Academic Distinction

New Major Teaches How to Tackle Questions of Ethics in Science, Tech

January 8, 2026

Should a scientist who sees signs of global catastrophe sound an early alarm or wait until more conclusive evidence is in? Does going public lead to swifter action or give naysayers more time to discredit the message? Students in Professor Dan Hicks’ course in science, technology and...

A female teacher writing on a white board.

Beyond the Basics: Training Better Teachers

It was only after graduate school, while working as a professor, that James Zimmerman realized something had been missing from his education. Trained as a nuclear scientist, Zimmerman was well-...

Campus Voices: To Reach Potential, Students Need a Personal Touch

It’s not easy to be a college student these days. Rising tuition has made obtaining a degree feel like more of a dream than reality for many students. Yet, now more than ever, a college degree...

‘Vernal Pool’ Journal Showcases Students’ Creativity

UC Merced’s Vernal Pools and Grassland Reserve has become a hallmark of the campus — acres of preserved lands that contribute to the university’s mission of environmental...

Students Michael Grey and Elspeth Beardsley.

High Achievers Find Aid in Regents Scholarships

More than 22,000 students applied to UC Merced for the Fall 2017 semester, and about 2,300 are now beginning their educational journeys on campus. Among those, 24 rose to the top of the class to be...

Students and faculty member testing brain-scanning device

Publishing Research a Rite of Passage for Grad Students

Like anyone starting a Ph.D. program, Anna Ankirskaia had her doubts. But, like anyone who ultimately completes their Ph.D., Ankirskaia had to conduct her own research and get it published. With...

Five students gathered around a table in front of a large glass building. The two students in the foreground are facing each other, with one holding an iPad and the other interacting with the iPad's screen.

Growing Public Health Program Launches Standalone Ph.D.

UC Merced recently launched a new standalone Ph.D. program in Public Health, further establishing the university’s commitment to educating the next generation of scholars who are addressing the...

U.S. News Ranks UC Merced No. 1 in the Nation for Financial Aid

The University of California, Merced, is the No. 1 public university in the nation for financial aid given to first-year students — and a strong performer in graduation and retention rates...

Graphic displaying UC Merced's top-10 ranking from Washington Monthly.

Washington Monthly Ranks UC Merced Top-10 in the U.S.

UC Merced ranks among the top 10 universities in the nation for the success of its first-generation and underrepresented students, according to Washington Monthly’s 2017 College Rankings. The...

UC Merced Library Chosen to Digitize AIDS Historical Archives

The UC Merced Library’s digital assets team is playing an important role in providing access to a swath of modern history that will contribute to research and society. The team has been asked to...

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