Major BSSA Programs and Activities

General Membership Meetings

General membership meetings are held quarterly to update members about BSSA programs and activities, to solicit input from members on what they would like from their association, and in some cases present a special program, such as a talk by a faculty member or alumnus. Speakers in the recent past have included former Dean Eduardo Macagno, Professor Randy Hampton, and Nobel Laureate Sydney Brenner.

Beyond the Degree Program (BTD)

Beyond the Degree is a program focused on presenting opportunities for students to learn about possible career paths they can follow with a degree in biology as well as how to prepare and apply for admission to graduate school. There are, on average, two panel programs each quarter. Examples of topics that BTD panels have focused on include: the research career track with a career panel comprised of representatives from the faculty, postdocs and graduate students from biology, medicine, and pharmacy; career options for those with a BA in biology; alternative career paths such as biotechnology, forensics, and law; science teaching at all levels as a career option; and issues relevant to women and minorities pursuing a career in science.

Beyond the Classroom Program (BTC)

Beyond the Classroom is a program designed to provide intimate one on one interaction between students and faculty, alumni, graduate students, or members of the biotechnology industry in an informal luncheon setting. Students select and invite guests who represent a particular scientific field or topic of interest. There are currently two luncheon meetings scheduled each quarter. Recent topics discussed include genetic counseling, neurobiology, and nutrition. BSSA also organizes special study session breaks during finals week for biology students.

Beyond the University: Volunteer Program / Outreach

Volunteer activities are aimed at helping our students develop into good citizens and community leaders. Volunteer activities are selected by BSSA students and routinely include tutoring and mentoring middle and high school students at Preuss School, visiting the children's convalescent home, beach cleanups, and preparing meals for families staying at the Ronald McDonald House. Additional outreach to potential biology majors includes BSSA officers speaking at events such as Scholars Day and Upward Bound Day and by manning information booths throughout the year, such at events such as Admit Day, Festival on the Green, UCSD Open House, and at the Sun God Festival. BSSA members have also volunteered as ushers and greeters at meetings such as the Dean's Biennial Symposium and the annual Saltman Reception.

* Pruess School has naturally become one of BSSA's signature programs and has been going on annually since 2003.

Life Sciences Career Week

This is an entire week held during the Spring Quarter and is dedicated to the entire UC San Diego campus and the Greater San Diego Area; members and general students can learn about various opportunities in the scientific workforce. Many different companies are invited to come and speak about their missions and goals. Students can learn about a myriad of possible careers from science writing from biotechnology to public relations. Career development and resume building workshops are conducted throughout the entire week to help students prepare for the last day in which one-on-one internship interviews with local biotechnology companies.

The Life Sciences Career Week has three main components:

* Career panels, which allows students to learn about various and dynamic career options.

* Career development workshops, which allows students to enrich their soft skills.

* Biology Undergraduate Job Fair, which allows students to make true connections with their dream job.

Undergraduate Dean's Symposium

Every undergraduate needs to understand science as a method of searching for answers. Students must learn firsthand the excitement of cutting edge research, the need to disseminate scientific knowledge to experts and the importance of actively translating science into the language of broader society. This is why the Division of Biological Sciences developed the Undergraduate Dean’s Symposium, a one-day event that is open to all undergraduate students at UC San Diego. BSSA endorses this event by volunteering, marketing, and reaching out to encourage students to get involved.

The Undergraduate Dean's Symposium is made up of three distinct programs:

* Undergraduate Competition, which challenges all UC San Diego undergraduates to illuminate a scientific concept
* Undergraduate Research Lecture Series, which allows biological sciences majors to learn from and get to know prominent researchers in their respective fields
* Public Lecture Program, which brings alive the importance of communicating science to and with the public

Dean's Symposium

The Dean’s Symposium, hosted by the Division of Biological Sciences at the University of California, San Diego, will bring together the world’s most renowned scientists in the field of biology. BSSA supports the marketing and encouragement of undergraduates to welcome and learn about the biology annual theme from Evolutionary Biology to the Exploration of Proteins and the concurrent speakers.

Journeys in Discovery

Every Spring Quarter, The Division of Biological Sciences and BSSA partners to support a new dynamic seminar series. Join us from April to June for conversations with prominent Life Scientists who have harnessed the explosion of new information gained from genomics and proteomics research and translated it into practical applications for the treatment of disease. See clearly how to shape your education to achieve your professional goals. Network with leaders in their fields from biotechnology to scientific research.

* Students can gain academic credit for this seminar series.

Freshman Mentor-Mentee Program

For entering freshmen, BSSA sponsors a freshman reception / speed greeting event in early fall quarter to help them meet other students and establish connections outside of class. BSSA also has a mentor-mentee program that pairs entering freshmen with juniors and seniors with similar interests. Additionally, BSSA has a Transfer Student Program where a series of lunch or dinner meetings are held so that transfer students can connect with one another and discuss common challenges facing students who come to UCSD in their junior year. These meetings may also include guests invited by the transfer students to talk about a particular subject, such as finding and applying for lab internships on and off campus. Social Program: It's not all about classes and studying. BSSA provides social activities that help our members meet other students through participation in a variety of social activities, such as a bonfire on the beach, bowling, movie nights, and trips to the zoo.

Division of Biological Sciences: Senior Reception

Held in June, this event gives the Division an opportunity to acknowledge the accomplishments of our graduating seniors with their families and friends and to encourage them to continue their relationship with the Division as alumni by joining the Biological Sciences Alumni Network. Service and academic accomplishment awards are presented to graduating seniors by the Dean during the reception.