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Academic Advising

Academic Advising

Supporting student success

Building a strong relationship with your academic advisor helps you make the most of your academic journey, keeping you on track to graduation. Ask for their advise on course selection, degree requirements, and getting involved with activities in your major such as clubs, research, study abroad, internships, job experiences and more.

How advising works

Every student has an academic advisor in their major to help them navigate their college experience. First-year students are required to meet with their major advisor once per term in the fall, winter and spring to be able to register for classes. After the first year, students are required to meet with their major advisor in the spring.

In addition to your academic advisor, you also have access to our central advising team, which includes a Head Advisor and a team of student Peer Advisors.

    College Head Advisor

    Jennifer Olarra
    jennifer.olarra@oregonstate.edu
    541-737-3270
    Kidder Hall Suite 109 — Student Success Center

    Contact Jennifer with questions about: Scholarships, student petitions, student advising concerns.

    Your major advisor

    Biochemistry and Biophysics
    Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

    Kari Van Zee, Lead Advisor
    vanzeek@science.oregonstate.edu
    541-737-1773
    Agricultural & Life Sciences Building 2141

    For detailed instructions for making an advising appointment, please visit the advising page at the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics.

    Biology and Zoology

    Kate Kerish, Lead Advisor
    541-737-7928
    Kate.kerish@oregonstate.edu
    Snell Hall 417

    For detailed instructions for making an advising appointment, please visit the advising page at the Department of Integrative Biology.

    Christine Pastorek, Lead Advisor
    christine.pastorek@oregonstate.edu
    541-737-6732
    Gilbert Hall 247

    For detailed instructions for making an advising appointment, please visit the advising page at the Department of Chemistry.

    Alex Beck, Lead Advisor
    Alex.beck@oregonstate.edu
    Nash Hall 221
    541-737-5414

    For detailed instructions for making an advising appointment, please visit the Microbiology and BioHealth Sciences Advising page.

    Alex Beck, Lead Advisor
    Alex.beck@oregonstate.edu
    Nash Hall 221
    541-737-5414

    For detailed instructions for making an advising appointment, please visit the advising page at the Department of Microbiology.

    Adel Faridani, Lead Advisor
    MathHeadAdvisor@math.oregonstate.edu
    541-737-5182
    Kidder Hall 294A

    For detailed instructions for making an advising appointment, please visit the advising page at the Department of Mathematics.

    Fred DeAngelis, Lead Advisor
    phys-advising@science.oregonstate.edu
    541-737-1712
    Weniger Hall 315

    For detailed instructions for making an advising appointment, please visit the advising page at the Department of Physics.

    Questions your major advisor can answer

    • What can I do with this major?
    • Where can I get help with my classes?
    • I am worried I'm not going to make it at OSU; Which academic support resources do I need?
    • How do I balance school, work, family, etc?
    • How can I get help paying for food?
    • How do I gain experience in my field through job shadows, internships, etc?
    • How do I study abroad?
    • How can I get involved in research?
    • How do I join a student club? Where do I find them?
    • What are some good bac core/elective courses to take?