Earth science transfer to UC Merced
What UC Merced expects earth science / geology transfers to finish before fall 2027. Below are Merced’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 2026 campus admit rate
- 67.5%
- Screens applicants
- Yes
- TAG GPA line
- 2.90
- Admits transfers
- Yes
UC Merced’s fall 2026 snapshot covers all transfer applicants. It doesn’t publish admit rates by major.
What Merced expects
Environmental Systems Science, B.S. (Earth and Climate Science Emphasis)
- Courses to finish
For Fall 2027, required courses are CHEM 002 & 002L, MATH 011 or MATH 021, and PHYS 008 & 008L or PHYS 018 & 018L. Source
- Selection
For Fall 2027, the School of Natural Sciences requires these courses to be completed with a C or better. Source
- Also note
UC Merced's majors list has no Geology or Earth Science major. The closest program is Environmental Systems Science, B.S. (formerly Earth Systems Sciences) with its Earth and Climate Science Emphasis. Source
- Every Merced major
UC Merced's Fall 2027 major preparation page sets a minimum GPA of 2.4 for California residents and 2.8 for nonresidents in the Schools of Engineering, Natural Sciences, and Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts (SSHA). Source
UC Merced states that the primary selection criterion for junior-level transfer students is completion of the required major preparation, with GPA, grade trends, and other factors also considered. Source
Students entering UC Merced in fall 2027, 2028, or 2029 who complete an approved Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) in the major they apply to, meet the junior-level GPA requirement, and meet the other listed conditions may qualify for guaranteed admission and a $4,000 annual scholarship for up to two years. Listed ADT majors include Biological Sciences (B.A. and B.S.), Anthropology, History, Political Science, Liberal Studies, and Critical Race and Ethnic Studies. Source
UC’s shared course list
UC’s Earth science/geology Transfer Pathway lists the courses that prepare you for this major at every campus, UC Merced included. Where Merced’s own list above asks for more, follow the campus.
| Course | Status |
|---|---|
| Single variable calculus (full sequence) | Required |
| General chemistry (full sequence with lab) | Required |
| Physical geology (one course) | Required |
Paste your course titles to see which items they cover.
TAG for this major
UC Merced’s TAG covers earth science / geology for fall 2027 at a 2.90 UC-transferable GPA. TAG filing runs September 1–30 of the year before you transfer.
Your odds
Move the GPA to see a regular-review range at UC Merced for earth science / geology.
The same major at other campuses
| Campus | Screens applicants | TAG |
|---|---|---|
| UC Berkeley | Not stated | No TAG |
| UCLA | No | No TAG |
| UC San Diego | Yes | No TAG |
| UC Irvine | Yes | 3.40 |
| UC Davis | No | 3.20 |
| UC Santa Barbara | No | 3.40 |
| UC Santa Cruz | Yes | 3.00 |
| UC Riverside | Yes | 2.80 |
Other majors at UC Merced
- Aerospace Engineering
- Anthropology
- Bioengineering
- Biological Sciences
- Business Administration
- Business Economics
- Chemical Engineering
- Chemistry
- Civil Engineering
- Cognitive Science
- Communication
- Computer Science
- Data Science
- Economics
- Electrical Engineering
- English
- Environmental Engineering
- Environmental Science
- Film and Media Studies
- History
- Materials Science and Engineering
- Mathematics
- Mechanical Engineering
- Neuroscience
- Philosophy
- Physics
- Political Science
- Psychology
- Public Health
- Sociology
Official links
- UC Merced transfer admissionsadmissions.ucmerced.edu
- ASSIST: course agreements to UC Mercedassist.org
Questions
What GPA do you need to transfer to UC Merced for earth science / geology?
UC Merced doesn’t publish a GPA for this major. The middle half of admitted transfers had GPAs from 2.97 to 3.68 for fall 2024, the latest range published. A TAG needs at least a 2.90.
What classes do I need to transfer to UC Merced for earth science / geology?
For Fall 2027, required courses are CHEM 002 & 002L, MATH 011 or MATH 021, and PHYS 008 & 008L or PHYS 018 & 018L. Check each course on ASSIST for your college.
Is earth science / geology selective or screened at UC Merced?
Yes. UC Merced screens transfer applicants for it. For Fall 2027, the School of Natural Sciences requires these courses to be completed with a C or better.
Can I get a TAG for earth science / geology at UC Merced?
Yes, for fall 2027, with at least a 2.90 GPA. TAG filing runs September 1–30 of the year before you transfer.