Applying Process Revealed
If you're considering transferring to the University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego), here's what you need to know about the application process and preparation for specific majors.
Transfer Applicant Requirements
To be considered a transfer applicant at UC San Diego, you must have graduated from high school and enrolled in one or more regular college sessions (excluding summer sessions) at another institution. The UC San Diego Transfer Application Requirements and Timeline can be found on the university's official website.
Majors with Specific Requirements
Environmental Systems (ESYS)
For students interested in the ESYS major at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography (SIO), UC San Diego, the transfer preparation typically includes foundational courses in math, science, and related areas.
- Mathematics: Calculus sequence (Calculus I & II), often a course in Linear Algebra or Multivariable Calculus.
- Science: General Chemistry with lab, Physics with lab (mechanics and possibly electromagnetism), and foundational courses in Biology or Earth Sciences may also be recommended or required.
- Other relevant coursework: Courses in computer science or programming (recommended), Environmental Science or Geosciences introductory courses if available, and Statistics (sometimes recommended).
It's important to complete these courses with good grades, often a B or better, as internal screening for SIO programs is competitive. Meeting UCSD's general transfer admissions criteria and SIO's specific transfer eligibility (for competitive majors like ESYS) is essential.
Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences
Incoming transfer applicants and students admitted to the Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences major must complete CHEM 6A, MATH 20A, MATH 20B, MATH 20C, PHYSICS 2A, PHYSICS 2B, PHYSICS 2C, with a letter grade of C- or higher and a minimum GPA of 2.5 in these courses. AP/IB credit will count toward these course requirements but will not be factored into GPA calculation.
Geosciences
For Geosciences, incoming transfer applicants and students admitted to the major must complete MATH 20A, MATH 20B, MATH 20C, with a letter grade of C- or higher and a minimum GPA of 2.5 in these courses.
Marine Biology
All Marine Biology incoming transfer applicants and students admitted to the Marine Biology major at UC San Diego must complete the following courses before their first quarter: BILD 1, BILD 3, CHEM 6A, CHEM 6B, CHEM 6C, CHEM 7L, MATH 10A, MATH 10B or MATH 20A, MATH 20B, with a letter grade of C- or higher and a minimum GPA of 2.5 in these courses.
Accessing Up-to-Date Information
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, check the UCSD SIO Environmental Systems major page on UCSD’s SIO official website, use ASSIST.org, contact the UCSD SIO Advisor, or refer to the UCSD Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG) if applicable.
General Information
- All undergraduate students admitted to UC San Diego will have access to the coursework and majors offered by SIO.
- UC San Diego seeks transfer students who have completed a minimum of 60 UC-transferable semester units by the end of the spring term prior to fall admission.
- UC San Diego seeks first-year students who are well-prepared for a rigorous academic environment, and admission competition is high.
Pursuing career paths in climate science or marine biology at UC San Diego requires not only meeting the general transfer applicant requirements but also completing specific coursework. For students interested in the Environmental Systems (ESYS) major, essential courses include mathematics, science, and related subjects; while for Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences, Geosciences, and Marine Biology, certain prerequisite courses in chemistry, mathematics, and physics are required, and meeting a minimum GPA is essential.
To gain a comprehensive understanding of these subjects and excel in online education environments, continuous learning and self-development through education-and-self-development resources and platforms offering marine biology and climate science courses is highly recommended.
