Santa Monica College to UC Davis
Biological Sciences Transfer Plan
SMC covers every course UC Davis requires for Biological Sciences: BIOL 21, BIOL 22 and BIOL 23, CHEM 11 and CHEM 12, and MATH 7 and MATH 8. The catch is order, because BIOL 21 needs CHEM 11 first, so biology can't start until chemistry has.
From
Santa Monica College
To
UC Davis
Biological SciencesUC Davis TAG
Biological Sciences takes TAG at UC Davis. The guarantee asks for a 3.20 cumulative GPA and at least 2.50 in each series with no grade below C. TAG doesn't replace the selective-major prep, so the biology, chemistry and calculus series still need to be done.
Major Requirements
Biological Sciences Major Preparation
Courses at Santa Monica College that satisfy UC Davis's Biological Sciences major preparation, mapped and verified by Transfermatic's transfer engine.
| Course at Santa Monica College | Satisfies at UC Davis | Units |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 21 + BIOL 22 + BIOL 23 — Cell Biology and Evolution + Genetics and Molecular Biology + Organismal and Environmental Biology | BIS 002A, BIS 002B, BIS 002C | 13 |
| CHEM 11 + CHEM 12 — General Chemistry I + General Chemistry II | CHE 002A, CHE 002B, CHE 002C | 10 |
| MATH 7 — Calculus 1 | MAT 021A — Calculus | 5 |
| MATH 8 — Calculus 2 | MAT 021B — Calculus | 5 |
| MATH 11 — Multivariable Calculus | MAT 021C — Calculus | 5 |
| CHEM 21 + CHEM 22 + CHEM 24 — Organic Chemistry I + Organic Chemistry II + Organic Chemistry II Laboratory | CHE 118A, CHE 118B, CHE 118C | 11 |
| (PHYSCS 7 and PHYSCS 6) or (PHYSCS 8 and PHYSCS 9) — General Physics 2 with Lab | PHY 007A — General Physics | 4 |
| (PHYSCS 7 and PHYSCS 6) or (PHYSCS 8 and PHYSCS 9) — General Physics 2 with Lab | PHY 007B — General Physics | 4 |
| (PHYSCS 6 and PHYSCS 7) or (PHYSCS 8 and PHYSCS 9) — General Physics 1 with Lab | PHY 007C — General Physics | 4 |
General Education
Foundation GE at Santa Monica College
Complete these five courses at Santa Monica 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 10
Applied Ecology and Conservation Biology
CHEM 10
Introductory General Chemistry
ENGL C1001
Critical Thinking and Writing
ENGL C1000
Academic Reading and Writing
COMM C1000
Introduction to Public Speaking
| Area | Course at Santa Monica College | Units |
|---|---|---|
Life Science | BIOL 10 — Applied Ecology and Conservation Biology | 4 |
Physical Science | CHEM 10 — Introductory General Chemistry | 5 |
HumanitiesCCN | ENGL C1001 — Critical Thinking and Writing | 3 |
English CompositionCCN | ENGL C1000 — Academic Reading and Writing | 3 |
Oral CommunicationCCN | COMM C1000 — Introduction to Public Speaking | 3 |
Five semesters from CHEM 10 to BIOL 23
CHEM 10, CHEM 11, then BIOL 21, BIOL 22 and BIOL 23, each needing the one before: five semesters. Davis wants all prep done by spring before you enroll, so take chemistry your first term.
Two SMC semesters, three Davis quarters
UC Davis runs on quarters, so SMC's two-semester sequences stand in for three-quarter series there. CHEM 11 and CHEM 12 cover CHE 002A through 002C, and SMC's two physics courses cover PHY 007A through 007C.
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 2 opens CHEM 12 and MATH 7
CHEM 12 and MATH 7 both need MATH 2, or MATH 3 with MATH 4, before you can enroll. Finish that precalculus early so general chemistry and calculus aren't held up at the same time.
Organic and physics are optional
UC Davis lists organic chemistry and physics as highly recommended, not required for admission. If you have room, CHEM 21, CHEM 22 and CHEM 24 match CHE 118A-C, and PHYSCS 6 with PHYSCS 7 (or PHYSCS 8 with PHYSCS 9) match PHY 007A-C.
Each series needs its own 2.50
Davis checks biology, chemistry and math as separate series and wants a 2.50 GPA in each, with no grade below C. A weak CHEM 12 grade can't be rescued by strong biology grades.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What classes should I take at SMC for UC Davis Biological Sciences?
The required set is BIOL 21, BIOL 22 and BIOL 23, CHEM 11 and CHEM 12, and MATH 7 and MATH 8, all for a letter grade. MATH 11 matches MAT 021C if you want it. Organic chemistry (CHEM 21, CHEM 22, CHEM 24) and physics are recommended extras.
Does SMC CHEM 11 transfer to UC Davis?
Yes, as half of a pair. CHEM 11 and CHEM 12 together cover CHE 002A, 002B and 002C, the general chemistry series Davis requires. Plan on both, since CHEM 11 alone doesn't complete it.
What's the UC Davis Biological Sciences transfer admit rate?
58% of all 2025 transfer applicants to the major were admitted, per UC Davis data. That isn't an SMC-specific number. Selective major review still applies: a 2.8 cumulative GPA, 2.50 in each prep series and no grade below C.
Is anything for UC Davis Biology not offered at SMC?
Nothing. Every course ASSIST lists for the major has an SMC match, including the recommended organic chemistry (CHEM 21, CHEM 22, CHEM 24) and both physics routes.
Explore More
Related Transfer Plans
Santa Monica College students can finish every required course for the UC Davis Biological Sciences B.S. at SMC: BIOL 21 to BIOL 23 for biology, CHEM 11 and CHEM 12 for general chemistry, and MATH 7 and MATH 8 for calculus. Organic chemistry and physics are recommended, and SMC matches those too. The major is selective, with a 58% admit rate across all 2025 transfer applicants and TAG available at a 3.2 GPA. Transfermatic can plan the chemistry-first order these SMC courses require.
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