Saddleback College to UCI
Biological Sciences Transfer Plan
Saddleback has a match for every one of UCI's 9 Biological Sciences prep courses, so you can finish all of the listed prep at Saddleback. Start with CHEM 3 and MATH 3AH.
From
Saddleback 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 Saddleback College that satisfy UC Irvine's Biological Sciences major preparation, mapped and verified by Transfermatic's transfer engine.
| Course at Saddleback College | Satisfies at UCI | Units |
|---|---|---|
| BIO 4A — Principles of Cellular Biology | BIO SCI 93 — DNA to Organisms | 4 |
| BIO 4B — Principles of Organismal Biology | BIO SCI 94 — Organisms to Ecosystems | 4 |
| CHEM 1A + CHEM 1B — General Chemistry + General Chemistry | CHEM 1A, CHEM 1B, CHEM 1C, CHEM 1LC, CHEM 1LD | 10 |
| CHEM 12A + CHEM 12B — Organic Chemistry + Organic Chemistry | CHEM 51A, CHEM 51B, CHEM 51LB, CHEM 51C, CHEM 51LC | 10 |
| BIO 22 — Human Genetics | BIO SCI 97 — Genetics | 3 |
| BIO 3C — Biochemistry and Molecular Biology | BIO SCI 98 — Biochemistry | 5 |
| BIO 22 + BIO 3C — Human Genetics + Biochemistry and Molecular Biology | BIO SCI 99 — Molecular Biology | 8 |
| PHYS 4A — General Physics | PHYSICS 3A, PHYSICS 3B, PHYSICS 3LB, PHYSICS 3C, PHYSICS 3LC (choose 1) | 5 |
| PHYS 4A + PHYS 4B — General Physics + General Physics | PHYSICS 7C, PHYSICS 7LC, PHYSICS 7D, PHYSICS 7LD, PHYSICS 7E (choose 1) | 10 |
| MATH 3AH (or another listed option) — Honors Analytic Geometry and Calculus | Mathematics Requirement | 5 |
General Education
Foundation GE at Saddleback College
UCI's Biological Sciences program uses its own GE pattern (see note below), but these five Saddleback College courses cover foundation requirements every UC accepts. Start here.
BIO 11
Human Anatomy
CHEM 12A
Organic Chemistry
HIST 16
History of the United States to 1876
ENGL C1000
Academic Reading and Writing
ENGL C1001
Critical Thinking and Writing
| Area | Course at Saddleback College | Units |
|---|---|---|
Life Science | BIO 11 — Human Anatomy | 4 |
Physical Science | CHEM 12A — Organic Chemistry | 5 |
Humanities | HIST 16 — History of the United States to 1876 | 3 |
English CompositionCCN | ENGL C1000 — Academic Reading and Writing | 4 |
Critical ThinkingCCN | ENGL C1001 — Critical Thinking and Writing | 3 |
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 3 onward
CHEM 3 through CHEM 12B: 5 courses, each needing the one before, so 5 semesters minimum, more than four fall and spring terms. Start CHEM 3 first or plan on summer. Placing higher shortens it.
Saddleback semesters, UCI quarters
Saddleback 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
Saddleback covers all 9 listed courses
Every UCI Biological Sciences prep course in the transfer agreement has a Saddleback match, so none of the listed prep has to wait. Take them all before you apply.
Start with CHEM 3 and MATH 3AH
CHEM 3 and MATH 3AH 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 Saddleback for UCI Biological Sciences?
BIO 4A, BIO 4B, CHEM 1A, CHEM 1B, CHEM 12A, CHEM 12B and BIO 22, plus the rest in the table above. Together they match 9 of the 9 prep courses UCI lists for Biological Sciences.
What doesn't Saddleback cover for UCI Biological Sciences?
Nothing in the transfer agreement. Every UCI Biological Sciences prep course listed has a Saddleback match.
Does Saddleback BIO 4A transfer to UCI?
Yes, for Biological Sciences. Saddleback BIO 4A (Principles of Cellular 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
Saddleback College students transferring to UC Irvine for Biological Sciences can match 9 of 9 lower-division prep courses at Saddleback, including BIO 4A and BIO 4B. Every listed course has a Saddleback College equivalent in the 2025-2026 agreement. CHEM 3 and MATH 3AH are good first-semester picks. On Transfermatic, put in Saddleback College and UC Irvine, and you get the classes you need for Biological Sciences, semester by semester.
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