Undergraduate Student Resources
Get to know your student resources
Explore the pages below to learn more about the student resources available to you through the School of Animal and Comparative Biomedical Sciences, as well as the student services available through the College of Agriculture, Life and Environmental Sciences.
Did you know that you can apply for scholarships specific to your major, college and university? As a student in the School of Animal and Comparative Biomedical Sciences, you are part of the College of Agriculture, Life & Environmental Sciences (CALES), which offers more than $1 million in scholarships.
Once you're admitted to the university and have a NetID, you can sign into Scholarship Universe to easily apply to all scholarships from the university, college, major and external partners. We recommend completing your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) first to increase the number of scholarships available to you.
Financial Aid Resources
- Find a list of scholarships not affiliated with the university, and open to all students, at Scholarships A-Z.
- Check in with the university Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid for information about the FAFSA, scholarship awards, and renewal criteria.
- Are you a student veteran? See if you qualify for tutorial financial assistance.
The CALES Career Center, located in Forbes 204, provides exclusive career and professional development services specific to the College of Agriculture, Life and Environmental Sciences, which includes students in the School of Animal and Comparative Biomedical Sciences.
Services include:
- Resume reviews
- Cover letter coaching
- Mock interviews
- Career advice
- State of the art on campus virtual interviewing facilities
- CALES internship library
- Job postings
- Professional development workshops
- Preparation for professional life
- Resources related to graduate school planning
The Student Engagement and Career Development office, located in the Student Union Memorial Center, Suite 411, supports career success for every student at the University of Arizona. Program areas include leadership and career education, employer and alumni engagement, and student engagement.
Services include:
- Experiences that range from mock interviews to career fairs.
- Workshops on how to build your resume, prepare for a job interview, and how to plan for graduate or professional schools.
CALES Learning Lab services are exclusive to College of Agriculture, Life & Environmental Students. Connect with a CALES Learning Coach — by appointment or workshop — to develop success goals and build skills with proven academic strategies in organizing course material, time management, studying, or reading and writing strategies.
Schedule an appointment
- First time visiting the Learning Lab? Complete the referral form.
- After you completed the referral form, schedule an appointment. CALES Learning Lab does not charge students for any services.
There's a lot happening in your life, from college to relationships, to figuring out your future. If it matters to you, it matters to us. Nothing's too big or too small. The CALES Student Wellness and Life Management team offer the following services:
Wellness Consultations:
Meet with a wellness expert who can help you make a plan, discover resources and live a healthier life. This service will connect you with the best resources in your holistic wellness, including your mental, financial, career, academic, social and physical wellness.
Wellness Communities:
Immerse yourself in a supportive community of like-minded students to experience shared growth and understanding, and benefit from the ongoing mentorship of a licensed therapist and certified Mind-Body practitioner.
Comprehensive & Therapy Referrals:
If you need a specific service that's unavailable within the CALES Wellness and Life Management programs, we can provide a referral to the best option inside and/or outside the university, including therapy services.
How to obtain research experience
All students are encouraged to participate in research to gain hands-on experience for your resume or CV and connections with research faculty. Research opportunities can be paid, earned credit or volunteer work, and can range from short term to long term. Many opportunities can be found at the university year-round. While many veterinary schools (DVM) prefer applicants with some research experience, almost all graduate programs (M.S., Ph.D. degrees) in the life sciences require it.
- ACBS faculty
- University Researcher Directory
- Navigate to find the listings of faculty and their listed research interests. This can be beneficial if you are thinking of attending graduate school outside of your current major or if you are interested in learning new techniques.
- Some common disciplines that often couple with our majors include public health, biology, molecular and cellular biology, entomology, environmental sciences, and plant sciences. TIP: You can look up a faculty member’s most recent publications by searching for their name using Google Scholar or PubMed. The UA pays for journal subscriptions, so a large number of articles are available when using Wi-Fi on campus or when routing off campus using a VPN.
- If you find a faculty member you are interested in working with, attend their office hours or email them and make sure you include the following:
- Name and class standing (sophomore, junior, etc.)
- The most recent version of your resume or CV. (We recommend you submit a draft to your academic advisor for edits before sending to a faculty member.)
- Briefly explain why you are interested in their research and why you are interested in getting involved with their research (personal interest, preparation for graduate school, paid job, etc.)
- Ask if they accept undergraduates in their lab and, if so, ask whether they have any work in which you can participate.
- Your initial email should be brief and to the point. The faculty member may follow up asking for an in-person meeting, your schedule availability, and whether you are looking for a paid or volunteer experience.
If you have secured an undergraduate research opportunity, make sure to tell your major advisor so you can earn credit. Please do not wait until the last minute, since there is paperwork to fill out that requires the faculty member’s signature.
Clubs & organizations
During your college career, you’ll learn as much outside of the classroom as in it. Clubs are a great way to make friends, network with professionals and reinforce classroom learning through meaningful service and professional engagement. You have more than 400 clubs to choose from to meet like-minded friends and advisors. Below are a handful of clubs that students in the School of Animal & Comparative Biomedical Sciences may be most interested in.
Come together with other students and academic members to promote interest in microbiology and all related fields, including pathology, immunology, virology, mycology, parasitology, and bacteriology.
The mission of the Pre-Veterinary Club is to educate members on various aspects of the career and prepare them for a future of working with animals. We have veterinarians join us weekly to discuss various topics in animal health and pathways in veterinary medicine. We also hear from Vet School representatives and other animal professionals. Additionally, we provide hands on volunteer opportunities for members to gain experience with animals.
VIDA empowers underserved communities in Central America by providing affordable and accessible medical, dental and veterinary care.
The University of Arizona Collegiate Livestock Growers Assoc. is an organization that helps students gain experience and knowledge in all aspects of the livestock industry including hands-on experiences, professional growth, and industry connections.