UMass Boston

Mission:

• Energize students to engage in deep learning, and to acquire relevant knowledge & work-place competencies.  
• Transition new students to the academic rigors of university life.
• Provide enrichment opportunities via the First Year Stem Communities, and college-wide events.
• Guide students to pursue purposeful pathways that are aligned with their academic/professional interests, talents, and values.
• Help students start and stay on track by empowering them to carefully plan their degree requirements each semester.
• Connect students to key campus resources supporting their overall well-being, social development, and career planning needs.
• Provide opportunities for students to develop into productive citizens and apply their knowledge, talents, and skills for the betterment of society at large.

Tagline: 

At the UMass Boston College of Science & Mathematics Student Success Center, "Realize Your Purpose" signifies more than just completing a degree; it's about actively shaping your future to ultimately make an optimal contribution to your chosen profession.

• "Realize" embodies a dual commitment: first, to guide students in becoming aware of their unique talents, interests, and strengths, and then empowering them to transform those aspirations into a tangible STEM career. "Your" emphasizes that this path is personal, focused on each student's individual academic and vocational calling, free from external pressures. This journey involves helping students identify their strengths and passions within STEM fields, fostering a sense of vocational purpose, and contributing their unique set of strengths to tackle complex real-world scientific challenges, both locally and globally.  We are here to help you navigate this path and pursue work that is profoundly purposeful.

   

Meet Our Staff

Welcome to the College of Science & Mathematics at UMass Boston! All new students are asked to do the following to best prepare for their New Student Orientation Advising & Registration session.  These same activities are helpful for after you enroll, and to give you a strong start to the semester. 

1. Claim your umb.edu email and set up the multi-factor authenticator app before your orientation session. You will need both to register!
2. Log into WISER and get familiar with its layout and features. 
3. Questions about waitlists, permission numbers, family member access to your records:?   Visit this Registrar's Webpage for the answers. 
4. Complete the ALEKS Math Placement. Unless you are transferring in the equivalent of Calculus I, you need to take ALEKS, at least once, if not twice. Skipping this step will likely delay your enrollment. A strong math foundation is particularly important for STEM students. Make smart decisions about your choice of a math course, and learn how to take the ALEKS Math Placement Test.
5. Understand that college level math is more advanced than high school level math courses.  Make every effort to prepare for your upcoming math course for your first semester by reviewing the Math Department's Course Syllabi and Measurable Outcomes:
   • Math Sample Syllabi (MATH114QR - MATH345)
   • Measurable Outcomes: Measurable outcomes are common learning expectations that have been implemented in many of the Mathematics Department's 100-level courses. Information on measurable outcomes is available for the following courses:
     • MATH115 - College Algebra
     • MATH130 - Precalculus
     • MATH140 - Calculus I
   • Regardless of which math course you take, plan to engage in additional academic support either through subject tutoring or from the Math Department's tutoring office. 
6. Read your Audit in advance. Watch this helpful video to become more familiar with your degree requirements, and to which requirements you still need to complete, given any transfer credits accepted.  In the future, your will work with your SSC Advisor to develop a realistic academic plan for graduation. 
7. Learn how to search and enroll in your first semester courses. Please watch this video to help guide you.  Put your desired courses in your WISER Shopping Cart, and be sure to include many alternates as back-ups to your first choice courses. 
8. Review sample graduation plans to learn how you can start and stay on track. Select your sample graduation plan here.
9. Please refer to our Advanced Placement Credit Policy Chart to determine the equivalent UMass Boston courses. In many cases, students choose to forfeit their STEM AP course credits and thus take the equivalent course at UMass Boston. By doing this, students solidify and master the foundational knowledge needed for future major courses. This is especially necessary if a course is serving as a prerequisite for the next course in the sequence such as; Calculus I preparing students for Calculus II, or Biology 111 preparing students for Biology 112. Please speak to your SSC advisor to explore the option of forfeiting your AP credit, or to assess if keeping the AP course credit is a better option for you. 
10. Get a strong start to upcoming semester by thoughtfully completing the CSM Student Success Planner.  Follow up with your advisor for personalized guidance. 

• Additionally, if you attend a virtual advising session, please attend via a computer or a laptop, and not through your phone (if at all possible).   Please also make every effort to be in a distraction-free environment, be ready to take notes and to be fully engaged in the advising session.  We will not be able to assist you if you are driving, on the T, or are otherwise not safe to participate in the session.
  
  
• Take a few moments to review the pertinent overview documents as they will be referenced at your advising session: First Year Orientation Summer 2025, or Transfer Orientation Summer 2025.  Additionally, here are First-Year Class Recommendation Handouts for each major:
  • Computer Engineering & Electrical Engineering Class Recommendations - First Year
  • Chemistry / BioChemistry Class Recommendations - First Year
  • Biology Class Recommendations - First Year
  • Physics / Engineering Physics Class Recommendations - First Year
  • Math Class Recommendations - First Year
  • Information Technology Class Recommendations - First Year
  • Computer Science Class Recommendations - First Year
    
• If you attend an in-person session, please be ready to focus, ask questions, and take notes (either with a pen and paper, or with a laptop if you have one).  

• Drop-In Hours for International Students & International Student Handbook
• ALEKS Instructions & Math Department Student Resources
• Academic Calendar
• GPA Calculator
• How to Access a Degree Audit
• Class Schedule Worksheet
• Time Management Calculator
• Grading System & Dean's List Criteria
• CSM Student Success Planner
• Questions about waitlists, permission numbers, family member access to your records:?   Visit this Registrar's Webpage for the answers. 
• Remove your Emergency Contact & Address Hold on WISER

Students who wish to return to the university and resume their studies must complete the appropriate re-enrollment application. If you are not sure what Re-Enrollment Application you should submit, please email reg.forms@umb.edu include your full name & Student ID number. 

Important Considerations: 

• If you have been away from the university for four or more consecutive semesters, you may be required to observe academic requirements in effect upon your return.
• Students who have been suspended or dismissed from the University and wish to resume their education should follow the instructions on the re-enrollment form which includes writing a letter of appeal addressed to the Standards and Credits Committee of their college. Include dates
• If you have completed courses at another institution, send those transcripts to the UMass Boston Registrar's Office at, registrar@umb.edu
• Learn about University dates and deadlines by visiting the Registrar's Academic Calendar. 

Academic Advising is an opportunity to design your educational and career goals, and to create an academic plan and a timeline for graduation.  While degree planning is a shared partnership between you and an advisor; ultimately however, it is your responsibility to fulfill the University's graduation requirements through the use of advising tools, such as the degree audit, WISER pre-requisite information, plans to graduation, and the undergraduate course catalog.

Your Potential & Purpose.  Together, let's explore ways to reach your potential and to realize your academic & vocational purpose.  If you're experiencing any bumps in road, please let us know so we can help you problem-solve.  Also, be sure to tell us what's working well!  Which courses do you enjoy the most?  What extra-curricular activities have you engaged in?  Are you getting to know your professors and your classmates?  What are you learning about yourself?   Tell us all of that!  

Your advising responsibilities.  Read your degree audit frequently and carefully.  The degree audit helps you plan and track your progress toward your degree as it connects with the information in WISER to keep track of university, general education, and major/minor requirements. 

Register early. For the best course selection, register as soon as your enrollment appointment begins.  The months of November and April are the two busiest times of the year.  Start earlier and avoid the rush to ensure a more relaxed planning session. 

• • Learn when you’re eligible to register, a time period known as your enrollment appointment, which you will find when you log-on to WISER and view your Student Center page
  • See if you have any holds that prevent you from registering, such as advising, immunization, bursar’s, or Writing Proficiency holds. 

Prepare.  The better prepared you are for your advising session, the more you’ll accomplish when you sit down face to face with your advisor.  Read your audit in advance, make a tentative course schedule, have questions ready, and be prepared to take notes.  

Click here to view advisors' contact information.  Or, using your phone, scan the QR code to download your advisor's contact information to your contact list.