How to Apply to Life Sciences and Pre-Health Study at UC Riverside: Biology, Biochemistry and Cell, Molecular, and Developmental Biology in the College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, No Nursing Major in the Lists We Read, a Medical School Pathway Only for UCR Undergraduates, With Admission Routes and Prerequisites for U.S., International (Including Chinese) and Transfer Students

The University of California, Riverside (UCR) is in Riverside, California, and runs on quarters. Most life-science undergraduate majors are in the College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences (CNAS): Biology, Biochemistry, Cell, Molecular, and Developmental Biology (CMDB), Genetics and Molecular Biotechnology, Microbiology, Neuroscience and others; Global and Community Health is in the College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences (CHASS); Bioengineering is in the engineering college. The UCR School of Medicine has no undergraduate major. This guide follows UCR and University of California (UC) websites for fall 2027 entry, with separate sections for U.S. applicants, international applicants and applicants from China. Most date pages print no year, so check that dates apply to fall 2027.

1. Relevant undergraduate majors

• Biology (BA or BS, CNAS): the CNAS student site says the BA and BS differ only in that the BA requires 16 units of a foreign language while the BS requires 16 additional units in substantive biology or related courses; the major needs 36 upper-division units, mostly from the biology department. The major page says Biology is the largest major at UCR, with strengths in conservation biology, genomics, ecology and physiology, and says Biology will soon offer Human Anatomy alongside Human Physiology so majors can take a full year of anatomy and physiology, which some nursing schools require.
• Biochemistry (BA or BS): three emphases, biology, chemistry and medical sciences; the biology and chemistry emphases mainly prepare for research, and the medical sciences emphasis includes elective courses recommended particularly for students planning careers in the health professions.
• Cell, Molecular, and Developmental Biology (CMDB): CNAS describes it as a relatively new major aimed at research, health-science professional schools and biotechnology, with flexible course choices and related majors that students can move into or out of.
• Genetics and Molecular Biotechnology: three tracks, Genetics and Genomics, Pre-Genetic Counseling, and Molecular Biotechnology.
• Microbiology (with a research-based capstone, MCBL 125), Neuroscience (an intercollege major offered by CNAS and CHASS, with a social-sciences version as well), Plant Biology and Entomology are also in CNAS.
• Global and Community Health (CHASS, minor available): listed under health and medicine on the majors page; Psychology is in CHASS. Bioengineering is in the engineering college and is only mentioned here.
• Nursing: the UCR majors list and health and medicine page we read list no nursing bachelor’s degree; “nurse” appears there only as a career path for some majors.
• “Biomedical Sciences”: the majors list we read has no such undergraduate major. The Haider program page says the earlier UCR/UCLA Thomas Haider Program in Biomedical Sciences (1974 to 2016) is the foundation of the School of Medicine’s Haider Program.
• Undeclared: there are two undeclared programs, Humanities and Science; the Science one is divided into Life Sciences, Mathematical Sciences and Physical Sciences.
• Whether these majors are STEM-designated: not stated on the pages we read. Ask the admissions office.

2. Admission: apply through UC; there are campus conditions for entering a major

• How review works: applications go through the UC application and UCR uses “comprehensive review”: for first-year applicants it calculates an Academic Index Score from high school GPA, AP/IB courses, Eligibility in the Local Context, low family income and first-generation status. The pages we read do not say whether CNAS majors have seat limits at the application stage, or whether the major chosen on the application is guaranteed; not published there. Ask admissions.
• Conditions to declare or change into a major (CNAS student advising site, by major): good academic standing (quarterly and cumulative GPAs of 2.0 or higher), a core GPA of 2.0 or higher, no grade below C- in the core, and the ability to finish within 216 units; AP/IB or transfer units earned before high school graduation are not counted.
  • Biology: freshmen (up to 44.9 units) complete any two of BIOL 005A with lab (or BIOL 020), CHEM 001A with lab, CHEM 001B with lab, MATH 007A or 009A, and MATH 007B or 009B (AP credit not acceptable); sophomores complete BIOL 005A, 005B and 005C, CHEM 001A to 001C with labs, and MATH 007A and 007B (or 009A and 009B); juniors add either organic chemistry (CHEM 008A and 008B with labs, the “preferred” sequence) or the PHYS 002A to 002C sequence, and a 2.0 upper-division GPA; seniors add BCH 100 or 110A and STAT 010/11 and at least one applicable upper-division course.
  • Cell, Molecular, and Developmental Biology: freshmen complete BIOL 005A with lab (or BIOL 020), CHEM 001A and 001B with labs, and MATH 006B, 007A or 009A; then BIOL 005B and 005C, CHEM 001C, MATH 007B or 009B, organic chemistry CHEM 008A to 008C or the PHYS 002A to 002C sequence, plus STAT 010, BCH 100 (or BCH 110A and 110B) and BIOL 102.
  • Biochemistry: freshmen complete any two of BIOL 005A, CHEM 001A and 001B, and MATH 007A and 007B (or 009A and 009B); sophomores complete BIOL 005A and 005B, CHEM 001A to 001C, MATH 007A/B (or 009A/B), ENGL 001A and 001B; juniors and seniors add BIOL 005C, organic chemistry CHEM 008A to 008C, MATH 009C or 046, PHYS 002A to 002C and more. No more than 12 units of repeats.
  • These tables describe declaring a major. The page does not say whether new students admitted to a major are subject to them; ask a CNAS advisor.
• Degree type: the Biology BA and BS differ as above; the pages we read do not describe a BA/BS difference for the other majors; not published there.

3. Pre-med and combined medical programs

• UCR School of Medicine (SOM): UCR says the SOM offers no undergraduate major and no specific major is required for medical school; the page names popular science majors (Biochemistry, Biology, CMDB, Chemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biotechnology, Microbiology, Neuroscience (Science)) and says science majors often include the prerequisite coursework needed for admission to U.S. medical schools, including the UCR SOM.
• Pre-Professional Advising Center (PPAC): gives UCR students and alumni advice on courses, experiences and applications to health and law programs. Its page says many health programs require biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics and further upper-division science, and that medical schools also look at a BCPM GPA (biology, chemistry, physics, math). CHASS students who want to keep a humanities or social-science major can follow the CHASS pre-health pathway with the Health Professions Advising Center and a CHASS advisor.
• Haider Early Assurance Program (EAP): for UCR third- or fourth-year undergraduates or recent UCR graduates; selected students are guaranteed a School of Medicine seat in exchange for signing a commitment to apply to and attend only UCR SOM; they do not need to take the MCAT, there is no application fee, and they enter medical school one year after selection. Requirements: at least four quarters at UCR (including summer) before applying and at least six before matriculation; all SOM prerequisites with a cumulative BCPM GPA of 3.40 or higher; community service; significant clinical experience; a demonstrated commitment to practice in Inland Southern California; a degree received no earlier than winter quarter 2026; students who completed or plan to complete a bachelor’s degree elsewhere are ineligible. The application opens 1 December 2026 and closes at noon on 1 April 2027 (for the incoming class of 2032). The page states “Program is open to in-state residents only.”
• Thomas Haider Program: the program page says at least 24 seats in an upcoming class for qualified UCR undergraduates, while the majors page says “up to 24 seats are reserved each year”; applicants must have attended UCR for six consecutive quarters and earn a UCR bachelor’s degree; applicants can also apply through the standard medical school application system (AMCAS). This is a route to medical school after or during the undergraduate degree, not a BS/MD direct-entry program at admission. The pages we read do not say whether the AMCAS route is open to international students; not published there. Ask the School of Medicine student affairs office.
• The UCR pages we read describe no BS/MD program for entering freshmen.

4. High school preparation

• A-G courses (the UC-wide requirement): history/social science 2 years; English 4 years; mathematics 3 years (4 recommended, including geometry); laboratory science 2 years (3 recommended); language other than English 2 years (3 recommended); visual and performing arts 1 year; college-preparatory elective 1 year. A-G courses need a C or better.
• UCR’s pages we read do not add major-specific high school requirements for biology and similar majors; math and chemistry placement is not described there.
• Credit: AP scores of 3, 4 or 5 earn graduation credit. For IB, the first-year page says scores of 5, 6 or 7 earn credit (it mistakenly writes “AP examinations”); the international page says an IB diploma with 30 or higher earns 30 quarter units and Higher Level exams with 5 or higher earn 8 quarter units each; A-Level, Cambridge International A-Level, Singapore-Cambridge H2 and the former Hong Kong Advanced Level exams with A*, A, B or C earn 12 quarter units for academic subjects. Which exams replace required biology or chemistry courses is not stated on the pages we read; the Biology advising page says AP credit is not acceptable for its freshman change-of-major criteria.
• First- and second-year required course sequences: see the declaring criteria by major above (BIOL 005A to 005C, CHEM 001A to 001C, MATH 007A/B or 009A/B, organic chemistry or physics, BCH, STAT and others). The full course catalog was not read for this guide.

5. Rounds, deadlines and materials (the pages we read print no year; check fall 2027)

• Dates: the UC application opens 1 August; the first-year and transfer pages say to submit 1 October to 30 November; the international page says “1 to 30 November”, so the pages differ and the UC application itself is the authority; admission notifications begin in March (April for transfers). The UC application fee is $80 per campus, with fee waivers available.
• Personal insight questions: first-year applicants answer 4 of 8, each up to 350 words. The pages we read do not mention recommendation letters or interviews; not published there.
• Testing: UCR does not consider SAT or ACT scores in admission or scholarship decisions; submitted scores may only be used to meet minimum eligibility or for course placement after enrollment.
• How majors are chosen within CNAS at the UC application stage is not described on the pages we read.

6. U.S. applicants

• Minimum grades: a GPA of at least 3.0 in A-G courses taken in grades 10 and 11 (3.4 for non-California residents); courses in grades 9 and 12 can meet subject requirements with a C or better.
• Cost (2026-27 estimates for new first-year students): California residents and AB540-eligible students, $46,539 in university housing (UC tuition and fees $15,588, campus and technology fees $1,202, UC student health insurance $2,824, housing $13,793, food $7,282, books and supplies $1,700, transportation $1,275, personal $2,875); out-of-state and international undergraduates also pay Non-resident Supplemental Tuition of $39,270, for a $85,809 estimate in university housing. First-term one-time charges: Highlander Orientation Fee $300 and Student Records Management Fee $315. UCR also describes the UC Tuition Stability Plan, which keeps a class’s tuition flat after entry for up to six years. Program fees for biology majors: not stated on the pages we read.
• Residency: UCR says resident or non-resident status for tuition is determined by the Registrar through the Statement of Legal Residence, submitted after the Statement of Intent to Register.
• In-state preference: apart from the higher 3.4 GPA bar for non-residents, the pages we read give no other details.

7. International applicants

• Minimum grades: a non-resident high school GPA of at least 3.4 (the page says about 85 percent on a 100-point scale). UCR says its selection process is the same for international and U.S.-educated applicants.
• English: applicants whose native language is not English and whose secondary education was in a country where English is not the language of instruction must show proficiency, completing the exam by December of the final year. Accepted: AP English Language or Literature 3 or higher; IB Standard Level English A 6 or 7 or Higher Level 5 to 7; IELTS 6.5 or higher (no One Skill Retake or MyBest); TOEFL iBT 80 or higher before January 2026, 4.5 or higher on the new scale from January 2026; Duolingo 115; ACT English Language Arts 24; SAT Writing and Language 31 (the digital SAT Reading and Writing score is not approved); or a C or better in a UC-transferable college English composition course. UC notes a campus may require a higher score and may request an interview. TOEFL, AP and SAT code 004839; ACT code 0456.
• International scholarships: the Achievement Scholarship for Nonresidents: international first-year students may receive up to $89,100 over four years, and transfers up to $44,550 over two; admitted students are automatically considered if confirmed as non-residents, UC-eligible and having submitted the Statement of Intent to Register; recipients need a 3.0 GPA each quarter. UC Riverside Foundation scholarships are also available.
• International students in labs, clinical placements or nursing: UCR has no bachelor’s nursing major in the list we read, and the pages do not say whether international students face limits in labs or clinical shadowing; not published there. Ask the departments.
• Visa and funds: students need a passport and an F-1 or J-1 visa; after admission, International Students and Scholars provides visa help. The pages we read do not give the proof-of-funds amount or documents; not published there. See UCR’s visa and entry requirements page.
• Medical school: the Haider EAP is open to in-state residents only; the pages we read do not discuss international students applying to U.S. medical schools.

8. Applicants from China

• Gaokao: the UCR and UC pages we read do not mention the Gaokao; not published there. UC points to a “first-year requirements by country” page for each education system.
• Transcripts and documents (the China entry in UC’s country requirements): if you follow the Chinese national curriculum, list all courses and marks from grade 9 (year 3 of lower middle school) through grade 12 (years 1 through 3 of upper middle school) exactly as they appear on your official records; if admitted, be prepared to submit your upper middle school graduation certificate and official lower and upper middle school academic records for grades 9 to 12. If you follow IGCSE/GCSE/GCE, complete at least five IGCSE/GCSE/GCE O-Level subjects and at least three academic GCE A-Levels and report them on the application; IB students have separate instructions.
• Huikao: the pages we read do not mention it.
• English: Chinese applicants follow the English proficiency options in section 7; no China-specific exemption is described.
• UCR gives no separate note for Chinese applicants to life-science majors on the pages we read.

9. Transfer

• Basics: at least 60 semester (90 quarter) units of UC-transferable credit; a GPA of at least 2.4 in UC-transferable courses (2.8 for non-California residents); some majors require more. Complete the seven-course pattern by the end of the spring term before fall enrollment: two English composition courses, one mathematical concepts and quantitative reasoning course, and four courses from at least two of arts and humanities, social and behavioral sciences, and physical and biological sciences, each worth at least 3 semester (4 to 5 quarter) units.
• Entering a major: UCR says most majors require major-preparation courses before transfer; check CNAS prerequisites on ASSIST.org (ask admissions how overseas courses are handled). The Cal-GETC may not be recommended for engineering, math or science majors, and completing it is not required for admission. The specific transfer prerequisites for biology and similar majors are not listed on the pages we read.
• Deadlines: UC application 1 October to 30 November; Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG) for California Community College students 1 to 30 September; Transfer Academic Update 31 January; notifications from April; Statement of Intent to Register 1 June; final transcripts 1 July.
• International transfers: UCR says the selection process is the same for international and U.S.-educated transfer applicants; the international page repeats the 60-semester-unit (90 quarter) requirement and seven-course pattern, written for California Community College transfers.

Checklist

U.S. applicants:

• UC application 1 October to 30 November; no SAT/ACT; A-G GPA 3.0 (3.4 for non-residents); four personal insight questions
• For science majors, plan the biology, chemistry and math sequence in each major’s declaring criteria; for medicine any major works, use PPAC, and note the Haider EAP is for UCR undergraduates

International applicants (including China):

• Non-resident A-G GPA 3.4; English proof (TOEFL 4.5 new scale, IELTS 6.5, Duolingo 115); Chinese national curriculum: list all courses and marks for grades 9 to 12
• Haider EAP is for in-state residents only; Gaokao use: not published; Achievement Scholarship up to $89,100 over four years

Transfer students:

• 90 quarter units, UC-transferable GPA 2.4 (2.8 non-resident), seven-course pattern; check prerequisites on ASSIST.org; TAG in September, UC application October to November

Sources: UC Riverside and the University of California, Majors; Health and medicine majors; Biology; Cell, Molecular, and Developmental Biology; Biochemistry; Microbiology; Neuroscience; Genetics and Molecular Biotechnology; CNAS student site: Biology; CNAS student site: CMDB; CNAS student site: Biochemistry; CHASS pre-health advising; Pre-Professional Advising Center; Haider Early Assurance Program; EAP program requirements; Thomas Haider Program; First-year applicants; International applicants; Transfer applicants; Estimated costs; UC international applicants; UC: first-year requirements by country. Most pages print no year; check that dates apply to fall 2027 entry. Costs are 2026-27 estimates; check UC Riverside’s website for the latest.