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Getting started in Biology B.S.: Fall 2024 Entering Frosh

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Students are admitted to UCSC with a "proposed major" in most cases, and later petition to officially declare the major. Admission to UCSC does not guarantee acceptance into a particular major. Students must be declared in a major by the end of the second year (or equivalent), so learning about and preparing for a major is a primary goal for first-year students.

Importance of an early start:

This is a course-intensive and/or sequential program, and students who intend to pursue this major must begin taking classes for the major in their first year at UCSC.

Qualification requirements and/or prerequisites for the major:

Review Major Qualification Requirements in the General Catalog.

Frosh who intend to pursue this major should do the following things prior to the beginning of fall term...
  • Complete the Math Preparation and placement process. You can review your math skills for free to prepare you for placement or your next course. It takes up to three business days for ALEKS PPL placement to be posted in your student record. Completing the assessment by August 5 will ensure your placement is posted before enrollment begins for fall.
  • Complete the Introduction to the Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology for Frosh Canvas Modules (an invitation to join will be sent to your UCSC.edu email address in mid-July
  • Students who are interested in this major should ensure their “proposed major” shows correctly in MyUCSC to ensure they receive important information from the department. If you are not proposed in this major and would like to be, fill out the Proposed Major Form and/or contact the advisors.

...and should take these courses their first term:
  • CHEM 3A
  • MATH 11A or MATH 16A or MATH 19A or he appropriate Mathematics class if needed based on placement 

Special enrollment procedures:

Enroll online during your enrollment appointment.

Sample Academic Plan:

Review the Sample Academic Plan in the General Catalog.

Be sure to submit your Academic Plan to the Introduction to the Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology for Frosh Canvas Modules Assignment for review by an advisor! 

Other Information:

The Biology B.S. major is administered by the Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology department.

Links to Review:

Program Description (Catalog)
Department Website
MCD Biology Undergraduate Advising Website

Advisor Contact Information:

MCD Biology Department Undergraduate Advising Team: Jeannette, Kylie, Leanna, and Mariah

Email: via Introduction to the Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology for Frosh Canvas Modules or mcdadvising@ucsc.edu (when emailing, please be sure your College is in the Subject line)

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