Earn Variable Units Towards Your Degree!
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- Student Clubs (ECI 198)
Students may earn variable units (1–5 per quarter) for significant involvement in approved clubs (e.g., serving as an officer or attending competitions). Not all clubs offer units.
Eligibility & Limits:
♦ Only upper-division students may earn upper-division variable units.
♦ These variable units can count toward major electives.
♦ Civil Engineering majors may apply up to 6 upper-division variable units (any mix of 198 or 199) toward electives.
♦ Additional units will count toward total graduation units but not toward the degree.
How to Enroll:
1. Decide on club participation before the quarter begins.
2. Complete the variable unit request before the 12th day of instruction:
- Submit either a Bulk Variable Unit Sheet (by student lead/faculty) or student can submit an individual Variable Unit Form.
- Send the form to civiladvising@ucdavis.edu.
3. You will receive a unique CRN by email to add the course in Schedule Builder.
4. Be sure to register for the correct number of units (1 unit = 3 hours/week).Download Variable Unit Form HERE
Download Bulk Variable Unit Sheet HERE
Learn more about student clubs!
- Research Involvement (ECI 199)
Students may earn variable units (1–5 per quarter) for participating in a research lab or serving as a research assistant. It is recommended to begin this process before the start of the quarter you intend to earn units.
Eligibility & Limits:
♦ Only upper-division students may earn upper-division variable units.
♦ These variable units can count toward major electives.
♦ Civil Engineering majors may apply up to 6 upper-division variable units (any mix of 198 or 199) toward electives.
♦ Additional units will count toward total graduation units but not toward the degree.
How to Enroll:
1. Confirm your position in a lab or research role.
2. Complete the variable unit request before the 12th day of instruction:
- Submit either a Bulk Variable Unit Sheet (by student lead/faculty) or student can submit an individual Variable Unit Form.
- Send the form to civiladvising@ucdavis.edu.
3. You will receive a unique CRN by email to add the course in Schedule Builder.
4. Be sure to register for the correct number of units (1 unit = 3 hours/week)Download Variable Unit Form HERE
Download Bulk Variable Unit Sheet HERE
Explore our research centers!
Other Variable Units (not for degree credit)
- Units for Clubs and Research: Lower Division (ECI 098/099)
- Lower-division students (freshmen/sophomores) can also earn variable units that may go towards minimum progress, but these do NOT count towards any major elective requirements. Only upper division variable units may go towards major requirements. Once a student earns Junior/Senior standing on OASIS, upper-division units may be applied.
♦ To earn lower-division ECI 98/99 units, follow the same steps stated above in the upper division sections.
♦ Be sure to indicate the right type of units in the required form. - Units for Internships: Lower Division (ECI 092)
- ECI 092 units may be earned when a student wants to receive credit for an off-campus internship related to their degree. Lower division units for internships do NOT count towards any major requirements & do NOT satisfy the Career Development Competency. These units contribute to Minimum Progress requirements and may also be necessary for Curriculum Practical Training (CPT) for international students.
♦ To earn lower-division ECI 92 units, follow the same steps stated in the upper division 192 section below.
♦ Be sure to indicate the right type of units in the required form.
Units for Internships: ECI 192
Students may earn ECI 192 units for off-campus internships related to their major. These do not count toward major requirements, but can satisfy the Career Development Competency. Units contribute to Minimum Progress and may be required for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) for international students.
Oversight & Grading
- INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
- 1. Submit the Variable Unit Form following the steps in the "How to Enroll" section below.2. Complete a CPT Form with SISS in your iGlobal account. Adress the form to:
- - Advisor Name: CEE UG Advising
- Advisor Email: civiladvising@ucdavis.edu
3. After approval, you'll receive a unique CRN to enroll under your assigned faculty advisor in Schedule Builder - DOMESTIC STUDENTS
If an internship is completed BEFORE Fall 2025:
- 1. Follow the instructions under do not have an assigned faculty member in the "How to Enroll" section.2. On the Variable Unit Form, indicate 1 unit for Fall 20253. Submit your 1–2 page final report (Font size 12) to the faculty member by the end of the quarter.
If you are planning an internship during any upcoming summer:- 1. Apply to receive a 1-unit credit for the following Fall quarter
2. If no faculty assigned- follow the instructions under do not have an assigned faculty member in the "How to Enroll section"
3. Submit your 1–2 page final report (Font size 12) to the faculty member by the end of the quarter.
- HOW TO ENROLL
- 1. Submit a Variable Unit Form Prior to the 12th day of instruction.
- ♦ If you have an assigned faculty member, complete the form with them.
♦ If you do not have one, fill in:- - Your student information
- - Target quarter/year
- - Internship topic and brief course plan
- - Circle the unit type at the top and leave the rest blank
3. Email the completed form to: civiladvising@ucdavis.edu- ♦ If no faculty assigned, clearly state: “I do not have an assigned faculty member” in your email. The department will assign you a faculty member after you submit your form
4. Wait for a CRN to be administered.5. Register on Schedule Builder before the 12th day of instruction.