UC Santa Cruz Biology
Transfer Acceptance Rate, GPA and Classes

For fall 2025, 51% of transfer applicants to UC Santa Cruz Biology were admitted (333 of 647). Admitted transfers' GPAs ranged 3.05–3.71.

The major preparation UC Santa Cruz lists for Biology transfers starts with BIOL 20A, BIOE 20B and BIOE 20C; the full list is below.

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

51%

UCSC Biology transfer admit rate, fall 2025

3.05–3.71

GPA range of admitted transfers

647

Transfer applicants, 333 admitted

115

California community colleges with a transfer agreement for Biology

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 UCSC requirement.

Major Requirements

UC Santa Cruz Biology Major Preparation

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

Required major preparation courses

Complete all of these

BIOL 20A Cell and Molecular Biology
BIOE 20B Development and Physiology
BIOE 20C Ecology and Evolution

Complete 1 of these options

CHEM 4A Advanced General Chemistry: Molecular Structure and Reactivity
CHEM 3A General Chemistry · CHEM 3B General Chemistry

Complete 1 of these options

STAT 5 Statistics
STAT 7 Statistical Methods for the Biological, Environmental, and Health Sciences · STAT 7L Statistical Methods for the Biological, Environmental, and Health Sciences Laboratory

Also listed by UCSC

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

Recommended preparation

1 of these

CHEM 3BL General Chemistry Lab
CHEM 4AL Advanced General Chemistry Lab

1 of these

PHYS 1A Physics for Everyone
PHYS 1B Physics for Everyone
PHYS 6A Introductory Physics I and PHYS 6L Introductory Physics I Laboratory

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

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the UC Santa Cruz Biology transfer acceptance rate?

For fall 2025, 51% of transfer applicants to UC Santa Cruz Biology were admitted (333 of 647). Admitted transfers' GPAs ranged 3.05–3.71.

Does UC Santa Cruz have a Biology major for transfer students?

Yes. UC Santa Cruz offers Biology (B.A.) and lists the major preparation it expects transfer applicants to complete.

What classes do I need to transfer to UC Santa Cruz for Biology?

UC Santa Cruz's Biology major preparation includes BIOL 20A, BIOE 20B, BIOE 20C, CHEM 4A, CHEM 3A and CHEM 3B, with more courses in the list on this page. Pick your community college on this page to see which of its classes match.