Undergraduates in Biolgoical and Agricultural Engineering

Aggie Advising for New Students

Welcome Aggies!

Welcome - you are now a student in the the Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering (BAE)! We have two majors in our department, Agricultural and Environmental Technology and Biological Systems Engineering, and this page is designed to ensure all of our incoming students are aware of their next steps in the orientation process. Please read through all of the information on this page and refer to your major specific items as noted throughout.

Step 1: Complete Aggie 101 (Required)

All incoming First Year and Transfer students must complete Aggie 101. This online program will provide essential information and introduce you to the key resources you’ll need to be successful at UC Davis.

  • Access Aggie 101
  • Before learning about your Major, the BAE Department, and your College, learn more about UC Davis and the resources available to you. 

    Students may access the Aggie 101 modules:

    First Year Students: Beginning May 3rd
    Transfer Students: Beginning June 7th

    Please click here for additional information. 

Step 2: Take your Placement Exams (First Year Students Only)

Your placement results are critical to choosing the proper courses for Fall quarter, take your placement exams during the placement exam windows noted below for your respective major.

  • Math Readiness Assessment
  • Incoming Freshmen will be notified on May 24th about the Math Readiness Assessment. They will be sent instructions and login information via email to their UC Davis email address on May 27-29th. All students who register in MAT 12, 17A or 21A, are required to take the Mathematics Placement Exam. 

    EBS Major:
    All EBS students are required to take MATH 21A and thus are required to take the Math Readiness Assessment to be able to register for MATH 21A.

    AET Major: 
    All AET students are required to take MATH 17A or 21A and thus are required to take the Math Readiness Assessment to be able to register for either course.

    Spring Math Placement Exam Dates:
    EBS Students: College of Engineering: June 9 (11AM) - June 16 (11AM)
    AET Students: College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences: June 9 (11AM) - June 16 (11AM)

    Fall Math Placement Exam Dates:
    Session 1: Begins at 11 AM on September 3 and ends at 11 AM on September 9
    Session 2: Begins at 11 AM on September 24 and ends at 11 AM on September 30

    Go to the Math Readiness website here for more information on how and when to take the assessment.
  • Chemistry Placement Exam
  • All students who register in CHE 2A are required to either (a) earn a qualifying score on the Chemistry Placement, or (b) earn a C- or higher in CHE 1/1V. Students who do not satisfy this requirement to remain enrolled in general chemistry will be administratively dropped from the course by the Department of Chemistry. There are no exceptions to this policy.

    EBS Major:
    All EBS students are required to take CHE 2A (do NOT take CHE 4A!) and thus are required to take the Chemistry Placement Exam to be able to register for CHE 2A.

    AET Major: 
    All AET students are required to take CHE 2A (do NOT take CHE 4A!) and thus are required to take the Chemistry Placement Exam to be able to register for CHE 2A.

    Spring Chemistry Placement Exam Dates:
    EBS Students: College of Engineering: June 9 (11am PST) - June 16 (11am PST)
    AET Students: College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences: June 9 (11am PST) - June 16 (11am PST)

    Fall Chemistry Placement Exam Dates:
    1st placement window – September 3 - September 9 
    2nd placement window – September 24 - September 30 

    Go to the Chemistry Placement website here for more information on how and when to register to take the exam.
  • Writing Placement Survey
  • All Aggies must fulfill multiple writing requirements during their time here at Davis, but the most important requirement for first-year students is the Entry Level Writing Requirement (which we call ELWR) because students must complete it within their allotted time (their ELWR Clock) to stay enrolled at UCD. 

    All incoming first-year UC Davis students should complete the UC Davis Writing Placement System to determine where to begin their writing education at UCD. Transfer students and continuing students are not eligible to complete the UC Davis Writing Placement System.

    Students who have not satisfied Entry Level Writing Requirement (ELWR) prior to coming to UC Davis are required to take the UC Davis Writing Placement Survey. This survey should be completed as soon as possible--and definitely before July 1 so you have your results before fall registration begins.

    The UC Davis Writing Placement System is open for the 2025-2026 academic year. Incoming first-year students can review their MyAdmissions Tasklist for access to the current placement survey.

    More information about the Writing Placement Survey can be found here.

Step 3: Complete Aggie Advising Modules in Canvas for your College (Required)

Learn how to select courses, build and balance your schedule, and start satisfying the requirements you’ll need to graduate. You’ll find resources and tips to help you navigate the university, explore your interests, and ensure your first quarter is a success. 

  • Accessing Canvas Module
  • These modules will delve more into the academic side of orientation. They will mainly cover how to enroll in courses, what to consider for your first schedule in Fall and how to determine your transfer credit/AP/IB Scores.

    You may begin accessing these modules after completing Aggie 101. 

    First Year Students: Beginning May 13th.
    Transfer Students: Beginning June 5th.

    Access Aggie Advising Canvas Modules

    Click here for additional information.

Step 4: College Orientation Webinars (Recommended)

The Colleges of Engineering and Agricultural will be offering webinars to support you with the academic planning and registration process.

  • AET Students - College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
  • Information Coming Soon!
  • EBS Students - College of Engineering 

  • New Student Webinars will be offered July 10-17th by the Engineering Undergraduate Office advisors to support you with the academic planning and registration process.

    Pass 1 Registration Webinars (First Year Students)

    This webinar will review the common questions that students have regarding the process of registration in Schedule Builder. We will discuss  key terms, holds, major courses, GEs and units to ensure a smooth registration for fall quarter.
    WHEN: 
    Thursday, July 10
    12:00PM - 1:00PM
    and
    Tuesday, July 15
    5:00PM - 6:00PM

    Registration Coming Soon!

    Pass 1 Registration Webinar (Transfer Students)

    This webinar will review the common questions that students have regarding the process of registration in Schedule Builder. We will discuss  key terms, holds, major courses, GEs and units to ensure a smooth registration for fall quarter.
     WHEN:
    Wednesday, July 16
    3:00PM - 4:00PM

    Registration Coming Soon!

    EUO Support Webinars (First Year and Transfer Students)

    The Engineering Undergraduate Office will provide an overview advising within the College of Engineering, how to use the Advising Appointment System, common Schedule Builder questions, placement exams, and resources to use during your first year. 
     WHEN:
    Monday, July 14
    9:00AM - 10:00AM
    and
    Thursday, July 17
    5:00PM - 6:00PM

    Registration Coming Soon!

Step 5: Aggie Advising Appointment (Optional)

Optional for all First Year students, but highly recommended. Required for Transfer students. If you have questions not answered by the First Year/Transfer Aggie Advising Modules and online resources, you have the option to schedule a 1:1 appointment with your major advisor. Follow the steps below to schedule your optional appointment.

  • Login to the Online Advising Appointment System
  • AET Majors: Visit the appointment system and login with UC Davis ID and Passphrase. Select "BFTV Advising Center" from the drop-down menu(s). Then select "AET Undergraduate" to view the calendar and schedule an appointment. Enter your information and select "Aggie Advising (new student)" under "Special Situations".

    EBS Majors: Visit the appointment system and login with UC Davis ID and Passphrase. Select "Biological and Agricultural Engineering" from the drop-down menu(s). Then select "EBS Undergraduate - Staff Advising" to view the calendar and schedule an appointment. Enter your information and select "Aggie Advising (new student)" under "Special Situations".
  • Select Date & Time
  • Once you have confirmed your information, you will be shown a calendar with available appointments. Choose the day and time that works for you. 

    *Note: You may need to click forward to additional weeks for open appointments depending on demand.
  • Check Your Email
  • A confirmation email will be sent to your UC Davis email account. It will have instructions and a Zoom link to log in for your appointment. If you are using a computer, you will be prompted to download the Zoom app when you click the link. If you are using a mobile device, please download the Zoom app prior to your appointment. You will also have an option to call in if you are unable to connect via another device. We suggest you check your internet or data connection so your appointment runs smoothly.

Prepare for Your Appointment

  • Prior to appointment
  • > Review the material you covered in the First Year Aggie Advising Canvas course and have your Aggie Advising Checklist ready to review with your advisor. 
    > Prepare your questions prior to your appointment
  • During your appointment
  • > Make sure to be on time
    > Connect to the meeting from a space with limited distractions
  • After you appointment
  • > Build your schedule in Schedule Builder based on the courses you discussed
    > Attend or review webinars
  • Get to Know Your Major
  • Curious to know more about your major program and the unique opportunities that are available? Visit your major's website to learn more.

Step 6: Register for Courses (Required)

After you’ve planned out your first quarter, you should be ready to register for courses using Schedule Builder during your assigned pass time. Watch this video to learn more about Schedule Builder.

  • Aggie Live Registration Support, First Years
  • AET Students:
    08/05/25: Time TBD! 
    08/06/25: Time TBD!
    Click here to join

    EBS Students:
    08/01/25Time TBD! 
    08/04/25: Time TBD!
    Click here to join
  • Aggie Live Registration Support, Transfers
  • ALL Transfer Students:
    08/13/25Time TBD! 
    08/14/25: Time TBD!
    Click here to join

Step 7: Attend Aggie Orientation (Required)

Get excited about being an Aggie at Aggie Orientation! This three-day program is your opportunity to start building community networks of support, find resources, and begin your life on campus.

Step 8: Attend your Major Orientation

We want to make sure you get all the information you need to begin Fall classes with confidence. To do that, your advisor encourages you to come prepared any questions you may have. The following tips will help you get ready.

 

Additional Resources

  • Login to Schedule Builder to check your Pass time and search for the courses your advisor has recommended.
  • Check your UC Davis email for important announcements and reminders.
  • For computer recommendations for engineering students, please click here.
  • Watch this brief video from our peer advisor to learn some tips on how to navigate your first few quarters with UC Davis.