UC Santa Barbara Earth Science, Geophysics Emphasis
Transfer Acceptance Rate, GPA and Classes
For fall 2025, 62% of transfer applicants to UC Santa Barbara Earth Science were admitted (64 of 103). UC publishes one figure for the whole major, not for each emphasis or option. Admitted transfers' GPAs ranged 3.34–3.82.
The major preparation UC Santa Barbara lists for Earth Science, Geophysics Emphasis transfers starts with MATH 3A, MATH 3B and MATH 4A; the full list is below.
115 California community colleges have a current transfer agreement with UCSB for this major. Pick yours below to see which of its classes count.
Source: UC Information Center, Fall 2025 transfer admissions by major (published as Earth Science).
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Major Requirements
UC Santa Barbara Earth Science, Geophysics Emphasis Major Preparation
The courses UC Santa Barbara lists as Earth Science, Geophysics Emphasis major preparation for transfer applicants, for the 2025-26 academic year. Course numbers are UCSB's own; pick your community college above to see the matching class there.
Preparation for the major
Complete all of these
- MATH 3A Calculus with Applications, First Course
- MATH 3B Calculus with Applications, Second Course
- MATH 4A Linear Algebra with Applications
- MATH 4B Differential Equations
- MATH 6A Vector Calculus with Applications, First Course
- MATH 6B Vector Calculus with Applications, Second Course
Complete 1 of these
- CHEM 1A General Chemistry and CHEM 1B General Chemistry and CHEM 2AL General Chemistry Lab (Part A)
- CHEM 1A General Chemistry and CHEM 1AL General Chemistry Laboratory and CHEM 1B General Chemistry and CHEM 1BL General Chemistry Laboratory
Required
- EARTH 2 Principles of Physical Geology
Complete 1 of these
- EARTH 3 Principles of Historical Geology
- EARTH 4 Introduction to Oceanography
- EARTH 9 Giant Earthquakes
- EARTH 11 Volcanoes and Humans
- EARTH 20 Geological Catastrophes
Complete 1 of these options
- PHYS 7A Basic Physics and PHYS 7B Basic Physics and PHYS 7C Basic Physics and PHYS 7D Basic Physics and PHYS 7L Physics Laboratory
- PHYS 21 General Physics and PHYS 22 General Physics and PHYS 23 General Physics and PHYS 24 General Physics and PHYS 25 General Physics and PHYS 20AL Experimental Physics and PHYS 20BL Experimental Physics and PHYS 20CL Experimental Physics
- PHYS 1 Basic Physics · PHYS 2 Basic Physics · PHYS 3 Basic Physics · PHYS 3L Physics Laboratory · PHYS 4 Basic Physics · PHYS 4L Physics Laboratory · PHYS 5 Basic Physics · PHYS 5L Physics Laboratory
Complete 1 of these
- CMPSC 8 Introduction to Computer Science
- CMPSC 16 Problem Solving with Computers I
- EARTH 175 Introduction to MATLAB for Earth Scientists
Required
- EARTH 60W Geoscience Communication
Also listed by UCSB
UCSB lists these under the headings shown, apart from the list above.
Recommended
- WRIT 109ST Writing for Science and Technology
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UC Santa Barbara Earth Science, Geophysics Emphasis transfer acceptance rate?
For fall 2025, 62% of transfer applicants to UC Santa Barbara Earth Science were admitted (64 of 103). UC publishes one figure for the whole major, not for each emphasis or option. Admitted transfers' GPAs ranged 3.34–3.82.
Does UC Santa Barbara have an Earth Science, Geophysics Emphasis major for transfer students?
Yes. UC Santa Barbara offers Earth Science, Geophysics Emphasis (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 Earth Science, Geophysics Emphasis?
UC Santa Barbara's Earth Science, Geophysics Emphasis major preparation includes MATH 3A, MATH 3B, MATH 4A, MATH 4B, MATH 6A and MATH 6B, with more courses in the list on this page. Pick your community college on this page to see which of its classes match.
What GPA do you need to transfer to UC Santa Barbara for Earth Science, Geophysics Emphasis?
Admitted Earth Science, Geophysics Emphasis transfers to UC Santa Barbara had GPAs of 3.34–3.82.
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Related Transfer Requirements
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