Biological Sciences at UC Santa Barbara
What UC Santa Barbara expects biological sciences transfers to finish before fall 2027. Below are Santa Barbara’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
- 59%
- Screens applicants
- Yes
- TAG GPA line
- 3.40
- Admits transfers
- Yes
UC Santa Barbara admitted 59% of all transfer applicants for fall 2025, and it doesn’t publish admit rates by major. The middle half of admitted transfers had GPAs from 3.48 to 3.91 for fall 2024. For fall 2025 the campus reported only an average, 3.66.
What Santa Barbara expects
Biological Sciences, B.A./B.S. · Aquatic Biology, B.S. · Ecology & Evolution, B.S.
- Courses to finish
For Fall 2027 the biology majors require 1 year of general chemistry with labs, the biology for majors sequence with labs, 1 year of organic chemistry with labs and 2 semesters of calculus. A general physics series with labs and statistics or linear algebra are strongly recommended. Source
- Selection
Required courses need no individual grade below C and a cumulative 2.7 major preparation GPA or better. The first term of the calculus and organic chemistry sequences must be completed by the fall before transfer. Source
- Also note
UCSB advises listing biology as the first-choice major and choosing an alternate major outside biology. Students cannot change into a biology major after enrolling at UCSB. Source
TAG applicants to Biological Sciences majors must earn the required major preparation GPA by the end of fall 2026 and finish required courses by the end of spring 2027. Source
- Every Santa Barbara major
UCSB's Transfer Major Preparation Guide for Fall 2027 is an abbreviated list. California community college students should check ASSIST for exact course equivalents. Source
Required major preparation courses must be finished by the end of the spring term before transfer. Full-year sequences should be completed at one institution when possible. 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 Santa Barbara included. Where Santa Barbara’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 Santa Barbara’s TAG covers biological sciences for fall 2027 at a 3.40 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 Santa Barbara 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 Cruz | Yes | 3.00 |
| UC Riverside | Yes | 2.80 |
| UC Merced | Yes | 2.90 |
Other majors at UC Santa Barbara
- Anthropology
- Business Economics
- Chemical Engineering
- Chemistry
- 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
- Philosophy
- Physics
- Political Science
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Statistics
Official links
- UC Santa Barbara transfer admissionsadmissions.sa.ucsb.edu
- ASSIST: course agreements to UC Santa Barbaraassist.org
Questions
What GPA do you need to transfer to UC Santa Barbara for biological sciences?
Required courses need no individual grade below C and a cumulative 2.7 major preparation GPA or better. The first term of the calculus and organic chemistry sequences must be completed by the fall before transfer. A TAG needs at least a 3.40.
What classes do I need to transfer to UC Santa Barbara for biological sciences?
For Fall 2027 the biology majors require 1 year of general chemistry with labs, the biology for majors sequence with labs, 1 year of organic chemistry with labs and 2 semesters of calculus. A general physics series with labs and statistics or linear algebra are strongly recommended. Check each course on ASSIST for your college.
Is biological sciences selective or screened at UC Santa Barbara?
Yes. UC Santa Barbara screens transfer applicants for it. Required courses need no individual grade below C and a cumulative 2.7 major preparation GPA or better. The first term of the calculus and organic chemistry sequences must be completed by the fall before transfer.
Can I get a TAG for biological sciences at UC Santa Barbara?
Yes, for fall 2027, with at least a 3.40 GPA. TAG filing runs September 1–30 of the year before you transfer.