FAQ's

What is the Health Sciences Internship?
How many hours am I required to complete at my internship site?
Who can participate in the Health Sciences Internship?
What are the prerequisites?
When should I start the internship process and when should I apply?
How do I apply for the internship?
What happens after I submit my application?
When should I do my internship?
How do I find more information about the internship?
What’s the difference between BIOL 189 and BIOL 189W? 
How do I register for BIOL 189 and BIOL 189W? 
What can I do now to prepare for my internship? 

What is the Health Sciences Internship?    

UCSC Human Biology majors are required to undertake an internship at a health care facility in the Monterey Bay Area or elsewhere. These internships engage students in meaningful community service and, most importantly, provide an opportunity to gain first-hand experience with the types of issues faced by healthcare professionals, as well as the skills needed to effectively deal with them. Students complete 80 hours at their placement over the course of the quarter, keep a reflective journal, and submit required documentation such as an hourly log, evaluation forms, and a final reflective essay. Interns earn 5 units of academic credit per quarter during the internship. 

The Health Sciences Internship Coordinator counsels and helps place students in internships at local hospitals, clinics and other facilities. Each intern is trained and mentored on-site by a healthcare professional, and assigned to a faculty advisor from UCSC's Dept. of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, who helps the student integrate academic coursework and research experience with the practical lessons learned in the field.

How many hours am I required to complete at my internship site?

Over the course of a 10 week quarter, students are required to complete 80 hours on site. Students are responsible for tracking and verifying their hours.

Who can participate in the Health Sciences Internship?

Only Human Bio majors are eligible for the Health Sciences Internship. If you are not a Human Bio major, explore other internship opportunities through Handshake.

What are the prerequisites?

Successful completion of Entry Level Writing and Composition Requirements.
Attend an Internship Informational Session, held Week 3 each quarter except during summer. Info sessions will be announced via email. Dates for the informational sessions will be posted here.

Interview with Health Science Internship Coordinator.

When should I start the internship process and when should I apply?

It’s never too early to start thinking about your internship. Students are welcome to contact Beth Magyar - Health Sciences Internship Coordinator, bmagyar@ucsc.edu to start internship brainstorming.

Students must apply two quarters before when they want to do their internship. Dates for application deadlines are available here. 

Ex. If you want to do your internship during the Spring quarter, you must attend an info session and submit your application during the Fall quarter. Student applications will not be accepted one quarter before or during the same quarter of their anticipated internship.

How do I apply for the internship?

Students must fill out a Google form application and submit their resume, letter of intent, and proof of health insurance by the application deadline. The link to the Google form is available on the Canvas website.

What happens after I submit my application?

The Internship Coordinator will reach out to students to schedule an interview during the first week of the following quarter. She will contact you via your UCSC email. 

When should I do my internship? 

It can only be taken in your Junior or Senior year. It is not permitted to be taken alongside BIOL 130/L (Human Physiology). The internship may only be taken as part of a 15-17 unit quarter, not in addition to (this doesn’t mean you have to take 15 units, just no more than that). It is highly recommended to do your internship during the lightest quarter of your last two years. 

How do I find more information about the internship?

For Human Bio majors that will be applying to do their internship, reach out to the Internship Coordinator, bmagyar@ucsc.edu for access to the Canvas Info site. Access is by permission only and is not available to other majors. This site is updated quarterly.

How do I register for BIOL 189? 

Students do not self register for BIOL 189. Students must first go through the application process, have an interview with the Internship Coordinator, and receive their internship placement. Once these steps are completed, students will be issued a permission code to enroll in BIOL 189. 

What can I do now to prepare for my internship? 

Start exploring healthcare facilities, agencies, and organizations in the community that you are interested in. Check out their websites and volunteer opportunities. If you’re feeling up to it, go ahead and reach out to learn more about their work and opportunities available to students.

Also, schedule a brainstorming session with Beth Magyar- Internship Coordinator, bmagyar@ucsc.edu. Reflect on how your internship will help you develop skills, gain experience, and build networks that support your future professional and personal goals.