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Division's Undergraduate Student Organization (BSSA) Launches New Year

October 4, 2007

By Pat Walsh

Gabriele Wienhausen, associate dean for education, talks with a standing room only audience of undergraduate biology majors
Gabriele Wienhausen, associate dean for education, talks with a standing room only audience of undergraduate biology majors

Associate Dean for Education Dr. Gabriele Wienhausen addressed students attending the fall general body meeting of the Division's Biological Sciences Student Association (BSSA) on October 3. Dr. Wienhausen encouraged the students to take advantage of the many opportunities available to undergraduates at UCSD, especially BSSA. She commended BSSA for identifying, organizing and presenting activities and events to help their fellow students obtain vital information and to network with faculty, alumni, other students, and potential employers. Dr. Wienhausen also encouraged students to communicate with her and the Dean's Office about what they see as areas that can be made more responsive to students' needs; she announced plans to initiate periodic brown bag luncheons to talk informally with students about their undergraduate experience and how the Division can enhance it and make it more meaningful.

BSSA president Christina Doyle and her board of officers describe the many opportunities for participation available to biology students.
BSSA president Christina Doyle and her board of officers describe the many opportunities for participation available to biology students.

After Dr. Wienhausen's talk, BSSA president, Christina Doyle, and several of the other officers detailed plans for the upcoming quarter, including Beyond the Degree career panels, Beyond the Classroom luncheons with faculty, the fall Freshman Speed Greeting, the first Transfer Student Dinner, and the start of planning for the second annual Career Expo to be held later in the school year.

The Biological Sciences Student Association (BSSA) was launched six years ago to assist students in preparing for a wide range of career opportunities in both the academic and industry environments. BSSA, which complements the Division's strong degree programs, is run by a board of 12 elected officers and receives administrative support from the Dean's Office. BSSA membership has grown more than 1,000 students and is open to all biology majors and minors at UCSD.

The main goals of BSSA are to:

Students sign up for various BSSA activities, including the mentor-mentee program prior to the meeting.
Students sign up for various BSSA activities, including the mentor-mentee program prior to the meeting.
  1. Outreach to incoming and returning biology majors and minors on campus to promote both membership and event/program participation
  2. Provide a series of events and programs that support biology majors' educational goals and broaden and enhance their overall experience at UCSD, thus serving as the first step in a lifelong relationship between the Division and our students
  3. Increase meaningful interaction between biology students, faculty ,alumni, and industry representatives through small group and one to one interactions
  4. Offer expanded programs and information on career options and advanced education opportunities for biology majors
  5. Provide valuable leadership opportunities for biology majors that will serve them well in their future endeavors, as well as team building, communications, and time management skills
  6. Further develop BSSA's visibility on and off campus with various constituencies including faculty, students, alumni, organizations, the campus administration, and area high schools

Learn more about BSSA, or email us for more information.