Campus Description — UC Merced

Personal attention is the reason most students give when asked why prospective freshmen and transfer students should choose UC Merced. After all, students work side by side with acclaimed researchers as early as their freshman year. Students also point to the strong academic programs, new technology and service learning programs, in which they apply their knowledge while contributing to the community. From superior facilities and exceptional leadership opportunities to novel approaches to learning, every aspect of campus life is designed to promote the success of students through graduation and beyond.

Academic Highlights

The extraordinary scholars at UC Merced have developed a strong foundation for academic programs and an exemplary educational environment. An emphasis on research and interactive learning, paired with numerous academic resources, equips students with a competitive edge as they prepare for professional careers and advanced studies. UC Merced features academic offerings for undergraduate and graduate students in the School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts, the School of Natural Sciences, and the School of Engineering.

The School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts creates an expansive education guided by the belief that doing is the basis for learning and that students need to discover the links between formal academic programs and the world. Professors are specialists in the creative arts, economics, history, linguistics, literature, management, philosophy, political science, psychology, sociology and statistics.

Students in the School of Natural Sciences are invited to join in one of the greatest adventures of all time — exploring how the universe works and applying this knowledge to improve human well-being. Devoted to understanding physical and biological processes, the school offers majors in the fields of Biology, Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Mathematics and Physics.

The School of Engineering promises to expose students to new technologies that will become their tools to solve complex problems facing contemporary society and deliver exciting new products and services to the world. Fields of study in this school include air pollution, bioengineering, computer science, energy sustainability, hydrology, materials science and mechanical engineering.

Working across disciplines, research at UC Merced takes advantage of the rich, natural laboratory of California’s San Joaquin Valley and partnerships with Yosemite National Park and other institutions. Signature research institutes include the Sierra Nevada Research Institute, the Wawona Field Station and the Environmental Analytical Laboratory.

Planning is ongoing for new academic programs. Students should visit the UC Merced website to view the most current list of majors. Prospective freshmen and transfer students are encouraged to contact the Office of Admissions/Relations with Schools and Colleges, which provides advising, information about admissions and assistance with the application process.

Campus Life

For students who want to make their mark on campus traditions, the Office of Student Life offers exceptional opportunities to start new events, contribute to the development of student government, and launch clubs and other organizations that represent the needs and interests of students. Already established cultural, political, athletic, professional and academic clubs reflect the spirit of diversity that is celebrated on campus.

Catering to students’ needs outside the classroom, the campus features a range of on-campus activities and off-campus excursions through the Joseph Edward Gallo Recreation and Wellness Center. The center is home to the latest exercise equipment, a versatile room for dance and fitness classes, and an NCAA regulation-size basketball court.

Next to the recreation center, Sierra Terraces, where the majority of UC Merced freshmen live. Its second phase opened in the Fall of 2008. The Office of Residence Life is also happy to help students connect with off-campus housing options.

In Merced, students will find movie theaters, music and live theater venues, shopping, special events, and an extensive network of bike paths and parks, as well as popular Lake Yosemite, located adjacent to campus.

Some of the state’s finest natural attractions — Yosemite, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are favorites — and popular recreational activities, like skiing, snowboarding, white-water rafting, hiking and camping, are all within an easy drive.