Undergraduate Majors at UC San Diego (2024)

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Notes: Majors: FAQs

Last Updated: August 7, 2024 10:31:31 AM PDT

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See a list of undergraduate majors offered at UC San Diego.

Undergraduate majors and degrees at UC San Diego – see theUCSD General Catalog for specializations available within majors. Your choice of major is not connected to your undergraduate college.

Notes:

  • Seedetails forSelective Majors
  • Students interested in pre-med or pre-law may declare a major in any academic discipline.
  • Students interested in a teaching career, seeEducation Studies.

Majors:

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W XYZ

Important Notes / Key to Symbols
*Selective major with additional screening requirements
**Applicants may be asked to submit an optional supplemental application and/or portfolio/ audition for faculty review
Entry into this major is restricted to students accepted into the consecutive degree program. See the General Catalog for that specific major for more information.


Astronomy & Astrophysics (B.A./B.S)

Anthropology
Anthropology (Archaeology) (B.A.)
Anthropology (Biological Anthropology) (B.A.)
Anthropology (Sociocultural Anthropology) (B.A.)
Anthropology with a Concentration in Climate Change and Human Solutions (B.A.)
Biological Anthropology (B.S.)

Art (See Visual Arts)

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Bioengineering (BE)
Bioengineering (B.S.)*
Bioengineering (Biotechnology) (B.S.)*
Bioengineering (Bioinformatics) (B.S.)*
Bioengineering: BioSystems (B.S.)*

Biological Sciences

Available to students admitted to UCSD in Fall 2018 or later
Biology with Specialization in Bioinformatics (B.S.)*
Ecology, Behavior and Evolution (B.S.)*
General Biology (B.S.)*
Human Biology (B.S.)*
Microbiology (B.S.)*
Molecular and Cell Biology (B.S.)*
Neurobiology (B.S.)*

Available to students admitted to UCSD in Fall 2017 or earlier
Biochemistry and Cell Biology (B.S.)*
Biology with Specialization in Bioinformatics (B.S.)*
Ecology, Behavior and Evolution (B.S.)*
General Biology (B.S.)*
Human Biology (B.S.)*
Microbiology (B.S.)*
Molecular Biology (B.S.)*
Physiology and Neuroscience (B.S.)*

Black Diaspora and African American Studies Black Diaspora and African American Studies (B.A.)

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Chemistry and Biochemistry
Biochemistry (B.S.)
Chemistry (B.S.)
Environmental Chemistry (B.S.)
Molecular Synthesis (B.S.)
Pharmacological Chemistry (B.S.)

Chinese Studies Chinese Studies (B.A.)

Classical Studies
Classical Studies (B.A.)

Cognitive Science (B.A./B.S.)
Cognitive Science with Specialization in Clinical Aspects of Cognition (B.S.)
Cognitive Science with Specialization in Design and Interaction (B.S.)
Cognitive Science with Specialization in Language and Culture (B.S.)
Cognitive Science with Specialization in Machine Learning and Neural Computation (B.S.)
Cognitive Science with Specialization in Neuroscience (B.S.)
Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience (B.S.)

Communication Communication (B.A.)

Computer Science and Engineering (CSE)
Computer Engineering (B.S.)*
Computer Science (B.S.)*
Computer Science with Specialization in Bioinformatics (B.S)*

Critical Gender Studies
Critical Gender Studies (B.A.)

Dance (See Theatre)

Data Science
Data Science (B.S.)*

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Economics
Business Economics (B.S.)
Economics (B.A.)
Economics and Mathematics - Joint Major (B.S.)
Economics-Public Policy (B.A./MPP only)‡

Education Studies
Education Sciences (B.S.)

Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE)
Computer Engineering (B.S.)*
Electrical Engineering (B.S.)*
Electrical Engineering and Society (B.A.)*
Engineering Physics (B.S.)*

Engineering - Jacobs School of Engineering
See individual programs:

  • Bioengineering
  • Computer Science and Engineering
  • Electrical and Computer Engineering
  • Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
  • NanoEngineering
  • Structural Engineering

English (See Literature)

Environmental Systems Program
Environmental Systems (Earth Sciences) (B.S.)
Environmental Systems (Ecology, Behavior, & Evolution) (B.S.)
Environmental Systems (Environmental Chemistry) (B.S.)
Environmental Systems (Environmental Policy) (B.A.)

Ethnic Studies
Ethnic Studies (B.A.)

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German Studies
German Studies (B.A.)

Global Health
Global Health (B.A./B.S.)

Global South Studies
Global South Studies (B.A.)

Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science
Public Health (B.S.)*
Public Health with Concentration in Biostatistics (B.S.)*
Public Health with Concentration in Climate and Environmental Sciences (B.S.)*
Public Health with Concentration in Community Health Sciences (B.S.)*
Public Health with Concentration in Epidemiology (B.S.)*
Public Health with Concentration in Health Policy and Management Sciences (B.S.)*
Public Health with Concentration in Medicine Sciences (B.S.)*

History
History (B.A.)

Human Developmental Sciences
Human Developmental Sciences (B.A./B.S.)
Human Developmental Sciences with a Specialization in Equity and Diversity (B.S.)
Human Developmental Sciences with a Specialization in Healthy Aging (B.S.)

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Individual Majors (B.A. / B.S.)
Each college offers an individual major for a B.A. degree; Revelle College offers a B.A. and B.S.

International Studies (B.A.)
International Studies - Anthropology
International Studies - Economics
International Studies - Economics (Jt BA/MIA)*
International Studies - History
International Studies - International Business
International Studies - International Business (Jt BA/MIA)*
International Studies - Linguistics
International Studies - Literature
International Studies - Philosophy
International Studies - Political Science
International Studies - Political Science (Jt BA/MIA)*
International Studies - Sociology

Italian Studies
Italian Studies (B.A.)

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Japanese Studies
Japanese Studies (B.A.)

Jewish Studies
Jewish Studies (B.A.)

Latin American Studies
Latin American Studies (B.A.)
Latin American Studies with a Concentration in Mexico (B.A.)
Latin American Studies with a Concentration in Migration and Border Studies (B.A.)

Linguistics
Linguistics (B.A.)
Linguistics (Specialization in Cognition and Language) (B.A.)
Linguistics (Specialization in Language and Society) (B.A.)
Linguistics: Language Studies (Specialization in Individual Language) (B.A.)
Linguistics (Specialization in Speech and Language Sciences) (B.A.)

Literature
Literatures in English (B.A.)
Spanish Literature (B.A.)
Literature/Writing (B.A.)
World Literature and Culture (B.A.)

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Mathematics
Mathematical Biology (B.S.)
Mathematics (Applied) (B.S.)
Mathematics (B.S.)
Mathematics and Economics - Joint Major (B.S.)
Mathematics - Applied Science (B.S.)
Mathematics - Computer Science (B.S.)
Mathematics - Secondary Education (B.A.)
Probability and Statistics (B.S.)

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE)
Aerospace Engineering (B.S.)*
Aerospace Engineering with a Specialization in Aerothermodynamics (B.S.)*
Aerospace Engineering with a Specialization in Astrodynamics and Space Applications (B.S.)*
Aerospace Engineering with a Specialization inFlight Dynamics and Controls (B.S.)*
Mechanical Engineering (B.S.)*
Mechanical Engineering with a Specialization in Controls and Robotics (B.S.)*
Mechanical Engineering with a Specialization in Fluid Mechanics and Thermal Systems (B.S.)*
Mechanical Engineering with a Specialization in Materials Science and Engineering (B.S.)*
Mechanical Engineering with a Specialization in Mechanics of Materials (B.S.)*
Mechanical Engineering with a Specialization in Renewable Energy and Environmental Flows (B.S.)*

Music
Music (B.A.)**
Interdisciplinary Computing and the Arts (B.A.)**
Music Humanities (B.A.)**

NanoEngineering
Chemical Engineering (B.S.)*
NanoEngineering (B.S.)

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Philosophy
Philosophy (B.A.)

Physics
General Physics (B.A.)
General Physics/ Secondary Education (B.A.)
Physics (B.S.)
Physics with Specialization in Astrophysics (B.S.)
Physics - Biophysics (B.S.)
Physics with Specialization in Computational Physics (B.S.)
Physics with Specialization in Earth Sciences (B.S.)
Physics with Specialization in Materials Physics (B.S.)

Political Science
Political Science (B.A.)
Political Science/American Politics (B.A.)
Political Science/Comparative Politics (B.A.)
Political Science/Data Analytics (B.S.)
Political Science/International Affairs (B.A./MIA only)‡
Political Science/International Relations (B.A.)
Political Science/Political Theory (B.A.)
Political Science/Public Law (B.A.)
Political Science/Public Policy (B.A.)
Political Science/Race, Ethnicity, and Politics (B.A.)

Psychology
Psychology (B.A./B.S.)
Psychology with a Specialization in Clinical Psychology (B.S.)
Psychology with a Specialization in Cognitive Psychology (B.S.)
Psychology with a Specialization in Developmental Psychology (B.S.)
Psychology with a Specialization in Human Health (B.S.)
Psychology with a Specialization in Sensation and Perception (B.S.)
Psychology with a Specialization in Social Psychology (B.S.)
Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience (B.S.)
Business Psychology (B.S.)

Public Health (See Family and Preventative Medicine)

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Religion, Program for the Study Of
Study of Religion (B.A.)

Russian and Soviet Studies
Russian, East European & Eurasian Studies (B.A.)

Scripps Institution of Oceanography
Geosciences (B.S.)
Marine Biology (B.S.)
Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences (B.S.)

Sociology
Sociology (B.A.)
Sociology - International Studies (B.A.)
Sociology - American Studies (B.A.)
Sociology - Science and Medicine (B.A.)
Sociology - Economy and Society (B.A.)
Sociology - Culture and Communication (B.A.)
Sociology - Social Inequality (B.A.)
Sociology - Law and Society (B.A.)

Structural Engineering (SE)
Structural Engineering (B.S.)
Structural Engineering with a Specialization in Aerospace Structures (B.S.)
Structural Engineering with a Specialization in Civil Structures (B.S.)
Structural Engineering with a Specialization in Geotechnical Engineering (B.S.)
Structural Engineering with a Specialization in Structural Health Monitoring/Non-Destructive Evaluation (B.S.)

Theatre and Dance Dance (B.A.)**
Theatre (B.A.)**

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Undeclared
Undeclared - Humanities/Arts
Undeclared - Physical Sciences
Undeclared - Social Sciences

Urban Studies and Planning Urban Studies and Planning (B.A.)
Real Estate and Development (B.S.)

Visual Arts
Art History/ Criticism (B.A.)
Interdisciplinary Computing and the Arts (B.A.)**
Media (B.A.)**
Speculative Design (B.A.)
Studio (B.A.)**

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Important Notes / Key to Symbols
*Selective major with additional screening requirements
**Applicants may be asked to submit an optional supplemental application and/or portfolio/ audition for faculty review
Entry into this major is restricted to students accepted into the consecutive degree program. See the General Catalog for that specific major for more information.
Undergraduate Majors at UC San Diego (2024)

FAQs

What is the most accepted major at UCSD? ›

The most popular majors at University of San Diego include: Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services; Biological and Biomedical Sciences; Social Sciences; Engineering; Psychology; Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services; Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities; and ...

What is the hardest major to get into UCSD? ›

Generally, majors in STEM fields, particularly engineering majors like computer science, electrical engineering, and mechanical engineering, tend to have lower acceptance rates due to a higher volume of applicants and the competitive nature of these fields.

Does UCSD admit based on major? ›

Note: UCSD Does not admit by major, but admits into the university. Student demand for some of the programs including biology and certain majors in engineering, exceeds capacity. For these programs, students are considered for admission directly into the major for admission into the pre-major.

Does UCSD look at second choice major? ›

Undergraduate Admissions

Applicants applying to selective majors are advised to choose an alternate major on the UC application for admission. The campus does not admit students based on the choice of UC San Diego undergraduate college.

What is the easiest major to get into UC? ›

10 Easiest Majors to Transfer into UC San Diego
MAJORADMIT RATE
1.Interdisciplinary: Computers & the Arts75%
2.Linguistics: Cognition and Language70%
3.Undeclared92%
4.Management Science54%
6 more rows
Jan 19, 2017

What is UCSD known for academically? ›

UC San Diego is a student-centered, research-focused, service-oriented public institution that provides opportunity for all. Recognized as one of the top fifteen research universities worldwide, a culture of collaboration sparks discoveries that advance society and drive economic impact.

Is it harder to get into UCLA or UCSD? ›

Is University of California-San Diego (UC San Diego) or UCLA Harder to get into? Which school is easier to get into? If you're looking at acceptance rate alone, then UCLA is more difficult to get into.

What is the acceptance rate for UCSD undergraduate? ›

UC San Diego admissions is very selective with an acceptance rate of 24%. The regular admissions application deadline for UC San Diego is November 30.

What does UCSD look for in applicants? ›

Personal Qualities

We're looking for students who demonstrate exceptional characteristics like leadership, motivation, tenacity, initiative, originality, creativity, intellectual independence, responsibility, insight and maturity. We also value students who demonstrate concern for others and for their community.

How does UCSD choose your college? ›

Applicants to UC San Diego rank the colleges on the UC Application. We recommend reviewing the colleges when completing your ranking. Students who are offered admission to UC San Diego are assigned a college based on this ranking. College assignment is not based on major choice or academic interest.

Does major affect UC acceptance? ›

You can declare a major, or apply as undeclared, on your UC application form. For first-years applying to a major in the College, your choice of major will neither help nor hurt your prospects for admission. In fact, a large number of first-year applicants apply as undeclared.

What is the most popular major at UCSD? ›

Most Popular Majors
  • Computer Science. 591 Graduates.
  • International Studies. 537 Graduates.
  • Psychology. 473 Graduates.
  • Economics. 430 Graduates.
  • Computational and Applied Mathematics. 415 Graduates.
  • Political Science and Government. 366 Graduates.
  • Chemistry. 346 Graduates.
  • Public Health. 345 Graduates.

Is it easy to change majors at UC San Diego? ›

For requests to change departments/programs, the student's current home department/program must initiate the request. After home department/program approval, it will be routed to the proposed program for final approval. A student must be registered for the quarter in which the change is requested.

Does UCSD send secondaries to everyone? ›

UCSD Secondaries Pre-Writing Guidance: We would not pre-write your UCSD secondaries because not every applicant receives a UCSD secondary. However, once you receive the UCSD secondary application, time is ticking, as there is usually a 1-month deadline.

What is the most accepted major at San Diego State University? ›

The most popular majors at San Diego State University include: Business Administration and Management, General; Psychology, General; Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness, General; Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other; Criminal Justice/Safety Studies; Speech Communication and Rhetoric; Biology/ ...

What is the most accepted college major? ›

While business is still the most popular college major, nursing has seen a sharp increase. Across the board, many majors, from business to biology, have seen a drop off in the number of student loan applications, with a few glaring exceptions: Nursing and nursing (RN/LPN) applications.

Does UC accept based on major? ›

You can declare a major, or apply as undeclared, on your UC application form. For first-years applying to a major in the College, your choice of major will neither help nor hurt your prospects for admission. In fact, a large number of first-year applicants apply as undeclared.

What is the hardest college at UCSD? ›

Why is Revelle considered the hardest college at UCSD? Revelle College is known for having some of the toughest General Education (GE) requirements on campus. Students who enroll in Revelle can expect to take a wide range of courses across various disciplines, including math and science.

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