Graduate Student Resources

Graduate student Dhruv Patel looking at a research sample.

Navigating UC Berkeley

PMB graduate students are supported by a comprehensive network of departmental and campus-wide resources designed to foster academic excellence and personal well-being. To streamline your search for university services, we recommend utilizing the Berkeley Supportal. This centralized platform serves as a primary entry point for the UC Berkeley community to access a variety of services, including academic enrichment, mental health resources, and basic needs support.

Graduate Division & Campus Partners

The Graduate Division is the central hub for all graduate students at Berkeley, overseeing the university-wide policies and standards that shape your degree progress. This office manages university requirements for enrollment and provides the official Guide to Graduate Policy, which is your go-to manual for regulations on everything from qualifying exams and advancement to candidacy to finally filing your dissertation. Beyond policy, they are a key source for university-wide fellowships and funding opportunities to support your research. You can also take advantage of their robust professional development programs through GradPro or connect with a supportive community through the Office for Graduate Diversity, which offers tailored resources and networking to help you thrive throughout your time at Cal.

PMB Graduate Student Support

While campus-wide platforms are excellent tools for navigating large systems, our departmental staff team remains your direct point of contact for PMB-specific academic and policy guidance. We are committed to supporting your journey and are always available to help you navigate program requirements, clarify departmental policies, or connect you with specific opportunities within the department. Please don't hesitate to reach out to us with any questions. We are here to support your progress and ensure you have everything you need to thrive in the program. 

For a detailed roadmap of your degree requirements and departmental milestones, be sure to check the handbook:

PMB Graduate Student Handbook

Applications

Graduate Student Instructor (GSI) Appointments

PMB graduate students typically complete two semesters of teaching as an integral part of their doctoral training. We assign GSIs in late spring for the subsequent academic year, with initial placements announced by early June. 

To be eligible, GSIs must be available for all lectures, sections, and grading (providing 30 days' notice for cancellations). First-time GSIs must attend the Teaching Conference, complete the Online Ethics Course, and enroll in a pedagogy course (e.g., PMB 375). All appointees must remain in compliance with Academic Student Employee (ASE), Graduate Division, and departmental policies.

AY 2026-2027 Application Deadline: Sunday, April 19, 2026

Readers

Reader positions provide semester-based support for grading and course management, focusing on academic assessment rather than instruction. To be eligible, students must generally be in good academic standing, have excelled in relevant coursework, and complete the required Online Ethics Course while following all Graduate Division and departmental policies. Applications typically open in July for the Fall semester and October for the Spring semester.

Forms and Documents

Complete and submit the following forms to finalize your lab rotations, track degree milestones, and manage mandatory CalCentral eForm applications for qualifying exams and candidacy.

PMB Department Resources  

Please use these forms below for additional departmental support.