UC Davis Degree Options (Major Comparison Guide)
UC Davis offers bachelor’s degrees across many majors, but the right choice depends on more than a BA or BS label. Compare each major’s college, required courses, admission and change-of-major rules, unit load, and likely next steps. Then check your preparation, transfer options, and costs before applying. Use the current catalog and official admissions pages to confirm details.
Choosing a major can feel like choosing a whole future at once. It does not have to be. At UC Davis, you can start by comparing the work a major requires and the options it supports, rather than trying to predict every job you might hold.
In my work with undergraduate pathways, I have seen students focus on the degree label before checking the course plan. A better first step is to ask: What will I study each term, what must I complete before entering the major, and what would it take to change direction? The answers can affect your application, schedule, and time to graduation.
UC Davis admissions and major options: first-year and transfer overview
UC Davis has undergraduate majors in several academic areas, including agriculture and environmental science, biological sciences, engineering, and letters and science. The major you apply for can shape preparation and admission review, so check its current rules before applying. Requirements may differ for first-year and transfer applicants.
How to compare majors before applying
A major is a defined program of study within a bachelor’s degree. At UC Davis, each major has its own course requirements and belongs to an academic college. A college can shape advising and academic policies, but it is the major’s current requirements that show what you will study.
Start with the UC Davis General Catalog and the major’s official department page. For each option, note:
- College and degree type, such as BA or BS, when listed
- Required lower-division courses and any recommended preparation
- Total units and upper-division course requirements
- Whether admission to, or a later change into, the major has extra rules
- Published paths to related careers or further study
Do not assume that a major’s name tells you what its courses involve. Read the course list and compare it with subjects you want to study. If you are considering two majors, compare required courses side by side. Shared prerequisites may keep both options open, while different sequences may make a later switch harder.
First-year and transfer eligibility
UC’s general minimum GPA in A–G courses is 3.0 for California residents and 3.4 for nonresidents applying as first-year students. For transfer applicants, the general minimum is 2.4 for California residents and 2.8 for nonresidents. These are eligibility floors, not UC Davis admission targets or promises of admission.
UC Davis also reviews applications holistically. GPA, course rigor, major preparation, activities, and personal insight responses may be considered. UC does not use SAT or ACT scores to make admission decisions. No GPA guarantees admission, and major-specific preparation or requirements can go beyond UC-wide minimums.
Transfer applicants should check both UC Davis requirements and the course plan for their intended major. ASSIST can show how courses at California community colleges may match UC requirements. A course match does not replace checking the current major page or confirming how a course applies to your individual plan.
Degree curriculum, major preparation, and graduation requirements
UC Davis bachelor’s degrees generally require at least 180 quarter units. A quarter unit measures course credit in the university’s quarter system. Your actual plan depends on the major, general education, prerequisites, and any additional requirements, so the minimum unit figure alone cannot predict how long your degree will take.
BA, BS, and specialized degree labels
A BA or BS is the type of bachelor’s degree, while a major names the subject you study. The label can signal a different course mix, but it does not by itself tell you which degree is better or guarantee a particular career. Compare the actual requirements for the specific UC Davis major.
Some fields may offer more than one degree path, while others offer only one. A BS may include more required work in science, math, or technical subjects; a BA may include more room for electives or study across fields. These are broad patterns, not rules for every program. The catalog’s course list is the reliable guide.
| What to compare | Questions to ask | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Degree and major | Is the award a BA, BS, or another bachelor’s degree? | The label and subject are related but not interchangeable. |
| Prerequisites | Which courses must I complete before upper-division study? | Missing a course may affect course access or progress. |
| Units and sequence | How many units are required, and are courses offered in a set order? | A sequence can limit scheduling flexibility. |
| Major access | Are there extra admission or change-of-major rules? | Entry to UC Davis does not guarantee entry to every major. |
| Career or graduate plans | Do relevant employers or graduate programs expect specific courses? | Course preparation can matter more than the degree label. |
Plan for prerequisites, units, and time
Most UC Davis bachelor’s degrees require at least 180 quarter units, but many students need to plan beyond a simple total. General education, major courses, prerequisites, and campus requirements all take space in a schedule. Some courses must be completed before others, and a missed prerequisite can affect later enrollment.
Before choosing, sketch a term-by-term plan using the current major requirements. This is not a promise that every course will be available when you want it. It is a way to spot bottlenecks early and ask an adviser about course order, transfer credit, or a possible change of major.
A change into a selective or capacity-constrained major may require specific courses, a required GPA, and available space. Policies can change, and requirements vary. If you may want to switch, check the change-of-major rules before enrolling, not after completing courses that may not apply to the new plan.
Accreditation and transfer credit
UC Davis is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission, or WSCUC. Accreditation is an important institutional quality review, but it does not mean every course will transfer to another college or meet a professional license requirement. If you expect to transfer or pursue a licensed profession, confirm those rules with the receiving school or licensing body.
Academic success, advising, and student experience
The best major comparison includes the support and planning needed to finish, not just the subject you hope to study. Advisers can help you interpret requirements and map a schedule, while your own review of the catalog helps you ask focused questions. Recheck official rules as you move from application to enrollment.
Two planning examples
These are hypothetical examples, not statements about specific students or guaranteed outcomes. They show how the same comparison process can lead to different choices based on preparation and goals.
- First-year applicant weighing two fields: A student interested in environmental topics and biology compares the required science courses, degree options, and first-year preparation for each major. They check whether either major has additional entry rules, then select an intended major based on current interests and preparation. They keep a second option in mind without assuming a later switch is automatic.
- Community college transfer applicant: A student reviews the major’s lower-division courses and checks course matches through ASSIST. They compare completed courses with the UC Davis plan, then ask an adviser how remaining prerequisites fit. This may help them identify a course gap before applying, though only the university can confirm how credit applies to their record.
Application and cost checkpoints
First-year and transfer applicants use the UC application. The usual filing period is October 1 through November 30, but dates and instructions can vary by application cycle. Check the current UC and UC Davis admissions pages for deadlines, major-specific requirements, and application details.
Review the UC Davis net-price estimate and financial aid requirements rather than relying on the published sticker price alone. Your cost depends on factors such as residency, aid eligibility, and personal circumstances. Also consider whether a major’s course sequence or a change of major could add terms. Extra time can raise costs, so build a realistic plan early.
Career pathways, graduate study, and employment outcomes
A major can build knowledge and skills for different next steps, but it does not guarantee a specific job or graduate-school outcome. Compare the courses and experience a path provides with the requirements of careers or programs you may consider. Use current, relevant information rather than headline salary figures alone.
For a career that requires a license, confirm the education and training rules with the relevant licensing body. For graduate study, review admissions requirements for programs that interest you. Some may expect particular prerequisite courses, while others may accept students from several undergraduate fields. Requirements vary, so avoid choosing only by a broad career label.
When reviewing employment information, check its source, year, and population. Data for a broad field may not describe graduates of one UC Davis major. Pair career data with course requirements, internships or other experience available to you, and the skills named in relevant job postings.
A practical decision sequence
- List two or three majors that fit your interests.
- Compare each major’s degree type, college, prerequisites, units, and course sequence in the current catalog.
- Check first-year or transfer preparation, including major-specific rules and course articulation.
- Review possible career or graduate-school requirements using official sources.
- Estimate costs and ask an adviser about any unclear requirement.
- Recheck the plan after admission, before changing majors, and when choosing courses.
The goal is not to find a degree label that predicts your whole future. It is to choose a course of study that fits your current goals and gives you a workable path to complete the degree. Confirm the details with UC Davis before making decisions that affect admission or time to graduation.
Frequently asked questions about UC Davis degree options
These short answers cover common questions from first-year applicants, transfer students, and families comparing UC Davis majors. Because degree rules and application dates can change, use the current UC Davis catalog and admissions pages as the final reference.
Does UC Davis offer both BA and BS degrees?
Yes. The degree type depends on the program. Check the current catalog entry for the major you are considering.
Is a BS better than a BA?
Neither is automatically better. Compare the major’s required courses with your academic interests and future plans.
Does applying to a major guarantee admission to it?
No. Admission and major rules vary. Check UC Davis’s current requirements for your intended major.
What GPA do I need to apply to UC Davis?
UC-wide minimums are generally 3.0 for California-resident first-year applicants and 3.4 for nonresidents. Transfer minimums are generally 2.4 and 2.8, respectively. These are eligibility floors, not admission guarantees or competitive targets.
Does UC Davis use SAT or ACT scores for admission?
No. UC does not use SAT or ACT scores to make admission decisions.
How many units does a UC Davis bachelor’s degree require?
Most bachelor’s degrees require at least 180 quarter units. The total and course plan can vary by major and other requirements.
Can I change my major after enrolling?
Possibly, but rules differ. A change may require prerequisites, a GPA threshold, or space in the major. Check the policy before relying on a future switch.
How can transfer applicants check course matches?
California community college students can use ASSIST to review course articulation. Confirm how courses apply to the intended major with UC Davis.
When do I apply to UC Davis?
The usual UC application filing period is October 1 to November 30. Check the current cycle’s official dates and instructions.
Is UC Davis accredited?
Yes. UC Davis is accredited by WSCUC. Accreditation does not guarantee that every course will transfer or meet a licensing requirement.
(This article was written by one of our staff writers, Matthew Ellison. Visit our Meet the Team page.)
