Academic Advisors are here to help you navigate your time as an undergraduate at the University of Arizona. They can help you learn about opportunities available for your undergraduate education and for your future career plans, connect you with campus resources, and partner with you to develop a plan to stay on track for graduation and beyond. We offer various opportunities for you to connect with an Academic Advisor. We encourage you to meet at least once per semester with your Physiology and Medical Sciences Academic Advisor. To learn more about the advising relationship, including the expectations of both the advisor and student, please review the Physiology Advising Syllabus.
How to connect with a Physiology and Medical Sciences Academic Advisor
Physiology Advisors typically only meet with University of Arizona students who are currently declared in our major or minor, and with transfer students once they have completed transfer orientation. If you are not yet in our major or minor, please follow the links below to learn more. Join our Major Join our Minor
New students who have registered for an orientation can change their major to Physiology and Medical Sciences through their Next Steps Center. If you are a high school or transfer student and have not yet applied to be a University of Arizona student, click here.
Appointments For Current Students
Advising by appointment is available when you have complex questions and want to meet with your assigned Academic Advisor. Appointments are typically 30 minutes and are available on some days in person at the Ina Gittings building and on some days virtually (Zoom or Phone). Your Advisor's Trellis calendar will show you their availability for both advising options. It's important to pay attention to the modality of your appointment (virtual or in person) when booking.
Drop-in Advising
Drop-in advising is typically offered in person each week in the Ina Gittings building. Your Advisor may also offer the option for additional virtual drop-ins through zoom. Drop-in advising lasts up to 15 minutes and is only for quick questions. You can see the schedule for drop-in advising with your assigned Advisor in Trellis. You do not have to make an appointment ahead of time to attend during drop-in hours.
Email Advising
It may sometimes be appropriate to send quick advising questions through email directly to your Academic Advisor. Here are a few tips and reminders about corresponding with your advisor through email:
- Use your official University of Arizona CatMail account.
- Use a clear subject line such as “Question about my schedule.”
- Include your full name as well as your student ID number.
- Keep your questions clear, short, and to the point.
- Proof-read and spell check!
- Allow a minimum of 24-48 hours for a response, excluding weekends and holidays. Advisors work Monday through Friday, they do not take appointments or answer emails or calls over the weekend. It is the responsibility of the student to try to connect with their Advisor in a timely way well before important deadlines and registration periods.
- Finally, not all situations are appropriate to dicuss through only email advising. If you have complex questions and your advisor feels an appointment is a more appropriate way to help you, they may suggest you schedule an appointment or visit drop-in hours.
Our Academic Advisors
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Monique Pena, (She/her/hers), Senior Academic Advisor I
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Adora Harvey, (They/She), Academic Advisor I
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Brian Pearse, (He/him/his), Academic Advisor II
Make an appointment with Brian
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Hannah Briand, (She/Her/Hers) Academic Advisor I
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Other Advising Resources
Department of Physiology Weekly Update Emails
Check your email each week to get the latest updates from our team of PSIO advisors, including registration dates and deadlines, course information, and opportunities outside the classroom.
Pre-Health Advising
Advisors from the Pre-Health Advising Office can help you explore career paths in the health professions and ensure that you are on track for professional program admission. They advise students who are interested pursuing careers in medicine, dentistry, optometry, physical therapy, physician’s assistance, etc. Your Physiology and Medical Sciences major advisor can make sure you are on track with basic academic requirements for your professional program of choice, but a Pre-Health Advisor will be able to connect you with numerous additional resources and opportunities.
Academic Resources
Tutoring / SI Sessions / Online Support
There are a lot of different ways to get academic help outside the classroom. The Think Tank offers free Writing, Math and Science tutoring as well as help with academic skills like test taking and time management. A lot of your courses also offer Supplemental Instruction (SI) where you can review important course concepts, predict and practice test items, develop test prep strategies, and discuss readings. Other free, online resources include the Khan Academy and Quizlet. Don't wait until you get that first test back to use these resources - be proactive about seeking extra help with your learning!
Dates and Deadlines
There are many important dates and deadlines throughout the semester for things such as dropping a class, withdrawing from a class, filing a GRO request, and more. Consult the UA Calendar of Dates and Deadlines and speak with your advisor about any questions your have.
Online Learning
We know a lot of you are taking online courses during this time. We have developed a guide to 
Shifting Your Learning to an Online Format for tips on being successful in this learning modality. When technical difficulties arise, know you have 24/7 help from our IT Support Center. Need WIFI? Vist one of the Remote UA WIFI Hotspots or one of the WIFI Hotspots on the Navajo and Hopi Reservations.
Mental Health + Basic Needs Resources
Our hope is that you are able able to thrive personally and academically at the University of Arizona, so we want to make sure you know about Counseling & Psych Services (CAPS). Here you can meet with a counselor, or attend groups and workshops. CAPS also works in partnership with LGBTQ Affairs for specialized care for LGBTQIA students. For many students, connecting with a cultural resource center is a helpful step in feeling connected to campus and finding support, check out this cultural and resource center guide to learn more.
The Basic Needs Initiative is composed of a variety of services and resources that can ensure that your day to day needs are met. In addition to Counseling & Psych Services (CAPS), resources include the Campus Pantry, Campus Closet, Dean of Students and many more!
Financial Aid Resources
The Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid website has a multitude of resources and support that may be useful to you as you navigate paying for your education. If you need emergency financial support, you may consider learning more about and applying for the Student Emergency Fund.