Selective Majors for Transfer

All transfer applicants should plan to complete as much major preparation coursework before transferring as possible. If you are interested in transferring into one of UCSB's selective majors listed below, certain requirements must be completed before transferring. For all other majors, view the Transfer Major Preparation Guide PDF or www.assist.org for recommendations.

College of Creative Studies

If you're applying to Creative Studies, you must submit a supplemental application in addition to the UC application. Applicants are selected on the basis of outstanding academic and personal achievement, special talent, and capacity for excellence in one of the eight available majors.

College of Letters and Science

If you're applying to Letters and Science, you should complete as many of their major preparation courses as possible before you transfer in order to make normal progress toward completion of the degree. Some performance majors – including Dance B.A. and B.F.A., Music B.M., and Theater B.F.A. – also require an audition. Selective majors in this college include all biology, mathematics, economics, and physics majors – these majors will require specific coursework listed below.

All Biology (Aquatic Biology B.S., Biological Sciences B.A. or B.S., Ecology and Evolution B.S., Molecular & Cellular Biology B.S., Molecular & Cellular Biology B.S. - Biochemistry-Molecular Biology Emphasis, Molecular & Cellular Biology B.S. - Cell & Developmental Biology Emphasis, Molecular & Cellular Biology B.S. - Microbiology Emphasis, Molecular & Cellular Biology B.S. - Pharmacology Emphasis, Physiology B.S., Zoology B.S.) applicants must:

• Complete a one-year sequence of general chemistry with laboratory with no individual grade lower than "C."
• Complete a sequence of major-applicable general biology with laboratory with no individual grade lower than "C."
• Calculus courses articulating with UCSB's MATH 3A-3B or MATH 34A-34B with no individual grade lower than "C" (first semester/quarter must be completed by fall prior to transfer; a single course articulating with both MATH 34A and 34B is acceptable and it may be in progress in winter or spring prior to transfer)
• One-year sequence of Organic Chemistry with laboratory with no individual grade lower than "C" (first semester/quarter must be completed by fall prior to transfer)
• Attain a cumulative GPA of 2.7 or better in the required courses listed above.
• To graduate within two years of transferring, we strongly recommend that you complete one year of general physics with laboratory. Completing these courses with a grade lower than "C" might not satisfy course prerequisites at UCSB.

Important Notes:

• When submitting your UC application, you should select a biology major as your first choice major. If you would consider studying in an alternate field, consider selecting an alternate major outside of biology for the greatest opportunity for selection at UCSB. Students who are not admitted to biology may be admitted to an alternate major, but should expect to complete their degree in the major to which they were admitted.
• You may not change into a biology major after enrollment at UCSB.

Biochemistry, B.S.

All Biochemistry B.S. applicants must complete the following major preparation courses by the spring term prior to transfer:

• Complete the following courses with a minimum 2.85 GPA and no grade lower than ‘C’:
  • Full year of general chemistry with labs (courses articulating with UCSB’s CHEM 1A-1AL-1B-1BL-1C-1CL series)
  • Full year of organic chemistry with labs (courses articulating with UCSB’s CHEM 109A-B-C series and CHEM 6AL and 6BL)
  • Calculus I, Calculus II, Multivariable/Vector Calculus (courses articulating with UCSB’s MATH 3A, 3B, 6A)
  • Full sequence of calculus-based physics for science majors with labs (courses articulating with UCSB's PHYS 7A-B-C-L or PHYS 1-2-3-3L-4-4L) or full year of general physics with labs (courses articulating with UCSB's PHYS 6A-AL-B-BL-C-CL) [NOTE: For fall 2026 admission, calculus-based physics for science majors with labs (PHYS 7A-B-C-L) will be required]
  • NOT required for admission but HIGHLY RECOMMENDED before transfer: Linear Algebra (course articulating with UCSB's MATH 4A) and full sequence of biology for biology majors with labs

  Chemistry, B.A.

  All Chemistry B.A. applicants must complete the following major preparation courses by the spring term prior to transfer:

  • Complete the following courses with a minimum 2.85 GPA and no grade lower than ‘C’:
    • Full year of general chemistry with labs (courses articulating with UCSB’s CHEM 1A-1AL-1B-1BL-1C-1CL series)
    • Full year of organic chemistry with labs (courses articulating with UCSB’s CHEM 109A-B-C series and CHEM 6AL and 6BL)
    • Calculus I, Calculus II, Multivariable/Vector Calculus (courses articulating with UCSB’s MATH 3A, 3B, 6A)
    • Full sequence of calculus-based physics for science majors with labs (courses articulating with UCSB's PHYS 7A-B-C-L or PHYS 1-2-3-3L-4-4L) or full year of general physics with labs (courses articulating with UCSB's PHYS 6A-AL-B-BL-C-CL) [NOTE: For fall 2026 admission, calculus-based physics for science majors with labs (PHYS 7A-B-C-L) will be required]
    • NOT required for admission but HIGHLY RECOMMENDED before transfer: Linear Algebra (course articulating with UCSB's MATH 4A)

    Chemistry, B.S.

    All Chemistry, B.S. applicants must complete the following major preparation courses by the spring term prior to transfer:

    • Complete the following courses with a minimum 2.85 GPA and no grade lower than ‘C’:
      • Full year of general chemistry with labs (courses articulating with UCSB’s CHEM 1A-1AL-1B-1BL-1C-1CL series)
      • Full year of organic chemistry with labs (courses articulating with UCSB’s CHEM 109A-B-C series and CHEM 6AL and 6BL) [NOTE: UCSB’s CHEM 6CL is not articulated, an equivalent is not required for admission]
      • Calculus I, Calculus II, Differential Equations, Multivariable/Vector Calculus (courses articulating with UCSB’s MATH 3A, 3B, 4B, 6A)
      • Full sequence of calculus-based physics for science majors with labs (courses articulating with UCSB's PHYS 7A-B-C-L or PHYS 1-2-3-3L-4-4L [NOTE: For fall 2026 admission, PHYS 1-2-3-3L-4-4L will no longer be an option]
      • NOT required for admission but HIGHLY RECOMMENDED before transfer: Linear Algebra (course articulating with UCSB's MATH 4A)
      • Complete four required major preparation courses - macroeconomics, microeconomics, and two calculus courses - and attain a GPA of 2.75 or better in these four courses with no individual grade lower than "C."

      Important Notes:

      • Advanced Placement exams in macroeconomics and microeconomics may NOT be used to satisfy major preparation requirements.
      • When submitting your UC application, you should select an economics major as your first choice major. If you would consider studying in an alternate field, consider selecting an alternate major outside of economics for the greatest opportunity for selection at UCSB. Students who are not admitted to economics may be admitted to an alternate major, but should expect to complete their degree in the major to which they were admitted.
      • Complete Calculus 1 and Calculus 2 (courses articulating with UCSB’s MATH 3A and 3B).
      • Complete at least one additional math course chosen from linear algebra (UCSB's MATH 4A), differential equations (UCSB's MATH 4B), or multivariable calculus/vector calculus (UCSB's MATH 6A-B)
      • Earn a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or better in the required courses listed above with no individual grade lower than “C." (If MATH 3A and/or 3B were satisfied with AP/IB exams, two additional courses from the options listed above are required for major screening.)

      Important Note: This is a minimum requirement. You are advised to take as many pre-major and major preparation courses as possible before you transfer to ensure timely progress to graduation.

      • Complete the UC Physics Transfer Pathway courses with at least a 3.4 GPA. The Physics Transfer Pathway courses are:
        • Calculus-based physics for scientists and engineers (full introductory sequence through modern physics with labs). At UCSB, this is: PHYS 20-21-22-23-3L-24-4L-25-5L/25L.
        • Single variable calculus (full sequence). At UCSB, this is MATH 3A-3B.
        • Multivariable calculus (one semester course). At UCSB, this is MATH 6A.
        • Linear algebra (one course). At UCSB, this is MATH 4A.
        • Differential equations (one course). At UCSB, this is MATH 4B
        • General chemistry (full sequence with labs). At UCSB, this is: CHEM 1A-1AL-1B-1BL-1C-1CL.

        College of Engineering

        Programs within the College of Engineering can be highly selective depending on the number of applications to each major. To be most competitive for the college, students should strive to achieve strong grades, especially within the required major preparation courses detailed below. All required courses must be completed by the spring term prior to transfer. View the College of Engineering Transfer Major Overview at the bottom of the webpage.

        Required for ALL Engineering Majors:

        • 2 semesters of calculus for science and math majors
        • Linear algebra
        • Differential equations

        All Computer Science B.S. applicants must complete the following major preparation courses by the spring term prior to transfer:

        • Programming in C or C++
        • Data structures in C++
        • Discrete mathematics/discrete structures for Computer Science majors

        Important Note: California community college students should refer to ASSIST for specific coursework required to prepare for the major.

        All Computer Engineering B.S. applicants must complete the following major preparation courses by the spring term prior to transfer:

        • Programming in C or C++
        • Data Structures in C++
        • Calculus-based physics series with labs*

        *It is recommended that you complete the physics series at one college to ensure that all topics are covered.

        Important Note: California community college students should refer to ASSIST for specific coursework required to prepare for the major.

        All Mechanical Engineering B.S. applicants must complete the following major preparation courses by the spring term prior to transfer:

        • First course in general chemistry with lab
        • Statics
        • MATLAB
        • Calculus-based physics series with labs*

        *It is recommended that you complete the physics series at one college to ensure that all topics are covered.

        Important Note: California community college students should refer to ASSIST for specific coursework required to prepare for the major.

        All Electrical Engineering B.S. applicants must complete the following major preparation courses by the spring term prior to transfer:

        • Programming in C, C++ or Intermediate Python
        • Calculus-based physics series with labs*

        *It is recommended that you complete the physics series at one college to ensure that all topics are covered.

        Important Note: California community college students should refer to ASSIST for specific coursework required to prepare for the major.

        All Chemical Engineering B.S. applicants must complete the following major preparation courses by the spring term prior to transfer:

        • A full year of general chemistry with labs*
        • MATLAB
        • Calculus-based physics series with labs*

        *It is recommended that you complete the chemistry series and physics series at one college to ensure that all topics are covered.

        Important Note: California community college students should refer to ASSIST for specific coursework required to prepare for the major.