UC Santa Cruz Chemistry
Transfer Acceptance Rate, GPA and Classes

For fall 2025, 61% of transfer applicants to UC Santa Cruz Chemistry were admitted (92 of 150). Admitted transfers' GPAs ranged 3.11–3.63.

The major preparation UC Santa Cruz lists for Chemistry transfers starts with CHEM 4A, CHEM 4B and CHEM 3A; 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.

61%

UCSC Chemistry transfer admit rate, fall 2025

3.11–3.63

GPA range of admitted transfers

150

Transfer applicants, 92 admitted

115

California community colleges with a transfer agreement for Chemistry

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 Chemistry Major Preparation

The courses UC Santa Cruz lists as Chemistry 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 1 of these options

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

Complete 1 of these options

MATH 11A Calculus with Applications · MATH 11B Calculus with Applications
MATH 19A Calculus for Science, Engineering, and Mathematics · MATH 19B Calculus for Science, Engineering, and Mathematics

Required

MATH 22 Introduction to Calculus of Several Variables

Also listed by UCSC

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

Recommended preparation

CHEM 8A Organic Chemistry
CHEM 8L Organic Chemistry Laboratory
CHEM 8B Organic Chemistry
CHEM 8M Organic Chemistry Laboratory

PHYS 6A Introductory Physics I
PHYS 6L Introductory Physics I Laboratory
PHYS 6B Introductory Physics II
PHYS 6M Introductory Physics II Laboratory

Additional major preparation courses

PHYS 6C Introductory Physics III
PHYS 6N Introductory Physics III Laboratory

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

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the UC Santa Cruz Chemistry transfer acceptance rate?

For fall 2025, 61% of transfer applicants to UC Santa Cruz Chemistry were admitted (92 of 150). Admitted transfers' GPAs ranged 3.11–3.63.

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

Yes. UC Santa Cruz offers Chemistry (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 Chemistry?

UC Santa Cruz's Chemistry major preparation includes CHEM 4A, CHEM 4B, CHEM 3A, CHEM 3B, CHEM 3C and MATH 11A, with more courses in the list on this page. Pick your community college on this page to see which of its classes match.