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Hello, CBS Student,
We are thrilled to welcome you to the college. You are joining a vibrant community of UC Davis biologists, all dedicated to discovery and innovation. Today’s scientific landscape is full of significant challenges, and your decision to join this shared spirit of curiosity and creativity matters more now than ever.
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Pictured L to R: CBS Undergraduate Deans Ebony McClain, Mark Winey, Helen Frasier, and Michele Igo
As you begin your UC Davis journey, we have three key tips for success:
- The Biology Academic Success Center (BASC) is your one-stop shop for all advising and support. When in doubt, start with BASC. You may hear “Dean’s Office Advising” or other names around campus—those all mean BASC.
- Enroll in the BioLaunch Mentor Collective. You’ll be paired with a returning CBS student who can share the “what I wish I knew when I was new” wisdom that only peers can provide. You’ll learn a lot—and have fun along the way.
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Go to faculty office hours. This is so important I’ll repeat it: Go to faculty office hours! Your professors want to meet you and support you during your time at UC Davis. Even a short visit can enrich your experience and open doors to lab positions, internships, recommendation letters, and more.
This year is special—it marks the 20th anniversary of our college and a year of exciting opportunities for you.
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For First-Year Students: You are the first class to experience the new BIO123 Series, launching this year. Keep in mind that returning students (including your BioLaunch Mentor) have taken the BIS2 Series instead, but they’ll still have valuable insights to share about how to succeed in introductory biology here in CBS.
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For Transfer Students: Register for Course-based Undergraduate Research Experiences (CUREs). These hands-on courses provide laboratory experiences where you’ll build practical skills and learn to think like a biologist. Check your email for CUREs registration details!
To close, we’ll leave you with two quick questions. They won’t be on any exam, so we'll trust you to help one another remember the answers:
- What’s the name of the one-stop shop for all your academic questions?
- What’s the one thing that’s so important I said it twice?
The answers—BASC and Go to faculty office hours—may seem simple, but they will open doors to stronger connections, deeper learning, and new opportunities. We look forward to seeing all that you accomplish. From all of us in CBS: welcome to UC Davis!
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Your CBS Undergraduate Deans,
Mark Winey, Michele Igo, Helen Frasier, and Ebony McClain
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Exploring Biological Sciences (1-unit)
Registered for BIS005 (or BIS198 if you’re a transfer student)? These 1-unit fall courses introduce you to biology at UC Davis with faculty conversations, guest speakers from industry and medicine, and strategies for thriving in CBS courses.
Learn more at your CBS Welcome event—September 17 for transfers, September 22 for first-years—by talking with a BASC advisor or faculty member.
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Connect with a BioLaunch Mentor!
BioLaunch mentors have already sent more than 9,000 messages to new #CBSAggies this summer. These returning CBS students know exactly what it’s like to start fresh—and they’re here to help. From answering questions about student life and getting involved in research to sharing strategies for studying and pointing out the best spots on campus, mentors are ready to support you every step of the way. Don’t miss your chance to join the Mentor Collective ASAP!
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Check out what's waiting for you at the Library!
by Sheena Campbell, Student Services Librarian
Hey there, #CBSAggies! Your first fall quarter at UC Davis is full of new classes, activities, and experiences. It’s also the perfect time to discover how the UC Davis Library can support your coursework and research.
Not sure where to begin? Start with the UC Davis Library website or stop by the Welcome Desk—we’re always happy to answer questions, connect you to resources, or help you find your new favorite study spot.
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For me, September means getting my bike in shape, planting leeks and garlic, and celebrating the arrival of new students! As the STEM Librarian for undergraduate research and an Aggie alum, I’m excited to have you here at the Peter J. Shields Library. Each month in Shelf Awareness, I’ll share tips, tools, and—most importantly—people from the Library who can help you explore your passions and conduct research. To kick things off, check out these resources:
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Getting Started: Bookmark the Getting Started webpage before your first research assignment! It gives an overview of core tools, digital access, and tips for citations and writing.
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Research Guides: Librarians have created guides in every UC Davis subject area. My Biology Research Guide is a great “research hack,” with books, databases, and tools to jumpstart your process.
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Welcome Week Tours: Take a short tour of the Shields Library to find the best study spots and where to go for research help. Sign up for a library tour and start your year strong!
We’re so glad you’re here—see you at the Library!
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Q: I still have QUESTIONS!
A: Biology Academic Success Center (BASC)
At BASC, our mission is to support every CBS undergrad with proactive, holistic advising. Whether you have general questions or need guidance on degree requirements, our advisors are ready to help. While our offices are under renovation, you can easily connect with us online through the BASC website—and we look forward to welcoming you back in person soon.
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Health Professions Orientations
Health Professions Advising (HPA) is excited to welcome new #CBSAggies to UC Davis and share valuable information with students interested in pursuing a career in a health professional field. Attend a Pre-Med, Pre-Nursing & Pre-PA, Pre-Dental, Pre-Vet, or Exploring orientation to gain insight into the requirements for these health professional schools, pathways to get there, and what steps you can take now as a current Aggie.
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Under the Microscope: The Future of Food
How will the world feed 10 billion people by 2050?
CBS researchers are driving discoveries that support a more sustainable and resilient food future. As a new #CBSAggie, you’re invited to an engaging webinar on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, from 12:00–1:15 pm, to see our Community of Biology Scholars in action.
You’ll hear how faculty are working to grow high-yield, affordable staple crops for farmers worldwide, uncovering the evolutionary secrets of maize to explain its adaptability, and mapping genetic networks that drive plant growth and resilience in a changing climate. Their research shows how cutting-edge plant biology is shaping global food systems—making them more productive, sustainable, and equitable for generations to come.
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Save the Date: Pre-Health Conference
Thinking about a career in an allied health profession after completing your undergraduate degree at UC Davis? Discover pathways and connect with more than 200 exhibitors from health fields across the nation and around the world at the Pre-Health Conference at UC Davis on Saturday, October 18, 2025. Organized by student leaders and held on campus, the PHC is the largest pre-health gathering in the country and welcomes all UC Davis students.
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Wellness Corner: Getting Artsy!
Can art, doodling, or other creative activities help you balance the ups and downs of being a biologist and a new #CBSAggie? Scientists say yes! While it’s important to stay engaged in class, expressing what you’re learning through drawing or other art forms can be a powerful way to ease stress. Creative expression activates the brain’s reward center, which can help you relax, improve focus, and process emotions—supporting both your well-being and your learning.
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CBS Student Bulletin
UPDATED: 9/11/2025
CBS faculty and staff are really connected. Throughout the year, we receive a plethora of internship and job postings you may not find on Handshake. Bookmark the CBS Bulletin page and check back regularly.
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Career Center News
Want all of your options at your fingertips on a regular basis? Check out and subscribe to the Career Center's Health & Biological Sciences Newsletter for all of the upcoming events and tips on using Handshake!
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Questions or comments?
You are a part of the CBS community, and the reason for The DNA! Send your questions, ideas, and submissions for future issues to Assistant Dean Helen Frasier at: hsfrasier@ucdavis.edu.
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The Deans' News and Announcements (The DNA) is a monthly electronic newsletter for undergraduate students in the College of Biological Sciences.
The DNA is published by the CBS Dean’s Office.
| | | College of Biological Sciences | Dean's Office Advising 1023 Katherine Esau Science Hall | Davis, CA 95616 US | | | | |
