Chemistry and Biochemistry

FAQs for New Transfer Students

We’re glad you’re interested in continuing your undergraduate education here at UCSD. Be sure to review the extensive information for transfer students provided in the Admissions website. You should also read the "Majors & Minor" and "Academic Information" sections of this website to acquaint yourself with our majors and important academic policies and procedures.

Here are some questions pertinent to Chemistry and Biochemistry undergraduate transfer majors:

Who should I contact if I have questions about my major?

Contact the Chemistry Department Undergraduate Advisors:

Richard Gopez
(858) 534-0220
rgopez@ucsd.edu

Cha Viloria
(858) 534-6870
cviloria@ucsd.edu

You can also email us at chemadvising@ucsd.edu.

Please note that your transfer courses will have to be posted in order for us to properly advise you.

Is there a limit to how many students you will accept into the eight majors offered by Chemistry and Biochemistry?

None of our majors are impacted. There are no limits on the number of students we will accept to any of our majors.

How will the classes I’ve taken elsewhere transfer to UCSD and to the major?

Sometimes courses will transfer in as equivalent to specific UCSD courses. For example, CHEM X and Y might transfer here as equivalent to CHEM 6A, 6B, and 6C. A web tool you may use to determine exact course equivalencies between California schools is ASSIST (www.assist.org). If you do not find an equivalent on ASSIST, or if you completed courses outside of California, then you must petition for equivalencies.

Another possibility is that the course(s) may be petitioned to fulfill a requirement. For example, you might petition for two semesters of biology with lab completed at a community college to fulfill the lower-division biology requirement at UCSD, or two semesters of calculus to fulfill the lower-division math requirement, or two semesters of calculus-based physics with lab to fulfill the lower-division physics requirement.

How do I petition?

To petition, you must fill out this form. You must provide the following information:

  • The name of the other college.
  • The number of the course(s).
  • The year and term of the course.
  • A copy of the course description from the catalog.
  • A copy of the syllabus or the outline of the courses that you completed.
  • Lab notebook, if requesting a lab equivalency.
  • The number of hours spent in lecture, recitation, and lab (if applicable).
  • Grade received (if the course was already completed).

Please contact an advisor if you need assitance filling out the form.

Chemistry lectures and labs were taught as one course where I took them. However, at UCSD, they are taught separately. How will my classes transfer to UCSD?

ASSIST.ORG may provide the answer. If not, you will need to petition.

How many classes or units for the major must I complete at UCSD?

You need to complete at least 48 upper-division units, or 12 upper-division classes, of the required major courses to earn your Bachelor’s degree from the department. Lower-division courses that satisfy upper-division requirements do not satisfy this unit requirement.

Be sure to check with your College on the number of upper-division units they require.

Are there courses you recommend I complete before I transfer to UCSD?

Yes. It is recommended that you complete:
  1. One year of general chemistry with lab (equivalent to UCSD CHEM 6A, 6B, 6C, and 6BL).
  2. One year of calculus (equivalent to UCSD MATH 20A, 20B, 20C), plus one course in differential equations (equivalent to UCSD MATH 20D), if available.
  3. One year of calculus-based physics (with lab) designed for physical science majors.

It would also be a good idea to complete organic chemistry (equivalent to CHEM 140A, 140B, 140C, 143A), if possible.

What if I can’t take all those courses - which ones are the most important?

Focus on general chemistry and calculus first since these are pre-requisites for all other chemistry, physics, and math courses you will need for the degree.

Pharmacological Chemistry majors should then try to take one year of biology with lab (equivalent to UCSD BILD 1, 2, 3 + lab), and one course in economics (equivalent to UCSD ECON 1A or 1B). Chemical Physics majors should then try to take more math or physics.

If you do not find answers to your questions here, please feel free to contact us at chemadvising@ucsd.edu. If you are a new transfer and have already registered for classes, you should contact us via the Virtual Advising Center at http://vac.ucsd.edu.