in BMB are required to present. Any student taking BMB:4999 is welcome to present. More information is forthcoming. 

Opportunities in BMB: Remember to check the Opportunities website for information on career fairs, research fellowships, and events. 

Important Dates For the Remainder of the Spring Semester

April 15:  Last day for undergraduates to drop individual semester-length courses without collegiate approval and last day for undergraduates to withdraw entire registration without collegiate approval

May 3:  Close of classes and last day for undergraduates to file second-grade-only option

May 6-10:  Final Examination Week

Announcements from Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, January 22, 2024

Below you will find important dates and deadlines for this semester. Please check MyUI for the name of your advisor and your scheduled registration date and time. You must meet with your advisor prior to your scheduled time to obtain authorization to register. 

Summer/Fall Early Registration

March 4-8:  Early registration for the Summer 2024 session 

April 8-26:  Early registration for the Fall 2024 session


Advising

  • Starting in February:  Schedule an advising appointment through the “Advising Appointment’ tile in the Student Information section of MyUI. Contact Judy Means (judy-means@uiowa.edu) if your advisor does not use the scheduler.
  • Double majors: You may obtain authorization to register from your non-BMB advisor; however, we encouraged you to meet with your BMB advisor as well.
  • First-year students: You will be notified when you are transferred from the Academic Advising Center to a BMB Advisor (after you have completed 29 credit hours). If you are advised at Academic Advising, you should make an appointment with them.
  • Preparation for your advising meeting:
    • Make a list of the courses you want to take in the summer and/or fall semester.
    • Be sure your degree intention is listed correctly.  Students in CLAS may email clas-undergrad@uiowa.edu to declare a major, add a new major, and/or drop a major.  The email must come from your University of Iowa email account and include your University ID number and Hawk ID. 


Course and Registration Changes

Courses can be added or dropped electronically using MyUI. See Change in Registration for directions. 

January 16-22:  Students may add, drop, or change existing registration on MyUI without permissions needed.

January 23:  Registration changes require permissions in MyUI. Students must use MyUI to make changes to their registration with the required permissions.  All permissions must be requested by the student.  Instructions for each type of change in registration can be found here. For assistance with registration changes for online courses, see Distance and Online Education, Registration Changes page and/or contact Distance and Online Education, Registration/Student Services at doe-reg@uiowa.edu, or 319-335-2575.   

January 29:  Last day to add/drop a course without collegiate approval. 

April 15: Last day to drop individual semester-long courses or to withdraw entire registration without the Collegiate Dean’s approval.

May 3: Close of classes and last day to file for second grade-only option. 


Spring 2024 Graduation

February 23:  Last day to apply for May graduation.  A Degree Application must be completed before this date through the MyUI student portal.  Degree applications submitted after this date will be assessed a late fee. If you plan to graduate with Honors in the Major and do not see the prompt to select Request Honors in the Major in the Degree application, please contact Dr. Lori Wallrath (lori-wallrath@uiowa.edu).

May 9-12: Graduation ceremonies.


Events and Opportunities

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Club (BMBC): The Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Club (BMBC) is an active student-run, faculty-sponsored association that brings together Biochemistry and Molecular Biology undergraduate majors for educational and social events. Past activities include pizza with Professors, laboratory open houses, science movie screenings and picnics with graduate students. The mission state of this club is to provide community among Biochemistry undergraduate majors at the University of Iowa and to offer resources and support to its members that will foster success as an undergraduate student, professional development, and career planning.  For more information, please contact the BMBC president, Ethan Hahlbeck (ethan-hahlbeck@uiowa.edu) or Christian Brandt (christian-brandt@uiowa.edu). Keep an eye on your e-mail from Judy Means, as we will be announcing Spring semester events. 

Opportunities in BMB: Remember to check the Opportunities website for information on career fairs, research fellowships, and events. 
 

Announcements from Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, October 2, 2023

Winter/Spring Early Registration

November 6-December 1:  Early registration for the Winter 2023 and Spring 2024 sessions is rapidly approaching.  Please check MyUI for your scheduled registration date and time. You must meet with your advisor to be authorized to register. Please check MyUI for the name of your advisor. See below for information on how to schedule an appointment. 


Advising

  • Now through November 1:  Schedule an advising appointment through the “Advising Appointment’ tile in the Student Information section of MyUI. Contact Judy Means (judy-means@uiowa.edu) if your advisor does not use the scheduler.
  • Double majors: You may obtain authorization to register from your non-BMB advisor; however, we encouraged you to meet with your BMB advisor as well.
  • First-year students: You will be notified when you are transferred from the Academic Advising Center to a BMB Advisor (after you have completed 29 credit hours). If you are advised at Academic Advising, you should make an appointment with them.
  • Preparation for your advising meeting:
    • Make a list of the courses you want to take next semester. 
    • Be sure your degree intention is listed correctly.  Students in CLAS may email clas-undergrad@uiowa.edu to declare a major, add a new major, and/or drop a major.  The email must come from your University of Iowa email account and include your University ID number and Hawk ID. 


Undergraduate Research/Independent Courses  

Winter Session Credit Available: Students can register for 1 or 2 s.h. of credit in BMB:3993 or BMB:4999 for the Winter Session (December 18, 2023 – January 12, 2024). Students are expected to spend 20+ hours/week in the laboratory to receive 1 s.h. of credit and 40 hours/week for 2 s.h. Speak to your advisor and your research mentor if you are interested in this option. 

Advanced Undergrad Biochemistry Research (BMB:4999): This course is available to B.S. and B.A. majors to meet the research requirement (B.S.) or Honors in BMB. The prerequisites for BMB:4999 are BMB 3120, 3130, 3140, and 3150 with grades of B- or better, and previous research experience (such as BMB:3993).  Students usually start 4999 either in the summer after their junior year or in the fall of their senior year.  Students interested in 4999 should speak to their research mentor during the spring semester.  If you have questions about 4999 or are doing research outside of BMB, please contact the BMB Honors Advisor Professor Lori Wallrath (lori-wallrath@uiowa.edu). 

Development of Senior Research Project (BMB:3150): This course is a prerequisite for BMB:4999. Junior B.A. or B.S. majors planning to take BMB:4999 must take Development of Senior Research Project during the Spring prior to taking BMB:4999. 


Events and Opportunities

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Club (BMBC) Event:

Interested in networking with BMB graduate and undergraduate students?  Would you like to learn more about graduate school? If so, you are invited to lunch with BMB graduate students on Sunday, October 8th @ 12:00 PM at the Iowa City Public Library, Meeting Room B.  Please RSVP to Judy Means (biochem@uiowa.edu) by 5:00 PM on October 4th. 

This event is organized by BMBC, a student-run organization that brings together majors for events. For more information, see the BMBC website and/or contact the BMBC co-presidents, Ethan Hahlbeck (ethan-hahlbeck@uiowa.edu) and Christian Brandt (christian-brandt@uiowa.edu).

Opportunities in BMB: Reminder to check the Opportunities website for information on career fairs, research fellowships, and events.


Announcements from Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, August 22, 2023

Welcome new and returning BMB Majors! I hope your semester is already off to a great start. Throughout the year, you will receive email messages from Judy Means, Academic Program Management Associate. Please pay close attention to these messages, as they will provide important information.

Course and Registration Changes

Courses can be added or dropped electronically using MyUI. See Change in Registration for directions. 

August 21-27: Students may add, drop, or change existing registration on MyUI without permissions needed. 

August 28:  Registration changes require permissions in MyUI. Students must use MyUI to make changes to their registration with required permissions.  All permissions must be requested by the student.  Instructions for each type of change in registration can be found here. For assistance with registration changes for online courses, see Distance and Online Education, Registration Changes page and/or contact Distance and Online Education, Registration/Student Services at doe-reg@uiowa.edu, or 319-335-2575.  

September 1: Last day to add/drop a course without collegiate approval. Last day to change existing registration in MyUI. 

Please note: If MyUI will not allow a change in registration, please use the e-mail option.

November 13: Last day to drop individual semester-long courses or to withdraw entire registration without Collegiate Dean’s approval.

December 8: Close of classes and last day to file for second grade-only option. 


Fall 2023 Graduation

September 29:  Last day to apply for December graduation. A Degree Application must be completed before this date through the MyUI student portal.  Degree applications submitted after this date will be assessed a late fee.

If you plan to graduate with Honors in the Major and do not see the prompt to select Request Honors in the Major in the Degree application, please contact Dr. Lori Wallrath (lori-wallrath@uiowa.edu).

December 14-17: Graduation ceremonies


Events and Opportunities

August 30: Pizza with Professors @ 4:00 PM in the MERF Atrium (first floor). Please RSVP to Judy Means (biochem@uiowa.edu) by August 25th. Meet other BMB majors and professors, learn about research opportunities, and obtain career advice over pizza. 

This event is organized by the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Club (BMBC), a student-run organization that brings together majors for events. For more information, see the BMBC website and/or contact the BMBC co-presidents, Ethan Hahlbeck (ethan-hahlbeck@uiowa.edu) and Christian Brandt (christian-brandt@uiowa.edu).

Opportunities in BMB: For information on career fairs, research fellowships, and events, visit the Opportunities website.