About
The Biology Academic Success Center (BASC) is the comprehensive advising center for all College of Biological Sciences undergraduate students. BASC advisors can help you with:
- Major and General Education requirements and options
- Course planning and scheduling for your first year
- Academic policies, regulations (including the grading system), advising holds, and petitions (e.g., Change of Major/Minor Declaration)
- Classroom expectations, strategies for success and for academic difficulty
- Transfer credit for courses, AP/IB credit, A-level exams, etc.
- Resources for opportunities outside the classroom, such as research/internships
Diversity Statement
The Biology Academic Success Center (BASC) is the College of Biological Sciences’ (CBS) centralized undergraduate academic advising center. BASC creates a welcoming and safe space by providing accessible, responsive, and proactive support that honors and celebrates student backgrounds and experiences. The BASC offers students a consistent point of access to address their needs, questions, and concerns through individual and group advising, along with outreach and retention efforts.
We recognize federal, state, and local policies as well as social conditions, inhibit the progress of students from historically marginalized backgrounds. We hold space, rooted in social justice, to listen to students' experiences so we can continue to eliminate barriers to their achievements. BASC strives to lead the way as it relates to changing and updating our policies to promote student success.
We collaborate with campus partners to ensure our practices are inclusive and accessible, as we build bridges to advising services, as well as trust amongst the campus community. We commit to consistent training and reflection as we implement positive change.
We desire to meet students where they are by centering their goals and lived experiences, and encouraging student ownership of their academic path. Our work is grounded in values of respect and trust to promote belonging, inclusivity, growth, and learning for all community members.
The BASC seeks to center diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in our advising practice by authentically engaging in action-oriented DEI work and professional development.
Mission
Our mission is to engage every undergraduate student in the College of Biological Sciences through proactive and holistic academic advising. We are committed to delivering personalized support and guidance in collaboration with faculty and university student affairs colleagues. We aim to enhance the student experience from admission to graduation, fostering a journey that encourages students to emerge as globally active citizens and innovative leaders.
Vision
We aspire to lead the way in innovative student support, envisioning a future where our team sets the standard for dynamic and forward-thinking academic advising practices that continually adapt to meet the evolving needs of our diverse student body, thereby serving as a catalyst for academic success.
Values
- We value the curation of an inclusive and supportive academic community that promotes cultural humility.
- We value academic integrity, guiding students to uphold the highest standards of honesty, ethical conduct, accountability, and respectful collaborative partnerships in their academic pursuits.
- We value perspectives, practices, and principles as they relate to fostering student development through student-centered services.
- We value and actively promote an environment that encourages exploration and critical thinking, cultivating intellectual curiosity and a lifelong passion for learning.
UC Davis Land Acknowledgement
We should take a moment to acknowledge the land on which we are gathered. For thousands of years, this land has been the home of Patwin people. Today, there are three federally recognized Patwin tribes: Cachil DeHe Band of Wintun Indians of the Colusa Indian Community, Kletsel Dehe Wintun Nation, and Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation.
The Patwin people have remained committed to the stewardship of this land over many centuries. It has been cherished and protected, as elders have instructed the young through generations. We are honored and grateful to be here today on their traditional lands.
For more information about the campus’ land acknowledgement, go here.