Las Positas College to UCSB
Computer Science Transfer Plan
Las Positas covers every course UCSB requires for Computer Science admission. CMPSC 16 is the one exception worth planning around: it takes CS 1 and CS 2 together, not a single class like most other requirements.
From
Las Positas College
To
UC Santa Barbara
Computer ScienceMajor Requirements
Computer Science Major Preparation
Courses at Las Positas College that satisfy UC Santa Barbara's Computer Science major preparation, mapped and verified by Transfermatic's transfer engine.
| Course at Las Positas College | Satisfies at UCSB | Units |
|---|---|---|
| MATH 1 — Calculus I | MATH 3A — Calculus with Applications, First Course | 5 |
| MATH 2 — Calculus II | MATH 3B — Calculus with Applications, Second Course | 5 |
| MATH 7 — Elementary Linear Algebra | MATH 4A — Linear Algebra with Applications | 3.5 |
| MATH 5 — Ordinary Differential Equations | MATH 4B — Differential Equations | 3.5 |
| CS 2 + CS 1 — Computing Fundamentals II + Computing Fundamentals I | CMPSC 16 — Problem Solving with Computers I | 8 |
| CS 20 — Advanced Programming with Data Structures/C++ | CMPSC 24 — Problem Solving with Computers II | 4 |
| CS 17 or MATH 10 — Discrete Mathematical Structures | CMPSC 40 — Foundations of Computer Science | 4 |
| No Las Positas match | CMPSC 32 — Object Oriented Design and Implementation (recommended) | — |
| CS 21 — Computer Organization and Assembly Language Programming | CMPSC 64 — Computer Organization and Logic Design (recommended) | 4 |
| MATH 3 — Multivariable Calculus | MATH 6A — Vector Calculus with Applications, First Course | 5 |
| PHYS 1A — General Physics I | PHYS 1 — Basic Physics (choose 2) | 5 |
| PHYS 1C — General Physics III | PHYS 2 — Basic Physics (choose 2) | 5 |
| PHYS 1B — General Physics II | PHYS 3, PHYS 3L (choose 2) | 5 |
| PHYS 2B + PHYS 2A — Introduction to Physics II + Introduction to Physics I | PHYS 6A, PHYS 6AL, PHYS 6B, PHYS 6BL, PHYS 6C, PHYS 6CL (choose 2) | 8 |
| PHYS 1A — General Physics I | PHYS 7A — Basic Physics (choose 2) | 5 |
| PHYS 1B + PHYS 1C — General Physics II + General Physics III | PHYS 7B — Basic Physics (choose 2) | 10 |
| No Las Positas 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 Las Positas College
UCSB's Computer Science program uses its own GE pattern (see note below), but these five Las Positas College courses cover foundation requirements every UC accepts. Start here.
BIO 10
Introduction to the Science of Biology
CHEM 12A
Organic Chemistry I
ENGL C1001
Critical Thinking and Writing
ENGL C1000
Academic Reading and Writing
COMM C1000
Introduction to Public Speaking
| Area | Course at Las Positas College | Units |
|---|---|---|
Life Science | BIO 10 — Introduction to the Science of Biology | 4 |
Physical Science | CHEM 12A — Organic Chemistry I | 5 |
HumanitiesCCN | ENGL C1001 — Critical Thinking and Writing | 3 |
English CompositionCCN | ENGL C1000 — Academic Reading and Writing | 3 |
Oral CommunicationCCN | COMM C1000 — Introduction to Public Speaking | 3 |
UCSB Computer Science: full GE notes
UCSB's Engineering college directs applicants to focus on major courses ahead of IGETC or Cal-GETC, with GE left for after transfer on a three-year timeline.
Four semesters to differential equations
MATH 1, then MATH 2, MATH 3, then MATH 5: Las Positas's chain to UCSB's differential equations requirement runs four semesters, so begin math your first term.
Las Positas semesters, UCSB quarters
Las Positas runs two semesters a year; UCSB runs three quarters. Semester credits convert to quarter units, and courses grouped at Las Positas may split across 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
CMPSC 16 needs two classes, not one
UCSB's CMPSC 16 takes both CS 1 and CS 2 at Las Positas, and CS 2 needs CS 1 first. Budget two semesters for it instead of assuming one class covers it.
One recommended elective is missing
Las Positas has no match for CMPSC 32, one of UCSB's strongly recommended but not required electives. CS 21 does cover the other one, CMPSC 64.
Differential equations ends a four-course chain
MATH 1, 2, 3, then 5: UCSB's differential equations requirement sits at the end of this four-semester sequence at Las Positas, so keep it moving every term.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Las Positas MATH 1 transfer to UCSB Computer Science?
Yes. MATH 1 satisfies UCSB's MATH 3A calculus requirement, one of seven courses Las Positas students need finished for admission to the major.
What classes does Las Positas not cover for UCSB CS?
Nothing required is missing at Las Positas. The strongly recommended CMPSC 32 has no match there, and PSTAT 120A is an upper-division course UCSB's notes say is taken at UCSB after transfer.
How competitive is UCSB Computer Science admission from Las Positas?
About 12% of transfer applicants to the major were admitted in 2025, a rate covering every community college that applies, not one specific to Las Positas. Completed prep and GPA both factor into selection.
Can one class at Las Positas cover UCSB's CMPSC 16 requirement?
No. CMPSC 16 needs both CS 1 and CS 2 finished together at Las Positas, unlike other requirements on this list that a single class satisfies on its own.
Explore More
Related Transfer Plans
Las Positas College students transferring into UC Santa Barbara's Computer Science, B.S. match all seven required admission courses, though CMPSC 16 there takes both CS 1 and CS 2 finished together rather than a single class. CMPSC 64 is covered through CS 21, though the recommended CMPSC 32 has no Las Positas match. PSTAT 120A is an upper-division course UCSB's notes say is taken at UCSB. Transfermatic maps this Las Positas-to-UCSB route so the two-class requirement is clear upfront.
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