What is Bio Sci 199?

Bio Sci 199 is an opportunity for undergraduate students to perform supervised undergraduate research alongside a mentor while getting graded units in research!

The School of Biological Sciences believes that successful participation in creative research is one of the highest academic goals its undergraduates can attain. Approximately 1,000 students are enrolled in and conduct experimental laboratory, field, or clinical research as an apprentice scientist under the supervision of a professor in one of the more than 250 laboratories in the School of Biological Sciences or the School of Medicine.

Gain Lab Skills

Polish your basic lab or clinical skills.

Participate at Events

Participate in on campus student research conferences (UROP, SURP, Excellence).

Get Published

Become a published writer.

How to Start Bio Sci 199

In order to get into a Bio Sci 199 lab, undergraduate students must:

1. Complete three UCLC Health and Safety Trainings.

2. Find a Faculty Mentor (PI) that is in the Bio Sci 199 program (Check Research Dashboard).

Learn more from the Bio Sci 199 information drop down menu below or watch the videos below: “Demystifying Bio Sci 199 and Undergrad Bio Research” and “How to Submit Bio Sci 199 Paperwork.”

Demystifying Bio Sci 199 and Undergrad Bio Research

How to Submit Bio Sci 199 Paperwork

PDF Instructions

How to Access UCLC Training Certificates: Find instructions on how to obtain UCLC training certificates of completion once required trainings are completed.

How to Navigate the Research Dashboard: Find instructions on how to submit your research packet paperwork on the Research Dashboard.

Helpful Bio Sci Research Information

General Requirements for Bio Sci 197, 198, 199

1. Students must be in good academic standing  major and cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher.

2. Bio Sci majors must pass Bio Sci 94: Organisms to Ecosystems and complete the three mandatory UC Learning Center (UCLC) health & safety modules PRIOR to enrollment.

  • Non-Bio Sci majors must complete the three UCLC health & safety modules PRIOR to enrollment. Non-Bio Sci majors are exempt from Bio Sci 94.

3. Click Here for instructions on how to complete the UCLC health & safety modules.

4. Students must at least be in their spring quarter of their 1st year.

5. The Bio Sci 197, 198, and 199 program is only for current and former UCI students only.

Bio Sci 199 Packets/Required Paperwork

Packet A  (Basic Science Laboratory)

If you are performing basic science research or working in a basic science laboratory (no UC Health patients or human subject intervention), please print, fill out and turn in Packet A. If you are still unsure which packet to complete, please refer to the gray Comments box on the Web Schedule of Classes.

Packet B  (Clinical Packet)

If you are: a) working with Human Subjects (including control subjects) and/or b) working with patients or at any facility where patients are present, please print, fill out and turn in Packet B . The below sites are some of the locations where patients and research subjects are seen. If you are still unsure which packet to complete, please refer to the gray Comments box on the Web Schedule of Classes. Please note: Fee to meet with UCI Student Health Center will be accrued.

  • UC Irvine Medical Center – Douglas Hospital
  • UC Irvine Building 200
  • UC Irvine Medical Center Building 55
  • Gottschalk Medical Plaza
  • Joslin Diabetes Center
  • Santa Ana Family Health Center
  • Anaheim Clinic
  • Centerpoint Child Development Center & School
  • Beckman Laser Institute (complete packet if work is with human subjects and/or patients)
  • Hewitt Hall (aka Institute for Clinical Translational Sciences; complete packet if work is with human subjects and/or patients)
  • Long Beach VA Medical Center
  • Long Beach Memorial Medical Center and affiliated hospitals
  • Fairview Developmental Center
  • CHOC Children’s Hospital
  • Other UC Irvine School of Medicine locations

Continuing Bio Sci 199 Research Students – The packets are valid for one academic year (Summer through Spring). Students who submitted the packets this past summer, they are valid until the end of spring quarter.

To obtain the updated immunization verification, please follow the instructions in Packet B.

Continuing Packet A – Please submit a new packet through the Research dashboard.

Continuing Packet B – Please submit a packet through the Research Dashboard. Beginning Winter 2022, all supplemental materials will be submitted to Qualtrics. For more information, please download and refer to the Packet B on the Research Dashboard. We recommend repeating the computer-based training for a refresher, but it is not mandatory. Reprint the certificates for the Annual Training and Fire Extinguisher Safety Training. To obtain the updated immunization verification, make an appointment with UCI Student Health Center at (949) 824-5301 as soon as possible. Students who cannot complete the packets by the deadline, please consider enrolling in Bio Sci 199 the following quarter. It is the student’s responsibility to conduct enrollments in a timely manner.

How to Find a Bio Sci 199 Faculty Sponsor

It is the student’s responsibility to find and contact their faculty sponsor. Below are some links to where you can find faculty sponsors:

FIND Faculty Sponsor

Department Websites

Click here to view tips and tricks on how to find a faculty sponsor.

Hints:

  1. Make a list of 4 or 5 labs that you are interested in. Note: some students have had to contact 15+ professors before they find someone.
  2. Do some research before contacting the professor. I.E. Reading a journal article published by professor. Science Librarian can help you.
  3. If the faculty DOES NOT have a course code on WebSoc, please have faculty contact Bio Sci 199 Coordinators to check eligibility by emailing biosci199@uci.edu
  4. Email the list of professors to schedule an appointment.  In your email please include the following:
    – Your career goals & interests
    – Why you want to conduct work in the particular arena
    – Time that you are available, quarters & hours per week
  5. Enjoy your discussion with professor; ask any questions that are important to you, such as what are the opportunities for own project and co-publishing a paper.
  6. Most Professors want a 1 year minimum commitment, some may want more. Be prepared with how much you can offer.

How to Enroll in Bio Sci 199 for AY 2023-24

  1. Fully read all of the Program Standards & Policies
  2. Apply for Bio Sci 199 by contacting faculty you wish to do research with.
  3. Once a position is secured make arrangements with professor as to # of hours and # of units
  4. Log-in to the Research Dashboard to complete the appropriate 199 packet (depending on location of research)
  5. Follow all instructions and do all paperwork
  6. Submit packets via the Research Dashboard
  7. Once the packets have been submitted, you will receive an email confirmation instructing you to enroll in the specific faculty’s Bio Sci 199 via WebReg. THIS PROCESS CAN TAKE UP TO 1-2 BUSINESS DAYS.
  8. The deadline to submit a packet for Bio Sci 199 is the Friday of the 2nd week by NOON.
  9. Once the packet is approved, students must add by the ADD/DROP deadline, Friday of the 2nd week by 5PM.

For new Bio Sci 199 students, you must complete Bio Sci 199 packet (see below) to start research. Bio Sci 199 packets are valid for one academic year (summer, fall, winter, and spring). The deadline to submit a packet for Bio Sci 199 is the Friday of the 2nd week by NOON, (note: summer I and II deadlines are Friday of 1st week.) The ADD deadline for fall, winter, and spring quarter enrollment is always the Friday by 5PM of the 2nd week of each quarter. The deadline for Summer Session 1 & 2 is the Friday of first week of each session.

For continuing Bio Sci 199 students, all packets will expire spring quarter every year, please remember that you will need to submit a new Bio Sci 199 packet for Summer or Fall Quarter if you plan to continue in research.

NOTE: ADD/DROP DEADLINES for each quarter are strictly enforced.

Important Vaccination Information for Packet B

For a Packet B please be sure to review the Bio Sci 199 Vaccination Clearance Request FAQ in the Supplemental Materials on the Research Dashboard. 

For additional questions, please send an email to: biosci199@uci.edu

Log in with your UCINetID and password. This will give you access to the Research Dashboard .

Packet submission DEADLINES for Bio Sci 199:

Summer Session 1: 1st Friday of the session by NOON
10-Week Summer Session: 2nd Friday of the session by NOON
Summer Session 2: 1st Friday of the session by NOON
Fall: Friday of Week 2 by NOON
Winter: Friday of Week 2 by by NOON
Spring: Friday of Week 2 by NOON

The Bio Sci 199 course must be added by the campus add/drop deadline, Week 2 during the academic year and week 1 of Summer Session 1 & 2, by 5 p.m.

Prerequisites for Undergraduate Research Updated: Info & Instructions on UCLC Health & Safety Modules

Faculty Resources

Bio Sci 197, 198, and 199 faculty sponsors must be members of the UCI Academic Senate. To participate as a Bio Sci Undergraduate Research faculty sponsor (PI), you must be full time and have a professorship appointment, associate, assistant, professor in residence OR full time adjunct professor with the School of Biological Sciences OR UCI School of Medicine. 

Unfortunately, faculty members affiliated with other UCI schools/departments do not qualify for Bio Sci Undergraduate Research.

I am a Faculty who meets the qualifications, how do I join?

Please email biosci199@uci.edu with your inquiry.

I am retired / I am not employed at UCI anymore / I no longer want to participate in Bio Sci 197, 198, 199 - what should I do?

Should you no longer want to participate in Bio Sci Undergraduate Research, please email biosci199@uci.edu. We will update our records and remove your lab from the Schedule of Classes.

I already have an active Bio Sci 197, 198, 199 section and want to ADD another. How can I do this?

Please email biosci199@uci.edu with your request. 

Students keep emailing me inquiring about my research. My lab is FULL and I cannot accept more students. What can I do?

You are able to “hide” or “unpublish” your lab profile on the Research Dashboard. This way students are not able to contact you or see your lab. You can make this update on your own on the Research Dashboard: https://undergraduate-research.bio.uci.edu/

  1. Click your lab profile tab. 
  2. Scroll down to “Display Settings”. 
  3. Turn OFF “Publish”.

I want to increase my lab seats. Is this allowed?

The enrollment capacity for each lab section is 15 students. If for ANY reason you would like to add more students, please email biosci199@uci.edu with your request. There will be a brief exception process. Your request will be reviewed by the Bio Sci Undergraduate Education Associate Dean. If approved, we will then increase your lab seats.

I am actively recruiting more students, is there a way to spotlight my lab?

Yes! We are able to spotlight your lab, so students are able to distinguish it. You can make this update on your own on the Research Dashboard: https://undergraduate-research.bio.uci.edu/

  1. Click your lab profile tab. 
  2. Scroll down to “Display Settings”. 
  3. Turn ON “Open Position(s)”
  4. Select the date range in which you want to be featured on the Research Dashboard. 

How do I check who is enrolled in my lab?

You can view your class roster via WebRoster.

1) Select “School of Biological Sciences” for the Dept.

2) Type “197”, “198”, or “199” for the Course Nums.

3) Type your last name for the Instructor Last Name.

4) Click “List Courses Below”

Click on the gray 5-digit course code button to view your roster.

If you want to see the number of research units each student is enrolled in, click the gray “Show Options & Seating” button and then tick “Enrollment Units”. Then, click “Redisplay Roster” button. You will see a new “Enroll Units” column.

How do I submit grades?

You will submit grades via WebGrades. For instructions on how to use WebGrades, please visit this page: https://www.reg.uci.edu/faculty-staff/tutorials/webgradesinfo.html.

The timeline for grade submission is posted on the academic calendar: https://www.reg.uci.edu/calendars/quarterly/2022-2023/quarterly22-23.html.

Bio Sci 199 Prepares and Empowers Future Biologists

Students enrolled in Bio Sci 199 develop new scientific skills and knowledge while training with professors who are on the cutting edge of research and discovery in the biological and medical sciences making headlines today. Students enrolled in Biological Sciences 199 and who meet the eligibility requirements also have an opportunity to present the results of their research endeavors to peers and faculty by participating in the Excellence in Research Program. Because of the opportunity to actively participate in the undergraduate research training program our students have an understanding of and an appreciation for the research process which they could not have obtained in any other fashion.