UCSF: Navigating the Path to Graduate Health Science Programs (No Undergraduate Programs)

The University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) is a renowned institution, particularly known for its graduate-level programs in the health sciences. It is important to note that UCSF does not offer undergraduate programs. This article serves as a guide for prospective students interested in pursuing graduate studies at UCSF, specifically outlining prerequisite coursework and providing information about programs designed to help undergraduates prepare for graduate-level health science studies.

Understanding UCSF's Graduate Focus

Unlike many universities with a broad range of undergraduate offerings, UCSF is primarily focused on advanced education in fields such as medicine, nursing, dentistry, and pharmacy. Individuals interested in a bachelor's degree should explore other University of California campuses like UC Berkeley or UCLA.

Preparing for UCSF Graduate Programs: A Strategic Approach

While UCSF doesn't offer undergraduate degrees, aspiring graduate students can strategically prepare during their undergraduate studies at other institutions. A strong foundation in relevant subjects significantly enhances competitiveness for admission.

Recommended Undergraduate Fields of Study

Consider pursuing a bachelor's degree in fields like:

Biology
Chemistry
Public Health

These disciplines provide a solid base of knowledge essential for success in UCSF's rigorous graduate programs.

Prerequisite Coursework for the UCSF/SFSU Graduate Program in Physical Therapy

The following outlines the prerequisite courses for the UCSF/SFSU Graduate Program in Physical Therapy. Note that the best choices for prerequisites are typically those designed for science majors or pre-med students.

General Chemistry, with Lab

Requirement: 2 semesters (8-10 semester units) or 3 quarters (12-15 quarter units)
Description: Lower division general chemistry with laboratory intended for chemistry, science, or pre-medical students. Prerequisites often include high school chemistry and/or a placement exam.
Topics Covered: Periodic table, stoichiometry, chemical equations, physical properties and kinetic theory of gases, atomic and molecular structure, chemical bonding, condensed phases and intermolecular forces, chemical thermodynamics, chemical equilibria, acids and bases, solubility, energetics, kinetics, electrochemistry, spectroscopy, structure and bonding in transition metal compounds, application of principles to chemical reactions.
Lab Experiments: Stoichiometric relations, properties and collection of gases, atomic spectroscopy, quantitative analysis, analytical methods, and syntheses.

General Physics, with Lab

Requirement: 2 semesters (8-10 semester units) or 3 quarters (12-15 quarter units)
Description: Lower division physics with laboratory for physics, science, or pre-medical students.
Prerequisites: Usually include trigonometry and/or calculus, and potentially high school physics or a placement examination.
Topics Covered: Newton's Laws of motion, kinematics, energetics, momentum, two-dimensional collisions, torque, rotational dynamics, electricity, magnetism, induced currents, and optics.
Note: Both algebra/trigonometry-based and calculus-based physics are acceptable.

General Biology, with Lab

Requirement: 2 semesters (8-10 semester units) or 3 quarters (12-15 quarter units)
Description: A general biology series (e.g., Biology I and Biology II) with laboratory for biology, science, or pre-medical students. These are typically the first two courses in the biology series and serve as prerequisites for more advanced biology courses.
Topics Covered: Evolution, biological diversity and classification, cell structure and function, molecular biology, genetics, reproduction, plant and animal growth and development.
Acceptable Substitutions: Cell, embryology, genetics, histology, immunology, microbiology, molecular biology, zoology, or other advanced biology courses can substitute for the second semester of general biology. Courses must include a lab. Exercise physiology does not satisfy this prerequisite.

Human or Comparative Anatomy, with Lab

Requirement: 1 semester (3 semester units) or 1 quarter (4 quarter units)
Description: Human anatomy with dissection or prosection laboratory.
Topics Covered: The gross structure of the human body.
Recommendation: Laboratory courses utilizing human cadaver specimens are highly recommended.
Course Content: Bones of the axial and appendicular skeletons, major bony landmarks, major joints, skeletal muscles and general attachments, major nerves, and the vascular system.
Alternatives: Comparative Mammalian Anatomy or a combined Anatomy/Physiology course is acceptable only if Human Anatomy is not available. The combined Anatomy/Physiology course must be a full year of study.

Human Physiology, with Lab

Requirement: 1 semester (4 semester units) or 1 quarter (5 quarter units)
Description: Human physiology with laboratory.
Topics Covered: Circulation, respiration, digestion, metabolism, immune system, urinary system, endocrine system, and nervous system.
Laboratory Activities: Measures of blood pressure, heart rate, electrocardiograms, and measures of ventilation.
Alternative: A combined Anatomy/Physiology course is acceptable, and must be a full year of study. Exercise physiology does not satisfy this prerequisite.

Abnormal Psychology

Requirement: 1 semester (3 semester units) or 1 quarter (4 quarter units)
Description: Contemporary theories of and approaches to psychological dysfunction and disabilities.
Topics Covered: Anxiety disorders, mood disorders, somatoform and dissociative disorders, personality disorders, and schizophrenia.

Introduction to Statistics

Requirement: 1 semester (3 semester units) or 1 quarter (4 quarter units)
Description: Introductory statistics courses may be offered by various departments, including Mathematics, Psychology, Education, Sociology, etc.
Course Content: Descriptive statistics and an introduction to inferential statistics (e.g., correlations, chi-square, t-test, and ANOVA).

Important Considerations for Prerequisite Courses

Applicants may complete up to three prerequisite courses after the summer term of the application cycle (e.g., after the summer 2025 term for students applying for summer 2026 entry), including a maximum of two prerequisite courses after the fall term of the application cycle.
Consult with your undergraduate advisor to select appropriate courses.
Advanced Placement (AP) Exam credit may satisfy some prerequisite courses.
It is your responsibility to verify if your course work is approved to meet UCSF's prerequisites.

Highly Recommended Courses

While not mandatory, the following courses can significantly enhance an applicant's preparation:

Organic Chemistry
Neurosciences/Neuroanatomy
Kinesiology
Exercise Physiology
Motor Learning or Motor Control
Biomedical Ethics
Developmental Psychology or Motor Development

Details of Highly Recommended Courses

Organic Chemistry (3 semester units or 4 quarter units): For chemistry, science, or pre-medical students, covering basic principles, reaction mechanisms, and multi-step synthesis of organic compounds. Prerequisites usually include one year of inorganic chemistry.
Neurosciences/Neuroanatomy (1 year recommended: 3-6 semester units or 4-8 quarter units): Emphasis on cellular neurophysiology, synaptic mechanisms, sensory neurophysiology, brain structure and function in the control of motor systems, homeostasis, neural development, learning, thought, and affect.
Kinesiology (3 semester units or 4 quarter units): An upper-division course, often called âKinesiology and Body Mechanicsâ or âFunctional Anatomy,â covering physical structure, muscular movements, and biomechanics in physical activities.
Exercise Physiology (3 semester units or 4 quarter units): An upper-division course focusing on the physiology of human performance and muscular work, including skeletal muscle fiber types, energy conversion, and cardiovascular function.
Motor Learning or Motor Control (3 semester units or 4 quarter units): An upper-division course covering concepts and theories of motor learning and the acquisition of motor skills.
Biomedical Ethics (3 semester units or 4 quarter units): Explores ethical issues in medicine and nursing.
Developmental Psychology or Motor Development (3 semester units or 4 quarter units): A survey of developmental psychology and behavior throughout the life span.

Minimum Eligibility Requirements for Admission

To have your application materials accepted for review, you must meet certain minimum eligibility requirements:

GPA: A minimum, cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.80 as calculated by PharmCAS as of the UCSF PharmCAS application deadline.
Prerequisites: All prerequisites must be satisfied with course work approved by the Office of Student Affairs and must be completed prior to July 1 of the year of entry into the program.
Intern Pharmacist License: If offered admission, you must be able to secure and maintain a valid intern pharmacist license with the California Board of Pharmacy.
Background Check: UCSF reserves the right to rescind an offer of admission if a background check reveals unprofessional conduct.

UCSF School of Pharmacy's Policy on Pass/Fail Grades and Online Courses

The UCSF School of Pharmacy addresses pass/fail grades on a case-by-case basis. Pass/fail grades are accepted, without prejudice, for courses taken during the COVID-19 pandemic. The School of Pharmacy also accepts online courses/labs while the pandemic continues to affect the delivery of in-person courses.

Additional Information

One semester unit is equivalent to 1.5 quarter units.
The number of units listed above is the minimum number of units required in each subject area.
In order to be eligible for admission, you must satisfactorily complete a minimum total of 88 quarter units (equivalent to 59 semester units) of academic course work at another college.
Prerequisite course requirements can be in-progress when you submit the application, as well as planned after you submit the application, but all prerequisites must be satisfactorily completed by July 1 of the year of entry into the program.

Programs to Prepare for Graduate Studies at UCSF

UCSF offers programs designed to provide undergraduate students with a glimpse into graduate-level health professional training.

Pre-Health Undergraduate Program (PUP)

Overview: A five-week program that includes lectures, approaches to reviewing scientific literature, and sessions to allow students to get to know one another.
Coursework: Students are enrolled in an online version of the Designing Clinical Research course at UCSF.
Purpose: To train students to evaluate scientific literature and to design clinical and translational research studies.
Schedule: Typically runs on Tuesdays and Thursdays from mid-July through mid-August.
Mentoring: Students are paired with UCSF trainees in the DCR course.
Eligibility: Sophomore through senior students in pre-health disciplines and students from other disciplines at accredited two- and four-year universities are welcome to apply. Students from California State University campuses and accredited city/community/junior colleges are especially encouraged to apply. A GPA of 3.5 or higher with strong writing and quantitative skills is preferred.
Requirements: Students must commit to attending all classes at UCSF in July and August, complete all reading and written assignments, and participate in small groups.
Note: PUP is currently on hiatus for 2026 pending the successful renewal of the grant that supports the program.
Application Materials: Unofficial transcripts, applicant essay (two pages or 600 words), and a letter of recommendation from a faculty or staff member familiar with your educational experience.
Designing Clinical Research (Epidemiology 150.03): The course focuses on teaching students how to design a feasible, high-quality clinical research study. It includes lectures and small-group sessions.
Course Content: Critical appraisal of the medical literature and experiential training in research design.
Number of Students Selected: Approximately 20 undergraduate students are selected for this summer program.
Stipend: A $2000 stipend is offered to each student.

General Graduate Admission Requirements

Bachelor's Degree: A minimum of a bachelor's degree (BA/BS) or the equivalent from an accredited institution is required. Some programs may require a masterâs degree.
GPA: To be eligible for admission, you must have at least a 3.0 (B) grade point average.
Application Limit: You may apply to only one graduate program per application cycle/year.
Transcripts: Unofficial transcripts may be submitted for review purposes only. Final official transcripts must be submitted upon matriculation if an offer of admission is made.
Application Fee: $120 for US citizens and permanent residents, and $140 for international applicants. Fee waivers are available for US citizens and permanent residents.
Application Review: The graduate programâs admission committee makes a recommendation to Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs for admission or denial. Final authority to admit or deny admission resides with the dean of Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs.
Admission Notification: Applicants receive notice of their admission status via Slate.
Immunizations: All students are required to submit documentation of immunizations and complete a tuberculosis screening questionnaire.
Program Specificity: Students must apply for a specific degree.
Undocumented Students: UCSF welcomes applications for admission from undocumented individuals, such as those who qualify under Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and/or AB540.

Other Academic Programs at UCSF

UCSF also provides courses in other academic areas, including:

Business
Leadership
Data Management
Campaign Strategies
Black American Life
African Studies
Asian Pacific American Studies
Biochemistry
Biotechnology
Catholicism
Chemistry
Chinese Language
Computer Science
Cultural Causes of Crime and Violence

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