Congratulations on your admission to UCSB, and welcome to the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry!
The faculty, staff, and current graduate students of the DCB at UCSB are excited to welcome you to our community of scholars! Now that you have been admitted, please take the following steps to begin your graduate career:
1. Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) - March 2
All domestic graduate students are required to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students may file the FAFSA electronically by accessing the website. Please have your FAFSA sent to the UCSB Financial Aid Office using School Code #001320. In September, you will be asked to submit your Financial Aid Award Letter.
2. Sign and Return your Financial Offer Letter - April 15
Your departmental financial offer letter was sent to you from gradprog@chem.ucsb.edu prior to the release of your official offer of admission from the Dean of the Graduate Division. You must indicate your acceptance of your financial offer by signing and returning the letter to the department.
3. Apply for Campus Housing (San Clemente Villages) - May 15
UC Santa Barbara offers a variety of housing options for graduate students. For information on how to apply for housing, please visit Housing and Residential Services. The Graduate Student Housing Application will open on March 1 at 10:00am, and it is recommended that you apply as soon as possible. You are also welcome to seek housing in the community (in which case, you do not need to submit an application for university-owned housing; visit Community Housing Services for assistance).
4. Submit your Statement of Intent to Register (SIR) - June 15
To officially accept the offer of admission, you must submit the Statement of Intent to Register (SIR), located on your Application Overview Page. You will need your original email address and password used to create your online application.
4. Submit your Statement of Legal Residence (SLR) as soon as possible upon submission of your SIR
Instructions for completing the Statement of Legal Residence can be found here. You can enter the portal to submit your SLR here. If the Registrar does not receive your SLR, you will be assessed with non-resident tuition. If you have any questions, please contact the Registrar at residency@sa.ucsb.edu or join the line to speak with a representative.
5. Establish your UCSBNetID and password, and activate your UCSB email account
New graduate students in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry will receive emails regarding New Grad Academic Training, course registration, and more, through their UCSB email account. Make sure that you have established your UCSBNetID and regularly check your UCSB email account.
6. (For International Students Only) Apply for a Visa with OISS
Once you submit your Statement of Intent to Register (SIR) and activate your UCSBNetID, you will receive an email from the Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS) to begin your I-20 or DS-2019 request process. Follow their instructions for obtaining a visa, which can also be viewed here.
Graduate Admissions & Recruitment Chair
Faculty Graduate Advisor
Staff Graduate Advisor
TBN
Student Affairs Manager
YEAR 0:
January - March: Check your admissions portal for decisions released by the Dean of the Graduate Division
March 2: File the FAFSA (priority deadline)
April 15: Sign/Return your financial offer letter to gradprog@chem.ucsb.edu
May 15: Apply for Campus Housing (opens on March 1)
June 15: Submit your Statement of Intent to Register (SIR)
Late Spring - Summer: Submit your Statement of Legal Residence
Late Spring - Summer: Establish your UCSBNetID, and activate your UCSB email account; complete Visa requirements (international students only)
YEAR 1:
Late August - Early September: Arrive in Santa Barbara!
Upon Arrival:
- Complete New Hire Paperwork with DCB Payroll Manager
- Obtain your Chemistry email address through LSCG
- Apply for a parking permit (if applicable)
Mid-September: Attend the Mandatory New Grad Academic Training (NGAT)
After Course Registration: Submit availability form for Fall and receive your teaching assignment (for TA's)
Late September: Fall instruction begins
September - October: Finalize rotation schedule for Fall and Winter
November 1: First paycheck available (set up through BARC)
May - June: Establish California residency (for out-of-state domestic students only)
For more information, visit Graduate Division's Admitted Students Page and the Graduate Student Resource Center
New Grad Academic Training (NGAT)
Hosted by the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry (DCB), New Grad Academic Training (NGAT) takes placeduring fall quarter. This mandatory training includes a variety of events and workshops intended to prepare new students for success as both teachers and learners at the graduate level. Campus-Wide Orientations (including new TA Orientation) will also take place during this time. Students should be sure to always arrive at events on time so that invited guests, speakers, and faculty may begin their introductions and presentations promptly as scheduled.
Academic Advising: All new students will receive information about selecting a research group and the Ph.D. Program Requirements from the Faculty Graduate Advisor. They will also meet with their respective area advisors. The area advisors will explain coursework requirements and help students plan their schedules for the first year. Students should not enroll in graduate coursework before their advising appointments. Students are expected to register for fall quarter courses via GOLD immediately following their appointment wih the area advisor.
TA Training: General Chemistry Laboratory Coordinator, Dr. Chris Bernt, will work with all new students in preparation for laboratory teaching assignments.Workshops, presentations, and assignments include Teaching Responsibilities,Teaching Problem Solving, current grad student panel discussions, lecture presentations, and initial TA meetings. Students will receive a detailed Teaching Assistant Manual.
Lab Safety: To be eligible to hold a teaching position students must attend a mandatory Laboratory Safety Course, taught by Environmental Health and Safety, and pass the exam.
CHEM 293: All new students are required to enroll in CHEM 293, Faculty Research Seminar, during fall quarter. Faculty members present their active research projects, giving students the opportunity to learn about ongoing research in the department and begin the process of seeking a primary research advisor.
IT Support and Chemistry Email Addresses: The Life Sciences Computing Group (LSCG) is available for technical support. All students must establish an @chem.ucsb.edu email address, which they will receive a tutorial on during NGAT.
Parking Permits: Graduate students employed on campus 45% or more of their time qualify for a Graduate Student staff B ePermit. Those employed less than 45% of their time may qualify for a student C Commuter ePermit. Note that your appointment must be entered in UCPath before you can apply for one of these permits. Refer to UCSB Transportation & Parking Services (TPS) for eligibility, pricing, and application.
BARC, Tuition, & Fees: Over the summer, students will notice charges to their BARC (UCSB Billing Office) accounts for fall quarter tuition and fees. Fee payments cannot be processed until students are registered for courses and completed all employment paperwork. For fall, fee payment will begin after students meet with the area advisor and register for classes. The department cannot begin payment and processing of tuition and fees can not begin until students have registered for at leat 8 units.
Financial Matters: To be hired, students must bring a birth certificate or social security card AND driver’s license OR passport. International students are required to bring their passport and all current visa information. For questions regarding payment and employment, please contact the Payroll Manager.
Stipend monies specified in a student's Financial Offer Letter are distributed via the student's BARC account. TAs and GSRs will recieve their first paychecks on November 1st. We are unable to distribute stipend or other monies prior to officially being hired and/or matriculating to the University, be sure to budget accordingly.
Social Activities: These events are planned to allow new students to become better acquainted with each other and their new home as well as to allow current members of the Department to meet the new students. Have fun and enjoy!