Advising Services

Current students can submit a brief question 24-hours a day through the Virtual Advising Center, within the Ask a Question area. An advisor will respond within 72 business hours (and often sooner), and the response can be viewed in the Contact Record area.

Note: Response times may exceed three working days during enrollment periods.

Fifteen (15) minute online drop-in sessions are available to all students in real time to address simple inquiries related to major/minor requirements, the degree audit, current or upcoming quarter planning, etc.

Drop-In Advising days/times are noted on the advising calendar below. When Drop-In Advising is open students will be able to meet with an advisor by signing in to the Meet with Advisor area of the Virtual Advising Center (VAC).

Availability is subject to change.

Fifteen (15) minute walk-in sessions are available to all students in Pacific Hall 1128 to address simple inquiries related to major/minor requirements, the degree audit, current or upcoming quarter planning, etc.

Walk-In Advising days/times are noted on the advising calendar below. When Walk-In Advising is open, students will be able to sign in to meet with an advisor in the lobby of Pacific Hall 1128.

Availability is subject to change.

Campus forms that need to be reviewed by a biology advisor should be sent to biousis@ucsd.edu as a PDF attachment. Campus forms will not be signed in-person.

Thirty (30) minute online and in person appointments are available for complex inquiries, such as long term planning or readmission.

Eligibility and Availability

• Current students who are declared as a biology major within our School may schedule an appointment by signing into the Meet with Advisor area of the Virtual Advising Center (VAC).
• Appointments can be scheduled up to two weeks in advance.
• FA24 appointments will be unavailable September 23rd - October 11th (weeks 0-2) and November 4th - 22nd (weeks 6-8) to accommodate student enrollment advising needs.
• Appointments scheduled outside of these parameters will be cancelled.

Campus forms that need to be reviewed by a biology advisor can be sent to biousis@ucsd.edu as a PDF attachment.

Before sending forms to Biology, ensure all guidelines for completion are met. Signed forms will be returned via the VAC (Contact Record area).

Turnaround is not immediate, and could take up to 72 business hours. Students are expected to plan accordingly.

Information sessions, workshops, and events are designed to introduce and expose students to academic and cocurricular services, as well as highlight various programs/offerings within the School. In addition to supporting current students, events are also hosted for prospective students.

Topics may include, but are not limited to:

• Academics
• Graduate/Professional School
• Study Abroad
• Research
• Prospective Student Outreach

Biology information sessions and workshops are scheduled throughout the year.

Pre-health advising is offered through the Career Center. Students interested in pre-health programs should review Healthbeat resources, and refer specific inquiries to Healthbeat advising.

Once students identify specific courses that are required for pre-health programs, biology advisors can assist with plotting biology-related coursework into an individual long term plan or addressing questions about specific biology courses or enrollment.