UC Santa Cruz Microbiology
Transfer Acceptance Rate, GPA and Classes

For fall 2025, 64% of transfer applicants to UC Santa Cruz Microbiology were admitted (29 of 45). Admitted transfers' GPAs ranged 3.19–3.72.

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

64%

UCSC Microbiology transfer admit rate, fall 2025

3.19–3.72

GPA range of admitted transfers

Transfer applicants, 29 admitted

115

California community colleges with a transfer agreement for Microbiology

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 Microbiology Major Preparation

The courses UC Santa Cruz lists as Microbiology 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 3A General Chemistry · CHEM 3B General Chemistry · CHEM 3C General Chemistry
CHEM 4A Advanced General Chemistry: Molecular Structure and Reactivity · CHEM 4B Advanced General Chemistry: Molecular Structure and Reactivity

Courses listed

CHEM 8A Organic Chemistry
BIOL 20A Cell and Molecular Biology
BIOL 20L Experimental Biology Laboratory
BIOE 20B Development and Physiology

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 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

CHEM 8B Organic Chemistry
CHEM 8L Organic Chemistry Laboratory

1 of these

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

Additional major preparation courses

BIOE 20C Ecology and Evolution
PHYS 6A Introductory Physics I
PHYS 6L Introductory Physics I Laboratory
PHYS 6B Introductory Physics II

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

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the UC Santa Cruz Microbiology transfer acceptance rate?

For fall 2025, 64% of transfer applicants to UC Santa Cruz Microbiology were admitted (29 of 45). Admitted transfers' GPAs ranged 3.19–3.72.

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

Yes. UC Santa Cruz offers Microbiology (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 Microbiology?

UC Santa Cruz's Microbiology major preparation includes CHEM 3A, CHEM 3B, CHEM 3C, CHEM 4A, CHEM 4B and CHEM 8A, with more courses in the list on this page. Pick your community college on this page to see which of its classes match.