Materials science at UC San Diego
What UC San Diego expects materials science and engineering transfers to finish before fall 2027. Below are San Diego’s own preparation and selection rules, UC’s shared course list, the programs that give priority and your odds.
Checked against official UC and campus sources in November 2026.
At a glance
- Fall 2025 campus admit rate
- 57.7%
- Screens applicants
- Yes
- TAG at San Diego
- No TAG
- Admits transfers
- Yes
UC San Diego admitted 57.7% 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 3.55 to 3.94 for fall 2025.
What San Diego expects
Mechanical Engineering with a Specialization in Materials Science and Engineering B.S. · NanoEngineering B.S.
- Courses to finish
The screening list covers Mechanical Engineering (MATH 18, MATH 20A-20D, CHEM 6A, PHYS 2A-2C) and does not list the Materials Science specialization separately. Source
NanoEngineering screens CHEM 6A-6C, MATH 18, MATH 20A-20D and PHYS 2A-2C. Source
- Selection
Screened majors in the Engineering group that UC San Diego calls selective (limited enrollment due to capacity). Each screening course needs a C (2.0) or better. Source
- Also note
The 2026-27 degrees list has no standalone Materials Science and Engineering major. It appears only as a Mechanical Engineering specialization. Source
- Every San Diego major
UC San Diego admits transfers at the junior level only, and every transfer must be admitted to a major. Source
Applicants to screened majors are screened on the number of preparation courses completed, the grades in them and the cumulative GPA. Required preparation must be done by the end of the spring term before fall admission with a C (2.0) or better unless the major states otherwise. Source
Data Science, Engineering and Public Health are selective majors with limited enrollment due to capacity. UC San Diego strongly recommends listing an alternate non-selective major, and applicants not admitted to the first choice may be admitted to the alternate if space is available. 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 San Diego included. Where San Diego’s own list above asks for more, follow the campus.
| Course | Status |
|---|---|
| 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.
No TAG at UC San Diego
UC San Diego doesn’t offer TAG. Its UniversityLink program guarantees admission to the campus, though not to a selective major, for eligible students at nine San Diego-area colleges.
Your odds
Move the GPA to see a regular-review range at UC San Diego for materials science and engineering.
The same major at other campuses
| Campus | Screens applicants | TAG |
|---|---|---|
| UC Berkeley | Yes | No TAG |
| UCLA | Yes | No TAG |
| UC Irvine | Yes | 3.40 |
| UC Davis | Yes | 3.50 |
| UC Riverside | Yes | 3.00 |
| UC Merced | Yes | 3.00 |
Other majors at UC San Diego
- Aerospace Engineering
- Anthropology
- Bioengineering
- Biological Sciences
- Business Economics
- Chemical Engineering
- Chemistry
- Civil Engineering
- Cognitive Science
- Communication
- Computer Engineering
- Computer Science
- Data Science
- Earth Science / Geology
- Economics
- Electrical Engineering
- English
- Environmental Science
- Film and Media Studies
- Global and International Studies
- History
- Linguistics
- Mathematics
- Mechanical Engineering
- Neuroscience
- Philosophy
- Physics
- Political Science
- Psychology
- Public Health
- Sociology
- Statistics
Official links
- UC San Diego transfer admissionsadmissions.ucsd.edu
- ASSIST: course agreements to UC San Diegoassist.org
Questions
What GPA do you need to transfer to UC San Diego for materials science and engineering?
UC San Diego doesn’t publish a GPA for this major. The middle half of admitted transfers had GPAs from 3.55 to 3.94 for fall 2025.
What classes do I need to transfer to UC San Diego for materials science and engineering?
The screening list covers Mechanical Engineering (MATH 18, MATH 20A-20D, CHEM 6A, PHYS 2A-2C) and does not list the Materials Science specialization separately. Check each course on ASSIST for your college.
Is materials science and engineering selective or screened at UC San Diego?
Yes. UC San Diego screens transfer applicants for it. Screened majors in the Engineering group that UC San Diego calls selective (limited enrollment due to capacity). Each screening course needs a C (2.0) or better.
Can I get a TAG for materials science and engineering at UC San Diego?
UC San Diego doesn’t offer TAG. Its UniversityLink program guarantees admission to the campus, though not to a selective major, for eligible students at nine San Diego-area colleges.
Sources
- UCOP fall 2025 admissions, Table 1a
- San Diego: Materials Science and Engineering preparation
- San Diego: Materials Science and Engineering selection criteria
- San Diego: Materials Science and Engineering notes
- San Diego: transfer rules for every major
- UC Transfer Pathways: Materials science & engineering
- ASSIST