Academic Planning

Students should develop an academic plan for completing their degree requirements using the resources below. 

1.  Download a blank UCSC Academic Planning Form. This is ideal if you are planning to graduate early, are a transfer student or are pursuing a second major or minor. For pre-filled, 4-year academic plans, scroll to #5! The blank form includes 2020-21 checklists for each of our sponsored majors (see the tabs on the bottom of the document). If you'd like input on your plan from an MCD adviser, go into the sharing settings and choose "anyone at UCSC with the link can edit" and then email the link and your questions to mcdadvising@ucsc.edu! 

2.  Understand your catalog rights:

"Catalog Rights" provide you with the option of following your majors requirements in effect the year you entered UCSC, or the option to select the requirements established in a subsequent year.  Keep in mind that you must follow one catalog year in it's entirety.  For clarification see the Registrar's information on Catalog Rights.

3.  Download Major Checklist (PDF):

4.  Determine if you are qualified for your major:

5.  Reference these sample academic plans:

  • Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology BS  [FROSH] [TRANSFER]
  • Neuroscience BS  [FROSH] [TRANSFER]
  • Human Biology BS (retired) [FROSH] [TRANSFER]
  • Biology BS [FROSH] [TRANSFER]
  • Global and Community Health BS - Biomedical [FROSH] [TRANSFER]
  • Global and Community Health BS -Public and Community Health [FROSH] [TRANSFER]
  • 6.  It is important to account for prerequisites and when courses are offered. You can find both prerequisite and course offering information for all BIOL, BIOE, CHEM, MATH, and PHYS courses in the 2022-23 UCSC General Catalog.

    For more information about developing an academic plan, see the Undergraduate Advising information: Devising a Four Year Plan