BBB Frequently Asked Questions

Why am I on registration hold?
All sophomores who have not declared a major by the beginning of Advanced Registration period for the following Fall semester will be put on hold by the College until they officially declare a major. All BBB juniors are put on hold until they meet with a BBB advisor to determine the courses necessary to complete the requirements for the BBB major. Students may come to walk-in advising hours or make an appointment with Dr. Abel or Dr. Heerding.

Can I take more BBB courses than are required for the major?
Students are encouraged to take as many BBB courses as they like. Eight approved courses can count towards the BBB electives. Additional BBB courses may be used towards another major or minor, depending on that department's requirements, or towards unrestricted college electives.

Do LPS courses fulfill BBB major requirements?
Yes, students may use LPS courses to fulfill BBB requirements.

I'm a BBB major. If I want to declare the BBB/Health Care Management minor, can I double-count my BBB courses towards both the major and the minor?
Yes, BBB majors may double-count BBB courses towards both their BBB major and the BBB/HCMG minor.

I'm interested in pursuing research. How do I find a advisor for BBB 399?
A list of potential advisors can be found on the INS website at http://www.med.upenn.edu/ins/resindex.html. Research advisors must be standing faculty members working in the broad field of neuroscience. Students should identify 3-5 professors whose work interests them. Students are then encouraged to e-mail each professor requesting a meeting to discuss potential research projects.

What are the requirements to graduate with honors in BBB?
Students must enroll in BIBB 399, 400 and 499 during their junior or senior year, completing both semesters working in the same lab on the same project. In order to register for BIBB 499, a student's cumulative GPA must be above 3.3. Students graduating with honors are required to give a presentation of their research at the BBB Student Research Symposium and to complete a second 400-level BBB course.

I'm doing a second semester of research. Do I need to submit another application?
Students must submit a completed Independent Research application form for each semester in which they engage in research for credit.

If my GPA is not above 3.3, can I still do more than one semester of research?
Students whose GPA does not qualify them for BBB 499 may enroll in additional semesters of BBB 399.