UC Santa Cruz Marine Biology
Transfer Acceptance Rate, GPA and Classes

For fall 2025, 61% of transfer applicants to UC Santa Cruz Marine Biology were admitted (78 of 128). Admitted transfers' GPAs ranged 3.08–3.65.

The major preparation UC Santa Cruz lists for Marine 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.

61%

UCSC Marine Biology transfer admit rate, fall 2025

3.08–3.65

GPA range of admitted transfers

128

Transfer applicants, 78 admitted

115

California community colleges with a transfer agreement for Marine 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 Marine Biology Major Preparation

The courses UC Santa Cruz lists as Marine 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

MATH 11A Calculus with Applications
MATH 16A Mathematics for Life Sciences
MATH 19A Calculus for Science, Engineering, and Mathematics

Complete 1 of these

MATH 11B Calculus with Applications
MATH 16B Mathematics for Life Sciences
MATH 19B Calculus for Science, Engineering, and Mathematics

Complete 1 of these options

PHYS 6A Introductory Physics I · PHYS 6L Introductory Physics I Laboratory · PHYS 6B Introductory Physics II
PHYS 6A Introductory Physics I · PHYS 6L Introductory Physics I Laboratory · PHYS 6C Introductory Physics III

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 options

CHEM 3BL General Chemistry Lab · CHEM 3C General Chemistry · CHEM 3CL General Chemistry Lab
CHEM 4AL Advanced General Chemistry Lab · CHEM 4B Advanced General Chemistry: Molecular Structure and Reactivity · CHEM 4BL Advanced General Chemistry Lab

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

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the UC Santa Cruz Marine Biology transfer acceptance rate?

For fall 2025, 61% of transfer applicants to UC Santa Cruz Marine Biology were admitted (78 of 128). Admitted transfers' GPAs ranged 3.08–3.65.

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

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

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

UC Santa Cruz's Marine 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.