Orientation

New Students

Welcome New Students!

Congratulations on your admission to UC Davis and welcome to the Department of Nutrition!

If you have not already completed Aggie 101 and reviewed the information for new students provided by the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, you should do so before moving on to this page.

Mark your calendars to attend the following remote advising events for incoming nutrition majors. If you are unable to attend, these presentations will be recorded and links will be provided here after the event:

New Student Welcome  [click on link to access the recording]
Wednesday – June 21, 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Course Selection - HS Admits  [click on link to access the recording]
Tuesday – June 27, 11am – 12pm

Course Registration and Online Tools  [click on link to access the recording]
Tuesday – June 27, 12 – 1pm

Course Selection - Transfer Students  [click on link to access the recording]
Friday – July 7, pre-recorded

Pre-Registration  [click on link to access the recording]
Thursday – July 27, 11am-12pm

We are also looking forward to speaking with you one on one during the months of July and August for nutrition major advising (Aggie Advising). These individual advising appointments are your opportunity to speak directly with your assigned Major Advisor and to ask your specific questions. High school admits will be able to access the advising appointment system beginning June 28. Transfer students will be able to access the advising appointment system beginning July 10. Advising appointments will take place throughout the summer and students will have ample opportunity to meet with an advisor before registration begins. Please use the “Make an Advising Appointment” link on this page to make an appointment when you have access. Please note that only declared majors in nutrition will be able to schedule an advising appointment online with a Staff Advisor. If you are a new student declared in a different major but planning to switch to nutrition, schedule an appointment with a Peer Advisor in our office or e-mail nutritionadvising@ucdavis.edu if you have questions about the nutrition majors. The recommendations below will help you create your first quarter schedule as a nutrition major until then.

If you are interested in changing your major to a subject other than nutrition, the earliest that you can do this officially is Winter Quarter. In the meantime, contact the advisors for the major you plan to pursue for help with academic planning.

Calendars

First Quarter Schedule Recommendations

Freshmen

Freshmen take 12-14 units your first quarter (approximately 3-4 classes).
Online course registration will begin August 1.

  • Entry Level Writing Requirement (ELWR)
  • If you did not fulfill the ELWR, you should take the course that you tested into. This may be an ELWR course or UWP 21/22.

    If you fulfilled the ELWR, you are not required to take an English Composition course your first quarter at UCD.
  • Chemistry
  • Take CHE 2A or CHE 1V as indicated by your Chemistry Placement Exam score.
  • First Elective
  • Choose any non-science class that interests you. You can review course descriptions in the UC Davis General Catalog or Schedule Builder. As a freshman, you should only take courses numbered 1-99. Some options for this elective can be a non-science course in your major, an Arts and Humanities GE, or a Social Sciences GE.

    Don’t take a course that is labeled a Writing Experience (WE) GE if you have not fulfilled the ELWR.
  • Second Elective (optional)
  • You can choose to take a fourth class if you have not exceeded the 14 unit maximum recommended.

    Choose any non-science class that interests you. You can review course descriptions in the UC Davis General Catalog or Schedule Builder. As a freshman, you should only take courses numbered 1-99. Some options for this elective can be a non-science course in your major, an Arts and Humanities GE, or a Social Sciences GE.

    Don’t take a course that is labeled a Writing Experience (WE) GE if you have not fulfilled the ELWR.

Transfers

Transfer students take 12-14 units your first quarter (approximately 3-4 classes).  If you are a declared nutrition major entering UC Davis for the first time in Fall Quarter, your Major Advisors will verify which courses they accepted towards your nutrition major requirements before registration for Fall begins (Aug. 15). Keep an eye out for this notification sent to your UC Davis e-mail address from OASIS.

  • Prerequisite Science Courses
  • If you did not complete your General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry and Cellular Biology courses before transferring, plan to take these courses at UCD your first year.
  • Courses listed in Fall Quarter of Junior Year on the Sample 4-Year Plan of the nutrition major you plan to complete
  • If you completed your General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry and Cellular Biology courses before transferring, you are ready to start the Fall Quarter classes listed in Junior Year on the Sample 4-Year Plan of the nutrition major you plan to complete.

Reminders

  • You do not need to be in a specific major to take a class, you only need to meet the prerequisites. If a class is closed to specific majors in Pass 1, you can attempt to register for the class during Pass 2 or Schedule Adjustment.
  • Courses that are offered in early mornings, late afternoons or evenings will have less demand. If you really want to take a specific class in Fall Quarter, look to these sections to improve your chances of finding a seat.
  • Registration continues through the first 2 weeks of instruction.

Major Advising

Advising Appointments

Academic advisors in the Nutrition Department are available throughout the summer if you have general questions. They can be reached at nutritionadvising@ucdavis.edu and (530) 752-2512, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m., 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Peer Advisors are also available at nutritionpeer@ucdavis.edu, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

If you have follow-up questions for your Major Advisor after your scheduled, individual academic advising appointment as part of Aggie Advising, please feel free to contact them directly.

Students with last names beginning with A - Ma are assigned Major Advisor:
Martha Amesquita
3202 Meyer Hall, (530) 752-2512, nutritionadvising@ucdavis.edu
Schedule an advising appointment

Students with last names beginning with Mb - Z are assigned Major Advisor:
Jason Wong
3202 Meyer Hall, (530) 752-7094, nutritionadvising@ucdavis.edu
Schedule an advising appointment

Drop-In Peer Advising

Peer Advisors in our office are typically juniors or seniors studying nutrition. They can answer general questions and can give you an insight on what it’s like to study nutrition at UC Davis. Peer Advisors will also refer you to other advisors on-campus as needed.

Advising Hours:
Monday through Friday
9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
3202 Meyer Hall
(530) 752-4657
nutritionpeer@ucdavis.edu
Schedule an advising appointment

How to get Involved

New Student Resources

Clinical Nutrition Major
Nutrition Science (Nutritional Biology Option) Major
Nutrition Science (Nutrition in Public Health Option) Major
Pre-Health Students

While the nutrition majors are excellent preparation for a career in the health professions, a specific major isn’t required to attend a professional school after graduation. There are specific courses that you should take before applying to a professional school. If you would like to compare these requirements to your major requirements, visit Health Professions Advising for a list of prerequisite courses and additional information.