BS Neuroscience at University of California, Santa Cruz

Programme overview

Neuroscience, the study of the nervous system and behavior of animals, is a frontier area in biology, touching psychology on the one hand and computer science on the other. The neuroscience major provides students with rigorous preparation for graduate studies and research in the field of neuroscience.

Faculty: Physical and Biological Sciences Division | Department: Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology | Study mode: full-time | Location: Santa Cruz, CA, United States

What you will study

Required courses listed in the catalogue include General Chemistry, Advanced General Chemistry: Molecular Structure and Reactivity, Organic Chemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, Experimental Biology Laboratory, Development and Physiology.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Catalogue preparation guidance for the major (admission to the university is separate): The Molecular Cell and Developmental Biology Department has a qualification policy that applies to the biology B.S., molecular, cell and developmental biology B.S., and neuroscience B.S. majors. To qualify for any of these majors, students must pass (with a grade of C or better) the following courses or their equivalents:

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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