UC Merced Cognitive Science
Transfer Acceptance Rate, GPA and Classes

For fall 2025, 72% of transfer applicants to UC Merced Cognitive Science were admitted (33 of 46). Admitted transfers' GPAs ranged 3.23–3.60.

The major preparation UC Merced lists for Cognitive Science transfers starts with COGS 001, PSY 001 and PSY 010; the full list is below.

115 California community colleges have a current transfer agreement with UC Merced for this major. Pick yours below to see which of its classes count.

72%

UC Merced Cognitive Science transfer admit rate, fall 2025

3.23–3.60

GPA range of admitted transfers

Transfer applicants, 33 admitted

115

California community colleges with a transfer agreement for Cognitive Science

Source: UC Information Center, Fall 2025 transfer admissions by major.

Your community college

Which classes count at your community college?

Pick your college to see its class for each UC Merced requirement.

Major Requirements

UC Merced Cognitive Science Major Preparation

The courses UC Merced lists as Cognitive Science major preparation for transfer applicants, for the 2025-26 academic year. Course numbers are UC Merced's own; pick your community college above to see the matching class there.

Major preparation courses required for transfer

Complete 1 of these

COGS 001 Introduction to Cognitive Science
PSY 001 Introduction to Psychology

Required

PSY 010 Analysis of Psychological Data

Complete 1 of these

MATH 005 Preparatory Calculus
MATH 011 Calculus I
MATH 021 Calculus I for Physical Sciences & Engineering

Complete 1 of these

BIO 018 Data Science for Life Sciences
ECON 010 Statistical Inference
PSY 010 Analysis of Psychological Data

Complete 2 of these

ANTH 001 Introduction to Sociocultural Anthropology
ANTH 005 Introduction to Biological Anthropology
BIO 011 Introduction to Molecular Biology
COGS 005 Introduction to Language and Linguistics
ECON 001 Introduction to Economics
PHIL 001 Introduction to Philosophy
POLI 001 Introduction to American Politics
PSY 001 Introduction to Psychology
SOC 001 Introduction to Sociology

Complete 1 of these

BIOE 021 Introduction to Computing with Python
CSE 019 Introduction to Computing

Complete 1 of these

BIO 011 Introduction to Molecular Biology and BIO 011L Introduction to Molecular Biology Lab
CHEM 002 General Chemistry I and CHEM 002L General Chemistry I Lab
CHEM 008 Principles of Organic Chemistry and CHEM 008L Principles of Organic Chemistry Lab
PHYS 008 Introductory Physics I for Physical Sciences and PHYS 008L Introductory Physics I for Physical Sciences Lab
PHYS 009 Introductory Physics II for Physical Sciences and PHYS 009L Introductory Physics II for Physical Sciences Lab
PHYS 018 Introductory Physics I for Biological Sciences and PHYS 018L Introductory Physics I for Biological Sciences Lab
PHYS 019 Introductory Physics II for Biological Sciences and PHYS 019L Introductory Physics II for Biological Sciences

English composition

Required

WRI 001 Academic Writing

Second course in english composition

Required

WRI 010 College Reading and Composition

Also listed by UC Merced

UC Merced lists these under the headings shown, apart from the list above.

Recommended to complete prior to transfer

1 of these options

MATH 011 Calculus I · MATH 021 Calculus I for Physical Sciences & Engineering
CSE 015 Discrete Mathematics · MATH 012 Calculus II · MATH 022 Calculus II for Physical Sciences & Engineering · PHIL 005 Introduction to Logic

Where a list says “courses listed”, or options are separated by a dot, UC Merced's own Cognitive Science requirements say exactly which of those courses you need.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the UC Merced Cognitive Science transfer acceptance rate?

For fall 2025, 72% of transfer applicants to UC Merced Cognitive Science were admitted (33 of 46). Admitted transfers' GPAs ranged 3.23–3.60.

Does UC Merced have a Cognitive Science major for transfer students?

Yes. UC Merced offers Cognitive Science (B.S.) and lists the major preparation it expects transfer applicants to complete.

What classes do I need to transfer to UC Merced for Cognitive Science?

UC Merced's Cognitive Science major preparation includes COGS 001, PSY 001, PSY 010, MATH 005, MATH 011 and MATH 021, with more courses in the list on this page. Pick your community college on this page to see which of its classes match.