BA Plant Biology at University of California, Davis

Programme overview

As organisms that sequester carbon and convert solar energy into oxygen, sugar and other usable forms, plants are a primary source of food and myriad biomaterials on the planet, and function as an important buffer against climate change. The Plant Biology major focuses on fundamental aspects of how plants function as organisms, interact with their environment, and the use of this knowledge to address global challenges. A wide variety of scientific disciplines are integrated within the Plant Biology major, including physiology, cell and molecular biology, development, biochemistry and metabolism, genetics and genomics.

Faculty: College of Biological Sciences | Department: Plant Biology | Duration: 75 units (quarter system) | Study mode: full-time | Location: Davis, CA, United States

What you will study

The major requires a minimum of 75 units. Requirements are organised into preparatory subject matter, depth subject matter, electives components. Required courses include CHE 002B General Chemistry and General Chemistry OR; STA 013 Elementary Statistics; STA 013V Elementary Statistics; STA 013Y Elementary Statistics; PLS 120 Applied Statistics in Agricultural Sciences Recommended.

Career pathways

A degree in Plant Biology serves as an excellent launching point for a wide range of career options, including domestic and international opportunities in business, research, management, and teaching in both governmental and private sectors.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Admission is to UC Davis and the College of Biological Sciences; the catalogue entry gives no major-specific admission requirement beyond the major requirements below.

Domestic applicants: USD 14,202 a year (2026-27). Systemwide UC undergraduate Tuition for California residents, cohort first enrolled in 2026-27 (annual, quarter system); rate is the same for all undergraduate majors. Excludes Student Services Fee, campus-based fees, and Nonresident Supplemental Tuition. Source

First-year and transfer students enter in the fall term (quarter system); the UC application opens Aug. 1 and the filing period is Oct. 1 to Nov. 30 for admission the following year.

The UC application filing period is Oct. 1 to Nov. 30 for admission the following year, and a single application covers all UC campuses.

The UC application filing fee is $80 per campus for domestic applicants and $95 per campus for international applicants, payable by credit card or mail; fee waivers are available for up to four campuses.

Transfer applicants submit the UC application by Nov. 30; Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG) applications are due Sept. 1-30; the priority deadline for the Transfer Academic Update is Jan. 31.

Apply through the official page: https://www.ucdavis.edu/admissions

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