Geology Transfer Students

Prospective Geology Transfer Students

The UC Davis Earth and Planetary Sciences department welcomes prospective transfer students. We advise careful planning, as many of our courses are only offered once a year and follow a specific sequence. The following information is provided for your convenience, but is not meant to replace a consultation with one of our undergraduate advisors. Watch a recording of a Q&A with prospective Geology transfer students or a presentation to local community colleges for more information about applying, joining the Geology major, and resources for success as a Geology major at UC Davis.

Prior to transferring into UC Davis, students must meet the Transfer Admission requirements. For the Bachelor of Science degree program in Geology at UC Davis, we strongly recommend that transfer students complete preparatory coursework equivalent to the following:

Calculus with Linear Algebra (MAT 16A-B-C-22A or 17A-B-C or 21A-B-22A)
Two quarters of Chemistry (CHE 2A-B)
Two quarters of Physics (PHY 7A-B or 9A-B)
Statistics (STA 13)
Physical Geology with Laboratory (GEL 50, 50L)

In order to complete two quarters of coursework, you may have to take a full year of that subject at community college.

The geology courses are designed to build on the basic foundation of the Math, Chemistry and Physics classes. Those who transfer without completion of these classes will not only have difficulty scheduling all of their classes, but will also be disadvantaged by trying to simultaneously complete their lower division science requirements and their upper division geology requirements. Consequently, not taking a course in the following sequence may potentially require that you spend an extra year in school to complete the graduation requirements. Conversely, those who transfer with all or most of their basic science prerequisites already completed generally have the time to pursue an independent research project (i.e. GEL 194A and B) during their senior year (which would count as 6 units of upper division electives.)

2-year Transfer Students | GEL Sample Academic Plans

The following are sample study plans. They assume you've completed the preparatory coursework.

The information here is provided for your convenience; classes are subject to change. Please speak with a geology major advisor for the latest information on a geology major study plan. These are just major classes, so be sure to check MyDegree.ucdavis.edu for any additional degree requirements, including General Education and your College English Composition Requirement (UWP 104E is recommended).

Classes in italics must stay in the quarter they’re listed, although not always in the year listed.

The following classes are recommended for those who intend to pursue graduate degrees but are not necessarily required for the Bachelor of Science degree in Geology: MAT 21D, MAT 22A, MAT 22B, PHY 9D.

There are 2 Options for Transfer Students
Option 1: Structure Coursework first | Option 2: Petrology Coursework first
GEL Transfer Options (pdf)

GEL Transfer Option 1: Structure Coursework first

Transfer Option 1 focuses on the structure coursework first, like Structural Geology, Spring Field Geology, and Sediments and Strata. It allows students to take GEL 110A: Summer Field: Structure and Neotectonics their first summer. This option may be preferable to students who enjoy these topics, and want to participate in further coursework, research, or internships in structural geology their senior year.

Junior Academic Year | Structure coursework

Fall Quarter Total: 13 units
- Geology 60: Earth Materials (4)
- Geology 109: Sediments and Strata (3)
- Geology 109L: Sediments and Strata Lab (2)
- Geology 56: Geophysics (4)
Winter Quarter Total: 11 units
- Geology 53: Geobiology (3)
- Geology 101: Structural Geology (3)
- Geology 101L: Structural Geology Lab (2)
- Upper Division Geology Elective (3)
Spring Quarter Total: 6 units
- Geology 103: Spring Field Geology (4)
- Upper Division Geology Elective (3)
Summer Total: 0-8 units
- Geology 110A: Summer Field Geology (4)*

Senior Academic Year | Petrology coursework

Fall Quarter Total: 11 units
- Geology 55: Geochemistry (3)
- Geology 107: Paleobiology (3)
- Geology 107L: Paleobiology Lab (2
- Upper Division Geology Elective (3)
Winter Quarter Total: 10 units
- Geology 105: Igneous Rocks (4)
- Upper Division Geology Elective (3)
- Upper Division Geology Elective (3)
Spring Quarter Total: 6 units
- Geology 108: Paleoclimates (3)
- Upper Division Geology Elective (3)
Summer Total: 0-8 units
- Geology 110B: Summer Field Geology (4)*
- Geology 110C: Summer Field Geology (4)*

*Choose two; can be taken over multiple summers or during same summer

GEL Transfer Option 2: Petrology Coursework first

Transfer Option 2 focuses on the petrology coursework first, like Igneous Petrology. That class, along with Mineraology and Sediments and Strata allows students to take GEL 110B: Summer Field: Volcanology their first summer. This option may be preferable to students who enjoy hard rock petrology, and want to participate in further coursework, research, or internships in this area their senior year.

Junior Academic Year | Petrology coursework

Fall Quarter Total: 12 units
- Geology 60: Earth Materials (4)
- Geology 109: Sediments and Strata (3)
- Geology 109L: Sediments and Strata Lab (2)
- Geology 55: Geochemistry (3)
Winter Quarter Total: 10 units
- Geology 53: Geobiology (3)
- Geology 105: Igneous Rocks (4)
- Upper Division Geology Elective (3)
Spring Quarter Total: 9 units
- Geology 108: Paleoclimates (3)
- Upper Division Geology Elective (3)
- Upper Division Geology Elective (3)
Summer Total: 0-8 units
- Geology 110B: Summer Field Geology (4)*

Senior Academic Year | Structure coursework

Fall Quarter Total: 12 units
- Geology 56: Geophysics (4)
- Geology 107: Paleobiology (3)
- Geology 107L: Paleobiology Lab (2)
- Upper Division Geology Elective (3)
Winter Quarter Total: 5 units
- Geology 101: Structural Geology (3)
- Geology 101L: Structural Geology Lab (2)
Spring Quarter Total: 10 units
- Geology 103: Field Geology (4)
- Upper Division Geology Elective (3)
- Upper Division Geology Elective (3)
Summer Total: 0-8 units
- Geology 110A: Summer Field Geology (4)*
- Geology 110C: Summer Field Geology (4)*

*Choose two; can be taken over multiple summers or during same summer

Updated April 2020

Scholarships in Geology and Marine and Coastal Science (GeMS)

The UC Davis Earth and Planetary Sciences department has funds from the National Science Foundation (S-STEM Program) for undergraduate scholarships of up to $8,000, potentially renewable for multiple years.

Junior College and Community College students planning to apply for admission to UC Davis as Geology or Marine and Coastal Science majors (in the College of Letters & Science) are encouraged to apply.

All awards are capped at the student’s individual Financial Aid eligibility and may be limited by the availability of funding.