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Materials science transfer to UC Davis

What UC Davis expects materials science and engineering transfers to finish before fall 2027. Below are Davis’s own preparation and selection rules, UC’s shared course list, the TAG terms and your odds.

Checked against official UC and campus sources in November 2026.

At a glance

Fall 2025 campus admit rate
63.5%
Screens applicants
Yes
TAG GPA line
3.50
Admits transfers
Yes

UC Davis admitted 63.5% of community college applicants for fall 2025, and it doesn’t publish admit rates by major. The middle half of admitted transfers had GPAs from 3.46 to 3.90 for fall 2025.

What Davis expects

  • Materials Science and Engineering

    Courses to finish

    Complete CHE 002A/B/C, ECH 060 or ECS 032A, ENG 035 and 045, MAT 021A/B/C/D, MAT 022A/B and PHY 009A/B/C/D by the end of spring before fall enrollment. Source

    Selection

    All College of Engineering majors are selective. Non-TAG applicants need a minimum 3.10 cumulative GPA and a 3.20 GPA in major preparation coursework, and Engineering TAG requires at least a 3.50 GPA in both cumulative and major preparation coursework. Source

    Campus rule

    Engineering is selective, its TAG needs a 3.5, and summer courses before transfer don’t count. Source

    Every Davis major

    UC Davis requires a minimum 2.80 GPA for transfer admission, and selective majors require higher overall, series and group GPAs. Source

    Selective major preparation courses must be taken for a letter grade with no grade below C. Pass/No Pass does not count except for winter, spring and summer 2020 courses. Source

    All major preparation and admission requirements must be finished by the end of spring term before fall enrollment. Summer coursework taken before transfer does not count toward admission requirements. Source

UC’s shared course list

UC’s Materials science & engineering Transfer Pathway lists the courses that prepare you for this major at every campus, UC Davis included. Where Davis’s own list above asks for more, follow the campus.

CourseStatus
Calculus-based physics (full sequence with lab)Required
Single variable calculus (full sequence)Required
Multivariable calculus (one semester)Required
Differential equations (one course)Required
General chemistry (full sequence with lab)Required
Linear algebra (one course)Required
Programming (one course)Required
Materials (one course)Required
Statics (one course)Required

Paste your course titles to see which items they cover.

Your results show here: every item on the list, and which of your courses covers it.

This reads course titles. Whether a course counts at a campus is set by ASSIST, so confirm each one there.

TAG for this major

UC Davis’s TAG covers materials science and engineering for fall 2027 at a 3.50 UC-transferable GPA. TAG filing runs September 1–30 of the year before you transfer.

UC Davis TAG requirements and timing

Your odds

Move the GPA to see a regular-review range at UC Davis for materials science and engineering.

3.40

Far reach

About 10–25% in regular review for applicants like you

With a TAG on file for Materials Science and Engineering, admission is guaranteed from a 3.50. Filing for fall 2027 closed September 30, 2026.

  • This major is on UC Davis's official selective/capped list — adjusted down (no official by-major rate published, estimated).
  • Major preparation is the factor UC readers weigh most for transfers — often ahead of GPA.

Regular-review estimate for a California resident on track for 60 units and the 7-course pattern, with major prep unconfirmed. The full calculator adds your prep, residency and TAG status.

The same major at other campuses

CampusScreens applicantsTAG
UC BerkeleyYesNo TAG
UCLAYesNo TAG
UC San DiegoYesNo TAG
UC IrvineYes3.40
UC RiversideYes3.00
UC MercedYes3.00

All nine campuses side by side

Other majors at UC Davis

Questions

What GPA do you need to transfer to UC Davis for materials science and engineering?

All College of Engineering majors are selective. Non-TAG applicants need a minimum 3.10 cumulative GPA and a 3.20 GPA in major preparation coursework, and Engineering TAG requires at least a 3.50 GPA in both cumulative and major preparation coursework. A TAG needs at least a 3.50.

What classes do I need to transfer to UC Davis for materials science and engineering?

Complete CHE 002A/B/C, ECH 060 or ECS 032A, ENG 035 and 045, MAT 021A/B/C/D, MAT 022A/B and PHY 009A/B/C/D by the end of spring before fall enrollment. Check each course on ASSIST for your college.

Is materials science and engineering selective or screened at UC Davis?

Yes. UC Davis screens transfer applicants for it. All College of Engineering majors are selective. Non-TAG applicants need a minimum 3.10 cumulative GPA and a 3.20 GPA in major preparation coursework, and Engineering TAG requires at least a 3.50 GPA in both cumulative and major preparation coursework.

Can I get a TAG for materials science and engineering at UC Davis?

Yes, for fall 2027, with at least a 3.50 GPA. TAG filing runs September 1–30 of the year before you transfer.

Sources

  1. UCOP fall 2025 admissions, Table 1a
  2. Davis: Materials Science and Engineering preparation
  3. Davis: Materials Science and Engineering rule
  4. Davis: transfer rules for every major
  5. UC Transfer Pathways: Materials science & engineering
  6. UC TAG Matrix, fall 2027
  7. ASSIST