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MCD Biology Enrollment Guide for Spring 2024!

Updated 2/21/2024

This Enrollment Guide contains important information and updates about enrolling in classes for Spring 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.

 

Spring Enrollment Schedule (At-a-Glance): 

 

Table of Contents:

Spring 2024 Enrollment Resources 

How to Get Support During Enrollment

Due to limited staffing, our availability is limited. 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 a message to schedule a 15-minute Spring Enrollment appointment with an advisor.

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
      1. Remember! If you are emailing mcdadvising@ucsc.edu, be sure to put your College in the subject line!
    1. 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. 
    2. 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

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 are currently enrolled in BIOL 100 for the Winter 2024 quarter, look to enroll in BIOL 101: Molecular Biology  and BIOL 101L: Molecular Biology Lab if you are a Biology, BS; MCD Biology, BS; Neuroscience, BS; or Global and Community Health, BS - Biomedical Concentration major.

Also note that your Academic Advisement Report (AAR) may not be accurate regarding some of the lower division courses you transferred in. Please consult your “Transfer Credit: Report '' in MyUCSC for accurate transfer information or speak with an MCD Biology Advisor.

Frosh Students

Continue your General Chemistry Series with the aim of completing CHEM 3A, CHEM 3B / CHEM 3BL, and CHEM 3C / CHEM 3CL by the end of Spring 2024 (Fall 2024 at the latest!). MATH 11A is also a high priority. 

Remember! CHEM 3A is a prerequisite for BIOL 20A. And BIOL 20A is a prerequisite for BIOE 20B and BIOL 20L. You should be looking to complete BIOL 20A at UCSC by the end of Fall 2024 at the latest.

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

Though not a qualification class, we strongly recommend students looking to declare Biology, BS; MCD Biology, BS; or are unsure what Biology based major they are interested in to complete BIOE 20C. This course is a lower division major requirement for Biology, BS and MCD Biology, BS as well as a qualification requirement for Ecology and Evolutionary Biology majors.


Continuing Students

Proposed Majors: If Spring 2024 is your 6th quarter at UCSC, be sure you are ready to submit your Petition to Declare the major. 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 declare your major in your 6th quarter or 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.

If you are on-track to complete the Qualification Courses in Winter 2024, we highly suggest you look to complete CHEM 8B as CHEM 8B is the main prerequisite for BIOL 100: Biochemistry. Additional courses to consider are any other outstanding lower division courses (e.g. BIOE 20C, PHYS 6A/L, STAT 5 or STAT 7/L, MATH 11B/19B).

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 105; please look into the various elective courses being offered for the Spring 2024 quarter; not sure what electives 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 Spring 2024 about 2 weeks before the First Day of Instruction: Monday, March 18, 2024 at 8am!

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

The reason we are waiting until 2 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. 

Please remember that the MCD Biology Department strictly enforces course prerequisites - the Enrollment Request Sheet does not override course prerequisites.

 

Academic Planning

MCD Biology Curriculum Plan 2023-2024

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

Prerequisites for MCD Biology Courses

Please remember that the MCD Biology Department strictly enforces prerequisites for all our courses - be sure to read the course descriptions for courses.

BIOL 100: Biochemistry has a prerequisite of CHEM 8B in addition to BIOL 20A and BIOE 20B. Please remember that the MCD Biology Department strictly enforces prerequisites for our Core upper division courses (BIOL 105, BIOL 100, BIOL 101, BIOL 110).

 

General Chemistry Series starting Fall 2023

The Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry redesigned the General Chemistry lecture & lab series and it is planned to go live this Fall 2023! 

To allow continuing students to finish the series you started, classes in the CHEM 1 (CHEM 1A, 1B/M, 1C/N) series will be offered at least one more time in 2023-24 while the new CHEM 3 & CHEM 4 series launches for the first time. 2023-24 will be the final year that the CHEM 1 series is offered at UCSC. Starting in 2024-25, only the CHEM 3 and CHEM 4 series will be offered.

If you will not complete the CHEM 1 Series by the end of Spring 2023, check out this General Chemistry Redesign Student Enrollment Guide to learn more about what General Chemistry course(s) you should enroll in during 2023-24, when the different series/courses are planned to be offered, etc. 

If the General Chemistry course(s) are required for your major or minor, it is strongly recommended that you check in with your major or minor advisor before enrolling in 23-24 courses to ensure you are completing the correct coursework.  

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. 

Students who started at UCSC Fall 2022 or before are STILL ELIGIBLE TO DECLARE HUMAN BIOLOGY, BS AS THEIR MAJOR. Need to declare the Human Biology major? Check out the MCD Biology Petition to Declare webpage (scroll down to the actual declaration form as it is NOT on the MyUCSC eForm). Not going to meet the qualification requirements for the major before your 5th quarter at UCSC? Be sure to submit an Appeal or Pre-Appeal.

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!

For Spring 2024 First Pass Enrollment - Due to extremely limited space, BIOL 130L: Human Physiology Lab will be “closed” and will show “0 of XX Enrollment” during First Pass - be sure you add yourself to the waitlist for the class during Second Pass.

New Comprehensive Requirement/DC Requirement for Human Biology, BS Majors: Starting Fall 2023, 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.

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 - for example, if you are looking to do an internship for Fall 2024, look to attend an information session and apply for your internship during the Spring 2024 quarter. 

Check out the Health Sciences Internship FAQ’s page.

 

Global and Community Health Major

The Global and Community Health office is now 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 also have rotating hours in the GCH office throughout the quarter.

The 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 - for example, if you are looking to do an internship for Fall 2024, look to attend an information session and apply for your internship during the Spring 2024 quarter. 

Check out the Health Sciences Internship FAQ’s page.

The GCH Program is happy to announce we are able to offer CMMU/GCH 165 in the Spring 2024 quarter - please remember this course is a Core requirement for the Global and Community Health, BS - Public and Community Health Concentration. 

GCH 1: Foundations for Global and Community Health will be offered during Summer 2024 in Summer Session 2. 

Though GCH 1 is not a qualification course for the Global and Community Health, BS major (both concentrations) it is a required class for the major. It is also a prerequisite for GCH 190 and GCH 195 - the Comprehensive Requirement/DC Requirement for all Global and Community Health majors. Please remember that prerequisites are strictly enforced by the department.

 

MCD Biology, BS

BIOL 104L for the Spring 2024 quarter has been canceled. Please look to meet with an MCD Biology Advisor if you have questions or concerns about fulfilling this requirement for graduation prior to the 2024-2025 academic year.

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.

It is strongly suggested that Neuroscience, BS majors (regardless of the catalog they are following) look to complete BIOL 129L for the Comprehensive Requirement (formerly the Senior Exit Lab Requirement) and DC Requirement. BIOL 129L has been approved to meet all the requirements the other Upper Division Comprehensive Requirement/DC Lab courses below meet.

 

Upper Division Comprehensive Requirement/DC Lab Requirement

All Comprehensive Requirement/DC labs and BIOL 130L 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 2023-2024 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 20.

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, MCD Biology BS, and 2020 or earlier Neuroscience BS majors only. 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. Capacity of 25. Priority will be given to students who submit an application by Monday, April 1st, 2024. 

Please be sure to attend the first class meeting of BIOL 186L even if your application is still in process. Not attending the first day of class may void your application.

 

METX 119L General Microbiology Lab 

Fulfills the DC and Senior Lab requirements for the MCD Biology, BS major ONLY. 

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):

  • 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, 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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Enrollment Information

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