El Camino College to UCSB
Computer Science Transfer Plan
El Camino covers every course UCSB requires for Computer Science admission. MATH 270 alone satisfies both the linear algebra and differential equations requirement, and both strongly recommended CS electives are offered too.
From
El Camino College
To
UC Santa Barbara
Computer ScienceMajor Requirements
Computer Science Major Preparation
Courses at El Camino College that satisfy UC Santa Barbara's Computer Science major preparation, mapped and verified by Transfermatic's transfer engine.
| Course at El Camino College | Satisfies at UCSB | Units |
|---|---|---|
| MATH 190 — Single Variable Calculus and Analytic Geometry I | MATH 3A — Calculus with Applications, First Course | 5 |
| MATH 191 — Single Variable Calculus and Analytic Geometry II | MATH 3B — Calculus with Applications, Second Course | 5 |
| MATH 270 — Differential Equations with Linear Algebra | MATH 4A — Linear Algebra with Applications | 5 |
| MATH 270 — Differential Equations with Linear Algebra | MATH 4B — Differential Equations | 5 |
| CSCI 1 or CSCI 1H — Problem Solving and Program Design Using C++ | CMPSC 16 — Problem Solving with Computers I | 4 |
| CSCI 2 — Introduction to Data Structures | CMPSC 24 — Problem Solving with Computers II | 5 |
| MATH 210 — Introduction to Discrete Structures | CMPSC 40 — Foundations of Computer Science | 5 |
| CSCI 30 — Advanced Programming in C++ | CMPSC 32 — Object Oriented Design and Implementation (recommended) | 4 |
| CSCI 16 — Assembly Language Programming for the x86 (IBM PC) Processors | CMPSC 64 — Computer Organization and Logic Design (recommended) | 4 |
| MATH 220 — Multi-Variable Calculus | MATH 6A — Vector Calculus with Applications, First Course | 5 |
| PHYS 1A — Mechanics of Solids | PHYS 1 — Basic Physics (choose 2) | 4 |
| PHYS 1A + PHYS 1B — Mechanics of Solids + Fluids, Heat and Sound | PHYS 2 — Basic Physics (choose 2) | 7 |
| PHYS 1B + PHYS 1C + PHYS 1A — Fluids, Heat and Sound + Electricity and Magnetism + Mechanics of Solids | PHYS 3, PHYS 3L (choose 2) | 11 |
| (PHYS 3A and PHYS 3B) or (PHYS 2A and PHYS 2B) — General Physics with Calculus | PHYS 6A, PHYS 6AL, PHYS 6B, PHYS 6BL, PHYS 6C, PHYS 6CL (choose 2) | 5 |
| PHYS 1A — Mechanics of Solids | PHYS 7A — Basic Physics (choose 2) | 4 |
| PHYS 1A + PHYS 1B + PHYS 1C — Mechanics of Solids + Fluids, Heat and Sound + Electricity and Magnetism | PHYS 7B — Basic Physics (choose 2) | 11 |
| No El Camino match | PSTAT 120A — Probability and Statistics | — |
Courses with no equivalent must be taken at UC Santa Barbara after transfer. Factor this into your first-year course plan.
General Education
Foundation GE at El Camino College
UCSB's Computer Science program uses its own GE pattern (see note below), but these five El Camino College courses cover foundation requirements every UC 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 |
UCSB Computer Science: full GE notes
UCSB's Engineering college has applicants prioritize major coursework over IGETC or Cal-GETC, with general education left until after transfer for students on a three-year timeline.
Six semesters to finish the math requirement
MATH 170, 180, 190, 191, 220, then 270: El Camino's chain to UCSB's linear algebra and diff eq requirement runs six semesters, so start math your first term.
El Camino semesters, UCSB quarters
El Camino runs two semesters a year; UCSB runs three quarters. Semester units convert to quarter units, and courses taken together at El Camino may fall into separate, shorter UCSB terms.
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
One math course does double duty
MATH 270 at El Camino satisfies both UCSB's MATH 4A and MATH 4B, the linear algebra and differential equations requirements, so it's one class instead of two for that part of the sequence.
CSCI 1 has an honors twin
CSCI 1H counts the same as standard CSCI 1 toward UCSB's CMPSC 16 requirement, so taking the honors section doesn't add an extra course to your plan.
Both recommended electives are covered
CSCI 30 and CSCI 16 match UCSB's strongly recommended CMPSC 32 and CMPSC 64. They're optional for admission, but El Camino has both if you have room before transfer.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Does El Camino MATH 190 transfer to UCSB Computer Science?
Yes. MATH 190 satisfies UCSB's MATH 3A calculus requirement, one of seven courses El Camino students need finished for admission to the major.
What classes does El Camino not cover for UCSB CS?
El Camino covers all seven required admission courses. UCSB separately lists PSTAT 120A, an upper-division course its notes say isn't articulated and is taken at UCSB after transfer.
How selective is the UCSB Computer Science major for transfers?
About 12% of transfer applicants to the major were admitted in 2025, a figure covering every sending community college, not one specific to El Camino. Completed prep, grades and cumulative GPA all matter.
How long is the math sequence at El Camino for UCSB CS?
Six semesters. MATH 170, 180, 190, 191 and 220 all come before MATH 270, which then covers both remaining math requirements, so plan on starting calculus right away.
Explore More
Related Transfer Plans
El Camino College students planning to transfer into UC Santa Barbara's Computer Science, B.S. match all seven required admission courses, and El Camino's MATH 270 covers both the linear algebra and differential equations requirement in a single class. Both strongly recommended CS electives, CSCI 30 and CSCI 16, are also offered. PSTAT 120A is an upper-division course that UCSB's notes say isn't articulated and is taken at UCSB. Transfermatic tracks this El Camino-to-UCSB Computer Science route class by class.
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