Division of Biological Sciences Covid-19 Graduate Updates

All questions regarding course expectations should be directed to the instructor.

Students are encouraged to periodically check the Schedule of Classes to get the most up-to-date course classification information. Please note that courses in the School of Biological Sciences are subject to change instructional modality, dependent on the state of the pandemic. Please continue to check the Schedule of Classes to receive updated information.

Spring 2021

Biology courses were offered in one of three ways for spring 2021:

• Fully Remote (all online) or
• Hybrid (combination of in-person and remote/online components) or
• In-Person (all in-person)

To assist with planning for SP21, students were encouraged to reference SP21 Course Information, to determine which courses would require synchronous course components and participation.

Winter 2021

Biology courses were offered in one of three ways for winter 2021:

• Fully Remote (all online) or
• Hybrid (combination of in-person and remote/online components) OR
• In-Person (all in-person)

Please review WI21 Course Information for additional details.

Fall 2020

Biology courses were offered in one of three ways for fall 2020:

• Fully Remote (all online) OR
• Hybrid (combination of in-person and remote/online components) OR
• In-Person (all in-person)

Please review FA20 Biology Course Scheduling FAQs ^[PDF] to address inquiries pertaining to enrollment and expectations.

Summer 2020

All courses were offered remotely.

Spring 2020

All courses were shifted to remote modality, due to onset of the COVID pandemic.

Instruction format of a course does not determine seat capacity. The School attempts to offer as many seats as possible no matter if a course is being taught remotely, hybrid, or in person. Students who are unable to enroll in a course may waitlist, knowing that this does not guarantee enrollment. Students who choose to waitlist should ensure they are enrolled in at least 12 units for full time status.

Campus has physical capacity limitations for all in-person/hybrid courses. In addition, there are other capacity limitations for remote courses due to available course support.

Please refer to the Campus add/drop deadlines.

See also Summary of Senate Policy Updates Since Spring 2020

Research and Safety

The Division of Biological Sciences would like to reinforce all campus messages regarding research during the pandemic: no student should be pressured to work in-person. Student concerns can be conveyed in confidence to program leadership or to the Division of Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs (GEPA). Safety concerns should be reported via the Divisional form ^{[new tab]} .

See also, COVID-19 Research Resources for Laboratories.

GSGEI/NRST Coverage

Please take a moment to read the announcement from Dean Antony ^[PDF] sent out regarding UCSD now excluding four COVID-affected quarters (SP20, FA20, WI21, and SP21) from the calculation of 3-year eligibility for pre-candidacy GSGEI or from the calculation of 3-year eligibility for post-candidacy waiver of Non-Resident Student Tuition (NRST).

Remote Thesis/Dissertation Defense

The Graduate Council has extended its limited-term exception to the general rules for how master's and doctoral committee members conduct master's thesis defenses and doctoral qualifying exams and defenses. Effective until the end of Summer 2022 (September 18, 2022), any and/or all members of a master's or doctoral committee or the student being examined may be telepresent (meaning participation by live video teleconference) for a thesis defense, qualifying examination and final oral examination (the dissertation defense).

Preparing for and Conducting a Successful Remote Dissertation/Thesis Defense

Continuation of Extended Time Limits for Doctoral Students

In Fall 2020, the Graduate Council approved additional extensions of time limits for doctoral students. The new extensions are in addition to the 1-quarter extension of pre-candidacy time limit (PCTL), support time limit (SUTL), and/or total registered time limit (TRTL) that were granted in Spring 2020.

New extensions:

• Students who have not yet advanced to candidacy: As default, the PCTL will be extended one additional quarter and SUTL will be extended two additional quarters.
• Students who have advanced to candidacy and for whom SUTL has not expired: SUTL will be extended three additional quarters. If the SUTL and TRTL coincide, both SUTL and TRTL will be extended such that the SUTL is equivalent to the TRTL.
• Students who have advanced to candidacy and for whom SUTL has expired: TRTL will be extended three additional quarters.

Implementation of One Quarter Extension to Time Limits for Doctoral Students

In Spring 2020, the Graduate Council approved and the Division of Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs (GEPA) implemented a one-quarter extension of time limits for all current doctoral students due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The campus student information system (ISIS) and the Division of Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs (GEPA) student database have been updated to reflect this change." See more in this announcement ^[PDF].

S/U, Spring 2020 and 2020-21 Graduate Courses

The Division will allow 'S' grades earned in spring in spring 2020, winter 2021, and spring 2021 graduate courses to be applied to degree requirements, even in courses where a letter grade is otherwise required. See also Summary of Senate Policy Updates Since Spring 2020.

International students may have special considerations and are urged to review information on the International Students & Program Office web page and to contact ISPO staff for questions.

• Learn about classroom physical distancing, ventilation, disinfection, technology upgrades and more
• Reserve a space to study in the Biomedical Library
• Request a loaner laptop ^{[new tab]}
• Look up a computer lab space
• Teaching and Learning Commons

Basic Needs

To support our resilient students, both The Hub Basic Needs Center and Triton Food Pantry will be open with full operational hours for Fall Quarter. For questions, please visit the websites above, or reach out to basicneeds@ucsd.edu or 858-246-2632.

Community Resource Centers

Campus Community Centers at UC San Diego provide an array of resources and are open to all community members.

Recreation

Visit UCSD Recreation to learn about available services and classes.

Student Personal Wellness Online is a FREE online health and fitness program offered to current students. Register today at Student Personal Wellness.

Student Health

Student Health Services is open to provide care for UC San Diego Students. We have implemented many changes to ensure that healthy, asymptomatic students who come to Student Health are safe and not exposed to infection. All patients and staff are masked at Student Health Services whether they are in Urgent Care or our Primary Care areas. Our pharmacy, nurses clinic, lab and X-ray are still open. Please call 858-534-3300 to speak to a nurse to determine if you need an in-person appointment or can have a video visit.

Testing for COVID-19 is still being done at SHS and is covered by SHIP. We are able to test any student that presents with any risk factors or symptoms of having COVID-19.

Pharmacy: Our Student Health Pharmacy is able to deliver any medications for free to students that live anywhere in California. Students can contact Student Health Pharmacy at 858-534-2135 or go through MyStudentChart and request a refill. Our pharmacy can send prescriptions for 90-day supply to students living in California via FedEx. They are unable to send controlled medications or refrigerated medications. Students have a lower copay if they fill their medications through Student Health.

Telemedicine at Student Health: Any UC San Diego student may now have video visits or telephone visits with their Student Health primary care providers if they live anywhere in California. For students with SHIP and RAFT, there is no copay or visit charge. For students without SHIP, the same visit charges apply that would be used for in-person visits.

Mental Wellness

If you - or someone you know - need(s) to speak with someone or are feeling overwhelmed, please contact:

Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) - CAPS offers counseling to help students in crisis or who are feeling stress. Per CAPS: 'no problem is too big or too small'. CAPS also has regular drop-in workshops including a Monday 'Coping with Covid' workshop.

Student Health Services also has a social worker available for support with referrals to community resources, mental health providers, and medical specialists, as well as support with basic needs (e.g., housing, finances, insurance and food) and navigating challenges at UCSD. Additionally the student health plan includes mental health benefits.

Conflict Resolution

Guidance for engaging in difficult conversations, as well as links to campus resources available to assist in conflict resolution can be found on the Conflict Resolution and Student Appeals page.

Resources for Students with Dependents

Check out the Students with Dependents webpage for resources you might find helpful, and see the latest newsletter here.