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MCD Biology Enrollment Guide for Fall 2024!

Updated 5/13/2024

This Enrollment Guide contains important information and updates about enrolling in classes for Fall Quarter 2024.

If you have concerns about housing insecurity, please contact Slug Support. If you are having trouble finding housing, please contact the UCSC Housing Office.

 

Helpful Reminders: 

  • Prioritize your major courses during First Pass enrollment and add GE’s during Second Pass enrollment, if necessary. 
  • Waitlists can only be joined during SECOND pass. 
  • Ensure you have no holds on your enrollment by checking your MyUCSC Student Center well before your enrollment appointment. 
  • Need to repeat a class for the third time? Be sure to check in with your College regarding a Double Repeat/Triple Take petition! NOTE: You MUST meet with your College to gain access to the Double Repeat/Triple Take petition.

 

Fall Enrollment Schedule (At-a-Glance): 

    • First Pass Appointments: Tuesday, May 21st - Friday, May 24th, 2024
    • Second Pass Appointments and Waitlist: Wednesday, May 29th - Monday, June 3rd, 2024
      • Continuing Students Open Enrollment: June 3rd to August 2nd, 2024
        • If the course has open seats, students can enroll via their MyUCSC 
        • NOTE: Continuing student enrollment will close at 11:59pm on August 2nd, 2024 to allow incoming students the opportunity to enroll
  • New Student Enrollment
      • Fall 2024 Frosh Enrollment begins Monday, August 12th - Friday, August 16th, 2024
      • Fall 2024 Transfer Enrollment begins Monday, August 19th - Thursday, August 22nd, 2024
  • All Student Enrollment
    • Enrollment opens for All students restarts on August 26th, 2024

Table of Contents:

Fall 2024 Enrollment Resources 

How to Get Support During Enrollment

Be sure to check your UCSC.EDU email!. If you are declared or proposed an MCD Biology department sponsored major (Biology, BS; MCD Biology, BS; Neuroscience, BS; or Global and Community Health, BS) please check your ucsc.edu email for an invitation to schedule a 15-minute Spring Enrollment appointment with an advisor. These appointments are not mandatory, however, if you have any enrollment questions for the Fall 2024 quarter, be sure to schedule an appointment via that message. 

  • MCD Biology Peer Advisors 
    • Drop-In for quick questions regarding enrollment, academic planning, or choosing classes for the upcoming quarter
    • Appointments for Academic Planning Be sure to have started an academic plan using the resources on the MCD Biology Academic Planning webpage
    • Academic Planning/Enrollment Workshops (see the calendar on the MCD Biology Undergraduate Advising webpage) presented by the MCD Biology Peer Advisors
      • In-Person Academic Planning/Enrollment workshop:
        • Tuesday, May 14th, 2024
        • Location: Sinsheimer Labs room 123
        • Time: 3:30pm
      • Remember! If you are emailing mcdadvising@ucsc.edu, be sure to put your College in the subject line!
    • Please be sure to also check-in with your College Advisors to be sure all your General Education and University Requirements are being met in addition to your major requirements. 
    • Your College Advisor should also be your first point of contact for Double Repeat/Triple Take Petitions, major exploration, and general information about university policies.

 

What Should I Enroll In?

Transfer Students

Incoming Fall 2024 Transfer Students:

If you have completed CHEM 8B Organic Chemistry → Enroll in BIOL 100 Biochemistry. You can pair it with any lower division course you would like (e.g.,  MATH 11B, STAT 5 or 7/L, or PHYS 6A). 

*Note: BIOL 100 is the main prerequisite for most upper division MCD Biology (BIOL) courses and should be completed as soon as possible after transferring to UCSC.

If you have not completed CHEM 8B - look to enroll in BIOL 105: Genetics and pair it with any you would like (e.g.,  MATH 11B, STAT 5 or 7/L, or PHYS 6A.

 

Frosh Students

 
Incoming Fall 2024 Frosh Students

Prioritize your General Chemistry Series with the aim of completing CHEM 3A, CHEM 3B/3BL and CHEM 3C/3CL by the end of Spring 2025 (Fall 2025 at the latest!). MATH 11A is also a high priority. 

Once you complete CHEM 3A (ideally in Fall 2024 or Winter 2025), you can enroll in BIOL 20A (in Spring 2025 or Fall 2025).

*Remember that ALL qualification courses need to be completed by your 5th quarter (Winter 2026), so that you can declare in your 6th quarter (Spring 2026).

Continuing Students

Proposed Majors: If Fall 2024 is your 4th quarter at UCSC, be sure you are on track to complete the Quaifiication courses by the end of the Winter 2025 quarter. For the Fall 2024 uarter, you should be enrolling in BIOL 20A and CHEM 3C/CL or CHEM 8A if you have not already completed them. 

If you are interested in the Global and Community Health majors, please look to enroll in GCH 1 during the Fall 2024 quarter.

Remember, you must complete all 8 Qualification Courses by the end of your 5th quarter at UCSC to be eligible to declare your major during your 6th quarter.

If you are not able to complete all the Qualificaiton Courses before the end of your 5th quarter at UCSC, be sure to submit an Appeal.

Note: Being granted the option to appeal is not a guarantee of admission into the major. Students that submit either a pre-appeal or an appeal are strongly advised to have a backup plan in place in the event that their request is denied. It is recommended that - with the assistance of your college adviser, you identify a major that interests you (outside of the MCD Biology department), and be able to declare that major and make good progress in that major. Appeals are not guaranteed, so it is very important you develop a major pathway that you will commit to outside of the MCD Biology department.

Declared Majors: Prioritze the Core Upper Division Courses (BIOL 100, BIOL 101, or BIOL 105) if you have not already completed them. If you have completed BIOL 100, BIOL 101 (and BIOL 101L), and BIOL 105; see if you are eligible for the various Upper Division Electives, BIOL 110, and/or one of the Comprehensive Requirement/DC Lab courses offered this Fall. Not sure what Upper Division Electives or Comprehensive Requirement/DC Labs are approved for your major?  See you Major Checklist on the Academic Planning webpage.

Full/Closed Class - What Should I Do? 

Always prioritize qualification courses or the Upper Division Core Courses (BIOL 100, BIOL 101, or BIOL 105) during first pass enrollment. We usually hold some seats in courses until after second pass enrollment, so don’t assume that a class is full or closed just because it has a waitlist.

The ONLY WAY to request a seat in a course that is FULL is to get on a waitlist during second pass enrollment. A spot on the waitlist does not guarantee a spot in the class, so make sure you have a back up plan. 

If you are not able to enroll or waitlist during your Second Pass enrollment appointments, it may be because:

  1. You are missing a prerequisite
  2. You have an enrollment hold (check your portal for details)
  3. You have exceeded the number of units you are allowed to enroll in or waitlist

If you were unable to waitlist or add a class from your portal, you can complete the Enrollment Request Sign In Sheet for Fall 2024 about 2 weeks before the First Day of Instruction: Thursday, September 12th, 2024 at 8am!

*Note: The Enrollment Request Sign In Sheet does not override holds or prerequisites. 

The reason we are waiting until a couple of weeks before the first day of class to open the form is because many enrollment problems/challenges that students are encountering right now will be resolved well in advance of the first day of class or they may decide that they are no longer interested in taking the class.

If you are in the Santa Cruz area during Summer, check out the Summer Session website and course offerings (be sure to change the search term to Summer 2024) - MCD Biology is offering some Core upper division courses this summer as well as 2 DC Lab courses!

 

Academic Planning

MCD Biology Curriculum Plan 2024-2025

Visit the MCD Biology Department Curriculum Plan to help you plan your courses for the rest of the year. Please remember that the curriculum plan is subject to change.

Note that other departments have these too:

 

Need a Second or Third Class? 

Be sure to meet with your College Advisor to check your General Education (GE) requirements as well as other University requirements are met. The Colleges have provided a list of courses that have few (if any) prerequisites - this list is called the “Best Bets List”. If you have questions regarding the Best Bets list, please contact your College Advisor.

Remember! You have at least 2 Advisors at UCSC! MCD Biology Undergraduate Advising is your Major advising home; your College Advisors are your General Education and University Requirement advisors - they also have resources to help you be successful during your time at UCSC.

 

Need to Make a Plan for Yourself? 

Visit our MCDB Academic Planning Page where you will find blank plans, sample plans, and checklists for your majors.

You can also meet with the MCD Biology Peer Advisors for help with creating and/or editing your plan. There are 2 ways to meet with the MCD Biology Peer Advisors:

    1. Drop-In for quick questions regarding enrollment, academic planning, or choosing classes for the upcoming quarter
    2. Appointments for Academic Planning 
      1. Be sure to have started an academic plan using the resources on the MCD Biology Academic Planning webpage

Important MCD Biology Department Updates

Student Opportunities Email Google Group

Join our new Student Opportunities Email Google Group to receive messages regarding opportunities shared with MCD Biology Advising from: other departments at UCSC, California state graduate schools, job, scholarship, research, training, volunteer & internship opportunities. You can unsubscribe at any time.

This Google Group is optional and you must register yourself at the link below - please note you can leave the group at any time.

Student Opportunities Email Google Group: MCDB FWD Opportunities!

 

Human Biology, BS Major

The Human Biology, BS major has been discontinued with the introduction of the Global and Community Health majors. 

A general message regarding the Discontinuation of Human Biology, BS is posted on the MCD Biology Undergraduate Advising website.

Please note: BIOL 130L: Human Physiology Laboratory is still a major required class for both the Human Biology, BS and Global and Community Health, BS - Biomedical concentration!

New DC Requirements for Human Biology, BS majors graduating after Spring 2024:

Starting Fall 2024, Human Biology, BS majors who have not completed BIOL 189W will need to complete GCH 190: Global and Community Health Task Force and GCH 195: Global and Community Health Communication for the Disciplinary Communication (DC) Requirement. 

GCH 190: Global and Community Health Task Force (first part of the DC requirement for all GCH majors) will be offered during the Fall 2024, Winter 2025, and Spring 2025 quarters

  • If you are interested in enrolling in GCH 190 for the Fall 2024 quarter, please note the following requirements to receive a permission number to enroll:
  • Look to enroll in GCH 190, Section 1 for the Fall 2024 quarter. GCH 190 Section 1 information is below:
    • Days: Tuesdays and Thursdays
    • Times: 9:50am to 11:25am
    • Location: N. Sci Annex 102
    • Instructor: Zunica, M. C.
  • Be sure to complete the GCH 190 Enrollment Form to receive a permission number to enroll in GCH 190 for the Fall 2024 quarter before Friday, September 20th, 2024 or the course fills to capacity - the form will be closed once the course has filled or on Friday, September 20th, whichever comes first.

GCH 195: Global and Community Health Communication (second part of the DC requirement for all GCH majors) will be offered during the Winter 2025 and Spring 2025 quarters.

 

Please note that BIOL 189: Health Sciences Internship and BIOL 130L: Human Physiology Laboratory continue to be major requirements.

 

Health Sciences Internship (Graduation Requirement): 

The Health Sciences Internship (BIOL 189) is still required for both Human Biology, BS and both concentrations for Global and Community Health, BS. 

Be sure you attend an information session and apply for your Health Sciences Internship TWO (2) quarters in advance of when you want to do your internship. 

Check out the Health Sciences Internship FAQ’s page.

 

Global and Community Health Major

GCH 190: Global and Community Health Task Force (first part of the DC requirement for all GCH majors) is planned to be offered every quarter during the 2024-2025 academic year. 

GCH 195: Global and Community Health Communication (second part of the DC requirement for all GCH majors) will be offered during the Winter 2025 and Spring 2025 quarters.

 

The Global and Community Health office is OPEN!!! Located in Soc Sci 1, room 117. 

Our Health Sciences Internship Coordinator, Global and Community Health Managing Director, and the Global and Community Health, BA Advisor are located in the GCH Office. 

MCD Biology Advisors and the Career Success Career Engagement Specialist for the Division of Physical and Biological Sciences also have rotating hours in the GCH office throughout the quarter.

Health Sciences Internship is still required for GCH BS majors (regardless of concentration): Be sure you apply for your Health Sciences Internship TWO (2) quarters in advance of when you want to do your internship. 

Check out the Health Sciences Internship FAQ’s page.

 

MCD Biology, BS

BIOL 104L is planned for the Spring 2025 quarter.

Reminder - BIOL 104L is only required for MCD Biology, BS FROSH admitted Fall 2021 and after.

 

Neuroscience, BS

REMINDER: BIOL 110 is no longer a required course for the Neuroscience majors with Catalog Rights/who started at UCSC Fall 2021 or after.

BIOL 126 and BIOL 128 are only offered in the WINTER 2025 QUARTER for the 2024-2025 academic year.

BIOL 129L (the new upper division 5-units lab) will count towards fulfilling the Senior Exit/DC Lab requirement for all Neuroscience majors and will be offered every quarter for the 2024-2025 academic year. Note that BIOL 129L has a prerequisite of PHYS 6C - be sure to plan your schedule accordingly.

 

Upper Division Comprehensive Requirement/DC Lab Requirement

All Comprehensive Requirement/DC labs will be “closed” and will show “0 of XX Enrollment” during First Pass - If they are closed, be sure you add yourself to the waitlist for the class during Second Pass.

Biology BS majors: Please utilize the option of choosing the shaded electives on your checklist to meet the senior exit and DC requirements.

Due to limited space, students graduating at the end of the 2024-2025 academic year will be prioritized for Comprehensive Requirement/DC courses. If you have already met the requirement for your senior lab / DC, PLEASE do not enroll in another one! 

 

BIOL 115L Eukaryotic Molecular Biology Laboratory

Fulfills the upper division lab requirement for Biology, BS and MCD Biology, BS majors only. Capacity of 16.

Due to extremely limited space, to enroll in this course you may need to wait until Second Pass to add yourself to the waitlist - MCD Biology Undergraduate Advising will be monitoring the enrollment in this course. Be sure you are checking your MyUCSC account for enrollment in the course. If you drop the course via your MyUCSC account, you may not be able to enroll in the course again.

 

BIOL 129L Neurobiology Lab

Fulfills the upper division lab requirement for Neuroscience, BS. Other MCD Biology sponsored majors if space is available in the course. Capacity of 16.

Due to extremely limited space, to enroll in this course you may need to wait until Second Pass to add yourself to the waitlist - MCD Biology Undergraduate Advising will be monitoring the enrollment in this course. Be sure you are checking your MyUCSC account for enrollment in the course. If you drop the course via your MyUCSC account, you may not be able to enroll in the course again.

If you are declared an MCD Biology, BS or Biology, BS major and are interested in enrolling in BIOL 129L to fulfill your Comprehensive Requirement/DC Lab requirement, please be sure to complete the Enrollment Request Sign-in Sheet to request a permission number if space is available in the course after Second Pass Enrollment.

  

BIOL 186L Undergraduate Research in MCD Biology

Fulfills the upper division lab requirement for Biology BS and MCD Biology BS.

Enrollment is by application only. 

Please do not submit an application unless you already have a faculty member who is serving/willing to serve as your research mentor and you have carefully reviewed the course description. More information can be found on the MCD Biology Advising Research Courses webpage.

Capacity of 25. Priority will be given to students who submit an application by September 20th, 2024. Students must also be sure to attend the first class meeting.

 

METX 119L General Microbiology Lab 

Fulfills the DC and Senior Lab requirements for the Biology, BS major (starting Fall 2024 and retroactive for previous catalog years) and MCD Biology, BS majors with catalog rights 2023-2024 and prior. Check the Schedule of Classes for details.

Please note the Enrollment Requirements in the Schedule of Classes - First Pass Enrollment is only for Microbiology, BS majors; MCD Biology, BS majors can enroll in the course during Second Pass Enrollment. METX 119L is monitored by the Microbiology and Toxicology Department (METX).

 

Important Policies for MCD Biology-Sponsored Majors (consult the catalog for full details):

  • Remember! The MCD Biology Department strictly enforces prerequisites for all our courses - be sure to read the course descriptions for courses.

 

  • Letter Grade Policy: All major and minor requirements require a letter grade. P Grades will not be accepted to satisfy major specific requirements. 
    • Exception: Only courses completed in Spring 2020 are permitted to fulfill a major requirement with a “P” grade.

 

  • Major Policy Reminder: Effective Fall 2019, all MCD Biology sponsored majors must complete BIOL 20A and all of the Core 4 courses (BIOL 100, 105, 101 and 110) at UCSC. Frosh who began attending UCSC in Fall 2019 and onward, will need to remember that the above classes cannot be taken outside of UCSC unless they submit an Exception to Policy asking for permission - Note: There is no guarantee that any petition submitted will be approved.

 

  • C- grades CANNOT be used to satisfy a major requirement and cannot satisfy a prerequisite for another course. You must repeat a course if you receive a C- grade for major or pre-requisite credit. Only grades of “C” (2.0) or better will fulfill major requirements.



Best wishes for a wonderful Spring quarter,

Leanna, Jeannette, Kylie, and Mariah

MCD Biology Undergraduate Advising

Department of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology

Division of Physical and Biological Sciences

MCD Biology Advising

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