Irvine Valley College to UC Berkeley
Computer Science Transfer Plan
IVC covers all three courses UC Berkeley requires for Computer Science admission: MATH 3A, MATH 3B, and MATH 26 with MATH 24 for MATH 54. Of the four recommended CS courses, only COMPSCI 61B has an IVC match, CS 41.
From
Irvine Valley College
To
UC Berkeley
Computer ScienceMajor Requirements
Computer Science Major Preparation
Courses at Irvine Valley College that satisfy UC Berkeley's Computer Science major preparation, mapped and verified by Transfermatic's transfer engine.
| Course at Irvine Valley College | Satisfies at UC Berkeley | Units |
|---|---|---|
| MATH 3A or MATH 3AH — Analytic Geometry and Calculus I | MATH 51 — Calculus I | 5 |
| MATH 3B or MATH 3BH — Analytic Geometry and Calculus II | MATH 52 — Calculus II | 5 |
| (MATH 26 and MATH 24) or (MATH 24H and MATH 26) — Introduction to Linear Algebra | MATH 54 — Linear Algebra and Differential Equations (choose 1) | 4 |
| No IVC match | COMPSCI 61A — The Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs (recommended) | — |
| CS 41 — Data Structures | COMPSCI 61B — Data Structures (recommended) | 3 |
| No IVC match | COMPSCI 61C — Machine Structures (recommended) | — |
| No IVC match | COMPSCI 70 — Discrete Mathematics and Probability Theory (recommended) | — |
Courses with no equivalent must be taken at UC Berkeley after transfer. Factor this into your first-year course plan.
General Education
Foundation GE at Irvine Valley College
Complete these five courses at Irvine Valley College to start your UC Berkeley 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.
BIO 1
The Life Sciences
CHEM 12A
Organic Chemistry
HIST 1
The History of World Civilizations to 1500
ENGL C1000
Academic Reading and Writing
ENGL C1001
Critical Thinking and Writing
| Area | Course at Irvine Valley College | Units |
|---|---|---|
Life Science | BIO 1 — The Life Sciences | 3 |
Physical Science | CHEM 12A — Organic Chemistry | 5 |
Humanities | HIST 1 — The History of World Civilizations to 1500 | 3 |
English CompositionCCN | ENGL C1000 — Academic Reading and Writing | 4 |
Critical ThinkingCCN | ENGL C1001 — Critical Thinking and Writing | 4 |
Linear algebra is four semesters away
Starting from MATH 8, the chain to MATH 26 runs MATH 8, MATH C2210, MATH C2220, then MATH 26: four semesters minimum. Begin math your first term so MATH 26 is done by spring.
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
For MATH 54, MATH 26 is what counts
ASSIST pairs MATH 26 with MATH 24 for Berkeley's MATH 54, but the notes say Computer Science accepts just the linear algebra half. MATH 26 is the must-have. EECS 16A and MATH 56 are the other options, with no IVC match.
Take CS 41 even though it's optional
COMPSCI 61B is highly recommended, not required, and IVC's CS 41 matches it. ASSIST says recommended courses strengthen an application. CS 41 needs CS 37 or CS 38 first, so start programming early.
Every required course, or no review
Berkeley considers only applicants who finish all required courses plus the UC 7-course pattern by the end of spring. Missing even MATH 26 means your application isn't considered for the major.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What classes do I need at IVC for UC Berkeley computer science?
MATH 3A, MATH 3B and MATH 26, with MATH 24 completing the full MATH 54 match. Those cover every course Berkeley requires for admission. Add CS 41 for the recommended COMPSCI 61B, and finish the UC 7-course pattern, including two English composition courses, by spring.
What doesn't IVC cover for Berkeley CS?
Nothing required. The gaps are on the recommended list: COMPSCI 61A, COMPSCI 61C and COMPSCI 70 have no IVC match, so you'd take them at Berkeley. The department notes the 61 series and COMPSCI 70 are offered in Berkeley's summer session.
How hard is it to transfer into Berkeley computer science?
Very hard. UC Berkeley admitted 5% of all 2025 transfer applicants to Computer Science, a rate for every college combined rather than for IVC. And if you pick a different major on the application, you can't switch into CS after admission.
Is IGETC required for Berkeley CS?
No. The College of Computing, Data Science, and Society doesn't require IGETC or Cal-GETC for admission, though it highly recommends finishing it for degree progress. The UC 7-course pattern is required either way.
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Related Transfer Plans
Irvine Valley College students applying to the Computer Science B.A. at UC Berkeley can finish every required admission course at IVC: MATH 3A and MATH 3B for calculus, and MATH 26 with MATH 24 for Berkeley's MATH 54. CS 41 adds the recommended COMPSCI 61B, while the other recommended CS courses have no IVC match. Transfermatic sequences the IVC math so linear algebra is done by the spring before transfer, when Berkeley checks that every required course is complete.
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