Biological Sciences at UC Riverside
What UC Riverside expects biological sciences transfers to finish before fall 2027. Below are Riverside’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
- 79.9%
- Screens applicants
- Yes
- TAG GPA line
- 2.80
- Admits transfers
- Yes
UC Riverside admitted 79.9% of community college applicants for fall 2025, and it doesn’t publish admit rates by major. UC Riverside reports an average GPA of 3.36 for its latest admitted transfers and no range. The calculator’s range is an estimate around that average.
What Riverside expects
Biology, B.A./B.S. · Cell, Molecular, and Developmental Biology, B.A./B.S. · Microbiology, B.S.
- Courses to finish
Biology requires Math 9A-9B (or 7A-7B) and Chemistry 1A-1C with labs, plus one full sequence from Biology 5A/5LA-5B-5C, Chemistry 8A-8C with labs, or Physics 40A-40C (or Physics 2A-2C with labs). Source
Cell, Molecular, and Developmental Biology and Microbiology use the same math, chemistry and one-sequence pattern as Biology. Plant Biology requires Math 9A-9B (or 7A-7B), Biology 5A with lab, 5B, 5C and Chemistry 1A-1C with labs. Source
- Selection
CNAS majors require a minimum 2.7 GPA in UC-transferable coursework. All required courses need a C or better unless otherwise noted. Source
- Every Riverside major
UCR requires at least 60 semester (90 quarter) UC-transferable units, a minimum 2.4 GPA (2.8 for nonresidents) and the UC 7-course pattern by the end of the spring term before fall enrollment. The page adds that some majors may require a higher GPA for admission selection. Source
The Majors Preparation Guide lists the selecting major requirements by college and notes that not all majors are listed. It does not name a term and says California community college students should use ASSIST.org to find course equivalents. Source
UC’s shared course list
UC’s Biological sciences Transfer Pathway lists the courses that prepare you for this major at every campus, UC Riverside included. Where Riverside’s own list above asks for more, follow the campus.
| Course | Status |
|---|---|
| General biology with lab (full introductory sequence) | Required |
| General chemistry with lab (one-year sequence) | Required |
| Calculus for STEM majors (one-year sequence) | Required |
| Organic chemistry with lab (one-year sequence) | Required |
| Calculus-based physics with lab (one year, not trigonometry-based) | Recommended |
| Statistics (one term) | Recommended |
Paste your course titles to see which items they cover.
TAG for this major
UC Riverside’s TAG covers biological sciences for fall 2027 at a 2.80 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 Riverside for biological sciences.
The same major at other campuses
| Campus | Screens applicants | TAG |
|---|---|---|
| UC Berkeley | Not stated | No TAG |
| UCLA | Yes | No TAG |
| UC San Diego | Yes | No TAG |
| UC Irvine | Yes | 3.40 |
| UC Davis | Yes | 3.20 |
| UC Santa Barbara | Yes | 3.40 |
| UC Santa Cruz | Yes | 3.00 |
| UC Merced | Yes | 2.90 |
Other majors at UC Riverside
- Anthropology
- Bioengineering
- Business Administration
- Business Economics
- Chemical Engineering
- Chemistry
- Computer Engineering
- Computer Science
- Data Science
- Earth Science / Geology
- Economics
- Electrical Engineering
- English
- Environmental Engineering
- Environmental Science
- Film and Media Studies
- Global and International Studies
- History
- Linguistics
- Materials Science and Engineering
- Mathematics
- Mechanical Engineering
- Neuroscience
- Philosophy
- Physics
- Political Science
- Psychology
- Public Health
- Sociology
- Statistics
Official links
- UC Riverside transfer admissionsadmissions.ucr.edu
- ASSIST: course agreements to UC Riversideassist.org
Questions
What GPA do you need to transfer to UC Riverside for biological sciences?
CNAS majors require a minimum 2.7 GPA in UC-transferable coursework. All required courses need a C or better unless otherwise noted. A TAG needs at least a 2.80.
What classes do I need to transfer to UC Riverside for biological sciences?
Biology requires Math 9A-9B (or 7A-7B) and Chemistry 1A-1C with labs, plus one full sequence from Biology 5A/5LA-5B-5C, Chemistry 8A-8C with labs, or Physics 40A-40C (or Physics 2A-2C with labs). Check each course on ASSIST for your college.
Is biological sciences selective or screened at UC Riverside?
Yes. UC Riverside screens transfer applicants for it. CNAS majors require a minimum 2.7 GPA in UC-transferable coursework. All required courses need a C or better unless otherwise noted.
Can I get a TAG for biological sciences at UC Riverside?
Yes, for fall 2027, with at least a 2.80 GPA. TAG filing runs September 1–30 of the year before you transfer.