Welcome New Fall 2024 Admits!
Congratulations and welcome to the Program in Biomedical Sciences and Engineering (BMEB, MCDB, CB3, and METX Tracks) Graduate Program at the University of California, Santa Cruz. The PBSE Program is designed to provide you with an opportunity to understand “how to” gain academic and personal success in the area of Biomolecular Engineering and Bioinformatics, Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, Chemistry and Biochemistry, and Microbial Biology. During your years in the Ph.D. program at UCSC, your program/track Graduate Program Adviser will be your personal contact for all administrative processes and procedures required by the PBSE and the Graduate Division.
Please take a few moments to review the program information below, and feel free to email or call if you have any questions or concerns. On behalf of the PBSE faculty, we welcome you and look forward to seeing you this Fall!
Sincerely,
Carrie Niblett, Graduate Program Coordinator, MCD Biology
Sandra Pomeroy, Graduate Advisor, METX
Alissa Nolan, Graduate Program Coordinator, CB3
René Marchington, Graduate Program Coordinator, BMEB
Orientation Events
PBSE RESEARCH CONFERENCE – all tracks join
Thursday, September 19th, 2024 – Roaring Camp Railroads in Felton
The PBSE Research Conference is a one-day event to introduce incoming grads to faculty, current grads, postdocs, and other researchers in Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, Chemistry, Microbiology & Environmental Toxicology, and Biomolecular Engineering. This event will include faculty research talks and posters.
BMEB DEPARTMENT GRADUATE STUDENT BOOTCAMP – BMEB track (PhD and MS) students only
Further information and registration details will be sent out later in summer by the Bootcamp Organizers.
The goal of bootcamp is to introduce new students to the research environment and community within the Biomolecular Engineering Department. It typically features faculty talks, workshops, social activities, and a collaborative research project.
PBSE GRADUATE ORIENTATION – attendance is required by all tracks
Monday, September 23, 2024
During orientation, you will attend several short sessions to get an overview of the departments and campus resources. You will also have several opportunities to meet and speak with new and current graduate students and there will be a brief program overview by PBSE Director, Professor Angela Brook.
Following the program overview, you will meet with your graduate advising committees for individual academic advising and review the required and recommended coursework for your track.
CHEMISTRY DEPARTMENT LUNCH – CB3 track students only
Date & Time: TBD
CHEMISTRY DEPARTMENT RESEARCH CONFERENCE – CB3 track students only
Date & Time: TBD
Please visit our website for more information. You do not need to register and your fees are paid on your behalf.
METX DEPARTMENT ORIENTATION – METX track students only
PhD Program: Monday, September 23 at 1:30 p.m.
What I Wish I Knew Forum: Wednesday, September 25 at 9 a.m.
How Do I Get Paid (and Other Important Information): Wednesday, September 25 at 10 a.m.
METX DEPARTMENT WELCOME BBQ – METX track students only
Thursday, September 26 at 5:00 p.m.
Details will be sent via email.
GRADUATE DIVISION ORIENTATION – all tracks join
Wednesday, September 25, 2024
Registration details will be emailed to incoming grads and posted here once available.
This campus-wide orientation is separate from the PBSE orientation, and will cover a different set of topics, including: International Orientation, Grad Division, Health and Wellness Resource, Slug Support and Basic Needs, Graduate Student Association, Graduate Student Commons, Union Auto Workers Info Session, Resource Fair and Social
Rotations, Enrollment, Onboarding, etc
SIX WEEK ROTATIONS
Rotations in labs are six weeks long. During the seventh week, first-year students present brief rotations talks or posters on the goals and progress of their rotation projects. During the PBSE Orientation, you will be given a detailed timeline for the rotations and dates for when your lab rotation choices are due (a general timeline is also below). We feel that six weeks is long enough to work on a research project and figure out if the lab is a “right fit” for you and your research interests.
Important Rotation Dates:
- Rotation 1 requests due: Tuesday, Sept 24 12pm
- Rotation 1 assignments: Friday, Sept 27 (or sooner if possible)
- Rotation 1 dates: Sept 30 – Nov 8
- Rotation 2 requests due: Friday, Nov 8
- Rotation 2 assignments: Friday, Nov 15
- Rotation 1 talks: Week of November 11th 2024
- Rotation 2 dates: Nov 18 – Jan 17
- Rotation 3 requests due: Jan 17
- Rotation 3 assignments: Jan 24
- Rotation 2 talks: Week of January 20th 2025
- Rotation 3 dates: Jan 27- March 7
- Rotation 3 poster session: Friday, March 14
- Permanent lab discussions start after poster session ends
Permanent lab discussions start after poster session ends March 14
ENROLLMENT
Enrollment and other services will be available to you using the Academic Information System (AIS), available through the MyUCSC Portal. New graduate students may begin the enrollment process June 22. If you need technical support, including help with your CruzID and Blue or Gold Password, please call (831) 459-4357 or email help@ucsc.edu. If you need help enrolling in a class, call the enrollment Help Line at (831) 459-4412 or email registrar@ucsc.edu.
Your CruzID is your UCSC account, sometimes referred to as your username, that gives you access to many campus services and systems. Your CruzID is the beginning part of your UCSC email address. For example, in the email sammyslug@ucsc.edu, then “sammyslug” is the CruzID. You will need your CruzID and Gold Password to access MyUCSC.
MCDB Track – please enroll in the following courses:
| Class ID | Course | Credits | Grade option | Class Number |
| Biol 200A | Critical Analysis of Scientific Literature | 5 Units | Letter (ABC) | 11872 |
| Biol 200E | Experimental Design | 3 Units | Letter (ABC) | 12171 |
| Biol 288 | Pedagogy in STEM | 2 Units | S/U | 12096 |
| Biol 291 | Monday Seminar Series | 2 Units | S/U | 12231 |
| Biol 292 | Friday Seminar Series | 0 Units | S/U | 12230 |
| Biol 297A | Independent Study/Lab Rotation | 5 Units | S/U |
CB3 Track – please enroll in the following courses:
| Class ID | Course | Credits | Class Number | Instructor |
| CHEM 291 | Chemistry & Biochemistry Research Seminar | 5 Units | 24006 | Sanchez |
| CHEM 296 | Teaching Chemistry | 2 Units | 22319 | Roland |
| CHEM 200A | Advanced Biochemistry: Biophysical Methods | 5 Units | 22314 | Rubin |
| CHEM 271 | Chemical Biology | 5 Units | 24507 | McKinnie |
| CHEM 297A | Independent Study | 5 Units | 17525 | Stone |
BMEB Track – please enroll in the following courses:
| Class ID | Course | Credits | Grading Option | Class Number | Time/Location | Instructor |
| BME 205 | Bioinformatics Models and Algorithms | 5 Units | Letter OR S/U | 22192 | MWF 10:40-11:45AM, Porter Acad 144 | Bernick |
| BME 280B | Seminar on Thursdays | 2 Units | S/U | 22197 | Th 11:40AM-1:15PM, Biomed 200 | Brooks |
| BME 296-04 | Lab Rotation (PhDs Only) | 5 Units | S/U | 16363 | TBD | Corbett-Detig |
METX Track – please enroll in the following courses:
| Class ID | Course | Credits | Grade Option | Class Number | Time, Location | Instructor(s) |
| METX 200 | Interdisc Approaches in Environ Toxicology | 5 Units | Letter | 13013 | Tu Th 9:50-11:25AM, Biomed 260 | Otteman / Patnode |
| METX 292 | Intro Grad Seminar | 0 Units | S/U | 13024 | Tu 12:00-1:00 PM, PSB 240 | Kimmey / Patnode |
| METX 297A | Independent Study | 5 Units | S/U | 15667 | Rotations | Saltikov |
You will enroll in additional courses after you attend your advisory meeting during PBSE Orientation. All students are required to enroll in at least 15 units/quarter.
STATEMENT OF LEGAL RESIDENCE
The Statement of Legal Residence should be completed (even if you believe that you are a California resident) and submitted to the Office of the Registrar so that your resident status can be determined for tuition purposes. Failure to return the completed form will result in your status being classified as a non-resident and being billed accordingly.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
Please visit International Student Services & Programming (ISSP) for more information: https://issp.ucsc.edu/students/new/
All international students must complete an I-20/DS-2019 Request. Students currently attending another U.S. school will need to discuss a SEVIS transfer with that school. You should receive an email directly from ISSP about preparing and submitting these forms.
PAYROLL INFORMATION
Paychecks for Teaching Assistants, Graduate Student Researcher, Fellowship recipients and Financial Aid are disbursed through the Student Business Services (831-459-2159) or the Physical & Biological Sciences (PBSci) Academic Payroll Office (831-459-3650) or BSOE Accounts Payable Office.
- Student Business Services is responsible for financial aid, fellowship and scholarship checks. SBS sends your payment as either direct deposit, or paper check to your permanent addresses as stated in your MyUCSC account, depending on the funding classification and your MyUCSC student account setup. It is highly recommended that you establish direct deposit as a payment option as soon as possible.
- Make sure your MyUCSC Student Portal is up to date with your current address and all contact information. We recommend checking your MyUCSC student Portal at least once a month to check for any bills or fees posted to your account.
- PBSci and BSOE Accounts Payable distributes your Teaching Assistant (TA) and Graduate Student Research (GSR) checks to your home mailing address as listed on UCPath, unless your UCPath account is set up as direct deposit.
The departments strongly urge all students to sign up for direct deposit with FAST, SBS and PBSci/BSOE Accounts Payable.
| Direct Deposit-Student Business Services Office | Form used to electronically transfer funds (travel grants, financial aid and loans, and international student fellowships) to your bank account. It generally takes two weeks to process the SBS direct deposit request. Please send this form directly to SBS. |
| Direct Deposit-PBSci/BSOE Payroll Office | System used to electronically transfer Teaching Assistant (TA) and Graduate Student Research (GSR) funds to your bank account. You can access this from your UCPath account. |
Stipend Info
- GSR and TA pay dates are as follows:
- Nov 1, Dec 1, Jan 1 (Fall)
- Feb 1, March 1, April 1 (Winter)
- May 1, June 1, July 1 (Spring)
- Aug 1, Sept 1, Oct 1 (Summer)
- Quarterly fellowships (Regents’ Fellowships, Cota-Robles, Chancellor’s Fellowship, Dean’s Fellowship, and Graduate Fellowships) pay dates are on the first day of each quarter.
Fellowships awarded for less than the full academic year will be paid in equal installments Fall and/or Winter quarter (if the award is larger than one quarter of fellowship) unless you contact the Graduate Division requesting a change in this payment schedule
If you are waiting for a check, then it is always a good idea to check with the correct office to confirm the status of your account (outstanding bills, address information, correct set-up). Incorrect mailing addresses and outstanding bills can cause unexpected delays and minimize disbursement payments.
Below is a helpful table of accounting/payment systems at UCSC:
CAMPUS MAILING ADDRESS
MCDB Track students – Your mailing address is:
UCSC Dept. of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology
[Your Name], [Faculty Sponsor’s Lab]
225 Sinsheimer Labs
Santa Cruz, CA 95064
Fax: 831-459-3139
Mail stop Code: MCD BIOLOGY
CB3 Track students – Your mailing address is:
UCSC Dept. of Chemistry and Biochemistry
[Your Name], [Faculty Sponsor’s Lab]
230 Physical Sciences Building
Santa Cruz, CA 95064
Fax: 831-459-2935
Mail stop: Chemistry
BMEB Track students – Your mailing address is:
[Your Name]
UC Santa Cruz
1156 High Street
Mail Stop Code: SOEGRAD
Santa Cruz, CA 95064
METX Track students – Your mailing address is:
UCSC Dept. of Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology
[Your Name], [Faculty Sponsor’s Lab]
430B Physical Sciences Building
Santa Cruz, CA 95064
Fax: 831-459-4719
Mail stop Code: PSB-METX
EMAIL ACCOUNT
Virtually all information will be communicated to you via an electronic mail account set up for you in the standard format of @ucsc.edu. Your email accounts are already set-up. Please get in the habit of checking your e-mail frequently as announcements about fellowships, employment, and department requirements are posted on a weekly basis. By early summer you should have received an email regarding your UCSC e-mail account set up. If not, please contact your graduate adviser for assistance.
STUDENT IDENTIFICATION CARDS
All incoming students will need to get their pictures taken (or upload their ID picture) before the start of the fall quarter for their student identification cards. ID Card Services is located on the first floor of the Bay Tree Bookstore building in between the Digital Copy Center and the Express Store in the UCSC Quarry. Refer to the ID Services website for their Fall incoming student ID services schedule.
Enrollment stickers verify a student’s enrollment and quarterly status at UCSC. A current sticker on your ID card functions as a free metro/shuttle bus pass around campus/town, recreation facilities card, and library card. You will receive your Fall 2021 sticker when you pick up your card from the ID Card Services. After Fall quarter, you will obtain your quarterly stickers from your track’s graduate program coordinator after your enrollment has been verified by the department.
HELPFUL EMAIL ADDRESSES
| Title | Name | Email Address |
| BMEB Grad Program Coordinator | René Marchingon | bme-grad@ucsc.edu |
| MCDB Grad Program Coordinator | Carrie Niblett | cniblett@ucsc.edu |
| CB3 Grad Program Coordinator | Alissa Nolan | aldnolan@ucsc.edu |
| METX Grad Program Coordinator | Sandra Pomeroy | sjpomero@ucsc.edu |
| Graduate Division | Graduate Division Staff | gss-group@ucsc.edu |
| Email Account Tech Support | ITS Help Desk | help@ucsc.edu |
| Enrollment Support | Office of the Registrar | registrar@ucsc.edu |
HELPFUL LINKS
| Student Portal-MyUCSC | http://my.ucsc.edu |
| AIS Enrollment Troubleshooting | https://registrar.ucsc.edu/class-enrollment/how-and-when-to-enroll/enrollment-waitlist-troubleshooting/ |
| Virtual UCSC Map | http://maps.ucsc.edu/ |
| Housing Information | http://housing.ucsc.edu/housing/graduate.html |
| Office of Registrar | http://reg.ucsc.edu/ |
| Student Business Services | http://sbs.ucsc.edu/ |
| Student Health Center/UC SHIP | https://health.ucsc.edu/billing-insurance/ |
| PBSci Payroll | https://toolkit.science.ucsc.edu/personnel-payroll/ |
| BSOE Payroll | https://organization.soe.ucsc.edu/business-office/about-hr |
| UCPath | https://ucpath.ucsc.edu/ |