Pasadena City College to UC Davis
Biological Sciences Transfer Plan
PCC covers all nine UC Davis Biological Sciences requirements: BIOL 010A and BIOL 010B for biology, CHEM 001A and CHEM 001B for chemistry, and MATH 005A through MATH 005C for calculus. Math has real flexibility, since honors and non-honors sections combine in six accepted pairings for MAT 021B through MAT 021D.
From
Pasadena City College
To
UC Davis
Biological SciencesUC Davis TAG
Biological Sciences takes TAG at UC Davis. You'd need a 3.20 cumulative GPA and a 2.50 in each of the three series, no grade under a C, on top of finishing selective-major prep by spring.
Major Requirements
Biological Sciences Major Preparation
Courses at Pasadena City College that satisfy UC Davis's Biological Sciences major preparation, mapped and verified by Transfermatic's transfer engine.
| Course at Pasadena City College | Satisfies at UC Davis | Units |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 010B + BIOL 010A — The Diversity of Life on Earth: Structure, Function and Ecology + Cellular Biology, Genetics and Evolution | BIS 002A, BIS 002B, BIS 002C | 9 |
| CHEM 001B + CHEM 001A — General Chemistry and Chemical Analysis II + General Chemistry and Chemical Analysis I | CHE 002A, CHE 002B, CHE 002C | 10 |
| MATH 005A or MATH 005AH — Single Variable Calculus I | MAT 021A — Calculus | 5 |
| MATH 005B (or another listed option) — Single Variable Calculus II | MAT 021B, MAT 021C, MAT 021D | 5 |
| CHEM 008A — Organic Chemistry I | CHE 008A — Organic Chemistry: Brief Course | 5 |
| CHEM 008B — Organic Chemistry II | CHE 008B — Organic Chemistry: Brief Course | 5 |
| (PHYS 002B and PHYS 002A) or PHYS 031A — General Physics II: Electromagnetism, Optics, and Modern Physics | PHY 007A — General Physics | 4 |
| (PHYS 002A and PHYS 002B) or (PHYS 031A and PHYS 031B) — General Physics I: Mechanics and Thermal Physics | PHY 007B — General Physics | 4 |
| (PHYS 002B and PHYS 002A) or PHYS 031B — General Physics II: Electromagnetism, Optics, and Modern Physics | PHY 007C — General Physics | 4 |
General Education
Foundation GE at Pasadena City College
Complete these five courses at Pasadena City College to start your UC Davis 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.
BIOL 002
Animal Biology
CHEM 001A
General Chemistry and Chemical Analysis I
HIST 001A
History of European Civilization to 1715
ENGL C1000
Academic Reading and Writing
ENGL C1001
Critical Thinking and Writing
| Area | Course at Pasadena City College | Units |
|---|---|---|
Life Science | BIOL 002 — Animal Biology | 4 |
Physical Science | CHEM 001A — General Chemistry and Chemical Analysis I | 5 |
Humanities | HIST 001A — History of European Civilization to 1715 | 3 |
English CompositionCCN | ENGL C1000 — Academic Reading and Writing | 4 |
Critical ThinkingCCN | ENGL C1001 — Critical Thinking and Writing | 4 |
Five semesters from prep chem to organic
CHEM 022, then CHEM 001A, CHEM 001B, CHEM 008A and CHEM 008B, each one requiring the last: five semesters straight. Start chemistry your first semester if you want organic chemistry finished before transfer.
PCC semesters cover Davis quarter series
Davis runs on quarters, so PCC's semester pairs cover three-quarter series there: CHEM 001A and CHEM 001B for CHE 002A-C, and either physics pairing for PHY 007A-C.
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
Biology finishes in two courses
BIOL 010A and BIOL 010B together cover all three Davis biology requirements, BIS 002A through BIS 002C, so PCC's biology sequence is shorter than the three-course UC list suggests.
Physics has a second accepted pair
Instead of PHYS 002A and PHYS 002B, PCC also accepts PHYS 031A and PHYS 031B for the recommended PHY 007A-C series. Physics stays optional either way, since Davis doesn't require it for admission.
Six math combinations count
For MAT 021B through MAT 021D, ASSIST accepts MATH 005B, 005BE or 005BH paired with MATH 005C or 005CH, six combinations total. Honors sections count on either side of the pair.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What classes should I take at PCC for UC Davis Biological Sciences?
BIOL 010A and BIOL 010B for biology, CHEM 001A and CHEM 001B for general chemistry, and MATH 005A followed by the MATH 005B and 005C series for calculus. Organic chemistry (CHEM 008A, CHEM 008B) and physics are recommended, not required.
Does PCC CHEM 001A transfer to UC Davis Biological Sciences?
Yes, alongside CHEM 001B. The pair covers CHE 002A, CHE 002B and CHE 002C, the general chemistry series Davis requires, and CHEM 001B is also the prerequisite that opens organic chemistry, CHEM 008A.
Is anything for UC Davis Biological Sciences missing at PCC?
No. PCC matches all nine requirements ASSIST lists, and the recommended organic chemistry and physics series both have accepted PCC equivalents too.
What's the transfer admit rate for UC Davis Biological Sciences?
58% of all 2025 transfer applicants to the major were admitted, a rate for every applicant rather than PCC students alone. Selective major review still needs a 2.8 cumulative GPA and a 2.50 GPA in each prep series.
Explore More
Related Transfer Plans
Pasadena City College students can complete the required prep for the UC Davis Biological Sciences B.S. entirely at PCC. Biology is BIOL 010A and BIOL 010B, general chemistry is CHEM 001A and CHEM 001B, and calculus runs through MATH 005A, MATH 005B and MATH 005C with several honors options accepted. Organic chemistry and physics are recommended rather than required, and PCC covers both. UC Davis admitted 58% of all 2025 transfer applicants to the major and offers TAG at a 3.2 GPA. Transfermatic can map out which MATH 005B or MATH 005C combination keeps your sequence on track.
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