Environmental science at UC Santa Cruz
What UC Santa Cruz expects environmental science 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
Environmental Sciences B.S. · Environmental Studies B.A.
- Courses to finish
For the Environmental Sciences B.S. (2026-27 catalog), transfers must complete CHEM 3A-3C or CHEM 4A, 4AL, 4B, 4BL, plus MATH 11A, MATH 11B, PHYS 6A and PHYS 6L by the end of spring before fall entry. Source
PHYS 6B and PHYS 6M are recommended before transfer. Source
- Selection
A minimum GPA of 2.00 is required in the screening courses, and qualification courses need a C or better and a letter grade (2026-27 catalog). Source
- Also note
Students admitted in another major must meet the screening requirements before transferring and submit a one-time major declaration appeal during summer session. Source
Environmental Studies B.A. is also a Fall 2026 transfer screening major, but its criteria were not checked on its 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 Environmental science 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 |
|---|---|
| Calculus-based physics (full sequence with lab) | Required |
| Single variable calculus (full sequence) | Required |
| Introductory statistics (one course) | Required |
| Introductory biology (full sequence with lab) | Required |
| General chemistry (full sequence with lab) | Required |
| Organic chemistry (one semester) | Required |
| Principles of economics (microeconomics) | Required |
Paste your course titles to see which items they cover.
TAG for this major
UC Santa Cruz’s TAG covers environmental science 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 environmental science.
The same major at other campuses
| Campus | Screens applicants | TAG |
|---|---|---|
| UC Berkeley | Yes | 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 Riverside | Yes | 2.80 |
| UC Merced | Yes | 2.90 |
Other majors at UC Santa Cruz
- Anthropology
- Bioengineering
- Biological Sciences
- Business Administration
- Business Economics
- Chemistry
- Cognitive Science
- Computer Engineering
- Computer Science
- Earth Science / Geology
- Economics
- Electrical Engineering
- English
- 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 environmental science?
A minimum GPA of 2.00 is required in the screening courses, and qualification courses need a C or better and a letter grade (2026-27 catalog). A TAG needs at least a 3.00.
What classes do I need to transfer to UC Santa Cruz for environmental science?
For the Environmental Sciences B.S. (2026-27 catalog), transfers must complete CHEM 3A-3C or CHEM 4A, 4AL, 4B, 4BL, plus MATH 11A, MATH 11B, PHYS 6A and PHYS 6L by the end of spring before fall entry. Check each course on ASSIST for your college.
Is environmental science selective or screened at UC Santa Cruz?
Yes. UC Santa Cruz screens transfer applicants for it. A minimum GPA of 2.00 is required in the screening courses, and qualification courses need a C or better and a letter grade (2026-27 catalog).
Can I get a TAG for environmental science 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.