Enrolling in Courses
Grades
Summer School
Major Requirements
Minor Requirements
University Requirements
General Academic Information
I'm on a waitlist. Should I stay on the waitlist or drop it and find another course?
For the most part, it is best to waitlist for the class, perhaps also enrolling in a backup option. Often we are able to accommodate more students by adding new sections or expanding the class size. When that is possible, we first notify students who are on the waitlist. Also, with some classes there is a lot of movement, when students drop the class or are dropped due to non-payment of fees or missing prerequisites. It is difficult to predict whether you will be added via waitlist, but the best thing is to just waitlist.
I haven't completed the prerequisites for a class. Can I still enroll in it? Can I take the prerequisite class at the same time?
All prerequisites must generally be completed before you will be allowed to take a class. Prerequisites are enforced by computer. You may have an equivalanet course that the computer does not recognize, especially if you are a transfer student. If so, go to York Hall 4010 and file a petition. For some freshman courses you may be allowed to take a prerequisite at the same time. That requires the approval of both the instructor and also another authority. That will not be allowed for upper division courses.
I cannot attend the first lab meeting. Will I be dropped?
Yes. Those who do not attend the first lab meeting will be dropped. Please notify your professor if there are circumstances preventing you from attending the first lab.
Why did I receive a W for a lab I dropped?
You did not drop it quickly enough. All labs are very crowded and we must make spaces available to those who will stay and complete the course.
I am not doing well in one of my Chemistry classes. Should I drop it?
If your current grade is around a D or an F grade, then you should consider dropping the course. One or a few W grades will not harm you in any way, whereas a D or an F will significantly lower your GPA. Furthermore, continuing to advanced courses after receiving a D or an F in lower courses almost guarantees more failure. All science is very cumulative.
Keep in mind, if you have already received a W for the course, you may not drop it again with a W. The computer will not process the request and eventually you will recive an F.
You have until the Friday of 9th week to drop the class WITH a W. Do not wait until the last minute. Claims that the “computer was down” will not be accepted.
What happens when I repeat a course?
When you retake a course, the new grade will replace the old grade in the calculation of your GPA. Both the old grade and the new grade remain on your record, but only the new grade will be factored into your GPA. You earn units only for a course that counts toward the GPA. (The rules are different for Graduate Students. They keep both old and new grades in the GPA calculation.)
I got a D or an F in one of my classes. Do I have to retake it?
A D grade is considered passing, so you will receive credit for the course. That means you can use the D grade to move on in a sequence. However, moving on when you are not prepared guarantees further low grades. For example, if you receive a D grade in CHEM 6B, you can move on to 6C, but you almost surely should not, unless your goal is to switch majors but use the courses for General Education requirements.
Upper division courses have a special rule. You may only have one D grade in upper division coursework for a Chemistry major. You can graduate with one D. If you receive multiple D grades, then you must repeat enough to remove all but one D grade.
For F grades, you must repeat the course, if it is a required course for your major. F grades for courses that are not required do not necessarily have to be retaken, but it would be a good idea to repeat them to boost your GPA.
I have questions about the grade that was assigned in my course, what can I do?
Begin by contacting your professor. Errors are fairly common. Do inquire. Only the professor can change a grade.
I got an F in a class, but it is a prerequisite for a class I am taking next quarter. Will I be dropped?
Yes. Prior to the beginning of the quarter the system will scan for prerequisites and if you do not have it the system will drop you.
Can I take major classes at a community college over the summer?
Some major classes can be taken at the community college. You should be able to take lower division courses and organic chemistry, and equivalent courses can be found on the ASSIST website.
It is recommended that the biology course requirement for Pharmacological Chemistry be taken at a community college. It would be wise to inquire in advance if you wish to use any other course not listed by ASSIST.There are a very few advanced courses that cannot be listed on ASSIST but will be approved for transfer by petition, most notably some analytical chemiustry courses.
How do I find a course to take at the community college?
ASSIST.ORG for General Chemistry and Organic; their College Catalog for the few other possibilities.
How do I find an equivalent course to take at a UC?
Their Catalog. Look for courses that their Chemistry Major requires.
How do I find an equivalent course to take at a CSU or other four-year institution?
Same as for another UC campus.
Can I take major classes for Pass/No Pass?
No, all classes taken to meet major requirements must be taken for a letter grade. This applies to both upper and lower division requirements.
The only exception to this rule is CHEM 195, 198, and 199 which are only offered with the pass/no pass grading option.
Can I get a D in a course and use it for my major?
Yes. However, for upper division requirements, you are only allowed one D grade.
How do I declare a CHEM major?
Department approval is not required to declare any of the eight majors we offer. If you want to declare or change your major, see Triton Link.
If I still have requirements that I'll be taking in summer, can I participate in commencement?
You will need to speak with your college academic advisor.
How can I use Study Abroad toward major requirements?
We are very supportive of students who wish to study abroad. It is important to speak with an adviser in York 4010 as soon as you begin to think seriously about EAP or other related programs. For more information, please visit: http://icenter.ucsd.edu/_files/pao/your-major/biochemmap.pdf
How do I declare a minor in Chemistry?
If you want to declare a minor, see Triton Link .
Can I overlap classes to fulfill both my major and minor requirements?
Lower-division classes can apply to both your major and your minor. Upper-division courses cannot apply to both your major and your minor.
Can I take CHEM classes Pass/No Pass for my minor?
No. All courses for the minor must be taken for letter grade. Note that AP courses may not be used for a minor.
A lot of people dropped my CHEM class after the first midterm, so can I add the class now?
If it past the Friday of 2nd week, no. The Chemistry department adheres to the University deadlines.
If I already have a B.A. or B.S. can I earn a second bachelor's degree at UC San Diego?
UC San Diego does not currently accept students for second baccalaureates.
Can I take classes after receiving my undergraduate degree?
No. Once you have received your degree, your undergraduate record is officially closed. You can take UC San Diego Summer Sessions courses, but these appear on a separate record and are not included with your undergraduate work. You can also take UC San Diego Extension courses because they maintain their own student records.
How do I schedule an appointment to see an advisor?
Please call us at 858-534-4856 to schedule an appointment. Appointments are usually for course planning, going over the major or major options, or longer questions that require discussion.
If you have quick, general questions, you can send them to the Virtual Advising Center or drop by the office at York Hall 4010 for walk-in advising during our normal business hours.