Transfer/Course Approval Form

For Transfer Credit from Biology Courses Taken at other Accredited Institutions*:

1. Obtain the Syllabus
   • Upload the full course syllabus from the relevant semester using the form below.
   • Syllabus should include the course and lab curriculum's full schedule.
   • If not available online, request it from the instructor or offering institution.
   • If current syllabus is unavailable, request from the last offered semester.
2. Evaluation by Biology Faculty:
   • Faculty will evaluate the course to determine its equivalence to UR courses.
   • If there's no exact equivalency, faculty may offer a generic assessment.
   • Please note application to a major or minor requires further approval from major advisor
3. Communication of Results:
   • The biology department undergraduate office will inform you of the evaluation results.
   • Approved courses will include a Course Approval form with signatures under the "elective approval" column.
4. Students Planning to Apply Approved Transfer Credit to their Program of Study Will Need to Get Major Approval 
   • Once the student receives the signed form, if they want to use the credit towards their major, they need to see the academic advisor of their intended program of study.
   • Advisor's sign-off confirms suitability for your academic goals.
   • Visit the UR Biology Department's advising website for advisor contact information.
   • Email the Form to CCAS
5. Students Not Planning to Apply Approved Transfer Credit to their Program of Study 
   • Email the Form to the CCAS

*Students planning to take biology courses abroad should first meet with their track advisor to discuss how the courses might apply to their major, before completing this form.

For Transfer Credit of Non-Biology Courses Accredited Institutions:

1. Download the course approval form from the CCAS website.
   • Refer to the form for full instructions.

Guidelines and Restrictions

1. Courses cannot be "pre-professional" in nature (i.e., nutrition, nursing, or technical training, such as EMT training)
2. Class offerings are through a biology department or equivalent
3. Courses count toward a biology degree at the hosting institution 
4. There is sufficient overlap in content with biology courses offered at the University of Rochester
5. UR courses must fulfill at least half of the requirements in biology concentrations. These restrictions do not apply to ancillary field courses. Be sure to consult your advisor before considering courses at other institutions
6. Only courses with scores of 'C' or better will transfer, see The Advising Handbook on Transfer Credit guidelines for College policies for further directions on where to send transcripts once the course is taken
7. Current students must have transfer credit approved before taking them