<p>I would like some feedback from anyone majoring in bio or science at UCSC. How is the science/bio program at UCSC? What are the classes and professors like? Is there a good tutoring service, because I'm worried I won't be able to survive the coursework...</p>
<p>Any feedback is helpful even if it is just about UCSC in general.</p>
<p>I’m an Ecology and Evolution major so I know more about that side of the biology department (MCD/molecular based bio is near impossible for me so I tend to avoid those classes). Most of the professors I’ve had have been amazing. Intro/lower div classes are more difficult (in my opinion) because a lot of them are aimed at just picking people out of the major, because of the limited funding available for the upper divs (and most classes in general) which limits how many students can take each class. But a lot of the professors I’ve had (of course there are the exceptions) always gave me the sense that they genuinely cared about our performance and wanted to help us succeed. </p>
<p>As a science major, I would recommend applying to be in the Academic Excellence Program (ACE). This is a program that allows you to have more one-on-one attention. It takes the place of the “normal” sections, which are usually run by the TA’s and can have upwards of 40 people. Each ACE section is limited to 20 people, and is held twice a week in addition to mandatory office hours with the ACE co-leaders. I was in ACE for a couple of my classes (the second class of the calculus series, and organic chemistry) and found it really helpful.</p>
<p>If you’re not in ACE, there is also Modified Supplemental Instruction (MSI) which is additional free tutoring held by a tutor specifically for your class. </p>
<p>And if all that wasn’t enough there’s Learning Support Services (LSS) which is even more free tutoring that you can sign up for on their website.</p>
<p>Basically, there’s a lot of help out there to make sure you feel comfortable with your classes. Its also a good idea to just go to your professor’s office hours and get to know them…a lot of them may serve as good references for future jobs(:</p>
<p>I think we have an amazing bio department. Like I said, I’m not too familiar with the MCD bio, but I’m in one of the best places I can be to study marine bio.</p>
<p>Your response for VERY helpful! Its good to know there are a lot of support services for students. I never knew about ACE and I will probably sign up if I chooses to go to UCSC. </p>
<p>I don’t really know much about UCSC and was wondering if research opportunities are available? Also, how far away is the campus from town?</p>
<p>There are TONS of research opportunities available for undergrads! 
Because UCSC is a research university, almost every professor is doing some sort of research most of the time. And if they’re not actively doing anything, then their TA’s most likely are. A lot of the times these TA’s need some extra help with their research (a lot of them are working on their PHD programs), and it may not be super fun work-possibly just cleaning some glassware or collecting numbers-but it gets you in a lab and gets you lots of valuable skills. </p>
<p>Downtown is about 2 miles from the base of campus. It usually takes about 5 minutes driving, or 15-20 by bus depending on traffic. But as a plus, all buses that stay within Santa Cruz County (including all of the ones that go downtown right from campus) are free with our student ID.</p>