BA Biotechnology at University of California, Santa Cruz

Programme overview

The Bachelor of Arts in Biotechnology is intended for students who plan to be involved in the biotechnology industry as writers, artists, ethicists, executives, sales force, regulators, lawyers, politicians, and other roles that require an understanding of the technology, but not the intensive training needed for technicians, research scientists, engineers, and bioinformaticians. (For those more technical roles, the biomolecular engineering and bioinformatics major or the molecular, cell, and developmental biology major is recommended.) The major is deliberately designed to be paired as a double major for students in the humanities, social sciences, or the arts.

Faculty: Baskin School of Engineering | Department: Biomolecular Engineering | Study mode: full-time | Location: Santa Cruz, CA, United States

What you will study

Required courses listed in the catalogue include Cell and Molecular Biology, Beginning Programming in Python, Statistics, Statistical Methods for the Biological, Environmental, and Health Sciences, Statistical Methods for the Biological, Environmental, and Health Sciences Laboratory, Introduction to Biotechnology.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Catalogue preparation guidance for the major (admission to the university is separate): Transfer students should refer to the Transfer Information and Policy section. To qualify for the biotechnology major, students must have completed four of the following lower-division courses:

Domestic applicants: USD 14,202 a year (2026-27). UC undergraduate Tuition for California residents first enrolled in 2026-27 (Tuition Stability Plan cohort rate); one rate for all undergraduate majors. Excludes Student Services Fee, campus fees, UC SHIP health insurance and records fee. Non-residents ad Source

Fall quarter entry (classes for fall 2026 began September 24, 2026); winter quarter entry (winter 2027 instruction begins January 4, 2027).

UC Application for fall 2027 opens October 1, 2026 and the filing deadline is November 30, 2026; the application is available online from August 1, 2026. Fall 2027 first-year decisions appear on the Admissions Portal late February to mid-March 2027; transfer decisions April 1-30, 2027. Transfer Academic Update due January 31, 2027; UCSC TAG filing period September 1-30, 2026.

UC Santa Cruz does not use ACT/SAT scores in its comprehensive review and selection process. Applications are made through the UC Application. Minimum GPA is 3.00 for California residents and 3.40 for non-residents and international applicants.

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