TAG Eligibility for Fall 2027 Transfer

At the time the TAG is submitted, you must:

  • Have completed a minimum of 45 UC-transferable quarter (30 semester) units of coursework.

By the end of Summer 2026, you must:

  • Earn an overall UC-transferable grade point average (GPA) of 3.0.

By the end of the Fall 2026 term prior to transfer, you must:

  • Complete the first course in English composition (UC-E). The second UC-E course must be completed by the end of Spring 2027.
  • Complete the mathematics course requirement (UC-M).

By the end of the Spring 2027 term prior to transfer, you must:

  • Complete all other courses from the seven-course pattern required for admission as a junior transfer.
  • Complete a minimum of 90 UC-transferable quarter (60 semester) units for admission as a junior transfer.
  • Complete a minimum of 45 UC-transferable quarter (30 semester) units of coursework from one or more California community colleges.
  • Complete all required major preparation courses with the required grades.
  • For non-native speakers of English, demonstrate proficiency in English. See the UCSC English Proficiency Requirement.
  • Be in good academic standing (not on academic probation or dismissal status) for all colleges attended.
  • Earn no grades lower than "C" in UC-transferable coursework the year prior to transfer.

The last school attended prior to transfer must be a California community college (CCC).

TAG is based on the above criteria and major preparation outlined for screening majors. Choice of major is not guaranteed through TAG unless the major is listed under the TAG Major Preparation Selection Criteria. Unofficial excerpts are shown in this guide. Completion of major preparation coursework and satisfaction of any major selection criteria are extremely important.

Students who are not eligible for the UCSC TAG:

  • Students in senior standing: 120 quarter (80 semester) units of combined lower-division and upper-division coursework. If you only attended a California community college, you will not be considered in senior standing.
  • Former UC students who are not in good standing at the UC campus they attended (less than a 2.0 GPA at UC).
  • Former UCSC students, who must apply for readmission to the campus.
  • Students who have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
  • Students who are currently enrolled at a high school.

Applying for a UCSC TAG

  1. Review the UCSC TAG website and this guide. Compile all transcripts and, if applicable, Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) exam scores. Log in to the UC Transfer Admission Planner (UC TAP), create your account, and enter your information.
    1. You will apply for the TAG using UC TAP at: https://uctap.universityofcalifornia.edu/students/
  2. Attend a UC TAG workshop (optional but highly recommended). View the workshop schedule and registration information.
    1. You may also see a counselor or academic adviser to address specific TAG questions. Entering your information into UC TAP before seeking assistance will optimize your session.
    2. To schedule an appointment or view drop-in hours, visit De Anza College Counseling or the Transfer Center.
    3. Note: Staffing is limited during the Summer and early Fall. EOPS and ISP students and students in special programs with designated counselor(s) are advised to work with the counselors or academic advisers in their respective programs.
    4. You may also contact the UCSC Admissions Office at tag@ucsc.edu.
  3. Submit the UCSC TAG application online through UC TAP from September 1-30, 2026.
  4. Check the UC TAP "Messages" tab and your email for messages.
  5. Submit your UC Application for Undergraduate Admission between October 1 and November 30, 2026.
    1. Note: Your transfer admission guarantee is only applicable to the primary major indicated on your TAG application.

Seven-Course Pattern (UC Transfer Eligibility Requirements)

See ASSIST.org for courses and limitations.

Group 1B Approved Courses by Department
Requirement Courses
Two UC-transferable courses in English composition (Area UC-E)

ENGL C1000/C1000H (formerly EWRT 1A/1AH) or ESL 5 (ESL 5 must be taken Fall 2021 or later); and ENGL C1001/C1001H (formerly EWRT 2/2H) or ENGL C1003 (formerly EWRT 1B/1BH), PHIL 3; or COMM 9/9H.
One UC-transferable course in mathematical concepts and quantitative reasoning (Area UC-M)

MATH 1A/1AH, 1B/1BH, 1C/1CH, 1D/1DH, 2A/2AH, 2B/2BH, 4, 11/11H, 12, 17, 22/22H, 23, 31/31H, 32/32H, 44; STAT C1000/C1000H (formerly MATH 10/10H); POLI 20; PSYC 15; or SOC 15.
Four courses selected from at least two of these subject areas
  • Arts and Humanities (Area UC-H)
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences (Area UC-B)
  • Physical and Biological Sciences (Area UC-S)

TAG Academic Criteria

Caution: This guide should be used with the UCSC Screening Major Selection Criteria for Fall 2027 and ASSIST.org. The information below is based on information provided on both websites at the time of printing. Check for possible updates before submitting your TAG.

Screening (Selective) Majors

In addition to general TAG eligibility requirements, the minimum major GPA and coursework listed below are required for admission. All courses should be taken for a letter grade and must be completed by the end of Spring 2026. Only the minimum requirements for admission are listed.

Non-Selective Majors

Choice of major is not guaranteed through TAG. For majors not listed below, it is important to address major preparation. See UCSC Non-Screening Majors and ASSIST.org.

Check the 2026-2027 UCSC General Catalog and department websites, along with ASSIST.org, for information about Advanced Placement (AP) exams, catalog rights, grade restrictions, general education, and recommended courses that could be taken before transfer to graduate from UCSC in two years.

All major preparation coursework listed below must be completed by the end of Spring 2027 with grades of "C" or better in each course unless otherwise specified.

Screening Major Preparation

Agroecology

(CHEM 1A/1AH or  ESCI 1); (MATH 31/31H and 32/32H) or MATH 12 or MATH 1A/1AH.

Recommended: BIOL 6C/6CH, 2 courses from: [ECON C2002/C2002H (formerly ECON 1/1H) or 2/2H,or POLI 3 or POLI 5 or POLS C1000/C1000H (formerly POLI 1/1H)] or 2 courses from: [ECON C2001/C2001H (formerly ECON 2/2H) or POLI 3 or POLI 5 or POLS C1000/C1000H (formerly POLI 1/1H)] and;  [STAT C1000/C1000H (formerly MATH 10/10H or MATH 217&17); [ANTH 2/2H or PHIL 8/8H or SOC 1 or SOC 20]

Applied Mathematics (Baskin School of Engineering)

MATH 1A/1AH, 1B/1BH, 1C/1CH, 1D/1DH, 2A/2AH, 2B/2BH.

Recommended: 2 courses from the following: (CIS 22B/22BH,  or 26A), (CIS 40 or 41A); MATH 22/22H; 2 courses from one of the following four combinations: [PHYS 4A, 4B, 4C] or [CIS 22C/22CH, PHYS 4A, PHYS 4B, PHYS 4C] or [ECON C2001/C2001H (formerly ECON 2/2H), ECON C2002/2002H (formerly ECON 1/1H), STAT C1000/C1000H (formerly MATH 10/10H), (MATH 217 & MATH 17)] or [BIOL 6B, BIOL 6C/CH] 

Art and Design: Games and Playable Media

One course (or combination to meet specified unit requirements) from each area must be completed by the end of Spring 2027 with grades of "C" or better:

2D Concepts Area: (ARTS 4A or 4B) or ARTS 8

3D Concepts Area: ARTS 10A,  or 37A or 37B or 37C

Art and Design Topics Area: F/TV 20 or MUSI 2, (MUSI 3A and 3B and 3C), THEA 20A or 20B or 20C, or (PHTG 1  or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6, in combination for 5 units to count as one course) or (DANC 22, 22K, 22L, 22M; 23A, 23B, 23C, 23L,23M, 23N; 24A, 24B, 24C; 25A, 25B; 27A, 27B, 27C; 37A, 37B, 37C in combination for 4 units to count as one course).

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

A minimum GPA of 2.5 for all major preparation coursework with grades of "C" or better in each course:

BIOL 6B; CHEM 1A/1AH, 1B/1BH, 1C/1CH; CHEM 12A, 12B, 12C; MATH 1A/1AH   Recommended: BIOL 6A/6AH; MATH 1B/1BH, 1C/1CH; (PHYS 4A, 4B, 4C) or (PHYS 2A, 2B, 2C); [STAT C1000/C1000H (formerly MATH 10/10H) or POLI 20 or PSYC 15 or SOC 15 or (MATH 217+17)]

Biological Sciences: Biology (BA)

BIOL 6A/6AH, 6B, 6C/6CH; CHEM 1A/1AH, 1B/1BH, 1C/1CH

Recommended: [STAT C1000/C1000H (formerly MATH 10/10H) or POLI 20 or PSYC 15/SOC 15 or (MATH 217+17); PHYS 4A or 2A

Biological Sciences: Ecology and Evolution; Marine Biology; Plant Sciences

BIOL 6A/6AH, 6B, 6C/6CH; CHEM 1A/1AH, 1B/1BH; MATH 1A/1AH

Recommended: CHEM 1C/1CH; MATH 1B/1BH, 1C/1CH, (PHYS 4A, 4B, 4C) or (PHYS 2A, 2B, 2C); [STAT C1000/C1000H (formerly MATH 10/10H) or POLI 20 or PSYC 15/SOC 15 or (MATH 217+17)]

Biological Sciences: Biology (BS); Microbiology; Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology; Neuroscience

BIOL 6A/6AH, 6B; CHEM 1A/1AH, 1B/1BH, 1C/1CH, 12A,12B; MATH 1A/1AH

Recommended: BIOL 6C/6CH; CHEM 12B, 12C (required for winter quarter admission); MATH 1B/BH, 1C/1CH, [STAT C1000/C1000H (formerly MATH 10/10H) or POLI 20 or PSYC 15 or SOC 15 or (MATH 217+17)] (PHYS 4A, 4B, 4C) or (PHYS 2A, 2B, 2C)

Biotechnology

BIOL 6B; CIS 40* or 41A*; [STAT C1000/C1000H (formerly MATH 10/10H)) or POLI 20 or PSYC 15/SOC 15 or (MATH 217+17)] 
Recommended: CHEM 1A/1AH

* While CIS 40 or 41A Python classes are preferred, UCSC will accept CIS 22A or 35A or 36A fir the introductory programming course 

Business Management Economics

Grade of “C” or better in each of the following courses, with a minimum cumulative GPA in major preparation coursework of 2.8

ECON C2001/C2001H (formerly ECON 2/2H); ECON C2002/C2002H (formerly ECON 1/1H); ; MATH 1A/1AH or MATH 12  

Recommended: MATH 1B/BH, 1C/1CH, 1D/1DH, STAT C1000/C1000H (formerly MATH 10/10H);  ACCT 1A/1AH, 1B/1BH, 1C/1CH; two courses from the following: (CIS 3, 21JA, 22A/22AH, 22B/22BH, 22C/22CH, 26A, 36A, 40, 41A)  

Chemistry (BA and BS)

A minimum GPA of 2.5 for all major preparation coursework with a grade of "C" or better in each course:

CHEM 1A/1AH, 1B/1BH, 1C/1CH; MATH 1A/1AH, 1B/1BH, 1C/1CH, 1D/1DH.

Recommended: CHEM 12A, 12B, 12C; (PHYS 4A, 4B, 4C) or (PHYS 2A, 2B, 2C); BS recommends MATH 2A/2AH or MATH 2B/2BH

Cognitive Science

Grade of "C" or better in each course, except CIS 22C/22CH, which requires a "B" or better. All major preparation coursework below must be completed by the end of Spring 2027 with a minimum GPA of 2.8:

(MATH 1A/1AH or MATH 12); [STAT C1000/C1000H (formerly MATH 10/10H) or POLI 20 or PSYC 15 or SOC 15 or (MATH 217+17); CIS 22B/22BH or 22C/22CH (grade of “B” or better) or 26A or 40 or 41A 

Recommended: PSYC 3 

Earth Sciences

MATH 1A/1AH.

Recommended: MATH 1B/1BH, 1C/1CH, 1D/1DH; CHEM 1A/1AH, 1B/1BH, 1C/1CH; (PHYS 4A and 4C) or (PHYS 2A and 2C); GEOL 10

Economics Majors (Economics; Economics/Mathematics; Global Economics) 

Grade of "C" or better in each course, with a minimum cumulative GPA in major preparation coursework of 2.8:

ECON C2001/C2001H (formerly ECON 2/2H); ECON C2002/C2002H (formerly ECON 1/1H); MATH 1A/1AH or MATH 12  (NOTE: Economics/Mathematics majors must take MATH 1A/1AH) 

Recommended: MATH 1B/BH, 1C/1CH, 1D/1DH, STAT C1000/C1000H (formerly MATH 10/10H) ; for Economics/Math Majors MATH 2B/2BH is highly recommended

Environmental Sciences, B.S.

CHEM 1A/1AH, 1B/1BH, 1C/1CH; MATH 1A/1AH, 1B/1BH, 1C/1CH; PHYS 2A or 4A

Recommended: PHYS 2C or 4C; ESCI 19, GEOL 10 

Environmental Studies, B.A.

CHEM 1A/1AH or ESCI 1; (MATH 31/31H & 32/32H) or MATH 1A/1AH or MATH 12

Recommended: BIOL 6C/6CH, STAT C1000/C1000H (formerly MATH 10/10H); ECON C2001/C2001H (formerly ECON 2/2H) or ECON C2002/C2002H (formerly ECOM 1/1H); (POLI 3 or 5 or POLS C1000/C1000H (formerly POLI 1/1H)); (ANTH 2/2H or SOC 1 or SOC 20) 

Environmental Studies/Biology

BIOL 6B, 6C/6CH; CHEM 1A/1AH, 1B/1BH, 1C/1CH; (MATH 31/31H & 32/32H) or MATH 1A/1AH or MATH 12

Recommended: BIOL 6A/6AH, STAT C1000/C1000H (formerly MATH 10/10H) or (MATH 217+17); ECON C2001/C2001H (formerly ECON 2/2H) or ECON C2002/C2002H (formerly ECOM 1/1H); (POLI 3 or 5 or POLS C1000/C1000H (formerly POLI 1/1H)); ANTH 2/2H or SOC 1 or SOC 20; PHYS 4A or 2A

Environmental Studies/Economics

CHEM 1A/1AH or CHEM 1B or ESCI 1 ; ECON C2001/C2001H (formerly ECON 2/2H); (POLI 3 or 5 or POLS C1000/C1000H (formerly POLI 1/1H)); (MATH 1A/1AH or MATH 12) 

Recommended: BIOL 6C/6CH,ECON C2002/C2002H (formerly  ECON 1/1H), STAT C1000/C1000H (formerly MATH 10/10H); ANTH 2/2H or SOC 1 or SOC 20 

Global and Community Health (BS Programs)

BIOL 6A/6AH, 6B; CHEM 1A/1AH, 1B/1BH, 1C/1CH; CHEM 12A, 12B; MATH 1A/1AH 

Recommended: CHEM 12C; MATH 1B/1BH, 1C/1CH, STAT C1000/C1000H (formerly MATH 10/10H); (PHYS 4A, 4B, 4C) or PHYS 2A, 2B, 2C); SPAN 1, 2, 3 (grade of B- or higher)

Mathematics (BA and BS): Mathematics Education; Mathematics Theory and Computation

MATH 1A/1AH, 1B/1BH, 1C/1CH. 1D/1DH, 2B/2BH 

Recommended: MATH 2A/2AH (for Mathematics or Mathematics Theory and Computation) or  STAT C1000/C1000H (formerly MATH 10/10H) or POLI 20 or PSYC 15 or SOC 15 or (MATH 217+17) (for Mathematics Education)

All Physics Majors: Applied Physics; Physics; Physics (Astrophysics)

Grade of “C” or better in each of the following courses, with the Physics sequence completed with a cumulative 2.7 GPA or higher. 

PHYS 4A, 4B, 4C (minimum GPA of 2.7 required); MATH 1A/1AH, 1B/1BH, 1C/1CH, 1D/1DH 

Recommended: PHYS 4D (a requirement if transferring in winter quarter)

Psychology

PSYC C1000 (formerly PSYC 1) (Grade of “B-“ or better)

NOTE: If a grade of C or C+ was earned, PSYC 14 or CD 10G/PSYC 10G or PSYC 3 must be completed with a grade of “B-“ or better.

PSYC 15 or SOC 15 or STAT C1000/C1000H (formerly MATH 10/10H) or (MATH 217+17) (Grade of “B-“ or better)

(MATH 31/31H & 32/32H) or MATH 1A/1AH or MATH 12 (Grade of “C” or better)

Recommended: PSYC 3; PSYC 10G or C D 10G or PSYC 14 

Science Education

Six (6) of the following courses below must be completed by the end of spring 2027 with grades of “C” or better:

BIOL 6A/6AH, 6B, 6C/6CH; (CHEM 1A/1AH, 1B/1BH, 1C/1CH (counts as 3; all three must be taken)); MATH 1A/1AH; (MATH 1B/1BH and 1C/1CH (counts as 1; both must be taken)); (PHYS 2A or 4A); (PHYS 2B or 4B); (PHYS 2C or 4C); [POLI 20 or PSYC 15 or SOC 15 or STAT C1000/C1000H (formerly MATH 10/10H) or (MATH 217+17)- credit for only one statistics course] 

Sociology

SOC 1, 20 
Recommended: SOC 14; [POLI 20 or PSYC15 or SOC 15 or STAT C1000/C1000H (formerly MATH 10/10H) or (MATH 217+17)] 

The Baskin School of Engineering

Biomolecular Engineering and Bioinformatics

Complete 8 or more of the following courses with grades of “C” or better (except CIS 22C/22CH), and a minimum 2.8 GPA, by spring 2027.

CIS 22C/22CH and MATH 22/22H may be counted towards the 8 required courses for the Bioinformatics concentration, while PHYS 4A and 4C may be counted for the Biomolecular Engineering concentration.

The 2.8 GPA must be met for all courses completed by the end of fall 2026 and maintained through spring 2027; all major courses will be counted towards this GPA:

  • BIOL 6B
  • CHEM 1A/1AH & 1B/1BH and 1C/1CH (counts as 3 courses, but all three must be taken - strongly recommended)
  • CHEM 12A (strongly recommended)
  • CHEM 12B (strongly recommended) 
  • MATH 1A/1AH (strongly recommended)
  • MATH 1B/1BH and 1C/1CH (counts as 1 course, but both must be taken – strongly recommended)
  • MATH 2B/2BH 

For Bioinformatics

  • MATH 22/22H
  • CIS 22C/22CH (grade of “B” better) 

For Biomolecular Engineering

  • PHYS 4A
  • PHYS 4C

Computer Engineering

Complete PHYS 4A and 5 or more of the following courses with grades of “C” or better (except CIS 22C/22CH), and a minimum 2.8 GPA, by spring 2027. The 2.8 GPA must be met for all courses completed by the end of fall 2026 and maintained through spring 2027; all major courses will be counted towards this GPA:

  • MATH 1A/1AH
  • MATH 1B/1BH and 1C/1CH (counts as 1 course, but both must be taken)
  • MATH 1D/1DH
  • MATH 2A/2AH
  • MATH 2B/2BH
  • MATH 22/22H
  • CIS 21JA
  • CIS 22B/22BH or 26A
  • CIS 22C/22CH 
    (grade of “B” better)
  • PHYS 4B (strongly recommended) 

Recommended: CIS 40 or 41A; PHYS 4C 

Computer Science, B.A.

Complete the following courses with grades of "C" or better and a minimum 2.8 gpa. At least 3 of the 5 must be completed by the end of the Fall term of the academic year preceding the planned transfer to UCSC:

CIS 21JA, MATH 22/22H, CIS 22C/22CH (must be completed with minimum "B" grade), MATH 1A/1AH; (MATH 1B/1BH and MATH 1C/1CH); Recommended: MATH 1D/1DH, 2B/2BH 

Computer Science, B.S.

Complete the following courses with a minimum 3.0 gpa. At least 3 of the 5 must be completed by the end of the Fall term of the academic year preceding the planned transfer to UCSC:

CIS 21JA, MATH 22/22H, CIS 22C/22CH (must be completed with minimum "B" grade), MATH 1A/1AH; (MATH 1B/1BH and MATH 1C/1CH); Recommended: MATH 1D/1DH, 2B/2BH

Computer Science: Computer Game Design

Complete all of the following courses with grades of “C” or better (except CIS 22C/22CH), and a minimum 2.8 GPA, by spring 2027. The 2.8 GPA must be met for all courses completed by the end of fall 2026 and maintained through spring 2027; all major courses will be counted towards this GPA

  • CIS 22C/22CH (grade of "B" or better)
  • CIS 22B/22BH or 26A or 21JA
  • MATH 22/22H
  • MATH 1A/1AH
  • MATH 1B/1BH
  • MATH 1C/1CH

Recommended: CIS 40 or 41A; MATH 2B/2BH.

Electrical Engineering

Complete of the following courses with grades of “C” or better (except CIS 22C/22CH), and a minimum 2.8 GPA, by spring 2027. The 2.8 GPA must be met for all courses completed by the end of fall 2026 and maintained through spring 2027; all major courses will be counted towards this GPA:

  • MATH 1A/1AH
  • MATH 1B/1BH
  • MATH 1C/1CH
  • MATH 2A/2AH
  • MATH 2B/2BH
  • CIS 21JA or 21JB
  • PHYS 4A
  • PHYS 4B
  • PHYS 4C

Recommended: MATH 1D/1DH; PHYS 4D; ENGR 37; CIS 40 or 41A; ENGR 37L (pending UCSC approval)

Network and Digital Technology

Complete 6 of the following courses with grades of “C” or better (except CIS 22C/22CH), and a minimum 2.3 GPA, by spring 2027. The 2.3 GPA must be met for all courses completed by the end of fall 2026 and maintained through spring 2027; all major courses will be counted towards this GPA:

  • CIS 22C/22CH (grade of "B" or better)
  • CIS 21JA
  • CIS 22B/BH or 26A
  • MATH 1AH/1AH
  • MATH 1B/1BH and 1C/1CH (counts as 1 course; but both must be taken)
  • MATH 1D/1DH
  • MATH 2A/2AH
  • MATH 2B/2BH
  • MATH 22/22H
  • PHYS 4A or 2A
  • PHYS 4B or 2B

Robotics Engineering

Complete all of the following courses with grades of “C” or better, and a minimum 2.8 GPA, by spring 2027. The 2.8 GPA must be met for all courses completed by the end of fall 2026 and maintained through spring 2027; all major courses will be counted towards this GPA:

  • CIS 21JA
  • MATH 1A/1AH
  • MATH 1B/1BH
  • MATH 1C/1CH
  • MATH 2A/2AH
  • MATH 2B/2BH
  • PHYS 4A
  • PHYS 4B

Recommended: MATH 1D/1DH; MATH 22/22H; CIS 40 or 41A, CIS 22C/22CH (must earn a grade of B or better); ENGR 37

Technology and Information Management

Complete 6 of the following courses with grades of “C” or better (except CIS 22C/22CH), and a minimum 2.4 GPA, by spring 2027.

3 of the 6 courses should be completed by the end of the fall term the year prior to transfer. Students are highly recommended to take at least one CIS course.

The 2.4 GPA must be met for all courses completed by the end of fall 2026 and maintained through spring 2027; all major courses will be counted towards this GPA:

  • CIS 3
  • CIS 21JA
  • CIS 22B/BH or 26A
  • CIS 22C/22CH (grade of "B" or better)
  • ECON C2001/C2001H (formerly ECON 2/2H)
  • ECON C2002/C2002H (formerly ECON 1/1H)
  • ACCT 1A/1AH
  • MATH 1A/1AH
  • MATH 1B/1BH and 1C/1CH (counts as 1 course, but both must be taken)
  • MATH 1D/1DH
  • MATH 22/22H

Recommended: MATH 2A/2AH; MATH 2B/2BH, STAT C1000/C1000H (formerly MATH 10/10H)

COVID-19 Pass Grade Policy

For admission, all departments will accept Pass grades for major preparation courses taken in Spring 2020 except Cognitive Science and Psychology. Cognitive Science requires letter grades for all of its courses. Psychology still requires at least a "B-" in statistics and either UCSC's PSYC 1 or PSYC 10. If a major has a specific overall GPA requirement, students must still meet it, but it will be calculated from fewer courses if they have Pass grades. Contact UCSC for more information.

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