Transfer Information & Process

The Program in Biology is excited to welcome transfer students from across the state, the country, and the world. We value the unique experiences, perspectives, and skills that transfer students bring to our program, and we are continually looking for ways to help you find and follow your passion at Michigan.

Below is a comprehensive walkthrough of our transfer credit process and frequently asked questions.

Reach out to lsa-biology-transfer@umich.edu at any time! We're here to support you!

Before you begin: The Program in Biology has transfer agreements with some Michigan institutions. Check the Transfer Equivalency Database to determine whether or not an agreement is in place. Students must achieve a "C" or better to receive transfer credit on their U-M transcript.

What is Departmental Credit? What is Equivalency?

Departmental Credit

Most biology courses from other institutions will initially transfer to U-M as “departmental credit” (e.g., BIOLOGY 101x) and general LSA credit is granted. Departmental credit cannot fulfill major/minor requirements or be used in place of prerequisite courses. In some cases, departmental credit may be applied to LSA distribution (i.e. Gen-Ed) requirements, at the discretion of your general advisor.

Equivalent Credit

Upon student request (via the form linked below), the Program in Biology reviews classes taken at other institutions to determine equivalency to specific University of Michigan Biology, EEB, and MCDB courses. Evaluations are done on a case-by-case, term-specific basis.

If an external class is determined to be equivalent to a Program in Biology course, it can be posted to a student's transcript as the equivalent U-M Biology, EEB, or MCDB course (with a "T” in the grade column). If the course is not equivalent, it will remain as departmental credit.

<<< Biology Transfer Credit Equivalency Request Form >>>

Under normal conditions, evaluations for external courses can take 7-10 business days.

Ineligible Courses

Non-majors 100-level Biology Courses

Equivalency may be granted for the introductory biology series of courses, BIOLOGY 171, 172, and 173. Other 100-level courses are not evaluated because they don’t count toward any majors or minors. The credit you are granted for them may be applied toward your minimum 120 credits required to graduate and can usually be used for distribution (see your advisor).

300- and 400-level Courses

Effective February 1, 2018, 300- and 400-level courses will not be evaluated for equivalent credit. University of Michigan upper-level courses are most representative of the research specialties of the U-M biology faculty and are seen as “uniquely Michigan” and crucial to a U-M major. Please contact the Program in Biology office with questions.

Equivalency Request Process - How to Transfer a Course

1. Read the FAQs below!

2. Check the Transfer Equivalency Database to determine whether or not a transfer agreement is in place. If your course transfers as departmental credit (e.g. BIOLOGY 101X) then proceed below.

3. Obtain a detailed syllabus from the instructor or institution (this can be an electronic copy, a link, or a paper copy). Incomplete or missing information may cause a delay.
A detailed syllabus includes:

o Instructor’s name,

o Term class was offered,

o Textbook used,

o Days and times of lectures, discussions, labs,

o Number and duration of exams,

o Basis of grading, and,

o A day-by-day schedule of topics covered (i.e., what you covered each time you met in class)

4. Complete the Transfer Credit Equivalency Request Form (linked above).

5. Transfer credit that is approved as equivalent to a Biology, EEB, or MCDB course will be posted (or changed) on your transcript to indicate the specific course, with a “T” grade, and it will satisfy prerequisites or major requirements (as appropriate, see your advisor).

Note: You are welcome to request review of a course before you take it. You will need to provide a detailed syllabus as described above, so you must obtain one from the instructor or institution in advance. Once you have completed the course (with a “C” or better), request that an official copy of your transcript be sent to the University of Michigan, Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Even if deemed equivalent, the UM course cannot appear on your UM transcript until an official transcript from the home institution has been received by UM Admissions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What Campus Resources Exist to Support Me as a Transfer Student?

Many offices have support programs specifically geared toward the needs of transfer students:

Some transfer students might benefit from specialized services for students with children, veterans, or for those looking for on- or off-campus housing (including options for students interested in a residential program: The Transfer-Year Experience).

Michigan also maintains an active Student Employment Office, for information regarding jobs on- and off-campus. For those students who drive in daily, Parking & Transportation Services maintains a list of commuter options that can save time and expenses.

The Office of Financial Aid also highlights resources geared to transfer students, including instructions on how to apply for aid.

Can I take major prerequisites (Math, Physics, etc.) from a community college?

Can I take a major course at another school?

The Program in Biology strongly encourages you to take all major courses on the Ann Arbor campus—this will put you in the best position to succeed in the major. Further, 300- and 400-level courses are ineligible for transfer equivalency (see above). However, you may take a major course elsewhere, provided it is below the 300-level and you abide by the residency requirements listed below. Please also be aware of the residence rules for your particular college. LSA rules are here.

Major	Credits Required in Residence*
Biology	20
Ecology, Evolution, & Biodiversity	20
Biology, Health, & Society	16
Microbiology	20
Molecular, Cellular, & Developmental Biology	20
CMBS	20
Plant Biology	20
Neuroscience	20

*Note that these requirements do not include major prerequisites, only credits to the major itself.

What is BIOLOGY 191? How do 191 & 192 Count?

Many students receive credit for BIOLOGY 101X and BIOLOGY 191 as part of their transfer evaluation report from the Biology department. BIOLOGY 191 is the prerequisite for BIOLOGY 192 - Accelerated Introductory Biology, which is a single-term (fall) course that provides a faster-paced overview of the introductory material contained in the traditional intro. sequence (171 & 172).

BIOLOGY 192 supports transfer students in particular, and looks to build upon a student's past biology study while providing an overview of the Michigan Biology approach to teaching and learning. Students in BIOLOGY 192 are provided with in-class student support as well as a small teacher:student ratio, as well as lessons and supplementary info. tailored to transfer students in their first year.

How can I tell if a course at another school is equivalent to a Michigan course?

The Program in Biology reviews classes on a term-by-term basis. So each instance of a course transfer must be evaluated for direct equivalency. (A class that was accepted last fall may not be accepted the next if the course material or other details have changed!) Most courses must be reviewed again for each new term.

Plan ahead: If you are considering taking a class from another institution, go through the evaluation process (see above) before you take the course!

Will introductory courses from another school match UM's intro. sequence?

The Program in Biology Evaluation Committee will determine whether or not the introductory course or sequence you're considering is equivalent to Biology 171, 172, or 173 (or a combination thereof). To receive credit for having satisfied the introductory biology requirement, the student needs to have completed course(s) that covered cell and molecular biology, genetics, ecology, evolution, plant and animal biology, and had labs. Two-semester introductory sequences at four-year institutions will often meet these criteria. So will some two-semester sequences at community colleges, but the syllabi for transfers from community colleges will be carefully reviewed to verify that the student is adequately prepared to move into upper-level biology courses. Introductory courses for non-majors are ineligibile for equivalency (see above).

I'm a Bio. Program major, should I submit my PHYSICS transfer course info.?

If I am denied transfer equivalency, can I appeal?

Evaluation requests are evaluated by faculty members with extensive knowledge of the proposed U-M course (usually current or recent instructors).

Students whose transfer credit is denied direct equivalency may request a re-evaluation of the same course only if different information can be supplied (e.g., a more detailed syllabus, etc.).

A student who would like to appeal a decision may request a review by the Program in Biology Curriculum Committee by emailing his/her case to the Transfer Credit Coordinator. The Committee will review the information supplied, consulting with course teaching faculty as necessary, and make a final Program decision. Students who disagree with the final outcome may contact the Office of the Assistant Dean to discuss the matter.

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