MiraCosta College to UCI
Biological Sciences Transfer Plan
MiraCosta has a match for 7 of UCI's 9 Biological Sciences prep courses. BIO SCI 97 and BIO SCI 99 have no MiraCosta match, so plan for them before you apply.
From
MiraCosta College
To
UC Irvine
Biological SciencesUC Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG)
UCI offers TAG for Biological Sciences for fall 2027 applicants, with a minimum 3.4 GPA. File during the TAG window the fall before you transfer, and check UCI's TAG page, since its list of eligible majors changes.
Major Requirements
Biological Sciences Major Preparation
Courses at MiraCosta College that satisfy UC Irvine's Biological Sciences major preparation, mapped and verified by Transfermatic's transfer engine.
| Course at MiraCosta College | Satisfies at UCI | Units |
|---|---|---|
| BIO 204 — Foundations of Biology: Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Genetics and Molecular Biology | BIO SCI 93 — DNA to Organisms | 4 |
| BIO 202 — Foundations of Biology: Evolution, Biodiversity and Organismal Biology | BIO SCI 94 — Organisms to Ecosystems | 4 |
| CHEM 151 + CHEM 150 — General Chemistry II: For Science Majors + General Chemistry I: For Science Majors | CHEM 1A, CHEM 1B, CHEM 1C, CHEM 1LC, CHEM 1LD | 10 |
| CHEM 210 + CHEM 211 — Organic Chemistry I: For Science Majors + Organic Chemistry II: For Science Majors | CHEM 51A, CHEM 51B, CHEM 51LB, CHEM 51C, CHEM 51LC | 10 |
| No MiraCosta match | BIO SCI 97 — Genetics | — |
| CHEM 116 — Introductory Organic and Biological Chemistry: For Allied Health Majors | BIO SCI 98 — Biochemistry | 4 |
| No MiraCosta match | BIO SCI 99 — Molecular Biology | — |
| PHYS 151 — Principles of Physics I | PHYSICS 3A, PHYSICS 3B, PHYSICS 3LB, PHYSICS 3C, PHYSICS 3LC (choose 1) | 4 |
| PHYS 152 + PHYS 151 — Principles of Physics II + Principles of Physics I | PHYSICS 7C, PHYSICS 7LC, PHYSICS 7D, PHYSICS 7LD, PHYSICS 7E (choose 1) | 8 |
| MATH 150H (or another listed option) — Calculus and Analytic Geometry I (Honors) | Mathematics Requirement | 5 |
Courses with no equivalent must be taken at UC Irvine after transfer. Factor this into your first-year course plan.
General Education
Foundation GE at MiraCosta College
UCI's Biological Sciences program uses its own GE pattern (see note below), but these five MiraCosta College courses cover foundation requirements every UC accepts. Start here.
BIO 102
Introductory Biology: Ecology and Environmental Biology
CHEM 103
Chemistry and Society: For Non-Science Majors
HIST 100
World History to 1500
ENGL C1000
Academic Reading and Writing
ENGL C1001
Critical Thinking and Writing
| Area | Course at MiraCosta College | Units |
|---|---|---|
Life Science | BIO 102 — Introductory Biology: Ecology and Environmental Biology | 4 |
Physical Science | CHEM 103 — Chemistry and Society: For Non-Science Majors | 3 |
Humanities | HIST 100 — World History to 1500 | 3 |
English CompositionCCN | ENGL C1000 — Academic Reading and Writing | 4 |
Critical ThinkingCCN | ENGL C1001 — Critical Thinking and Writing | 4 |
UCI Biological Sciences: full GE notes
UCI says IGETC may not be recommended for science majors like Biological Sciences, so El Camino students should place chemistry and biology ahead of general education.
5 semesters minimum for CHEM 140 onward
CHEM 140 through CHEM 211: 5 courses, each needing the one before, so 5 semesters minimum, more than four fall and spring terms. Start CHEM 140 first or plan on summer. Placing higher shortens it.
MiraCosta semesters, UCI quarters
MiraCosta runs on semesters and UCI on quarters. Your units convert when you transfer, one semester unit to 1.5 quarter units, and anything left runs on UCI's quicker quarter schedule.
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
2 UCI requirements have no MiraCosta match
MiraCosta lists no course for BIO SCI 97 and BIO SCI 99. Check UCI's Biological Sciences page for whether they have to be done before you transfer, and plan where you'll cover them.
Start with CHEM 140 and BIO 202
CHEM 140 and BIO 202 sit at the start of their sequences for this route, so they fit your first semester, next to ENGL C1000 for English composition.
What UCI looks for
Complete a year each of general chemistry with lab, organic chemistry with lab and biology (Bio Sci 93/94) with a C or better, by the end of spring. Minimum GPA is 3.0.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What classes should I take at MiraCosta for UCI Biological Sciences?
BIO 204, BIO 202, CHEM 151, CHEM 150, CHEM 210, CHEM 211 and CHEM 116, plus the rest in the table above. Together they match 7 of the 9 prep courses UCI lists for Biological Sciences.
What doesn't MiraCosta cover for UCI Biological Sciences?
BIO SCI 97 and BIO SCI 99. MiraCosta lists no course for them, so check UCI's Biological Sciences page for whether they have to be finished before you transfer.
Does MiraCosta BIO 204 transfer to UCI?
Yes, for Biological Sciences. MiraCosta BIO 204 (Foundations of Biology: Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Genetics and Molecular Biology) is the match for UCI BIO SCI 93 (DNA to Organisms) in the transfer agreement.
Can I use TAG for UCI Biological Sciences?
UCI lists Biological Sciences as TAG-eligible for fall 2027, with a minimum 3.4 GPA. Check UCI's TAG page before you count on it for a later term.
Explore More
Related Transfer Plans
MiraCosta College students transferring to UC Irvine for Biological Sciences can match 7 of 9 lower-division prep courses at MiraCosta, including BIO 204 and BIO 202. BIO SCI 97 and BIO SCI 99 have no MiraCosta College equivalent in the 2025-2026 agreement. CHEM 140 and BIO 202 are good first-semester picks. On Transfermatic, put in MiraCosta College and UC Irvine, and you get the classes you need for Biological Sciences, semester by semester.
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