the academic experience
Explore our academic programs
#1 in the uc system for percentage of students who go on to receive a master's degree, #2 (tied) for Ph.d.
School of Engineering
- Bioengineering, B.S.
- Civil Engineering, B.S. (NEW - available to first year students in Fall 2021 and transfer students in Fall 2023)
- Computer Science and Engineering, B.S.
- Environmental Engineering, B.S.
- Materials Science and Engineering, B.S.
Optional Emphasis:
- Nanotechnology
- Mechanical Engineering, B.S.
School of Engineering
- Bioengineering, B.S.
- Civil Engineering, B.S. (NEW - available to first year students in Fall 2021 and transfer students in Fall 2023)
- Computer Science and Engineering, B.S.
- Environmental Engineering, B.S.
- Materials Science and Engineering, B.S.
Optional Emphasis:
- Nanotechnology
- Mechanical Engineering, B.S.
SCHOOL OF NATURAL SCIENCES
- Applied Mathematical Sciences, B.S.*
Emphases:
- Computational and Data Sciences
- Computational Biology
- Computer Science
- Economics
- Engineering
- Environmental Systems Science
- Physics
- Biological Sciences, B.S.*
Emphases:
- Developmental Biology
- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
- Human Biology
- Microbiology and Immunology
- Molecular and Cell Biology
- Chemistry, B.S.*
Emphases:
- Biological Chemistry
- Chemistry
- Materials Chemistry
- Environmental Systems Science, B.S.
- Physics, B.S.*
Emphases:
- Atomic/Molecular/Optical/Condensed Matter (AMO/CM)
- Biophysics
- Mathematical Physics
- Physics
* Junior-level transfer students must choose an emphasis.
SCHOOL OF NATURAL SCIENCES
- Applied Mathematical Sciences, B.S.*
Emphases:
- Computational and Data Sciences
- Computational Biology
- Computer Science
- Economics
- Engineering
- Environmental Systems Science
- Physics
- Biological Sciences, B.S.*
Emphases:
- Developmental Biology
- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
- Human Biology
- Microbiology and Immunology
- Molecular and Cell Biology
- Chemistry, B.S.*
Emphases:
- Biological Chemistry
- Chemistry
- Materials Chemistry
- Environmental Systems Science, B.S.
- Physics, B.S.*
Emphases:
- Atomic/Molecular/Optical/Condensed Matter
- Biophysics
- Mathematical Physics
- Physics
* Junior-level transfer students must choose an emphasis.
SCHOOL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES, HUMANITIES AND ARTS
- Anthropology, B.A.
- Cognitive Science, B.A., B.S.
- Critical Race and Ethnic Studies, B.A.
- Economics, B.A.
- Economics, B.S.* (NEW - available to first year students in Fall 2021 and transfer students in Fall 2022)
Emphases: - Economic Analysis and Policy
- Quantitative Economics
- English, B.A.
- Global Arts Studies Program, B.A.
Optional Emphases (NEW): - Performance Studies - Visual Studies
- History, B.A.
- Management and Business Economics, B.S.
- Philosophy, B.A.
- Political Science, B.A.
- Psychology, B.A.
- Public Health, B.A.
- Sociology, B.A.
- Spanish, B.A.
*All applicants must choose an emphasis
SCHOOL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES,HUMANITIES AND ARTS
- Anthropology, B.A.
- Cognitive Science, B.A., B.S.
- Critical Race and Ethnic Studies, B.A.
- Economics, B.A.
- Economics, B.S.* (NEW - available to first year students in Fall 2021 and transfer students in Fall 2022)
Emphases: - Economic Analysis and Policy - Quantitative Economics
- English, B.A.
- Global Arts Studies Program, B.A.
Optional Emphases (NEW): - Performance Studies - Visual Studies
- History, B.A.
- Management and Business Economics, B.S.
- Philosophy, B.A.
- Political Science, B.A.
- Psychology, B.A.
- Public Health, B.A.
- Sociology, B.A.
- Spanish, B.A.
*All aplicants must choose an emphasis
First year students (freshmen) can choose to apply as Undeclared within any of the three academic schools: Engineering; Natural Sciences or Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts.
Learn more about our majors and minors at
UC MERCED ACCEPTS APPLICATIONS FOR THE FALL AND SPRING SEMESTERS.
CHECK ADMISSIONS.UCMERCED.EDU FOR OPEN MAJORS.
You’ll get an introduction to learning at a research university starting from your first semester.
Spark Seminars are unique courses taught by professors who are passionate about their research. These classes are kept small, so you'll have the chance to work with faculty as soon as you get to campus.
Students are rewarded 11 required Intellectual Experience Badges in areas such as sustainability, global awareness and leadership by taking classes and participating in co-curricular activities. They might be earned by taking a lab or music class, studying abroad or volunteering in the community.
You’ll upload your progress to an ePortfolio to keep track of your general education courses, which you can use later during your job search or when applying to graduate school.
UC Merced is #13 in the nation for best undergraduate teaching among public universities
- U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges Rankings, 2020
enjoy small classes
21:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
60%
of undergraduate classes have fewer than 30 students
57%
of students say they've had a class in which a professor knew their name
40+
countries around the world where students have studied abroad*
*Students’ participation in this program will be closely monitored within health and safety guidelines.
