Environmental Science Transfer Pathway

Course expectations

• Calculus-based physics (full sequence with lab)
• Single variable calculus (full sequence) 
• Introductory statistics (one course)
• Introductory biology (full sequence with lab)
• General chemistry (full sequence with lab)
• Organic chemistry (one semester)
• Principles of economics (microeconomics) 

Full sequences can take two to four terms to complete (depending on whether your institution is on semesters or quarters), so you'll want to start them early. Use ASSIST to find the specific classes offered at your community college that will satisfy the expected coursework at a particular UC campus. In addition to the coursework above, you will need to fulfill minimum requirements expected of all transfer applicants to UC.

If you're working on an Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) in environmental science at your community college, there's a lot of overlap with UC Transfer Pathway coursework. The difference between what UC expects for environmental science and what ADTs require is a full year of single variable calculus, a full year of general chemistry with lab and one course in organic chemistry. To fulfill the physics requirement for both the ADT and those UCs, take calculus-based physics instead of trigonometry-based physics. Additional courses required for an ADT may be eligible for UC credit at some campuses. Check ASSIST for details.

Applicable majors

The Environmental Science Pathway applies to the degree programs listed below. More degree programs may be added in the future so you should check back periodically to see if your major has joined this list.

• Environmental earth science, B.A. at Berkeley
• Environmental sciences (all concentrations), B.S. at Berkeley
• Environmental science and management, B.S. at Davis
• Earth system science, B.S. at Irvine
• Environmental science and policy, B.A. at Irvine
• Environmental science, B.S. at Los Angeles
• Environmental systems science (earth and climate science emphasis), B.S. at Merced
• Environmental systems science (ecosystem science emphasis), B.S. at Merced
• Environmental science, B.A. at Riverside
• Environmental science, B.S. at Riverside
• Environmental systems/ecology, behavior, and evolution, B.S. at San Diego
• Environmental systems/environmental policy, B.A. at San Diego
• Environmental studies, B.A. at Santa Barbara
• Environmental studies, B.S. at Santa Barbara
• Agroecology, B.A. at Santa Cruz
• Environmental studies, B.A. at Santa Cruz 
• Environmental studies/Biology B.A. at Santa Cruz

Campus GPA requirements

Admission to different UC campuses and majors varies in competitiveness depending on how many students apply and how many slots are available. As a result, the minimum GPA and grade requirements for particular courses may vary from campus to campus. Make sure to look on the campus admissions websites to find minimum expected grade point averages for the major you are interested in.