BioLaunch First-Year Course FAQs

  • How many units are BIS 005 and BIS 198?
  • BIS 005 and BIS 198 are one-unit, pass/no-pass courses that meet one hour per week.
  • When should I take BIS 005 or BIS 198?
  • BIS 005 and BIS 198 are only offered in fall to incoming CBS freshman and first-year transfer students, respectively. They are not open to continuing students.
  • Are BIS 005 or BIS 198 prerequisites for other courses?
  • Yes, BIS 005 is a prerequisite for BIS 006, which is the first seminar in the BioLaunch Seminar Series that includes BIS 006, 060, 106 and 160.
  • Are there any prerequisites for BIS 005 or BIS 198?
  • No. The only requirement is that you are an incoming CBS student.
  • What if I am taking a lot of units during the fall quarter? Should I still take BIS 005/198?

  • The BIS 005 or BIS 198 courses should not burden your course load. They are designed to review information that was presented in orientation such as registering for classes, familiarize you with important and useful campus resources, and introduce you to experiential learning and research opportunities available to CBS students. Contact the BioLaunch program coordinator at biolaunch@ucdavis.edu if you have reservations about registering.

  • Am I automatically registered in a BIS 005 or BIS 198 section?
  • No. You must register to add the class on Schedule Builder with a Course Registration Number (CRN) code. This number will be provided to you during orientation when you sign up for your Fall classes.
  • I am taking a Transfer Student BIS 198 section through another program. How does that relate to my BIS 198 course?
  • There are many sections of BIS 198 offered by different campus departments and special programs. For example, faculty occasionally pilot new courses using the BIS 198 designation for multiple units. The BioLaunch program BIS 198 sections are unrelated and do not take the place of other BIS 198 sections.
  • Can I receive credit for both BIS 005 and a Freshmen Seminar class during the Fall quarter?
  • Yes. The content is different. If you are concerned or want more information, please check with your BASC advisor during orientation.