BS Biopsychology at University of California, Santa Barbara

Programme overview

The B.S. in Biopsychology is designed to provide you with an appreciation of the scientific study of the brain and behavior. Our focus at UCSB is on experimental research psychology.

Faculty: College of Letters and Science | Department: Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences | Study mode: full-time | Location: Santa Barbara, CA, United States

What you will study

Major requirements are organised as Pre-Major Requirements: PSY 1, MATH 34A, MATH 2A, MATH 3A, PSTAT 5LS, PSY 10A, PSY 10B, CHEM 1A, CHEM 2A, CHEM 1B, CHEM 2B, MCDB 1A, EEMB 2; Preparation For The Major: CHEM 1C, CHEM 2C, CHEM 2BL, CHEM 109A, CHEM 109B, CHEM 6AL, MCDB 1B, MCDB 1LL, EEMB 2LL, PHYS 6A, PHYS 6AL, PHYS 6B, PHYS 6BL, PHYS 6C; Upper-Division Major . Admission to the major is contingent upon fulfilling the following requirements: At least a 2.7 University of California grade-point average in Area I; At least a 2.0 University of California grade-point average in Area II; All courses must be completed on a letter-grade basis; No courses with a grade lower than C- in Area I & II; Not more than one course with a C- in Area I & II; Students must submit a “Petition to Change Major” to the departmental main office (1814 Psychology East) for admission to the pre-major and major.

Career pathways

Graduate and professional pathways include Medicine; Biomedical or health research; Behavioral Neuroscience; Cognitive Neuroscience. Top employers include National Institute of Health, NeuroField Neurotherapy, Cottage Hospital, Nursing.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Admission to UCSB is to the university and a college (College of Letters and Science, College of Engineering, College of Creative Studies), not to the individual major; applicants must meet the University of California subject requirements for first-year or transfer applicants and apply through the UC Application. Selective-major and second-choice-major rules are described by UCSB Undergraduate Admissions.

Entry term: fall. First-year and transfer applicants apply for fall 2027 through the UC Application.

First-year and transfer applications for fall 2027: UC Application filing period October 1 - November 30, 2026 (opens August 1). Application fee: $80 per campus for U.S. residents, $95 per campus for international students. Transfer applicants also submit the UCSB TAG Application September 1-30. First-year decisions mid-March; transfer decisions mid-April; Statement of Intent to Register May 1 (first-year) and June 1 (transfer).

SAT and ACT scores are not used in admission selection or scholarships; submission is optional and may be used for course placement. Students applying to College of Creative Studies majors submit a supplemental application; Dance and Music B.M. applicants complete an audition.

Graduate applicants apply through the UCSB online graduate application; the deadline is set by each department. Application fee: $135 for US citizens and permanent residents, $155 for all others, payable by credit card, check or money order. GRE required only by some programmes.

Apply through the official page: https://admissions.sa.ucsb.edu/

Explore more study programmes

Arts & Humanities