Admission As a Transfer Student (Advanced Standing)
The requirements for entry to the University may be met by establishing a good record at another collegiate institution. Transfer applicants must complete at least 60 semester or 90 quarter units of UC-transferable course work by the end of the spring term before transferring to Berkeley. Students are encouraged to investigate the University-preparatory programs offered by the many community colleges throughout California. Up to 70 UC-transferable semester units may be transferred from a community college.
Applicants must satisfy UC minimum eligibility requirements for admission to the University. See the General Catalog for details.
College of Chemistry transfer applicants are also expected to complete, at a minimum, courses equivalent to
Chemistry 1A-1B,
Mathematics 1A-1B,
Physics 7A (choice of 7A or 8A for chemical biology majors), and
English R1A (plus English R1B for chemistry majors, chemical biology majors, and chemical engineering joint majors)
plus two additional courses toward the major by the end of the spring term before transfer. In addition, completion of additional chemistry, mathematics, calculus-based physics, and some biology is encouraged. Transfer applicants need grades of B or better in math and science courses to be adequately prepared to continue with the courses of the junior year. Please note that course work taken the summer before enrollment at Berkeley is not considered in the selection of applicants.
Chemical engineering majors are encouraged to complete a course in computer programming for science or engineering students before transfer. Chemistry and chemical biology majors are encouraged to complete a course in quantitative analysis before transfer if it was not included in their general chemistry sequence. Chemistry and chemical biology majors who transfer without having covered quantitative analysis are required to take Chemistry 4B, 15, or 105 after transfer.
Transfer students should take the organic chemistry sequence at their institution, if possible. Completion of a year of organic chemistry (lecture and lab), combined with a score in the 75th percentile or higher on the American Chemical Society (ACS) Organic Chemistry Exam will constitute satisfactory completion of UC Berkeley's Chemistry 112A-112B sequence. Students are encouraged to take the exam through their community college, if possible.
When completed by the end of the spring term before transferring to UC Berkeley, the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) is accepted in satisfaction of the English Composition and Literature Requirement. However, IGETC does not satisfy the entire breadth requirement.
If you have questions about admission as a transfer student, contact Sharon Mueller.
[content coordinated by Sharon Mueller]