Advising Index

Biological Sciences Undergraduate Program
387 Thimann Laboratories
UC Santa Cruz,
Santa Cruz, CA 95064
Phone: 831.459.4143
Fax: 831.459.1568
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GETTING STARTED IN BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES

You've been accepted to UCSC, now what do you do?

The easiest way to get started on your Biological Sciences degree is to attend Orientation. Offered in both the summer and the fall, orientation provides students with all the necessary information to enroll in courses and begin a biology major.

If you choose not to attend orientation, please be sure to read up on all the information covered. Biology students are held to knowing the information provided at orientation whether or not they attend. If you have any questions contact BioAdvising.

What classes should you enroll in?

Check out our first year sample schedules to get a general idea of what courses you will want to enroll in if you intend to pursue a Biological Sciences major.

You cannot enroll in any Math courses without first taking the placement exam. You MAY not need to take a placement exam if you have Advanced Placement or college credit in Math.

You can begin your Chemistry course work with either Chem 1P or Chem 1A. The Chemistry department offers an optional self-assessment to help you decide which Chemistry course is best for you.

Our majors are rigorous and require that students begin taking courses for the major as early as their first quarter here at UCSC. It’s important for biology students to plan ahead.  Learn more about what classes to take…

Need some advice? help choosing a major, planning your schedule, getting enrolled…

The Career Center on campus is an excellent resource for students unsure of what major they want to pursue.  They provide career counseling and testing, and have a searchable alumni database, as well as an up-to-date resource library. They also provide workshops on graduate schools, selecting an internship, resume and cover letter writing assistance, as well as the job search process.

Faculty can provide in depth information about the pursuit of science as both a course of study and a career. We encourage our students to take advantage of the wealth of guidance our faculty can provide. 

BioAdvising is available for students who need assistance in beginning the major. Advisors have Drop In Advising Monday- Friday, 1:00 - 3:00pm and Wednesdays 10:00 - 12:00pm in 387 Thimann Labs.

QUESTIONS: Contact BioAdvising