El Camino College to SDSU
Mechanical Engineering Transfer Plan
El Camino covers 6 of SDSU's 15 Mechanical Engineering requirements: calculus, chemistry and both physics-with-lab courses. None of SDSU's eight M E-block courses or the biology choice has an El Camino match, and SDSU's deadline for all major prep is the end of spring 2027.
From
El Camino College
To
San Diego State University
Mechanical EngineeringMajor Requirements
Mechanical Engineering Major Preparation
Courses at El Camino College that satisfy San Diego State University's Mechanical Engineering major preparation, mapped and verified by Transfermatic's transfer engine.
| Course at El Camino College | Satisfies at SDSU | Units |
|---|---|---|
| No El Camino match | M E 190 — Computer-Aided Design | — |
| No El Camino match | M E 200 — Statics | — |
| No El Camino match | M E 202 — Computer Programming and Applications | — |
| No El Camino match | M E 220 — Dynamics | — |
| No El Camino match | M E 230 — Basics of Mechatronics | — |
| No El Camino match | M E 240 — Introduction to Engineering Materials | — |
| No El Camino match | M E 241 — Materials Laboratory | — |
| No El Camino match | A E 280 — Methods of Analysis | — |
| CHEM 1A — General Chemistry I | CHEM 202 — General Chemistry for Engineers (choose 1) | 5 |
| CHEM 1A — General Chemistry I | CHEM 200 — General Chemistry (choose 1) | 5 |
| No El Camino match for any of 2 options | BIOL 100 — General Biology and others (choose 1) | — |
| MATH 190 — Single Variable Calculus and Analytic Geometry I | MATH 150 — Calculus I | 5 |
| MATH 191 — Single Variable Calculus and Analytic Geometry II | MATH 151 — Calculus II | 5 |
| MATH 220 — Multi-Variable Calculus | MATH 252 — Calculus III | 5 |
| PHYS 1A — Mechanics of Solids | PHYS 195, PHYS 195L | 4 |
| PHYS 1C — Electricity and Magnetism | PHYS 196, PHYS 196L | 4 |
Courses with no equivalent must be taken at San Diego State University after transfer. Factor this into your first-year course plan.
General Education
Foundation GE at El Camino College
SDSU's Mechanical Engineering program uses its own GE pattern (see note below), but these five El Camino College courses cover foundation requirements every CSU accepts. Start here.
BIOL 10
Fundamentals of Biology
CHEM 1A
General Chemistry I
HIST 101
United States History to 1877
ENGL C1000
Academic Reading and Writing
ENGL C1001
Critical Thinking and Writing
| Area | Course at El Camino College | Units |
|---|---|---|
Life Science | BIOL 10 — Fundamentals of Biology | 4 |
Physical Science | CHEM 1A — General Chemistry I | 5 |
Humanities | HIST 101 — United States History to 1877 | 3 |
English CompositionCCN | ENGL C1000 — Academic Reading and Writing | 4 |
Critical ThinkingCCN | ENGL C1001 — Critical Thinking and Writing | 4 |
SDSU Mechanical Engineering: full GE notes
Engineering majors at SDSU commonly use its own GE pattern instead of Cal-GETC or CSU GE certification, SDSU says.
Six semesters from precalc to physics
MATH 170 into MATH 180 into MATH 190 into MATH 191 into MATH 220 into PHYS 1C runs six semesters. Any delay in MATH 170 pushes the whole chain back.
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Your First Semester
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Watch Out
Common Mistakes for This Transfer Path
No M E-block match at El Camino
SDSU's eight M E-block courses, M E 190 through M E 241 plus A E 280, have no El Camino equivalent on ASSIST. SDSU still wants all catalog major prep finished by the end of spring 2027.
One chemistry course covers both options
CHEM 1A alone satisfies either CHEM 202 or CHEM 200, SDSU's two chemistry paths, so you don't need a second chemistry class to clear that requirement.
Six semesters of math before physics finishes
MATH 170 leads through MATH 180, MATH 190, MATH 191 and MATH 220 to PHYS 1C: six semesters minimum. PHYS 1A also needs PHYS 2A and MATH 190, so plan physics alongside calculus.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Does El Camino's MATH 190 transfer to SDSU for Mechanical Engineering?
Yes. MATH 190 clears MATH 150, Calculus I, and MATH 191 and MATH 220 separately clear MATH 151 and MATH 252, SDSU's full calculus sequence.
What doesn't El Camino College cover for SDSU Mechanical Engineering?
None of SDSU's eight M E-block courses or the BIOL 100/BIOL 101 choice has an El Camino match: 9 of 15 requirements. SDSU wants all of its catalog prep done by the end of spring 2027; summer 2027 courses don't count.
What GPA does SDSU require for Mechanical Engineering applicants?
SDSU's Mechanical Engineering minimum for fall 2027 sits at a 2.70 GPA. El Camino isn't in SDSU's local admission area, so you won't get the local priority.
How long is El Camino's math sequence before transfer?
MATH 170 through PHYS 1C runs six semesters minimum, so start MATH 170 the moment you enroll.
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Related Transfer Plans
El Camino College students transferring into San Diego State University's Mechanical Engineering, B.S. program clear six of fifteen requirements: MATH 190, MATH 191 and MATH 220 for calculus, CHEM 1A for chemistry, and PHYS 1A and PHYS 1C for physics. None of SDSU's eight M E prep courses has an El Camino match, SDSU wants all major prep done by the end of spring 2027, and the MATH 170 through PHYS 1C chain runs six semesters. On our platform, put in your CC and your transfer university and Transfermatic maps El Camino's matches and gaps automatically.
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