UC Santa Barbara Biological Sciences
Transfer Acceptance Rate and Classes
45% of transfer applicants to UC Santa Barbara Biological Sciences were admitted in 2025.
The major preparation UC Santa Barbara lists for Biological Sciences transfers starts with CHEM 1A, CHEM 1B and CHEM 1C; the full list is below.
UC Santa Barbara offers TAG for Biological Sciences for fall 2027, with a minimum 3.4 GPA.
Transfermatic has a class-by-class UCSB Biological Sciences plan for 25 California community colleges.
Source: UCSB 2025 transfer admit data, all applicants to this major.
From
Your community college
To
UC Santa Barbara
Biological SciencesMajor Requirements
UC Santa Barbara Biological Sciences Major Preparation
The courses UC Santa Barbara lists as Biological Sciences major preparation for transfer applicants, for the 2025-26 academic year. Course numbers are UCSB's own; each community college plan below shows the matching class at that college.
Required courses for admission
Complete 1 of these
- CHEM 1A General Chemistry and CHEM 1B General Chemistry and CHEM 1C General Chemistry and CHEM 2AL General Chemistry Lab (Part A) and CHEM 2BL General Chemistry Laboratory (Part B)
- CHEM 1A General Chemistry and CHEM 1AL General Chemistry Laboratory and CHEM 1B General Chemistry and CHEM 1BL General Chemistry Laboratory and CHEM 1C General Chemistry and CHEM 1CL General Chemistry Laboratory
Complete all of these
- MCDB 1A Introductory Biology I
- MCDB 1B Introductory Biology II - Physiology
- MCDB 1LL Introductory Biology Laboratory I
- EEMB 2 Introductory Biology II - Ecology and Evolution
- EEMB 2LL Introductory Biology Laboratory II
- EEMB 3 Introductory Biology III
- CHEM 6AL Laboratory Methods of Organic Chemistry
- CHEM 109A Organic Chemistry
- CHEM 109B Organic Chemistry
Complete 1 of these
- MATH 3A Calculus with Applications, First Course
- MATH 34A Calculus for Social and Life Sciences
Complete 1 of these
- MATH 3B Calculus with Applications, Second Course
- MATH 34B Calculus for Social and Life Sciences
Complete all of these
- PHYS 6A Introductory Physics
- PHYS 6AL Introductory Experimental Physics
- PHYS 6B Introductory Physics
- PHYS 6BL Introductory Experimental Physics
- PHYS 6C Introductory Physics
- PHYS 6CL Introductory Experimental Physics
Also listed by UCSB
UCSB lists these under the headings shown, apart from the list above.
Additional major preparation courses
1 of these
- PSTAT 5A Understanding Data
- PSTAT 5LS Statistics for Life Sciences
- MATH 4A Linear Algebra with Applications
Admission
What UCSB Says About Biological Sciences Transfers
- Selective major: general chemistry, major biology and organic chemistry sequences with labs, plus calculus. You need a C or better in each and a 2.7 GPA in them. The first term of calculus and of organic chemistry must be done by fall.
- You cannot change into a biology major after enrolling at UCSB, so select biology as your first-choice major.
- TAG: UC Santa Barbara offers TAG for Biological Sciences for fall 2027, with a minimum 3.4 GPA.
From these university pages, checked September 24, 2026: admissions.sa.ucsb.edu · admissions.sa.ucsb.edu · admission.universityofcalifornia.edu
By Community College
UCSB Biological Sciences Plans by College
Each page lists that college's classes for UC Santa Barbara's Biological Sciences major preparation, course by course.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UC Santa Barbara Biological Sciences transfer acceptance rate?
45% of transfer applicants to UC Santa Barbara Biological Sciences were admitted in 2025.
Does UC Santa Barbara have a Biological Sciences major for transfer students?
Yes. UC Santa Barbara offers Biological Sciences (B.A. and B.S.) and lists the major preparation it expects transfer applicants to complete.
What classes do I need to transfer to UC Santa Barbara for Biological Sciences?
UC Santa Barbara's Biological Sciences major preparation includes CHEM 1A, CHEM 1B, CHEM 1C, CHEM 2AL, CHEM 2BL and CHEM 1AL, with more courses in the list on this page. Each community college plan on this page shows which of that college's classes match.
What GPA do you need to transfer to UC Santa Barbara for Biological Sciences?
TAG for Biological Sciences needs at least a 3.4 for fall 2027.
Can I use TAG for UC Santa Barbara Biological Sciences?
UC Santa Barbara offers TAG for Biological Sciences for fall 2027, with a minimum 3.4 GPA.
Which community colleges have a UCSB Biological Sciences transfer plan on Transfermatic?
American River College, Bakersfield College, City College of San Francisco, College of the Canyons, De Anza College, Diablo Valley College, El Camino College, Fullerton College and 17 more. Each plan lists that college's classes for UC Santa Barbara's Biological Sciences major preparation.
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