For Incoming Students

Welcome to FSGG

Congratulations on joining the Food Science Graduate Group! We are a group of students, faculty, and staff dedicated to furthering the knowledge of Food Science and supporting the health, mental health and well-being, and professional development of our students as they pursue their studies and research.

In addition to having an assigned Major Professor (PI) who will guide students in their research and projects, students have a Graduate Advisor to ensure that program degree requirements are fulfilled and are a resource for information, guidance, and support. The Graduate Program Coordinator is available to answer questions, and provide information, support and referrals. 

First Steps

  • Graduate Studies Orientation
  • Graduate Studies online orientation consists of completing the online orientation Aggie 201. This requires establishing a computing account for UC Davis email, Canvas, SISweb and other apps.
  • AggieCard
  • AggieCard is your student ID card which provides access to the library, campus recreation, and other campus events and locations
  • Duo
  • Duo is a multi-factor authentication system which will protect your UC Davis accounts. Enroll here. 
  • FSGG Orientation
  • FSGG Orientation - Fall 2026 Orientation will be on Tuesday, September 22, 2026. More details will be shared via email.
  • TA Orientation
  • TA Orientation is required of all FSGG students. Students complete an online module, then attend in-person orientation - Monday, September 21, 2026.
     
  • Graduate Studies Resource Fair
  • Graduate Studies Resource Fair: On campus graduate student resources and vendors will be present. Great opportunity to meet Graduate Studies staff and other incoming grad students. The resource fair will be held in front of Walker Hall.
  • Holistic U
  • Holistic U - welcoming first generation students and students from marginalized communities. Details forthcoming.
  • Graduate International Student Orientation
  • Graduate International Student Orientation is a combination of virtual sessions and in-person social events. Virtual sessions will be available and social event details forthcoming.

Housing

 

Out of state students

  • Residency requirements
  • Residency requirements for graduate students – Out of state students need to obtain their California Driver’s License or ID card by December and may complete the petition for residency 366 days after moving to California.

International students

  • Services for International Students and Scholars (SISS)
  • Services for International Students and Scholars (SISS) offers support, assistance and training for international students. Student Advisors are assigned to students' last name. 
  • Test of Oral Language Proficiency (TOEP)
  • Test of Oral Language Proficiency (TOEP) – meets requirement to TA if English requirement is not met prior to admission.
  • International House
  • International House – weekly gatherings, social events and special presentations by community members.

First year expectations

Campus resources

  • Student Health and Counseling services
  • Student Health and Counseling services - Covered through SHIP insurance and provides appointments for health and mental health services (individual and group counseling services).
  • Graduate Writing Center
  • Graduate Writing Center:  Offers 1:1 writing consultations, writing retreats and writing workshops for graduate students.
  • Campus Recreation
  • Campus Recreation includes the Activities and Recreation Center (ARC), Craft Center, Outdoor Adventures and more.
  • Aggie Mental Health
  • Aggie Mental Health: Resources for students’ own mental health as well as resources to help others in distress.
  • Student Disability Center
  • Student Disability Center: to request accommodations for exams, student employment, or other types of accommodations (i.e. emotional support animal, campus rides if mobility impaired).
  • Aggie Compass Basic Needs
  • Aggie Compass – Central location in the Memorial Union for basic needs (food, clothing, toiletries). Offers fresh fruits and vegetables from the Student Farm, and clothes to borrow for interviews. 
  • Graduate Student Pantry
  • Located at 1213 Walker Hall (next to the graduate commons area). Offers dry goods and canned food specifically for graduate students. 
  • CalFresh
  • CalFresh - Monthly funds to eligible students that can be used on campus or in grocery stores and participating farmer’s markets. It is a state program and you can check to see if you’re eligible. 
  • Student Parent resources
  • Student parent resources including academic support and leave options, childcare and activities, the Davis community and local events, financial support and assistance, and resources for student parent housing and new/expecting parents. Parent study lounge available in Walker Hall.
  • Internship and Career Center
  • Internship and Career Center: Provides individual assistance to grad students with cover letter/resume/CVs and interviewing. Works with Grad Studies to put on workshops and programs such as Leaders for the Future and Professors for the Future. Resource for market trends, job fairs and career planning.
  • Direct deposit
  • Direct deposit: Students who are employed through UC Davis may elect to have their funds deposited electronically. It is the recommended route as paper checks take several additional weeks to be sent to the student’s address. Students need to sign up for this service each year. 
  • Student groups
  • Graduate Student Association (GSA) represents graduate students and organizes functions for graduate students. FSGG has both a student representative who disseminates information from GSA and can also bring topics of interest/concern from FSGG students to the FSGG Executive Committee. Students can also check the Center for Student Involvement and find a student group of interest to them. 
  • Unitrans Bus
  • The red double decker Unitrans buses run throughout the city of Davis. There are two bus stops on campus: Memorial Union and across from the Silo. 
  • Bicycle resources
  • Free bike helmet
    UC Davis bicycle auction (currently online)
    Bike Campaign (for used bikes - recommended)
    City of Davis bike swap: Cesar Chavez elementary school in Davis (early spring quarter)
  • myucdavis
  • Personalize your UC Davis resources with a myucdavis webpage. Similar to a bookmark, you can place often used resources here and see them at quickly on one page.
  • Mondavi Center ticket
  • Free Mondavi Center ticket: Students receive one free ticket to the Mondavi Center. Ask another student and go see a show!

Graduate Studies resources

  • Thriving in Graduate School
  • Thriving in Graduate School - first year support group to succeed in graduate school
  • Senior Academic Advisors
  • Senior Academic Advisors: assigned advising resource to answer questions about Grad Studies’ forms and processes, and provide support for academic issues
  • Grad Pathways
  • Grad Pathways - professional development workshops and information (paid by candidacy fees)
  • Professors for the Future
  • Professors for the Future - professional development program for positions in academia
  • Leaders for the Future
  • Leaders for the Future - professional development program for positions outside academia

Campus contacts

  • Transcript/proof of degree questions
  • Please contact [email protected] for questions on submitting your official transcript or proof of degree.
  • Payment questions
  • Please consult with the program coordinator, if you have questions re: tuition/fee, salary, fellowship or other payments. If the matter is not resolvable at the program level, students may be directed to Contact an Expert.
  • Registration questions
  • If there are questions re: which courses to take, changing courses or units, grading format or payment, please consult with the program coordinator.