Earth science transfer to UC Riverside
What UC Riverside expects earth science / geology 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
Geology, B.S. · Earth and Planetary Sciences · Geophysics, B.S.
- Courses to finish
Geology, Geophysics and Earth and Planetary Sciences require Math 9A-9C (or Math 7A, 7B and 46), plus one sequence from Biology 5A/5LA-5B-5C, Chemistry 1A-1B with labs, Math 10A, 10B and 46, or Physics 40A-40B (or Physics 2A-2B 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 Earth science/geology 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 |
|---|---|
| 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 Riverside’s TAG covers earth science / geology 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 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 Merced | Yes | 2.90 |
Other majors at UC Riverside
- Anthropology
- Bioengineering
- Biological Sciences
- Business Administration
- Business Economics
- Chemical Engineering
- Chemistry
- Computer Engineering
- Computer Science
- Data Science
- 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 earth science / geology?
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 earth science / geology?
Geology, Geophysics and Earth and Planetary Sciences require Math 9A-9C (or Math 7A, 7B and 46), plus one sequence from Biology 5A/5LA-5B-5C, Chemistry 1A-1B with labs, Math 10A, 10B and 46, or Physics 40A-40B (or Physics 2A-2B with labs). Check each course on ASSIST for your college.
Is earth science / geology 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 earth science / geology 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.