Admission to the University of California, San Diego

Students who are interested in pursuing a major within the Department of Physics must first be admitted to the University of California, San Diego. Prospective students who are interested in applying to the University of California, San Diego should read the information below and should also visit the UC San Diego Admissions website to review eligibility and admission requirements. All questions related to university admission should be directed to UC San Diego Admissions.

Admission to UC San Diego within a Physics Major

All potential transfers must indicate on the UC application if they wish to major in physics. Transfer Major Preparation coursework, or the equivalent of the courses listed, will be required for transfer admits and is being implemented in an attempt to ensure academic preparedness, success, and timely graduation. Transfer Major Preparation will impact any transfer student who is hoping to declare a physics major at/after the time of admission to UC San Diego. 

Please Note:

A formal review of coursework for equivalency is not part of the UCSD Admissions process. Please contact UCSD Admissions directly to discuss how your transfer coursework will be evaluated.

Academic Departments do not participate in undergraduate admissions decisions and do not review transfer coursework for admissions purposes. Once admitted to UC San Diego, transfer students may petition for equivalency of non-articulated courses. Please note that while approval of a requested equivalency is not guaranteed, it will not retroactively affect a student’s admission status.

Orientation Information for Incoming Transfers

The New Triton Advising (NTA) site is located in the Virtual Advising Center (VAC) and launches in mid-June for incoming transfers.  New students can use the site to: update their academic information, learn about first-quarter enrollment, viiew enrollment guidance for fall quarter classes, and submit academic questions using the "Ask a Question" tab. It is imperative that incoming transfers read the Major page on the NTA website as it includes crucial and time-sensitive orientation info. about the Physics program. The information can also be seen here in the Physics Department Handbook.  

Academic Plans for Transfers

Transfer students are expected to follow the Transfer Plans at plans.ucsd.edu for completing a major within the Physics Department, including the accelerated "Physics for Physics Majors" series (i.e. PHYS 4), as well as the upper division major. Transfer Major Preparation is essential to ensure the feasibility of the posted plans. 

More Details Related to Transfer Major Preparation

Transfer Major Preparation is being implemented in an attempt to ensure academic preparedness, success, and timely graduation. Transfer Major Preparation will impact any transfer student who is interested in pursuing a Physics major at UC San Diego.

Transfer students must complete required Transfer Major Preparation coursework, or the equivalent of the courses listed, to be considered for admission into any of the physics majors offered at UC San Diego.

Transfer Major Preparation coursework may differ from the lower-division requirements for each major. All required Transfer Major Preparation coursework must be complete for consideration of admission into a Physics major offered by UC San Diego, whether the coursework is required for the major or not. Whenever possible, prospective transfer students should also complete the recommended Transfer Major Preparation coursework for their preferred physics major prior to matriculation to UC San Diego in order to assist with time to degree. If admitted to a physics major, students are responsible for completing all lower-division major requirements for their individual physics major.

Required (effective FA25):

• MATH 18, 20A, 20B, 20C
• Minimum GPA of 3.0 in screening course

Recommended (effective FA25):

• PHYS 2A, 2B, 2C, 2CL, 2D, 2D, MATH 20D, and one programming course
• Also CHEM 6A-B-C, 7L, 40A, and BILD 1-2 (Biophysics only)
• Also SIO 50 (Earth Sciences only)
• Also CHEM 6A-B (Materials only)

The UC San Diego Office of Admissions and Relations with Schools conducts an initial review of Transfer Major Preparation courses for the purpose of admission into a Physics major. All course equivalencies will be determined and evaluated (if needed) by the respective UC San Diego departments after a student has accepted an offer of admission. If after evaluation, course equivalent credit is not granted, the student will be required to complete the deficient coursework to satisfy any Transfer Major Preparation courses that are also major requirements.

Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), or A-Level credit may count toward fulfillment of Transfer Major Preparation coursework but will not be factored into the Transfer Major Preparation GPA.

For further information regarding transfer admission to UC San Diego, please see Transfer Admission.

Transfer Major Preparation Frequently Asked Questions