Fullerton College to UCSD
Mechanical Engineering Transfer Plan
Fullerton clears 11 of UCSD's 17 Mechanical Engineering requirements, with two accepted paths to Linear Algebra. MAE 3, MAE 11, MAE 30A and MAE 30B have no Fullerton match; MAE 20 and MAE 40 are open too.
From
Fullerton College
To
UC San Diego
Mechanical EngineeringMajor Requirements
Mechanical Engineering Major Preparation
Courses at Fullerton College that satisfy UC San Diego's Mechanical Engineering major preparation, mapped and verified by Transfermatic's transfer engine.
| Course at Fullerton College | Satisfies at UCSD | Units |
|---|---|---|
| ENGR 220 F — Programming and Problem-Solving in MATLAB | MAE 8 — MATLAB Programming for Engineering Analysis | 3 |
| CHEM 111AF — General Chemistry I | CHEM 6A — General Chemistry I | 5 |
| (MATH 253 F and MATH 252 F) or MATH 255 F — Additional Topics in Linear Algebra | MATH 18 — Linear Algebra | 2 |
| MATH 151 F — Calculus I | MATH 20A — Calculus for Science and Engineering | 4 |
| MATH 152 F — Calculus II | MATH 20B — Calculus for Science and Engineering | 4 |
| MATH 251 F — Multivariable Calculus | MATH 20C — Calculus and Analytic Geometry for Science and Engineering | 4 |
| MATH 252 F or MATH 260 F — Linear Algebra and Differential Equations | MATH 20D — Introduction to Differential Equations | 4 |
| MATH 251 F — Multivariable Calculus | MATH 20E — Vector Calculus | 4 |
| PHYS 221 F — General Physics I | PHYS 2A — Physics - Mechanics | 4 |
| PHYS 222 F — General Physics II | PHYS 2B — Physics - Electricity and Magnetism | 4 |
| PHYS 223 F — General Physics III | PHYS 2C — Physics - Fluids, Waves, Thermodynamics, and Optics | 4 |
| No Fullerton match | MAE 20 — Elements of Materials Science | — |
| No Fullerton match | MAE 3 — Introduction to Engineering Graphics and Design | — |
| No Fullerton match | MAE 11 — Thermodynamics | — |
| No Fullerton match | MAE 30A — Statics & Introduction to Dynamics | — |
| No Fullerton match | MAE 30B — Dynamics & Vibrations | — |
| No Fullerton match | MAE 40 — Linear Circuits | — |
Courses with no equivalent must be taken at UC San Diego after transfer. Factor this into your first-year course plan.
General Education
Foundation GE at Fullerton College
Complete these five courses at Fullerton College to start your UCSD GE pattern. Finishing full IGETC/Cal-GETC at the CC is ideal — these five give you the broadest head start, and CCN-tagged courses stay portable if you switch community colleges.
BIOL 100 F
Principles of Biology
CHEM 100 F
Chemistry for Daily Life
HIST 110 F
Western Civilizations to 1550
ENGL C1000
Academic Reading and Writing
ENGL C1001
Critical Thinking and Writing
| Area | Course at Fullerton College | Units |
|---|---|---|
Life Science | BIOL 100 F — Principles of Biology | 4 |
Physical Science | CHEM 100 F — Chemistry for Daily Life | 4 |
Humanities | HIST 110 F — Western Civilizations to 1550 | 3 |
English CompositionCCN | ENGL C1000 — Academic Reading and Writing | 4 |
Critical ThinkingCCN | ENGL C1001 — Critical Thinking and Writing | 4 |
Fullerton runs semesters, UCSD runs quarters
Fullerton teaches on a semester calendar; UCSD splits the same content into shorter quarters. Once you're at UCSD, the Mechanical Engineering courses still ahead of you follow that quarter pace.
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
Linear algebra has two paths at Fullerton
UCSD's MATH 18 clears either through MATH 253 F together with MATH 252 F, or through MATH 255 F alone. Either route works; ASSIST treats them as equal.
Six requirements stay open at Fullerton
MAE 3, MAE 11, MAE 20, MAE 30A, MAE 30B and MAE 40 have no Fullerton match. MAE 20 and MAE 40 are recommended, not required to apply, and none of the six is on UCSD's screening list.
CHEM 111AF has four prerequisite options
Fullerton's CHEM 111AF, which clears UCSD's CHEM 6A, needs CHEM 107F or MATH 141F or MATH 141HF or MATH 143F first. Any one of those opens chemistry, which UCSD wants done before transfer.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Fullerton's MATH 253 F transfer to UCSD Mechanical Engineering?
Yes, paired with MATH 252 F it clears MATH 18, Linear Algebra. MATH 255 F alone also works; ASSIST accepts either route.
What doesn't Fullerton cover for UCSD Mechanical Engineering?
MAE 3, MAE 11, MAE 30A and MAE 30B have no Fullerton match. MAE 20 and MAE 40 are also open, but UCSD calls those recommended, not required for admission.
Does Fullerton's semester calendar cause problems for UCSD transfer?
No, but the pace changes once you arrive. Fullerton teaches on semesters; UCSD runs quarters, so your remaining Mechanical Engineering courses move at that faster, shorter-term pace.
What's the admit rate for UCSD Mechanical Engineering?
UCSD admitted 31% of all Mechanical Engineering transfer applicants in 2025, a figure that spans every applicant, not just those from Fullerton.
Explore More
Related Transfer Plans
Fullerton College students transferring into UC San Diego's Mechanical Engineering, B.S. program clear eleven of seventeen requirements, with MATH 18 open to two different paths, MATH 253 F with MATH 252 F, or MATH 255 F alone. MAE 3, MAE 11, MAE 30A and MAE 30B have no Fullerton match, and MAE 20 and MAE 40 are recommended rather than required before you apply. On our platform, put in your CC and your transfer university and Transfermatic checks Fullerton's course list against UC San Diego's Mechanical Engineering requirements automatically.
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