Irvine Valley College to UCSD
Computer Science Transfer Plan
IVC matches 10 of UCSD's 11 Computer Science requirements, including CS 38 for CSE 11 and both CS 40A and CS 40B for CSE 30. Only CSE 29, Systems Programming and Software Tools, has no IVC course.
From
Irvine Valley College
To
UC San Diego
Computer ScienceMajor Requirements
Computer Science Major Preparation
Courses at Irvine Valley College that satisfy UC San Diego's Computer Science major preparation, mapped and verified by Transfermatic's transfer engine.
| Course at Irvine Valley College | Satisfies at UCSD | Units |
|---|---|---|
| CS 38 — Java Programming | CSE 11 — Introduction to Programming and Computational Problem Solving - Accelerated Pace | 3 |
| CS 41 — Data Structures | CSE 12 — Basic Data Structures and Object-Oriented Design | 3 |
| No IVC match | CSE 29 — Systems Programming and Software Tools | — |
| MATH 6A — Computer Discrete Mathematics I | CSE 20 — Discrete Mathematics | 3 |
| MATH 6B — Computer Discrete Mathematics II | CSE 21 — Mathematics for Algorithms and Systems | 3 |
| CS 40B + CS 40A — Computer Organization and Assembly Language II + Computer Organization and Assembly Language I | CSE 30 — Computer Organization and Systems Programming | 6 |
| MATH 26 — Introduction to Linear Algebra | MATH 18 — Linear Algebra | 4 |
| MATH 3A or MATH 3AH — Analytic Geometry and Calculus I | MATH 20A — Calculus for Science and Engineering | 5 |
| MATH 3B or MATH 3BH — Analytic Geometry and Calculus II | MATH 20B — Calculus for Science and Engineering | 5 |
| MATH 4A — Analytic Geometry and Calculus III | MATH 20C — Calculus and Analytic Geometry for Science and Engineering | 5 |
| BIO 16 (or another listed option) — Cellular Biology | BILD 1 — The Cell (choose 1) | 4 |
| BIO 2 (or another listed option) — Plant Biology | BILD 2 — Multicellular Life (choose 1) | 4 |
| BIO 2 (or another listed option) — Plant Biology | BILD 3 — Organismic and Evolutionary Biology (choose 1) | 4 |
| CHEM 1A — General Chemistry I | CHEM 6A — General Chemistry I (choose 1) | 5 |
| CHEM 1A + CHEM 1B — General Chemistry I + General Chemistry II | CHEM 6B — General Chemistry II (choose 1) | 10 |
| PHYS 4A — General Physics | PHYS 2A — Physics - Mechanics (choose 1) | 4 |
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 Irvine Valley College
Complete these five courses at Irvine Valley 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.
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 |
Four semesters to reach linear algebra
IVC's path to MATH 18 runs MATH 8, then MATH C2210, then MATH C2220, then MATH 26: four semesters minimum. Begin that sequence your first term so it's done before UCSD's spring cutoff.
IVC semesters, UCSD quarters
UCSD runs on the quarter system while IVC teaches in semesters, so a single IVC calculus course can line up with a UCSD course that's paced differently once you arrive. Expect three terms a year after transfer.
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
CSE 30 needs two IVC courses, not one
ASSIST pairs CS 40A with CS 40B for UCSD's CSE 30. Take CS 40A first since CS 40B lists it as a prerequisite, or the sequence stalls a term.
Honors calculus covers the same requirements
MATH 3AH and MATH 3BH count the same as MATH 3A and MATH 3B for UCSD's MATH 20A and MATH 20B. Either track works, so pick honors only if you want the extra rigor.
CSE 29 has no IVC equivalent
Systems Programming and Software Tools isn't in IVC's course list for this agreement. Plan to take it after you're enrolled at UCSD, not before.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What classes should I take at IVC for UCSD computer science?
CS 38 for programming, CS 41 and CS 40A then CS 40B for data structures and systems, MATH 6A and MATH 6B for discrete math, and MATH 3A through MATH 4A for the calculus sequence into MATH 26 for linear algebra.
What doesn't IVC cover for UCSD computer science?
CSE 29, Systems Programming and Software Tools. ASSIST lists no IVC course against it, so it's the one requirement of eleven you'll finish at UCSD instead of before you transfer.
What is the UCSD computer science transfer admit rate?
17% for 2025, counted across every transfer applicant to Computer Science, not IVC applicants specifically. UCSD screens this major, so finishing MATH 18, 20A-C, CSE 11, 12 and 20 by spring matters more than the rate alone.
Does IVC MATH 26 count for UCSD's linear algebra requirement?
Yes. MATH 26, Introduction to Linear Algebra, is IVC's match for UCSD's MATH 18. It sits at the end of a four-semester chain that starts with MATH 8, so start math early.
Explore More
Related Transfer Plans
Irvine Valley College students planning to transfer into UC San Diego's Computer Science B.S. can complete 10 of the 11 lower-division requirements before they leave IVC. CS 38 and CS 41 cover the programming sequence, CS 40A and CS 40B together cover computer organization, and MATH 3A through MATH 4A carry the calculus track into MATH 26 for linear algebra. Only CSE 29, Systems Programming and Software Tools, has no IVC match. Transfermatic lays out that four-semester math chain against IVC's own term calendar so nothing slips past UCSD's spring prep deadline.
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