Undergraduate Advising
Please check this page regularly for updates! It is expected that you have read all our policies and guidelines seen below in our "Meet with An Advisor" tab before you utilize any of the advising services.
Meet with an Advisor
In-Person Drop-In Advising - 15 minutes
15-minute quick inquiries related to:
- Chemistry/Biochemistry major or minor requirements
- Degree audit questions and corrections
- Enrollment in a chemistry/biochemistry class
- Planning your current or upcoming quarter classes
- Our petition process
- Department policies and procedures
You may also ask these questions via the Virtual Advising Center!
To meet with an advisor during in-person drop-in advising:
- Go to the Student Affairs Office in York Hall 4010.
- Sign-iun at the front desk and wait for your turn to meet with an advisor.
Spring 2023 Schedule
Wednesdays 2:00PM - 3:30PM
Thursdays 10:00AM - 11:30AM and 2:00 - 3:30PM
Fridays 10:00 - 11:30AM (remote only)
Remote Drop-in Advising - 15 minutes
15-minute quick inquiries related to:
- Chemistry/Biochemistry major or minor requirements
- Degree audit questions and corrections
- Enrollment in a chemistry/biochemistry class
- Planning your current or upcoming quarter classes
- Discuss our petition process
- Department policies and procedures
You may also ask these questions via the Virtual Advising Center!
To sign in for drop-in advising:
- Go to the Meet with Advisor tab in the Virtual Advising Center (VAC) to sign-in and receive a zoom link.
- Your screen will update when it is your turn to be seen.
- Note that advisors will wait for you for a maximum of 5 minutes in the meeting room. If you are eexperiencing technical difficulties please send us a VAC message with your question.
Spring 2023 Schedule
Wednesdays 2:00PM - 3:30PM
Thursdays 10:00AM - 11:30AM and 2:00 - 3:30PM
Fridays 10:00 - 11:30AM (remote only)
Appointment - 30 minutes
Advising appointments are 30-minute sessions intended for long-term (quarter-by-quarter) planning; including major planning for readmission purposes. Please know that the majority of your questions can be answered via the VAC or through drop-in advising!
Spring 2023
To Schedule an appointment please go to your Virtual Advising Center > Meet with Advisor > Chemistry & Biochemistry
Note: Appointments for Spring will be available for sign-up the first day of Spring quarter instruction.
Virtual Advising Center (VAC)
Virtual Advising Center (VAC)
Submit questions 24/7 through the VAC, within the Ask a Question tab. An advisor will respond within 72 business hours (often sooner), and the response can be viewed in the Contact Record tab.
Use the VAC for quick questions about your major or minor requirements, your degree audit, enrollment in a chemistry/biochemistry course, planning your current or upcoming quarter courses, our petition process, department policies or procedures, etc.
Note: Response times may exceed 72 business hours during enrollment periods and/or observed campus closures.
Email (Forms/Petitions)
If you have a petition to submit (e.g. retroactive withdrawal, double major, maximum unit limitation appeals, study abroad forms, etc.), please be sure it is completely filled out and has all the required signatures. You may then email it in PDF format to chemadvising@ucsd.edu.
Peer Advising
Who are Peer Advisors?
Chemistry Peer Advisors are undergraduate students majoring in one of the degree programs and who are available to answer questions from fellow students. It is especially helpful for freshmen and new transfers, but all are welcome! They can provide insights on questions such as:
- Why did you pick Chemistry as a major?
- What is it like to be a Chemistry student at UCSD?
- What resources have you found helpful?
- How did you get involved in research or teaching?
- What do you plan to do after you graduate?
Have quick questions? Our Peer Advisors are also available via e-mail at chempeers@ucsd.edu.
Meet our Peer |
Advisors! |
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Lu Yue Wang Lu Yue is a second year pharmacy student in the 7-year BS/PharmD program. Her ideal career is in clinical pharmacy and she is interested in studying geriatrics and psychiatry. Her hobbies are art, baking, music, and spending time with friends and family. As a peer advisor she aims to help students understand how they can achieve their goals, whether it's getting their first research position, planning their schedule, or doing better in class. |
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Aidan Tice-Raskin Aidan is a fourth-year Biochemistry major in Sixth College. He is doing research on-campus in the Burkart lab, studying fatty acid biosynthesis in mycobacterium tuberculosis. Aidan has plans of going to medical school and hopefully, one day, will become a pediatrician. Coming from Northern California, Aidan enjoys skiing, hiking, and everything involving friends and family.New to the peer advising team, he enjoys peer advising because he too in confused by college academia and loves helping people. |
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Samantha Champ Sam is a fourth year Chemistry major and biology minor at Warren College. She is a second-year transfer student from Monterey California. Sam would like to pursue a research career that lets her follow many of her interests from environmental toxicology to medicinal chem. In her free time, she likes drawing and working on her language skills. Her goal as a Chemistry Peer Advisor is to help students successfully reach their goals and navigate their way through undergrad. |
Advising Expectations
What can you expect from your department academic advisor?
Department advisors will…
- Explain department policies and procedures and university regulations.
- Help you with questions regarding enrollment, petitions, prerequisites, and anything related to your major requirements.
- Work with you to develop your long-term academic plan.
- Assist you with improving your decision-making skills and help you to develop autonomy and responsibility for your educational plans and achievements.
- Help you identify academic and career goals and provide recommendations to help you successfully meet those goals.
- Refer you to appropriate individuals, offices, and centers on campus.
- Provide a respectful and supportive space for you to ask questions, discuss interests and express concerns.
What does your department advisor expect from you?
- Read email or notifications sent from Chemistry Advising and the Registrar’s office.
- Use online resources to find information about courses, policies, deadlines, etc.
- Schedule and attend an advising appointment at least once a year.
- Be courteous and respectful (e.g. schedule your appointment early, silence your phone during your appointment)
- Come prepared; bring any relevant materials with you (written questions, quarter-by-quarter plan, draft schedule, etc.)
- Arrive on time (a few minutes early, if possible) and check in at the front desk.
- Attend scheduled appointments or academic advising workshops.
- Ask questions during advising sessions or through the Virtual Advising Center (VAC).
- Review degree audit each quarter, particularly before enrollment times.
- Learn to use information about course descriptions, offerings, and prerequisites to draft a long-term academic plan.
- Follow-through on recommendations and referrals.
- Accept responsibility for choices and decisions.
Learning outcomes for Chemistry/Biochemistry advising sessions
- Know how to use the degree audit system to monitor progress toward degree completion.
- Identify specific educational, career, and life goals.
- Make informed decisions concerning career goals or advanced education.
- Establish social networks that help further career plans.
- Appreciate the value added to their educational experience through mentoring and/or co-curricular opportunities.
