University of California San Diego Degree Programs Available
The University of California San Diego appears in our ranking of 30 Great Colleges With An Increasing Student Population.
There are many academic programs, all taught by field experts, at the University of California San Diego. In fact, many of the instructors at the University have written the textbook used in their class. The programs focus on linking instruction with real-world experiences. Students are placed in laboratories, research facilities and public service programs that give them hands-on experience in their field of study.
Programs are arranged around a college system that is unlike any other University in the country. Students may choose from the following colleges:
- Marshall
- Muir
- Revelle
- Roosevelt
- Sixth
- Warren
All students must choose a college but the choice does not have an impact on admission or what majors may be required. However, the choice of college will have an impact on the general education courses each student must take.
The most popular undergraduate and graduate majors at UC San Diego include biology and computer engineering.
The undergraduate biology degree at UC San Diego emphasizes biological processes and systems which are examined at the biochemical, cellular, ecosystem, molecular and organismal level. Students are provided a solid foundation of these aspects of biology, preparing them for careers or graduate study. Courses required in the major include:
- Advanced Data Structure
- Applied Genomic Technologies
- Biochemical Structure and Function
- Bioinformatics
- Biological Databases
- Design and Analysis of Algorithms
- Genetics
- Molecular Biology
- Molecular Sequence Analysis
- Probability and Statistics
- Structural Biochemistry
The degree may be concentrated through the choice of eight units of elective study. Students may choose a thesis or apprenticeship for the program as well.
The doctorate program in Biology at UC San Diego is affiliated with the Salk Institute for Biological Studies. This allows highly talented student to develop the skills necessary to become world-class scientists. Students are provided an understanding of research papers and grant applications, lecturing, ethical conduct in research as well as professional skill development to enhance career options. Concentrations are available in the following areas:
- Anthropogeny
- Bioinformatics and Systems Biology
- Ecology, Behavior and Evolution
- Microbiology
- Multi-Scale Biology
- Primary Biology
- Quantitative Biology
The undergraduate program in Computer Engineering prepares those who wish to enter the growing field of computer science, engineering and bioinformatics. This program is highly competitive and there are a limited number of spaces for freshmen to enter the degree. Courses required include:
- Algorithms and Theory
- Data Structures and Programming
- Hardware Architecture
- Learning Vision and Graphics
- PL Databases
- Security Cryptography
- Software Engineering
- Systems Networks
Students may concentrate their studies through the selection of 28 units of electives.
The Master of Science in Computer Science is designed for those who wish to become leaders in the field of computer science. Students may choose from the Thesis Plan, Comprehensive Standard Plan or Comprehensive Interdisciplinary Plan. The Thesis Plan requires students to research and write an extensive thesis. They must then defend the thesis to a Graduate Committee in order to complete the program. The Comprehensive Standard Plan requires students to complete comprehensive examinations that test their knowledge in fundamental computer science material. The Comprehensive Interdisciplinary Plan allows students to choose either the Thesis or Examination while providing them with a cross-disciplinary understanding of computer science.
UC San Diego does not offer degree programs online but they do offer some courses in an online format which allows some flexibility in earning a degree.
About the University of California San Diego
The Marine Biological Association was chartered in 1903, the creation of William Ritter, a UC Berkeley zoologist along with Fred Baker who earned a living as a physician and newspaper tycoon. The two were joined in the project by E.W. Scripps and his half-sister, Ellen Browning Scripps. In 1912, the school became part of the University of California, becoming the Scripps Institution for Biological Research. The name of the school was to honor the Scripps family and to acknowledge a $150,000 bequeath from Browning-Scripps. That bequeath required the laboratory to remain in La Jolla. The school became the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in 1925.
In 1958, on the site of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, the Institute of Technology and Learning was established. In 1959, the name of the campus changed to the University of California – La Jolla but, in 1960, became the University of California – San Diego.
Today, there are over 36,000 students enrolled at UC San Diego. Washington Monthly named the school the second-best in the country for promoting upward social mobility and ground-breaking research. BestColleges.com ranks the school first for STEM female graduates and US News 7 World Report lists the school as one of the top ten public universities in the country.
University of California San Diego Accreditation Details
UC- San Diego is regionally accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College and University Commission. This means that the school meets or exceeds criteria set forth by the accrediting agency that indicates excellence in education. The school undergoes periodic review to confirm that they continue to meet that criteria and the school agrees to address any areas the Association identifies as needing improvement.
In addition to regional accreditation, individual programs throughout the college are accredited by industry-specific organizations and associations.
University of California San Diego Application Requirements
Any applicant who has not earned college credit after high school graduation is considered a freshman at UC-San Diego. Any applicant who is a California resident must have a 3.0 GPA or higher to apply and students who are not California residents must have a GPA of 3.4 or higher. Applicants must complete an application and provide official high school transcripts along with ACT or SAT scores.
Applicants who have earned college credit after high school graduation may enter UC San Diego as a transfer student. They must have a 3.0 GPA in all courses that may transfer and must provide an official transcript from all colleges and universities attended.
Graduate applicants must complete an application through Grad Apply. In order to apply to UC San Diego graduate programs, applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree or higher and must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher in undergraduate studies. Once the student is offered admission, they must provide official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. Some programs require graduate test scores such as the GRE or GMAT as well.
University of California San Diego Tuition and Financial Aid
Full-time undergraduate tuition at UC San Diego is $14,199 per year for California residents and $53,682 for non-residents. Graduate students who are attending full-time pay $17,007 if they are California residents and $44,850 if they are non-residents.
Financial aid is available in the form of scholarships, grants, work-study, and loans. In order to qualify for assistance, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and it must be renewed each year.
The University of California San Diego offers a wide range of degree programs that are designed to prepare students to move into a new career or advance in a current career.