<p>This is actually for a friend. He submitted a TAG for UCSC for Astrophysics. He is currently taking the chem classes, but he does not need it for UCSC as a Astrophysics major. The only reason he is taking chem is because other UC's require it for physics. He wants to drop it since he does not need the chem series, but he already submitted a TAG with the chem classes on there for this Fall and Spring. If he drops the chem class, would his TAG get rejected? Again, he does not need the class for UCSC(not on assist.org), he does not need it to fulfill the 60 unit requirement, nor does he need to fulfill IGETC.</p>
<p>I think he would be fine, but tell him to call UCSC and talk to an academic advisor.</p>
<p>Update: it seems like you can if the course is not a prerequisite, it is not needed to complete IGETC, and it’s not needed for the 60 unit count overall; and 30 unit count for submitting the TAG.</p>
<p>^^^Correct. You’ll be fine as long as it’s not a pre-req for the major at UCSC, if it doesn’t drop you below 60 units, and if it’s not needed to complete the 7 course UC Breadth. Once the class it dropped he should notify UCSC of the changes and also write a note in the “additional comments” of the UC app explaining the changes to TAG.</p>
<p>Exactly. The counselor said that he has to update it when he applied in November because the UC application and the TAG are linked somehow.</p>
<p>I expect it will all work out the way you have said. But if it were me, given the consequences of it not working out this way, I’d email UCSC admissions and get a response from them to be 100% sure and to have a fallback position. Otherwise if something happens you can bet the counselor will say “that’s not what I said” and your friend will have no way of showing otherwise. I admit this is just being ultra cautious, but its what I’d do…</p>
<p>I agree with mikemac.</p>
<p>When I got my degree in Astrophysics from the University of Maryland College Park many years ago there was no requirement to take Chemistry. However my son who is a Physics major at Sacramento State is required to complete two semesters of Chemistry to get his Physics degree. I checked the web sites of a number of UCs, CSUs and private colleges and universities and most are now requiring Physics majors to complete at least one semester of General Chemistry. While UCSC is generally considered a lower tier UC overall, it is well known nationally for its strong Astronomy, Astrophysics and Physics programs that date back to the 19th century when the Lick Observatory was established there.</p>
<p>While your TAG might not be rejected there seems to be a possibility that dropping Chemistry would make you a less competitive applicant. Many Astronomy and Astrophysics courses do presume some knowledge of Chemistry, particularly when studying things like the interstellar medium and prospects for life on extra-solar planets. Extra-solar planets and their chemical makeup is an area that UCSC is in the forefront of research on globally so if you think you can pass the course, I would stick with it since having it on your transcript will make you a stronger applicant.</p>
<p>call the college to see if it will affect the TAG, also make sure you have 60 credits</p>