American River College to UCLA
Computer Science Transfer Plan
ARC has a match for 13 of UCLA's 15 Computer Science prep courses. COM SCI 35L and a UCLA choose-1 requirement have no ARC match, so plan for them before you apply.
From
American River College
To
UCLA
Computer ScienceMajor Requirements
Computer Science Major Preparation
Courses at American River College that satisfy UCLA's Computer Science major preparation, mapped and verified by Transfermatic's transfer engine.
| Course at American River College | Satisfies at UCLA | Units |
|---|---|---|
| CISP 360 or CISP 480 or CISP 400 — Introduction to Structured Programming | COM SCI 31 — Introduction to Computer Science I | 4 |
| CISP 400 + CISP 430 — Object Oriented Programming with C++ + Data Structures | COM SCI 32 — Introduction to Computer Science II | 8 |
| CISP 310 — Computer Architecture and Organization | COM SCI 33 — Introduction to Computer Organization | 4 |
| No ARC match | COM SCI 35L — Software Construction Laboratory | — |
| No ARC match for any of 2 options | COM SCI M51A — Logic Design of Digital Systems and others (choose 1) | — |
| MATH 400 — Calculus I | MATH 31A — Differential and Integral Calculus | 5 |
| MATH 401 — Calculus II | MATH 31B — Integration and Infinite Series | 5 |
| MATH 402 — Calculus III | MATH 32A — Calculus of Several Variables | 5 |
| MATH 402 — Calculus III | MATH 32B — Calculus of Several Variables | 5 |
| MATH 410 — Introduction to Linear Algebra | MATH 33A — Linear Algebra and Applications | 3 |
| MATH 420 — Differential Equations | MATH 33B — Differential Equations | 4 |
| CISP 440 — Discrete Structures for Computer Science | MATH 61 — Introduction to Discrete Structures | 3 |
| PHYS 431 + PHYS 421 + PHYS 410 — Heat, Waves, Light and Modern Physics + Electricity and Magnetism + Mechanics of Solids and Fluids | PHYSICS 1A, PHYSICS 1B, PHYSICS 1C, PHYSICS 4AL, PHYSICS 4BL | 13 |
| ENGL C1000 or ENGL C1000H — Academic Reading and Writing | ENGCOMP 3 — English Composition, Rhetoric, and Language (choose 1) | 3 |
| ENGWR 301 or ENGL C1001 or ENGWR 481 or ENGL C1001H — College Composition and Literature | English composition courses (choose 1) | 3 |
| CISP 400 — Object Oriented Programming with C++ | Computer programming courses: C++ preferred (choose 1) | 4 |
Courses with no equivalent must be taken at UCLA after transfer. Factor this into your first-year course plan.
General Education
Foundation GE at American River College
UCLA's Computer Science program uses its own GE pattern (see note below), but these five American River College courses cover foundation requirements every UC accepts. Start here.
BIOL 300
The Foundations of Biology
CHEM 305
Introduction to Chemistry
HIST 300
History of Europe and the Mediterranean to 1500
ENGL C1000
Academic Reading and Writing
ENGL C1001
Critical Thinking and Writing
| Area | Course at American River College | Units |
|---|---|---|
Life Science | BIOL 300 — The Foundations of Biology | 3 |
Physical Science | CHEM 305 — Introduction to Chemistry | 5 |
Humanities | HIST 300 — History of Europe and the Mediterranean to 1500 | 3 |
English CompositionCCN | ENGL C1000 — Academic Reading and Writing | 3 |
Critical ThinkingCCN | ENGL C1001 — Critical Thinking and Writing | 3 |
UCLA Computer Science: full GE notes
Computer Science applicants to Samueli don't need IGETC or Cal-GETC, and a partial version of either isn't accepted.
4 semesters minimum for CISP 300 onward
CISP 300 through CISP 430: 4 courses, each needing the one before, so 4 semesters minimum. Start CISP 300 in your first semester. Placing higher shortens it.
ARC semesters, UCLA quarters
ARC runs on semesters and UCLA on quarters. Your units convert when you transfer, one semester unit to 1.5 quarter units, and anything left runs on UCLA's quicker quarter schedule.
Preview
Your First Semester
A preview of what Transfermatic generates — exact courses, in the right order, every semester.
Watch Out
Common Mistakes for This Transfer Path
2 UCLA requirements have no ARC match
ARC lists no course for COM SCI 35L and a UCLA choose-1 requirement. Check UCLA's Computer Science page for whether they have to be done before you transfer, and plan where you'll cover them.
Start with CISP 300 and ENGL C1000
CISP 300 and ENGL C1000 sit at the start of their sequences for this route, so they fit your first semester.
ARC gives you options here
For UCLA COM SCI 31, ARC accepts CISP 360 or CISP 480 or CISP 400. You need only one of them, so pick whichever fits your schedule.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What classes should I take at ARC for UCLA Computer Science?
CISP 360 or CISP 480 or CISP 400, CISP 430, CISP 310, MATH 400, MATH 401, MATH 402 and MATH 410, plus the rest in the table above. Together they match 13 of the 15 prep courses UCLA lists for Computer Science.
What doesn't ARC cover for UCLA Computer Science?
COM SCI 35L and a UCLA choose-1 requirement. ARC lists no course for them, so check UCLA's Computer Science page for whether they have to be finished before you transfer.
Does ARC CISP 310 transfer to UCLA?
Yes, for Computer Science. ARC CISP 310 (Computer Architecture and Organization) is the match for UCLA COM SCI 33 (Introduction to Computer Organization) in the transfer agreement.
What is UCLA's transfer admit rate for Computer Science?
5% of all transfer applicants to UCLA Computer Science were admitted in 2025. That figure covers applicants from every college, so it isn't specific to ARC.
Explore More
Related Transfer Plans
American River College students transferring to UCLA for Computer Science can match 13 of 15 lower-division prep courses at ARC, including CISP 360 or CISP 480 or CISP 400 and CISP 430. COM SCI 35L and a UCLA choose-1 requirement have no American River College equivalent in the 2025-2026 agreement. CISP 300 and ENGL C1000 are good first-semester picks. On Transfermatic, put in American River College and UCLA, and you get the classes you need for Computer Science, semester by semester.
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