Survival Hints

Helpful Advice and Resources

A valuable resource for information about the major internships, jobs, fellowships, scholarships, courses, and general announcements is available on the Evolution, Ecology and Biodiversity web site. You may obtain an internet user account through Information Technology in room 182 Shield's Library (754-HELP).

Get a copy of the FREE "Biological Sciences Handbook" put out by the Dean's office, which lists all the pre-professional advising services, and compares the requirements of the various biological majors. This is available in 202 Life Sciences Addition.

Are you wondering about course content? There's a current syllabus for many courses in the book Expanded Course Descriptions available for perusal from the Master Advisors, the library, the First Resort, the Dean's Office (CBS), and the EEB peer advisors.

For either college, get the "Graduation Essentials" checklist from your Dean's office to find out where you stand on the numerous requirements you need to get out of here.

GRE (Graduate Record Examination) information is available from the Advising Services Office, 111 South Hall. Most graduate schools require the aptitude and an advanced test. Sign up at least a month in advance of the test date. The exam results are usually available in about six weeks. Many people find it best to take the two tests on separate dates. For the advanced biology test, recommended preparation is BIS 1A/B/C, MCB 150, genetics, and some basic physiology. Additional information can be found at the Advising Services web site.

Diagnostic Tests

Evolution, Ecology and Biodiversity students may take either the English Composition Test or one lower division course and one upper division course in English (list of satisfactory courses in CBS graduation requirements). Sign-up sheets for the exam will be posted outside room 176 Voorhies Hall, the Monday before each exam date, where they will remain until Friday at noon or until they are filled.

FYI...Since Chemistry is a prerequisite for most upper division biology courses, you would do well to complete your Chemistry 2 and Chemistry 8 or 118 or 128 as quickly as possible.

Chemistry Diagnostic Test. Before enrolling in Chemistry 2A or 2AH you must pass both the Chemistry Diagnostic Test and the Precalculus Qualifying Examination with satisfactory scores. Both exams are administered during Summer Advising and Orientation, and during the orientation week of any quarter in which Chemistry 2A or 2AH is offered. If you do not receive a satisfactory score on the Chemistry and Math Diagnostic Tests, you have two options:

1) Retake the test. In preparation for retaking the exam, it would be beneficial to visit the Learning Skills Center for help with your math skills.

2) Enroll in Sacramento City College's chemistry course 41C (listed as WLD 041C in the Classroom Schedule & Directory). The course does not provide unit credit toward graduation, but does provides 3 units of credit toward minimum progress for full-time status. It is important to note that WLD 041C is only offered Fall Quarter.

Substitution info: We do not recommend Math 21 instead of Math 16 unless you have a Math Achievement Test Score over 650. Note that placement in calculus courses requires minimum scores in an exam administered by the math department. The Chem 118 series is usually recommended for majors in biological sciences, but the Chem 8A&B are sufficient for the UCD School of Veterinary Medicine. Stat 100 is the usual course for majors in a biological science. Stat 102 is more theoretical. Stat 130AB is recommended for ecologists, but Stat 100 will suffice.

(Sliding down sand dunes in the Mojave. Photo courtesy of Joseph L. Huang)

Double Majors

Double majors between Evolution, Ecology and Biodiversity and Biological Sciences (or similar fields) are not approved. Truly interdisciplinary double majors are another story. See your advisor or inquire at the Dean's Office of the College of Biological Sciences. (Double majors still receive only one diploma. The diploma will exhibit both majors the undergraduate has completed).

Minors

Minors may be completed in the sciences or other fields along with the EEB major. Only one upper-division course may be counted towards both the minor and the major {(see page 66-67 of the 2006-08 General Catalog)}.

Graduate Courses

If you want to take graduate courses (200-298) for credit, you need the written approval of the instructor, the chairman of the department, and the Dean of your college to have the units count towards your degree. These courses may not be applied to the 64 unit upper division requirement.

The ICC

Are you unsure of your career goals or are you looking for a back-up career? Visit the Internship and Career Center in South Hall (752-2855), or visit their web site to explore your options.