De Anza College to UC Berkeley
Biology Transfer Plan
Quarter-by-quarter courses, IGETC requirements, and major prerequisites — verified from real articulation data.
From
De Anza College
To
UC Berkeley
GPA Reality Check
UC Berkeley's minimum GPA to apply is 3.0 — but that number is essentially a floor, not a target. Admitted transfer students campus-wide in 2024 had a mid-50% GPA range of 3.61–3.96, and Biology is a high-demand major competing against a medically ambitious applicant pool where GPAs skew even higher. The courses that matter most for your Biology major prep GPA are BIOL 6A, 6B, and 6C along with the full chemistry sequence — these are the courses Berkeley admissions will scrutinize hardest. Earning Bs in those labs while getting As in easier electives is not the strategy that gets you in.
UC Berkeley Pathways to Four-Year Universities
De Anza College is an official partner in UC Berkeley's Pathways to Four-Year Universities program, which means Berkeley advisers physically come to De Anza's campus to meet with students like you. This isn't just a website — you can sit down with a Berkeley adviser, map out your exact course plan for Biology, and get confirmation that your coursework is on track before you apply. Visit De Anza's Transfer Center to find out when the next Berkeley adviser visit is scheduled and book your appointment early.
Major Requirements
Biology (College of Letters & Science — B.A. or B.S.) Major Preparation
Biology (College of Letters & Science — B.A. or B.S.) at UC Berkeley
Courses at De Anza College that satisfy UC Berkeley's Biology major preparation, verified via ASSIST.org.
UC Berkeley offers Biology through the College of Letters & Science (L&S), but students often confuse it with Integrative Biology (IB) — a distinct L&S major with a stronger ecology/evolution focus — and Molecular & Cell Biology (MCB), which leans heavily toward biochemistry and pre-med tracks. You apply to one specific major, so know which one fits your goals before you submit your application.
| Course at De Anza College | Satisfies at UC Berkeley | Units |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 6A — Cell Biology and Biochemistry | BIO 1A — General Biology Lecture and Lab | 6 |
| BIOL 6B — Genetics and Evolutionary Biology | BIO 1B — General Biology (Ecology, Evolution, Diversity) | 6 |
| BIOL 6C — Ecology and Organismal Biology | BIO 1B — General Biology (fulfills remaining BIO 1B breadth) | 5 |
| CHEM 1A — General Chemistry | CHEM 1A — General Chemistry | 5 |
| CHEM 1B — General Chemistry | CHEM 1B — General Chemistry | 5 |
| CHEM 1C — General Chemistry | CHEM 3A — Chemical Structure and Reactivity | 5 |
| CHEM 12A — Organic Chemistry | CHEM 3B — Chemical Structure and Reactivity | 5 |
| MATH 1A — Calculus | MATH 1A — Calculus | 5 |
| MATH 1B — Calculus | MATH 1B — Calculus | 5 |
| PHYS 4A — General Physics | PHYSICS 8A — Introductory Physics | 6 |
| PHYS 4B — General Physics | PHYSICS 8B — Introductory Physics | 6 |
General Education
IGETC at De Anza College
Complete IGETC at De Anza College to satisfy UC Berkeley's lower-division GE requirements before transferring.
ENGL 1A or ENGL 1AH
4 unitsENGL 1B, ENGL 1BH, PHIL 1C
4 unitsMATH 1A, MATH 1B, MATH 10, MATH 11, MATH 22
3-5 unitsART 2A, MUSI 1, MUSI 2, THEA 1
3 unitsELIT 1, HUMN 1, PHIL 1, PHIL 4, HIST 17A
3 unitsANTH 2, ECON 1, ECON 2, POLI 1, PSYC 1, SOCI 1
3 unitsCHEM 1A, CHEM 1AH, PHYS 4A, ASTR 4, GEO 1
4-5 unitsBIOL 6A, BIOL 6B, BIOL 6C, BIOL 10, BIOL 11, ANTH 1
4-6 unitsSPAN 2 or 3, MAND 2 or 3, JAPN 2 or 3, FREN 2 or 3, GERM 2 or 3
3-5 units| Area | Course options at De Anza College | Units |
|---|---|---|
| 1A: English Composition | ENGL 1A or ENGL 1AH | 4 |
| 1B: Critical Thinking and Composition | ENGL 1B, ENGL 1BH, PHIL 1C | 4 |
| 2: Mathematical Concepts and Quantitative Reasoning | MATH 1A, MATH 1B, MATH 10, MATH 11, MATH 22 | 3-5 |
| 3A: Arts | ART 2A, MUSI 1, MUSI 2, THEA 1 | 3 |
| 3B: Humanities | ELIT 1, HUMN 1, PHIL 1, PHIL 4, HIST 17A | 3 |
| 4: Social and Behavioral Sciences | ANTH 2, ECON 1, ECON 2, POLI 1, PSYC 1, SOCI 1 | 3 |
| 5A: Physical Sciences | CHEM 1A, CHEM 1AH, PHYS 4A, ASTR 4, GEO 1 | 4-5 |
| 5B: Biological Sciences | BIOL 6A, BIOL 6B, BIOL 6C, BIOL 10, BIOL 11, ANTH 1 | 4-6 |
| 6: Language Other Than English | SPAN 2 or 3, MAND 2 or 3, JAPN 2 or 3, FREN 2 or 3, GERM 2 or 3 | 3-5 |
CHEM 1A → CHEM 1B → 1C → CHEM 12A
Each chemistry course is a prerequisite for the next — CHEM 1A unlocks 1B, which unlocks 1C, which is the gateway to Organic Chemistry (CHEM 12A). If you don't start this chain in your very first quarter at De Anza, you may run out of time to complete all required chemistry before you need to show a competitive major prep on your UC application.
De Anza runs on quarters — UC Berkeley runs on semesters
Plan your three-quarter sequences carefully: a full academic year at De Anza (Fall, Winter, Spring) still only maps to two semesters at Berkeley, so front-loading your science prerequisites in your first year is essential to staying on a two-year transfer timeline.
Preview
Your First Quarter
A preview of what Pipeline generates — exact courses, in the right order, every quarter.
Watch Out
Common Mistakes for This Transfer Path
Don't Delay Starting the Chemistry Sequence
CHEM 1A needs to be your very first science course at De Anza — not something you 'get to' in Spring quarter of your first year. The general chemistry series alone (CHEM 1A → 1B → 1C) takes three consecutive quarters, and you still need Organic Chemistry (CHEM 12A) on top of that. Waiting even one quarter to start pushes your entire science prep timeline past your application deadline.
Know Which Biology Major You're Actually Applying To
UC Berkeley has three distinct biology-related majors in L&S: Biology, Integrative Biology, and Molecular & Cell Biology — and you must declare one when you apply. They share some overlap in lower-division prep, but they have different upper-division requirements and different competitive landscapes. Research each program on Berkeley's website, then confirm with an adviser at De Anza's Transfer Center so you're targeting the right major from day one.
Use the Pathways Program Before You Apply
De Anza is an official UC Berkeley Pathways partner, meaning Berkeley advisers come to campus to meet with transfer students in person. Many students don't know this exists and miss the chance to get their course plan verified by the actual university before they apply. A one-hour meeting with a Berkeley adviser can catch plan errors that would otherwise cost you an entire extra year.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What are my chances of transferring from De Anza College to UC Berkeley for Biology?
UC Berkeley's overall transfer admit rate for Fall 2025 was 24% across all majors, but Biology is competitive enough that your real target GPA should be well above the 3.0 minimum — admitted students campus-wide had a mid-50% range of 3.61–3.96. Your grades in BIOL 6A, 6B, and 6C plus the chemistry sequence will be the most scrutinized part of your application. Strong major prep completion and a compelling personal statement are equally important.
Does UC Berkeley accept IGETC from De Anza College for Biology transfers?
Yes — UC Berkeley generally accepts IGETC for Biology transfers, and De Anza College officially certifies students for IGETC. However, because Biology is a high-unit major, De Anza also offers 'IGETC for STEM' certification, which allows you to defer some lower-division GE courses in exchange for completing science prerequisites earlier. Talk to a De Anza counselor before you choose a GE path, because which option is right for you depends on which Biology major variant you're targeting.
Is there a TAG or transfer guarantee program from De Anza College to UC Berkeley?
No — UC Berkeley does not participate in the UC system's Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG) program. However, De Anza is an official partner in Berkeley's Pathways to Four-Year Universities program, which brings Berkeley advisers directly to campus. That program doesn't guarantee admission, but it gives you direct access to Berkeley advising and significantly improves your ability to submit a complete, competitive application.
Which De Anza College biology courses transfer to UC Berkeley for major prep?
The core biology sequence at De Anza for UC Berkeley major prep is BIOL 6A (Cell Biology and Biochemistry), BIOL 6B (Genetics and Evolutionary Biology), and BIOL 6C (Ecology and Organismal Biology). These three courses articulate to UC Berkeley's introductory biology requirements. You also need to complete the full chemistry series — CHEM 1A, 1B, 1C, and CHEM 12A — along with MATH 1A and 1B, and PHYS 4A and 4B. Always verify current agreements on ASSIST.org before finalizing your plan.
How long does it take to transfer from De Anza College to UC Berkeley as a Biology major?
Most Biology transfer students complete the pathway in two years at De Anza, but only if they start CHEM 1A and BIOL 6A in their very first Fall quarter. Because De Anza is on the quarter system, you get three terms per year — enough to complete the three-quarter biology sequence and the three-quarter general chemistry series in Year 1 if you plan aggressively. Students who delay starting either sequence often need a third year to become competitive applicants.
Explore More
Related Transfer Plans
Planning to transfer from De Anza College to UC Berkeley as a Biology major is one of the most competitive paths a California community college student can take — and one of the most rewarding when done right. UC Berkeley's overall transfer acceptance rate for Fall 2025 was 24%, but the Biology applicant pool is filled with pre-med students and research-focused candidates who consistently present GPAs well above the 3.0 minimum. Admitted transfer students campus-wide showed a mid-50% GPA range of 3.61–3.96, and Biology majors should expect that range to skew even higher. Transfer planning for this pathway starts on ASSIST.org, where you can look up the exact articulation between De Anza College and UC Berkeley to find which De Anza courses fulfill Berkeley's lower-division major prerequisites. The core sequence includes BIOL 6A (Cell Biology and Biochemistry), BIOL 6B, and BIOL 6C, along with a full general chemistry series and organic chemistry, two semesters of calculus, and introductory physics. Completing IGETC at De Anza College satisfies lower-division general education requirements, though high-unit Biology majors should ask a counselor about the IGETC for STEM option before committing to a GE plan. De Anza is also an official partner campus in UC Berkeley's Pathways to Four-Year Universities program, meaning Berkeley advisers visit De Anza's campus to help students map their transfer roadmap in person — a resource most students don't know exists. Tools like Pipeline help students build personalized, quarter-by-quarter plans that account for prerequisite chains, IGETC completion, and the 90 quarter units required to transfer — so nothing falls through the cracks between now and the day you walk onto Berkeley's campus.
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