Navigating the College of Sciences at UCF: A Guide to Advising and Resources for Student Success

The College of Sciences at the University of Central Florida (UCF) is committed to ensuring student success through a variety of advising resources and support services. This comprehensive guide provides an overview of the resources available to students in the College of Sciences, designed to help them thrive academically, personally, and professionally.

Prioritizing Student Success

UCF places a strong emphasis on student success, offering a wide range of resources to support students throughout their academic journey. The Student Success Resource page serves as a directory of academic, wellness, and financial resources designed to bolster student achievement.

Academic Support Services

The Student Academic Resource Center (SARC) is a central hub for academic support at UCF. SARC provides a variety of free services to all students, including:

Peer Tutoring: Connect with fellow students who have excelled in specific courses to receive personalized assistance and guidance.
Supplemental Instruction (SI): Attend SI sessions led by trained students who have previously succeeded in the course. These sessions offer a collaborative learning environment to review course material and develop effective study strategies.
Academic Coaching: Work one-on-one with an academic coach to develop essential skills such as time management, organization, and study habits.
Academic Success Workshops: Participate in workshops covering a range of topics, including test-taking strategies, note-taking skills, and stress management techniques.
Online Academic Support Resources: Access a variety of online resources, such as study guides, practice quizzes, and video tutorials, to supplement your learning.

The Math Success Center offers free drop-in tutoring for students enrolled in undergraduate mathematics courses taught by the Department of Mathematics at UCF. This friendly and supportive environment provides a space for students to learn mathematics and receive assistance with challenging concepts.

The University Writing Center is a valuable resource for students seeking to improve their writing skills. Writing consultants provide one-on-one consultations to help students with any writing project, from research papers to resumes.

Library Resources

The John C. Hitt Library offers a wide array of services to support students and faculty. In addition to scholarly resources such as books, articles, and videos, the library provides access to newly renovated study spaces, technology and computer rentals, and basic functions such as printing, copying, and scanning. The John C. Hitt Library is open seven days a week, with extended hours available during OverKnight periods. Branch libraries are located in the Education Complex, at the Rosen campus, and at the downtown campus.

Accessibility Services

Student Accessibility Services (SAS) is dedicated to creating an inclusive educational environment for students with disabilities. SAS works collaboratively with students, faculty, and staff to provide accommodations and support services.

Testing Services

The University Testing Center (UTC) administers a variety of exams, including entrance, placement, academic, certification and licensure, and pre-employment exams. UTC also works with the Office of Student Accessibility Services to provide accommodations for students with disabilities.

Technology Support

Technology Commons provides large computer labs, laptop and tablet checkout, and group study spaces. The Student Support Desk offers assistance to students experiencing technical issues with their devices.

Health and Wellness Services

Student Care Services (SCS) assists students experiencing distressing situations that may impact their academic or personal success. SCS provides guidance, resources, and referrals to other campus and community resources.

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Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) offers free-of-charge psychological services to enrolled UCF students.

Wellness and Health Promotion Services (WHPS) provides programming and services to promote healthy lifestyle habits that enhance academic performance. Outreach programming includes workshops on topics such as safe sex, nutrition, alcohol awareness and prevention, stress management, sleep, healthy relationships, and body image. Additional services include HIV Testing and Risk Reduction Counseling, Wellness Coaching, SNAP education, Coupon classes, ScreenU (an online confidential substance use screening and intervention resource), and Biofeedback assisted relaxation training (stress management).

UCF Student Health Services provides a variety of primary and specialty care services to help keep students at their optimum health. The Health Center is located on the Main Campus, with satellite clinics located at the Rosen campus and Health Sciences campus.

Financial Assistance

The Office of Student Financial Assistance is responsible for processing and disbursing federal, state, and institutional aid. Virtual counseling appointments are available over Zoom for students and their families. The Centsible Knights financial literacy program provides information and resources to support sound financial decision-making. Student Accounts Services bills and collects tuition and fees, campus housing, and other university charges.

Resources for Specific Student Populations

UCF Downtown provides academic and student support services and resources tailored to students with majors at the downtown campus. UCF Connect extends the academic support and student development efforts of the Main UCF Orlando campus to students who attend classes or live near one of UCF’s ten UCF Connect Centers. A comprehensive range of resources are available at the UCF Connect Centers, such as admissions, registration, financial aid, advising, student clubs and organizations, accessibility services, veteran’s affairs, “smart classrooms,” libraries, computer labs, and more. Academic advising is available for programs offered at UCF Connect Centers in conjunction with the Departmental and College Advising offices. The UCF Online Connect Center is a specialized coaching and support center for UCF Online students. Every student in a UCF Online program is assigned a Success Coach who provides high-level support, coordination, and guidance from admission through graduation. Student Success and Well-Being is a central source for support and enhancement, offering resources ranging from wellness and mental counseling to career services and housing assistance.

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College of Sciences Advising

The College of Sciences provides dedicated Academic Success Coaches to support undergraduate students. Each student is assigned an Academic Success Coach who provides advisement regarding their academic program. Students can schedule appointments with their Academic Success Coach through MyKnight Star. Academic Success Coaches assist students with their educational, career, and personal goals by helping them understand University policies and procedures, major requirements, and campus resources. They guide and support students as they make decisions about majors, course selection, campus involvement, and preparation for graduation.

Biology Advising

There are several Academic Success Coaches working with Biology students. Each student will be assigned a specific Academic Success Coach throughout their journey at UCF. You and your assigned ASC will work together, from orientation to graduation, to establish your goals, co-design your academic plans, and monitor your success. Reach out to the College of Sciences Advising Services with questions regarding UCF Biology major. Since you will be unable to schedule an appointment directly, you can stop by or a drop in advising appointment or on a virtual advising appointment.

Registration and Enrollment

Undergraduate students with a UCF GPA of 3.5 or higher as of February 1st are eligible for multiple term registration. Students can register during their enrollment appointment time, which is posted in MyUCF.

For courses offered in the College of Health Professions and Sciences, students should contact their Academic Success Coach to request an override. The Academic Success Coach will work with the department to determine if an override can be granted.

Transient Course Requests

The College of Health Professions and Sciences (CHPS) will consider a student’s transient request to take a course towards their major at another institution. For courses taken outside of the Florida College or University System, students must submit a Non-SUS Transient Student Form. Students must be enrolled at UCF during the term of graduation and may not be transient during the term of graduation.

Late Add Requests

Late add requests are reserved for extenuating circumstances and are accepted only during the second week of the semester. If the request is approved by the College of Health Professions and Sciences, the late add request will be submitted to UCF Academic Services for final review and approval.

Transfer Students

All First Time in College (FTIC) students must attend orientation prior to registering for courses at UCF. Students transferring in with an Associate of Arts degree from an institution within the Florida College System will have all General Education Program requirements met at UCF. Students transferring from a private or out-of-state institution will have their credits evaluated for equivalency.

Additional Resources

Knights Major Exploration and Transition Center (KMETC): KMETC advisors and coaches assist undeclared and major exploring undergraduate students with degree exploration, college skill building, and transition to degree-specific college advising. Location (Main Campus): Classroom Building 1 Suite 302Location (Rosen College): 9907 Universal Blvd.
Military and Veteran Success Center: The Military and Veteran Success Center is the first-stop shop for military students to include, student veterans, active-duty, and military-connected students.
Office of Transfer and Transition Services: Reach out to the Office of Transfer and Transition Services to help make your transition smooth and seamless.
UCF Online: With more than 25 years of innovation in educational technology, UCF Online offers high-quality distance learning options for both traditional and nontraditional students.
Graduate Studies: Explore more than 138 master’s, specialist, doctoral and certificate programs to help you achieve your professional and personal goals.

Common Registration Errors and Solutions

Pre-requisite error for BSC 2010C and/or STA 2023: If you are receiving this error, you are most likely attempting to register for a section that takes place at the UCF Downtown campus. Only students whose major and/or minor is located at UCF Downtown (not Biology) are permitted to register for these courses.
Pre-requisite error for BSC 2011C: Biology majors, along with a handful of other majors require BSC2011C for their major and Biology students especially cannot take any classes within their major until they complete BSC2011C. That is why students at UCF with majors that require Bio 2 must take precedence; they need it to graduate from UCF.
Pre-requisite error for a College of Sciences class: If you are receiving this error, it is most likely because you met the prerequisites for the course when you originally enrolled but no longer meet those requirements. You will have to find a new course, provide proof of the prerequisites being met, or acquire consent from the instructor to remain enrolled in the course.

Grade Forgiveness

Grade Forgiveness offers a student the opportunity to retake a course and earn a second grade that will be substituted for the previous grade. Students may apply for Grade Forgiveness online at my.ucf.edu > Student Self Service > Student Center. Requests must be submitted no later than the Grade Forgiveness Deadline, as posted on the Academic Calendar, for the term/session in which the student has registered for the course being repeated. Grade Forgiveness is limited to two courses and may not be used twice for the same course.

Withdrawing from a Course

A “W” will appear on your transcript for the attempt of the course in this semester, but your GPA will not be affected. There is no refund of tuition when a student opts to withdraw from a course. A withdrawal is completed on myUCF through the Student Self Service Center.

Internships

Please provide detailed information/description of the work you’ll be doing, including the date range, and hours/week. Keep in mind that you cannot get internship credit for a job you are already doing.

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