Chemistry transfer to UC Santa Cruz
What UC Santa Cruz expects chemistry transfers to finish before fall 2027. Below are Santa Cruz’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
- 70.4%
- Screens applicants
- Yes
- TAG GPA line
- 3.00
- Admits transfers
- Yes
UC Santa Cruz admitted 70.4% of all transfer applicants for fall 2025, and it doesn’t publish admit rates by major. UC Santa Cruz reported an average GPA of 3.47 for admitted fall 2025 transfers and no range. The calculator’s range is an estimate around that average.
What Santa Cruz expects
Chemistry B.S. · Chemistry B.A.
- Courses to finish
For the Chemistry B.S. (2026-27 catalog), transfers must complete CHEM 3A-3C or CHEM 4A-4B, plus MATH 22, plus either MATH 11A and 11B or MATH 19A and 19B before entry. Source
CHEM 8A, 8B, 8L, 8M and PHYS 6A, 6B, 6L, 6M are highly recommended before transfer, and students who complete only the minimum will likely need more than two years to finish. Source
- Selection
Each Chemistry B.S. screening course needs a C or better, with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher in those courses (2026-27 catalog). Source
- Also note
Winter-entry Chemistry B.S. transfers must also complete CHEM 8A and CHEM 8L before entry. Source
Chemistry B.A. is also a screening major for Fall 2026, but its specific criteria were not checked on its own catalog page. Source
- Every Santa Cruz major
For Fall 2026, UCSC screens transfer applicants for completion of major preparation courses in a published list of screening majors, with criteria given in each major's General Catalog entry. Source
Required major preparation must be completed by the end of the spring term before fall transfer, or by the end of the fall term before winter transfer. Source
UC’s shared course list
UC’s Chemistry Transfer Pathway lists the courses that prepare you for this major at every campus, UC Santa Cruz included. Where Santa Cruz’s own list above asks for more, follow the campus.
| Course | Status |
|---|---|
| General chemistry (full sequence with lab) | Required |
| Organic chemistry (full sequence with lab) | Required |
| Calculus-based physics (full sequence with lab) | Required |
| Single variable calculus (full sequence) | Required |
| Multivariable calculus (one semester) | Required |
| Linear algebra (one course) | Required |
| Differential equations (one course, listed as post-transfer) | Recommended |
Paste your course titles to see which items they cover.
TAG for this major
UC Santa Cruz’s TAG covers chemistry for fall 2027 at a 3.00 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 Cruz for chemistry.
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 | Yes | 3.40 |
| UC Riverside | Yes | 2.80 |
| UC Merced | Yes | 2.90 |
Other majors at UC Santa Cruz
- Anthropology
- Bioengineering
- Biological Sciences
- Business Administration
- Business Economics
- Cognitive Science
- Computer Engineering
- Computer Science
- Earth Science / Geology
- Economics
- Electrical Engineering
- English
- Environmental Science
- Film and Media Studies
- History
- Linguistics
- Mathematics
- Neuroscience
- Philosophy
- Physics
- Political Science
- Psychology
- Public Health
- Sociology
Official links
- UC Santa Cruz transfer admissionsadmissions.ucsc.edu
- ASSIST: course agreements to UC Santa Cruzassist.org
Questions
What GPA do you need to transfer to UC Santa Cruz for chemistry?
Each Chemistry B.S. screening course needs a C or better, with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher in those courses (2026-27 catalog). A TAG needs at least a 3.00.
What classes do I need to transfer to UC Santa Cruz for chemistry?
For the Chemistry B.S. (2026-27 catalog), transfers must complete CHEM 3A-3C or CHEM 4A-4B, plus MATH 22, plus either MATH 11A and 11B or MATH 19A and 19B before entry. Check each course on ASSIST for your college.
Is chemistry selective or screened at UC Santa Cruz?
Yes. UC Santa Cruz screens transfer applicants for it. Each Chemistry B.S. screening course needs a C or better, with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher in those courses (2026-27 catalog).
Can I get a TAG for chemistry at UC Santa Cruz?
Yes, for fall 2027, with at least a 3.00 GPA. TAG filing runs September 1–30 of the year before you transfer.