Advising & Mentoring

Marine Biology majors have access to several sources of advising and mentoring.

1) Freshman Advising is provided through University College for Academic Success (UCAS; as for all freshmen in the University). Dr. Andrew Cary and Peter Krafka is currently the UCAS advisors for Marine Biology majors.

The Marine Biology program provides Freshman Group Advising for course registration each fall and spring instead of each student having an individual appointments with the UCAS advisor (these are announced via E-mail by the MBio program prior to registration dates). Bio 130 Instructors and Student Mentors serve as additional advising resources for Freshmen.

When a student has completed 30 credits, has achieved a GPA of >2.0, and has completed BIO 101, 102, 103, 104 with at least a C, and CHM 101 with at least a C-, he/she will be transferred into CELS (College of the Environment and Life Sciences) – no paperwork needed – and will be assigned a permanent faculty advisor from among our marine biology faculty (see below). This generally takes place at the beginning of the Fall of the sophomore year, but may occur later depending on grades and number of credits completed.

2) Marine Biology Faculty Advisors – Advisors meet with sophomores, juniors, and seniors with respect to course choices and graduation requirements, summer and study abroad opportunities, research opportunities, and post-graduation options. Best to contact them via their e-mail addresses below. Other Marine Biology faculty can be contacted by consulting e-mail addresses on the Faculty page.

Dr. Davies – davies@uri.edu

Dr. Putnam– hputnam@uri.edu

Dr. Puritz – jpuritz@uri.edu

Dr. Webb – jacqueline_webb@uri.edu

3) The Program Director (Dr. Webb) is available to all marine biology majors. She sends out e-mails to all Marine Biology majors via the Marine Biology Program listserv (e-mailing list). These contain important information about course registration, field courses, job and internship opportunities, and other items of interest (e.g., guest lectures, seminars). Any student wanting to be added to the Marine Biology listserv should send an e-mail to: urimbio@etal.uri.edu.

Important Advising Resources:

URI Catalog
URI Student Handbook (including policies on Student Conduct and Academic Integrity)
CELS Student Affairs Office (including downloadable forms)
Links for Forms:
- BS Mar Bio “Blue Sheet” (curriculum description and checksheet)
- All CELS forms (e.g., petitions, pre-approval of transfer credit, intention to graduate, etc.)