The UC Davis Earth and Planetary Sciences department welcomes prospective transfer students.
UC Davis is a wonderful place to study Geology, with plenty of opportunities for transfer students and a thriving transfer community. Watch this presentation to California Community Colleges for more information about applying, joining the Geology major, and resources for success as a Geology major at UC Davis.
UC Davis: a Best Value College
In 2019, money.com ranked UC Davis 5th in the nation for Best Value Colleges; over half of our students graduated debt-free.
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 or MAT 21A-B-C)
- Two quarters of Chemistry (CHE 2A-B)
- Two quarters of Physics (PHY 7A-B or 9A-B)
- Physical Geology with Laboratory (GEL 50, 50L)
- Statistics (STA 13)
Once arriving at UC Davis, students will take a series of Geology classes. While it is preferred that students take these classes at UC Davis, the following substitutions (available at most community colleges) are also allowed:
- Geobiology (GEL 53). Also allow History of Life (GEL 3).
- Geochemistry (GEL 55). Also allow General Chemistry (CHE 2C)
- Geophysics (GEL 56). Also allow General Physics (PHY 7C) or Classical Physics (PHY 9C)
In order to complete two quarters of coursework, you may have to take a full year of that subject at community college. If you have not completed some or all of the preparatory coursework, you may need more than 2 years here. Many Geology major classes are taught in sequence and only once per year. It is not recommended to take preparatory coursework and prerequisites at the same time as upper division Geology major coursework. Contact the geology major advisor if you would like to discuss your specific preparation for transfer
