How do I begin?

The Animal Behavior Graduate Group (commonly referred to as ANB or ABGG) accepts applications for fall quarter admission only. ANB accepts applications for the Ph.D. program only. 

If you are interested in applying to our program, here are a few good first steps to get you started:

  • Step 1: Review the the application requirements listed below. This will help you get a sense of what documents, statements, and letters of recommendation you should start preparing to complete your application.
  • Step 2: Review the Degrees Offered page on the website to review more about the program and required pre-requisite coursework for entering the program. While it isn't required to have all pre-requisite courses complete at the time of admission, the more areas of discourse that you have covered, the stronger your application is. If you aren't sure if your previous coursework will count towards the pre-requisite requirements, work with your home institutions academic advisor to cross reference course descriptions of the coursework you have completed with the descriptions of the UC Davis Catalog course descriptions.  
  • Step 3: Research potential faculty advisors and current research projects via the faculty profile page. Students who enter the program must be paired with faculty mentor. Often, students will join the faculty mentors lab as a graduate student. The best way to learn more about if your research interest aligns with a faculty member's current research objectives is to reach out to them directly!
  • Step 4: Check out our Application FAQ page to review frequently asked questions about the admission process, degrees offered, financial support, and recruitment timelines.
  • Step 5: If you still have questions that aren't answered in the resources above, you can reach out! The Graduate Studies Admission team can answer general questions regarding application materials and requirements. The programs graduate program coordinator can ask more specific questions about the program and the program's requirements. Note: These support teams receive hundreds of emails each year from applicants requesting information. Due to this volume of interest, admission team members and the graduate program coordinator may not be able to meet with you directly. The best mode of contact is to send an email with your specific questions. 

Thank you so much for presenting at the Animal Behavior Graduate Seminar at UC Davis! We are looking forward to your visit and hope you have a lovely time with us. 

Below is general information to help you prepare for your visit. Please refer to your confirmation email for specifics such as your visit date, your honorarium amount, your host contact information, and more. 

If you have any questions at any point, please reach out to our seminar Co-chairs, Felicity Muth and Gretchen Dicks, or the seminar team:

Speaker Survey

To help us advertise your seminar, we ask that you complete the Speaker Survey as soon as you know the title for your seminar (but no later than 30 days before your visit). 

This survey requests: 

  • Your name, as you would like it printed
  • Your professional title
  • Your home institution/affiliation
  • Title of your seminar
  • Brief biography of yourself and your research (100-200 words)
  • Photo of yourself for digital flyers
  • Recommended readings prior to your seminar

Complete your speaker survey here!

Travel

In an effort to streamline the booking process and avoid the delays often associated with institutional travel and reimbursement restrictions, we require speakers to book their own travel arrangements. The graduate group provides speakers with a set honorarium after the seminar to thank them for the effort put towards the seminar and offset travel costs. Speakers can find their honorarium amount in their confirmation email. 

A quick online search will show you many lodging and dining options near campus. The ones closest to campus include the Hyatt Place (on campus), Aggie Inn, Best Western University Lodge, and Best Western Plus Palm Court; though, there are many other nearby options. Downtown Davis has a plethora of dining options to select from. 

  • If flying, the nearest airport to UC Davis is Sacramento (SMF). There are several ground transportation options between SMF and Davis, with ride share apps being the most common option. 
  • If coming from the Bay Area, the Amtrak Capitol Corridor is a great public transportation option, with a stop conveniently located in downtown Davis. 
  • If driving to campus, please make sure to check the Transportation Services page for information on parking locations, cost, and payment options. 

 

If you cannot accept honorarium due to employment restrictions, please contact our travel coordinator Joy Anguiano.

Meals

The graduate group is unable to provide reimbursements for individual speaker meals. These costs are factored into the honorarium rate. 

Your host is more than likely planning a few meals during your stay. Please contact them for additional information or to suggest which restaurants you may want to visit. 

Visit Agenda

Your host is diligently preparing a full day of activities for your visit! If you would like to meet with anyone specific during your stay, please let your host know. Additionally, please let them know of any scheduling conflicts you may have so they know to leave room in your agenda. 

Seminar Information

Your seminar will be presented in-person (with the option for Zoom only for those attendees who request said accommodations). If you are comfortable with your seminar being recorded for faculty and students to view in the future, please let your host know via email; campus policy requires we have your consent in writing before recording. 

Your seminar will take place at 9:30A in 1022 Green Hall. Please be sure to arrive promptly at 9:30A so you will have time to setup. This room has a projector and speaker which can be connected to via Zoom or HDMI. The room has Wifi, though we recommend you set up wifi access before 9:30A to ensure you are able to connect.