Mt. San Antonio College to UCSB
Biology Transfer Plan
Semester-by-semester courses, IGETC requirements, and major prerequisites — verified from real articulation data.
From
Mt. San Antonio College
To
UC Santa Barbara
GPA Reality Check
The UC minimum to transfer is a 2.4 GPA, but the mid-50% range for admitted UCSB transfers runs from 3.46 to 3.91 — and Biology is one of UCSB's designated selective majors, so the bar is higher than average. The courses that will make or break your GPA are the ones that count for major prep: CHEM 40, CHEM 50, CHEM 60, CHEM 70, BIOL 4, and your calculus sequence. A 2.7 minimum in those courses is required just to qualify for TAG — but if you want to be genuinely competitive, you're aiming for a 3.4 or better across all your UC-transferable coursework.
Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG)
The UC Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG) is your best shot at locking in admission to UCSB before you even submit your regular UC application. Biology is a selective major under TAG, which means you must have a 3.4 or higher cumulative GPA by the end of the fall semester you apply, a 2.7 or higher in your required major prep courses (biology, chemistry, and calculus), and all required prep courses completed by the end of your final spring semester. Apply for TAG in September through the UC Transfer Admission Planner, then submit your full UC application that November — you must do both, under the same major.
Major Requirements
Biological Sciences (College of Letters & Science B.A. or B.S.) Major Preparation
Biological Sciences (College of Letters & Science B.A. or B.S.) at UC Santa Barbara
Courses at Mt. San Antonio College that satisfy UC Santa Barbara's Biology major preparation, verified via ASSIST.org.
UCSB offers several distinct biology-related degrees that students sometimes confuse: Biological Sciences (B.A./B.S.) is the general biology degree in Letters & Science; Molecular & Cellular Biology (B.S.) is more focused on cell and molecular work; Ecology & Evolution (B.S.) and Zoology (B.S.) are specialized tracks; and Physiology (B.S.) is pre-health oriented. Each has its own major prep requirements and TAG criteria — make sure you're applying to the right one on your UC application.
| Course at Mt. San Antonio College | Satisfies at UCSB | Units |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 4 — Principles of Biology I | UCSB BIOL 20 / General Biology for majors (first semester) | 4 |
| BIOL 5 — Cell and Molecular Biology | UCSB MCDB 1A / General Biology for majors (second semester) | 4 |
| CHEM 40 — General Chemistry I | UCSB CHEM 1A — General Chemistry | 5 |
| CHEM 50 — General Chemistry II | UCSB CHEM 1B — General Chemistry | 5 |
| CHEM 60 — Organic Chemistry I | UCSB CHEM 6A — Organic Chemistry | 5 |
| CHEM 70 — Organic Chemistry II | UCSB CHEM 6B — Organic Chemistry | 5 |
| MATH 180 — Calculus I | UCSB MATH 3A — Calculus with Applications (or MATH 34A) | 4 |
| MATH 181 — Calculus II | UCSB MATH 3B — Calculus with Applications (or MATH 34B) | 4 |
General Education
IGETC at Mt. San Antonio College
Complete IGETC at Mt. San Antonio College to satisfy UC Santa Barbara's lower-division GE requirements before transferring.
ENGL 1A or ENGL 1AH (Honors)
3 unitsENGL 1C, PHIL 9
3 unitsMATH 110 (Statistics), MATH 180 (Calculus I — also counts for major prep)
3-5 unitsART 101 (Art History Survey I), MUS 20 (Music Fundamentals), TA 10 (Introduction to Theatre)
3 unitsENGL 2 (Literature and Composition), HIST 1 (History of Western Civilization I), PHIL 1 (Introduction to Philosophy)
3 unitsPSYC 1 (General Psychology), SOC 1 (Introduction to Sociology), POLS 1 (Introduction to Political Science), ANTH 1 (Physical Anthropology)
3 unitsCHEM 10 (Fundamentals of Chemistry), PHYS 2A (General Physics I with Calculus) — note: CHEM 40/50 also satisfy this area and double-count toward major prep
3-5 unitsBIOL 1 (Biological Concepts), BIOL 4 (Principles of Biology I — also counts for major prep)
3-4 unitsSPAN 1 (Elementary Spanish I), FREN 1 (Elementary French I), JAPN 1 (Elementary Japanese I), CHIN 1 (Elementary Chinese I)
5 units| Area | Course options at Mt. San Antonio College | Units |
|---|---|---|
| 1A: English Composition | ENGL 1A or ENGL 1AH (Honors) | 3 |
| 1B: Critical Thinking and Composition | ENGL 1C, PHIL 9 | 3 |
| 2: Mathematical Concepts and Quantitative Reasoning | MATH 110 (Statistics), MATH 180 (Calculus I — also counts for major prep) | 3-5 |
| 3A: Arts | ART 101 (Art History Survey I), MUS 20 (Music Fundamentals), TA 10 (Introduction to Theatre) | 3 |
| 3B: Humanities | ENGL 2 (Literature and Composition), HIST 1 (History of Western Civilization I), PHIL 1 (Introduction to Philosophy) | 3 |
| 4: Social and Behavioral Sciences | PSYC 1 (General Psychology), SOC 1 (Introduction to Sociology), POLS 1 (Introduction to Political Science), ANTH 1 (Physical Anthropology) | 3 |
| 5A: Physical Sciences | CHEM 10 (Fundamentals of Chemistry), PHYS 2A (General Physics I with Calculus) — note: CHEM 40/50 also satisfy this area and double-count toward major prep | 3-5 |
| 5B: Life Sciences | BIOL 1 (Biological Concepts), BIOL 4 (Principles of Biology I — also counts for major prep) | 3-4 |
| 6: Language Other Than English | SPAN 1 (Elementary Spanish I), FREN 1 (Elementary French I), JAPN 1 (Elementary Japanese I), CHIN 1 (Elementary Chinese I) | 5 |
CHEM 40 → Organic Chemistry → BIOL 5
Every major prep course for UCSB Biology flows downstream from CHEM 40 — skipping or delaying it by even one semester pushes back your entire chemistry and biology sequence, and you risk not completing CHEM 70 (Organic Chemistry II) or BIOL 5 (Cell and Molecular Biology) before your final spring semester at Mt. SAC, which are required for TAG certification in Biology.
UCSB runs on quarters — Mt. SAC runs on semesters
One semester at Mt. SAC covers roughly the same material as one and a half quarters at UCSB, so your two-semester chemistry or biology sequence will map onto a three-quarter sequence — make sure you're not assuming a 1-for-1 course match when planning your first year at UCSB.
Preview
Your First Semester
A preview of what Pipeline generates — exact courses, in the right order, every semester.
Watch Out
Common Mistakes for This Transfer Path
Starting Chemistry Late Derails Everything
CHEM 40 (General Chemistry I) is the starting gate for your entire major prep sequence — it unlocks CHEM 50, which unlocks CHEM 60 and BIOL 4, which unlock CHEM 70 and BIOL 5. If you wait until your second semester to start it, you physically cannot finish the organic chemistry sequence before you need to transfer. Take CHEM 40 your very first semester at Mt. SAC, no exceptions.
TAG Application Deadline Sneaks Up Fast
Most students know about the November UC application deadline, but the UCSB TAG application is due in September — two months earlier — through the UC Transfer Admission Planner. If you miss the TAG window, you lose the guaranteed admission option for that cycle entirely and have to compete in the regular pool. Put a reminder on your phone for September 1st of the fall you plan to apply.
Don't Mistake Biology B.A. for Biology B.S.
UCSB offers both a Biological Sciences B.A. and a Biological Sciences B.S. inside the College of Letters and Science — and the degree requirements and recommended course loads differ. The B.S. is more math and lab intensive and is the better fit for students headed toward graduate school or research. Pick the right one before you apply and make sure your UC application and TAG application list the exact same degree.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What GPA do I need to transfer from Mt. San Antonio College to UCSB for Biology?
The minimum UC-transferable GPA to apply is 2.4, but that won't get you in — Biology is a selective major at UCSB, and the mid-50% GPA range for admitted transfers overall is 3.46 to 3.91. For the TAG program, you need at least a 3.4 cumulative GPA and a 2.7 or higher in your required major prep courses like CHEM 40, CHEM 60, and BIOL 4.
Does Mt. San Antonio College have a TAG agreement with UC Santa Barbara for Biology?
Yes — Mt. SAC participates in the UC Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG) program, which includes UCSB. Biology is a selective major under TAG, meaning you have additional requirements beyond the standard GPA: you must complete your general biology sequence (BIOL 4), calculus (MATH 180 and MATH 181), and organic chemistry (CHEM 60 and CHEM 70) with a 2.7 or higher in those courses by the end of your last spring semester. The TAG application is due in September through the UC Transfer Admission Planner.
Can I use IGETC to satisfy general education requirements at UCSB as a Biology transfer student?
Yes, UCSB accepts IGETC for all three of its colleges, including the College of Letters and Science where Biology lives. That said, Biology is a high-unit major, and UCSB advises students in selective science majors to prioritize major prep first and use IGETC to fill remaining units. Some of your major prep courses — like BIOL 4 (Principles of Biology I) and CHEM 40 (General Chemistry I) — can double-count toward IGETC areas 5A and 5B, which helps.
Which courses should I take first at Mt. SAC if I plan to transfer to UCSB as a Biology major?
Start CHEM 40 (General Chemistry I) your very first semester — it's the prerequisite that unlocks the rest of your major prep. In your first year, aim to complete CHEM 40, CHEM 50, ENGL 1A, and MATH 180 (Calculus I). BIOL 4 (Principles of Biology I) requires CHEM 40 or CHEM 10 as a prereq, so it typically fits best in your second semester once chemistry is underway.
What biology majors are available to transfer students at UC Santa Barbara?
UCSB has a whole family of biology-related degrees in the College of Letters and Science: Biological Sciences (B.A. and B.S.), Molecular & Cellular Biology (B.S.), Ecology & Evolution (B.S.), Zoology (B.S.), Physiology (B.S.), and Aquatic Biology (B.S.), among others. The core lower-division prep at Mt. SAC — BIOL 4, BIOL 5, general chemistry, organic chemistry, and calculus — overlaps heavily across all of them, but you should confirm requirements for your specific track on ASSIST before you finalize your plan.
Explore More
Related Transfer Plans
Planning to transfer from Mt. San Antonio College to UC Santa Barbara to study Biology is a smart move — but it takes careful, early planning to pull off. Mt. SAC (officially Mt. San Antonio College) is one of California's top community colleges for UC transfers, and UCSB is one of the most transfer-friendly UC campuses, with an overall transfer admit rate of about 61.8% for fall 2024. That said, Biology is a designated selective major at UCSB's College of Letters and Science, meaning the competition is tighter and the requirements are stricter. The mid-50% GPA range for admitted transfer students runs from 3.46 to 3.91, and you'll need at least a 2.7 in your major prerequisites to qualify for the Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG). Transfer planning for this pathway means building your schedule around a demanding sequence of major prerequisites: CHEM 40 (General Chemistry I) must be taken first semester because it unlocks general biology, the rest of the chemistry series, and eventually Organic Chemistry I and II (CHEM 60 and CHEM 70). BIOL 4, Principles of Biology I, is the gateway biology course for science majors at Mt. SAC and satisfies the general biology requirement on ASSIST. The IGETC is accepted for Biology transfers at UCSB, and several major prep courses — including BIOL 4 and your chemistry series — double-count toward IGETC areas 5A and 5B, helping you knock out multiple requirements at once. Tools like Pipeline help students at Mt. SAC map out exactly which courses to take each semester, track their major prerequisites against ASSIST articulation agreements, and stay on top of TAG deadlines — so nothing falls through the cracks on the road from Mt. SAC to UCSB.
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