Chemistry transfer to UC
What every UC campus expects chemistry transfers to finish before they apply, where TAG applies, and how selective UCLA is (26% for fall 2025).
Checked against official UC and campus sources in October 2026.
The shared course list
UC’s Chemistry Transfer Pathway lists the community college courses that prepare you for this major at every campus. Finishing it doesn’t guarantee admission, and campuses add their own rules below.
| Course | Status |
|---|---|
| General chemistry (full sequence with lab) | Required |
| Organic chemistry (full sequence with lab) | Required |
| Calculus-based physics (full sequence with lab) | Required |
| Single variable calculus (full sequence) | Required |
| Multivariable calculus (one semester) | Required |
| Linear algebra (one course) | Required |
| Differential equations (one course, listed as post-transfer) | Recommended |
Linear algebra was added and differential equations moved to post-transfer as of fall 2024.
Check your courses
Paste the course titles from your transcript or education plan and see which items on the list they cover.
Campus by campus
TAG lines come from UC’s TAG matrix for fall 2027. ASSIST shows which of your college’s courses count at each campus.
| Campus | TAG | Extra rule | Courses |
|---|---|---|---|
| UC Berkeley | No TAG | None listed | ASSIST |
| UCLA | No TAG | None listed | ASSIST |
| UC San Diego | No TAG | None listed | ASSIST |
| UC Irvine | 3.40 | None listed | ASSIST |
| UC Davis | 3.20 | None listed | ASSIST |
| UC Santa Barbara | 3.40 | Chemistry is now a selective major and adds linear algebra for fall 2027 applicants. | ASSIST |
| UC Santa Cruz | 3.00 | None listed | ASSIST |
| UC Riverside | 2.80 | None listed | ASSIST |
| UC Merced | 2.90 | None listed | ASSIST |
UCLA’s numbers for this major
- Fall 2025 admit rate
- 26%
- Applicants
- 216
- Admitted GPA, middle half
- 3.80–4.00
UCLA reports these for Chemistry, against 26% for its community college applicants as a whole. UCLA reviews you for your first-choice major only, unless you’re a TAP student.
Your odds at every campus
Estimates for Chemistry at all nine campuses at the GPA you set.
Questions
What classes do I need to transfer to UC for chemistry?
UC’s Chemistry Transfer Pathway lists 7 items, including general chemistry (full sequence with lab), organic chemistry (full sequence with lab), calculus-based physics (full sequence with lab). Check each course on ASSIST for the campuses you apply to.
Can I get a TAG for chemistry?
Yes, at all six TAG campuses: UC Davis, UC Irvine, UC Merced, UC Riverside, UC Santa Barbara, UC Santa Cruz.
What GPA do you need to transfer to UCLA for chemistry?
UCLA admitted 26% of 216 transfer applicants to Chemistry for fall 2025, and the middle half of admits had GPAs of 3.80–4.00.
Is chemistry a selective major at UC?
Several campuses add rules: Santa Barbara. See the campus table above.