Ice chipping off glacier

Prospective MCS Transfer Students

Bodega Marine Lab boat

The UC Davis Earth and Planetary Sciences department welcomes prospective transfer students.

Prior to transferring into UC Davis, students must meet the Transfer Admission requirements. For the Marine and Coastal Science major at UC Davis, we strongly recommend that transfer students complete preparatory coursework equivalent to the following:

  • BIS 002A-002B-002C or BIO 001-001L-002-002L-003
  • CHE 002A-002B-002C
  • MAT 016A-016B-016C or 017A-017B-017C or 019A-019B-019C or 021A-021B-021C
    • For focus in Marine Ecology and Organismal Biology only: Must take MAT 017A-017B-017C or 021A-021B
  • PHY 007A-007B-007C or 009A-009B-009C
  • CHE 008A-008B or 118A-118B-118C (for focus in Marine Ecology and Organismal Biology only)
  • IGETC, or the full General Education requirement

Students interested in the focus area in Marine Ecology and Organismal Biology must complete prerequisite courses to be eligible for admission. 

Please feel free to contact the Marine and Coastal Science major advisor if you would like to discuss your specific preparation for transfer.

Transfer Credit Evaluation

MCS major two-year roadmap

The following is a sample academic plan for 2-year transfer MCS majors. It assumes that you’ve completed the preparatory coursework. This information is provided for your convenience, but should be adjusted to each student's specific needs. These plans are not meant to replace a consultation with a major advisor, who can help you create a personalized academic plan. Classes are subject to change.

Junior Year

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer (or Fall) at BML
GEL 001 or 002 or 016 or 050 (3-4)GEL/ESP 116N** (3)BIS 105* (3)Field Requirement
STA 100 (4)BIS 101* (4)GEL/ESP 150B** (3)Focus Course (4)
Depth Course (4-5)Focus Course (3-4)Breadth Course (3-4)GEL/ESP 150C** (3)
ANS 198: Professional Development in Marine Science (2)
Total: 12+ units
Total: 12+ units
Breadth Course (3-4)
Total: 12-15 units
 
 
Total: 10 units
  • Junior Year Goals

  • Welcome to UC Davis as a transfer student! Your path through the major involves jumping right in and taking advantage of opportunities right away. Here are some sample goals for transitioning effectively to UC Davis and then getting even more involved throughout the year:

    Academic Goals
    • Finish any remaining preparatory (lower division) science coursework
    • Visit your college advisor in Winter quarter to check in on your IGETC or General Education
    • Transition into taking Upper Division coursework for your major. Pick your depth, focus, and breadth classes – some are only offered one every year or two, and choosing them early means you won’t miss out on your favorites. See your major advisor to create a four-year academic plan
    • Complete your first-year mandatory advising requirement with the College of Biological Sciences or College of Letters & Sciences
    • Attend office hours and get to know your professors
    • Attend study skills and time management workshops
    • Complete classes at the Bodega Marine Lab in Summer or Fall
    • Explore what undergraduate research is like by talking to your advisors, professors, and the Undergraduate Research Center (URC). Approach faculty members about research opportunities
    • Learn what a Senior Thesis is like. If you want to pursue one, set that up with a faculty member this year.
    • Learn about gaining a global education through the Global Learning Hub and their Study Abroad programs, the UC Davis Washington Program, or UC Center Sacramento.
    Career Goals
    • Take ANS 198 Professional Development in Marine Sciences (Fall)
    • Participate in a Career Discover Group (CDG - available to those in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences only)
    • Participate in the College of Biological Sciences cohort program
    • Visit the Career Center to learn about career preparation workshops, Handshake, and career advising
    • Create a resume
    • Visit your major advisor or faculty advisors to find out more about getting an internship
    • Create a LinkedIn account and use it to network
    • Research graduate or professional schools and prepare to apply, with help from your advisors, professors, and Pre-Graduate Advising
    • Are you interested in teaching? Consider taking a CalTeach/Math and Science Teaching (CalTeach/MAST) course
    • Visit Health Professions Advising (HPA)
    Extracurricular Goals

Senior Year

Fall
Winter
Spring
BIS 104* (3)Focus Course (3-4)GEL/ESP 150A** (4)
Depth Course (4-5)Focus Course (3-4)Breadth Course (3-4)
Research/Internship (3)UWP 101/102/104/UDCE (0-4)EVE/ESP 111 (1)
Total: 12+ units
Total: 12+ units
Total: 12+ units
Total graduation units: 180 (54-64 upper division)
  • Senior Year Goals

  • All the opportunities you’ve created for yourself over the past few years have shaped you into the person you are today. Continue to develop skills, recognize your strengths, and set long-term goals for yourself with some of these resources during your senior year:

    Academic Goals
    • Take discipline-specific courses, or classes to help you get into grad school. Also consider practical courses outside of your major like writing, communication, computer programming, personal finance, etc
    • Complete your fourth-year mandatory advising requirement with your major advisor (College of Letters & Sciences)
    • Check My Degree and plan for any remaining degree requirements with your academic advisors
    • Think about if a minor is right for you. See the advisor for that minor to fit it into your academic plan.
    • Complete a senior thesis
    • Consider presenting your research at the Undergraduate Research Conference in Spring
    • Register for Graduation and Commencement
    Career Goals
    • Attend Career Center workshops on how to write a resume, how to interview, and how to find internships and jobs
    • Update your resume with each new experience
    • Complete an internship
    • Attend a Career Fair
    • Attend academic conferences
    • Apply to jobs for after graduation
    • Research and apply to graduate or professional schools
    Extracurricular Goals
    • Take on a leadership role in a class, project, or club
    • Volunteer for campus or community service
    • Work at a part-time job to build transferable skills and a professional network
    • Prepare for the transition from your undergraduate career to graduate school or the professional world

Updated December 2024

*Only required for the focus in Marine Ecology and Organismal Biology
**Choose two from GEL/ESP 116N, 150A, 150B, and 150C