Declaring a Major

First-year and transfer students attending Rutgers School of Environmental and Biological Sciences in the fall will be asked their intended major on their Course Selection Form which they will hand in to their Academic Advisor. Based on their majors, students will be assisted by their advisor in selecting their courses for their fall semester

Transfer students will declare their majors on their course selection form unless otherwise advised at Transfer Advising and Registration Day. The major will be recorded in the Rutgers system and an advisor assignment will be made by the curriculum coordinator in the major.

Transfer/Upper-class faculty advisors can assist with:

• Course selection
• Core Curriculum and Degree Requirements
• Career, Graduate, and Professional School Planning
• Identifying academic success resources (such as Learning Centers, Writing Centers, and study groups)
• Problems transitioning into Rutgers
• Clubs and activities to get involved in
• Who to speak to when you don't know the answer

First-year students will not officially declare their major until February/March of their second semester.

How to Declare: First year students will receive an e-mail notifying them of the availability of the online first year major selection form usually at the beginning of February using the Major Selection Website. Students must select a major and option (if applicable) and submit the form electronically by the due date indicated. You may not know after your first semester what you would like to major in. It is important that you meet with your advisor to determine which major is the most appropriate to declare at that time.

Once first year students officially declare a major, they will be assigned to a faculty academic advisor in their selected curriculum. Students are encouraged to see their academic advisors at least once a semester. Advisors are essential to a student's success in their college experience. Advisors can assist students with a number of topics including:

• Course selection
• Core Curriculum and Degree Requirements
• Choosing a major
• Identifying academic success resources (such as Learning Centers, Writing Centers, and study groups)
• Problems adjusting to college life
• Clubs and activities to get involved in
• Who to speak to when you don't know the answer

Changing your Major

You can always change your major by having a Change of Major form signed by the curriculum coordinator in the new major you would like to declare. Change of Major forms are available at the Office of Academic Programs, Martin Hall 205, George H. Cook Campus.

©2009 Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. Last Updated: 12/5/2008, webmaster@sebs.rutgers.edu.