Los Angeles Pierce College to UCSB
Biological Sciences Transfer Plan
Los Angeles Pierce College covers the full UCSB Biological Sciences sequence, from BIOLOGY 006/007 through organic chemistry. A single course, MATH 238, satisfies both terms of UCSB's applied calculus track.
From
Los Angeles Pierce College
To
UC Santa Barbara
Biological SciencesUCSB TAG
Pierce students can file a UCSB TAG for Biological Sciences once they reach a 3.4 GPA, and the required science and calculus courses still have to be done. Fall 2027 filing runs Sept 1-30, 2026, with prep courses taken for letter grades.
Major Requirements
Biological Sciences Major Preparation
Courses at Los Angeles Pierce College that satisfy UC Santa Barbara's Biological Sciences major preparation, mapped and verified by Transfermatic's transfer engine.
| Course at Los Angeles Pierce College | Satisfies at UCSB | Units |
|---|---|---|
| CHEM 101 + CHEM 102 — General Chemistry I + General Chemistry II | CHEM 1A, CHEM 1B, CHEM 1C, CHEM 2AL, CHEM 2BL (choose 1) | 10 |
| CHEM 101 + CHEM 102 — General Chemistry I + General Chemistry II | CHEM 1A, CHEM 1AL, CHEM 1B, CHEM 1BL, CHEM 1C, CHEM 1CL (choose 1) | 10 |
| BIOLOGY 006 + BIOLOGY 007 — General Biology I + General Biology II | MCDB 1A, MCDB 1B, MCDB 1LL, EEMB 2, EEMB 2LL, EEMB 3 | 10 |
| CHEM 212 + CHEM 211 — Organic Chemistry for Science Majors II + Organic Chemistry for Science Majors I | CHEM 6AL — Laboratory Methods of Organic Chemistry | 10 |
| CHEM 212 + CHEM 211 — Organic Chemistry for Science Majors II + Organic Chemistry for Science Majors I | CHEM 109A, CHEM 109B | 10 |
| MATH 261 — Calculus I | MATH 3A — Calculus with Applications, First Course (choose 1) | 5 |
| MATH 238 — Calculus for Business and Social Science I | MATH 34A — Calculus for Social and Life Sciences (choose 1) | 5 |
| MATH 262 — Calculus II | MATH 3B — Calculus with Applications, Second Course (choose 1) | 5 |
| MATH 238 — Calculus for Business and Social Science I | MATH 34B — Calculus for Social and Life Sciences (choose 1) | 5 |
| MATH 228B or MATH 229 or SOC 125 or STAT 101 or STAT C1000 — Statistics Pathway Part II | PSTAT 5A — Understanding Data (choose 1) | 5 |
| MATH 270 — Linear Algebra | MATH 4A — Linear Algebra with Applications (choose 1) | 3 |
| PHYSICS 066 (or another listed option) — Physics with Calculus for Life Science Majors I | PHYS 6A, PHYS 6AL, PHYS 6B, PHYS 6BL, PHYS 6C, PHYS 6CL | 5 |
General Education
Foundation GE at Los Angeles Pierce College
Complete these five courses at Los Angeles Pierce College to start your UCSB GE pattern. Finishing full IGETC/Cal-GETC at the CC is ideal — these five give you the broadest head start, and CCN-tagged courses stay portable if you switch community colleges.
ANATOMY 001
Introduction to Human Anatomy
CHEM 051
Fundamentals of Chemistry I
A S L 003
American Sign Language III
ENGL C1000
Academic Reading and Writing
ENGL C1001
Critical Thinking and Writing
| Area | Course at Los Angeles Pierce College | Units |
|---|---|---|
Life Science | ANATOMY 001 — Introduction to Human Anatomy | 4 |
Physical Science | CHEM 051 — Fundamentals of Chemistry I | 5 |
Humanities | A S L 003 — American Sign Language III | 4 |
English CompositionCCN | ENGL C1000 — Academic Reading and Writing | 3 |
Critical ThinkingCCN | ENGL C1001 — Critical Thinking and Writing | 3 |
Five semesters from prep chem to organic chem
CHEM 060 opens into CHEM 101, CHEM 102, CHEM 211 and CHEM 212, five semesters straight. Waiting to start chemistry pushes organic chemistry past a normal transfer timeline.
Pierce's semesters against UCSB's quarters
Pierce holds two semesters a year; UCSB holds three quarters. The five-semester chemistry chain above is measured in Pierce terms, so it runs close to two and a half years there.
Preview
Your First Semester
A preview of what Transfermatic generates — exact courses, in the right order, every semester.
Watch Out
Common Mistakes for This Transfer Path
MATH 238 alone covers UCSB's two calculus terms
One Pierce course, MATH 238, satisfies both MATH 34A and MATH 34B. If you want the higher MATH 3A/3B track instead, MATH 261 is the starting point there.
No direct match for life-sciences statistics
Pierce has no course that maps to UCSB's PSTAT 5LS option, but STAT 101, STAT C1000 or several other Pierce courses cover the general statistics alternative instead.
Two physics pairs are accepted
PHYSICS 006 with PHYSICS 007, or PHYSICS 066 with PHYSICS 067, satisfies UCSB's recommended physics sequence. PHYSICS 067 needs MATH 261 and PHYSICS 066, so that pair fits the calculus track.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Pierce's BIOLOGY 006 transfer to UCSB for Biology?
Yes. BIOLOGY 006 paired with BIOLOGY 007 covers UCSB's general biology requirement for Biological Sciences in a two-course sequence, no additional courses needed.
What doesn't Pierce College cover for UCSB Biology?
Every required course matches on ASSIST. The recommended life-sciences statistics option, PSTAT 5LS, has no dedicated Pierce course, but general statistics through STAT 101 or STAT C1000 works instead.
What GPA does UCSB expect from Pierce biology applicants?
UCSB requires a 2.7 GPA in chemistry, biology, organic chemistry and calculus together, and none of those courses can drop below a C. Your first calculus course and CHEM 211 must be finished by the end of the fall term before you transfer.
How many UCSB Biological Sciences transfer applicants get admitted?
UCSB admitted 45% of transfer applicants to Biological Sciences in 2025, measured across every feeder community college. That rate covers everyone; a completed Pierce sequence and solid GPA are what you control.
Explore More
Related Transfer Plans
Los Angeles Pierce College students transferring into Biological Sciences, B.A. & B.S. at UC Santa Barbara can complete the full required sequence there, including CHEM 101, CHEM 102 and BIOLOGY 006/007. Pierce's own MATH 238 covers both terms of UCSB's applied calculus requirement in a single course. Transfermatic checks every Pierce course against UCSB's current articulation so you know exactly what to take.
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