Las Positas College to UCLA
Mechanical Engineering Transfer Plan
Las Positas College covers every one of UCLA's 11 required Mechanical Engineering courses. Its math chain from MATH 1, Calculus I, to MATH 5, differential equations, runs four semesters, so start it in your first term.
From
Las Positas College
To
UCLA
Mechanical EngineeringMajor Requirements
Mechanical Engineering Major Preparation
Courses at Las Positas College that satisfy UCLA's Mechanical Engineering major preparation, mapped and verified by Transfermatic's transfer engine.
| Course at Las Positas College | Satisfies at UCLA | Units |
|---|---|---|
| CHEM 1A + CHEM 1B — General College Chemistry I + General College Chemistry II | CHEM 20A, CHEM 20B, CHEM 20L | 10 |
| MATH 1 — Calculus I | MATH 31A — Differential and Integral Calculus | 5 |
| MATH 2 — Calculus II | MATH 31B — Integration and Infinite Series | 5 |
| MATH 3 — Multivariable Calculus | MATH 32A — Calculus of Several Variables | 5 |
| MATH 3 — Multivariable Calculus | MATH 32B — Calculus of Several Variables | 5 |
| MATH 7 — Elementary Linear Algebra | MATH 33A — Linear Algebra and Applications | 3.5 |
| MATH 5 — Ordinary Differential Equations | MECH&AE 82 — Mathematics of Engineering | 3.5 |
| ENGR 23 — Engineering Graphics | MECH&AE 94 — Introduction to Computer-Aided Design and Drafting | 3 |
| PHYS 1C + PHYS 1A + PHYS 1B — General Physics III + General Physics I + General Physics II | PHYSICS 1A, PHYSICS 1B, PHYSICS 1C, PHYSICS 4AL, PHYSICS 4BL | 15 |
| ENGL C1000 — Academic Reading and Writing | ENGCOMP 3 — English Composition, Rhetoric, and Language (choose 1) | 3 |
| ENG 4 or ENGL C1001 — Critical Thinking and Writing About Literature | English composition courses (choose 1) | 3 |
| (CS 1 and CS 2) or CS 2 — Computing Fundamentals I | COM SCI 31 — Introduction to Computer Science I (choose 1) | 4 |
| ENGR 26 — Computational Methods for Engineers and Scientists | C&EE M20 — Introduction to Computer Programming with MATLAB (choose 1) | 3 |
| CS 1 or CS 2 — Computing Fundamentals I | Computer programming courses: C, C++, Java or Matlab (choose 1) | 4 |
| No Las Positas match | EC ENGR 100 — Electrical and Electronic Circuits (recommended) | — |
| ENGR 44 — Introduction to Circuit Analysis | EC ENGR 110L — Circuit Measurements Laboratory (recommended) | 4 |
| No Las Positas match | MECH&AE 101 — Statics and Strength of Materials (recommended) | — |
| No Las Positas match | MECH&AE 102 — Dynamics of Particles and Rigid Bodies (recommended) | — |
| ENGR 46 — Materials of Engineering | MAT SCI 104 — Science of Engineering Materials (recommended) | 4 |
Courses with no equivalent must be taken at UCLA after transfer. Factor this into your first-year course plan.
General Education
Foundation GE at Las Positas College
UCLA's Mechanical Engineering 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 |
UCLA Mechanical Engineering: full GE notes
Mechanical Engineering applicants to UCLA don't need Cal-GETC or IGETC; Samueli rejects a partial version and doesn't recommend finishing one either.
Four semesters of math from MATH 1
MATH 1 leads to MATH 2, then MATH 3, then MATH 5: four semesters minimum. Physics waits on it too, since PHYS 1C needs MATH 3, so start math your first semester.
Semester math meets quarter requirements
Las Positas runs semesters while UCLA runs quarters, so credit doesn't split evenly. MATH 3, a single Las Positas course, matches both UCLA's MATH 32A and MATH 32B.
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
Math finishes in four semesters
MATH 1 leads to MATH 2, MATH 3, then MATH 5. A steady four-semester pace clears it, but MATH 1 itself needs MATH 39 or MATH 21, so placing below calculus adds time.
Two of five recommended courses have a match
ENGR 44 covers EC ENGR 110L and ENGR 46 covers MAT SCI 104. Both are recommended, not required, so fit them in only after the 11 required courses are on track.
Programming runs through the engineering department too
ENGR 26, Computational Methods for Engineers and Scientists, covers C&EE M20, UCLA's preferred MATLAB path. CS 1 alone also meets the general programming option, and CS 2 covers COM SCI 31 if you'd rather go that route.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What classes should I take at Las Positas for UCLA Mechanical Engineering?
MATH 1 through 3 for calculus, MATH 7 for linear algebra, MATH 5 for differential equations, CHEM 1A/1B, PHYS 1A through 1C, ENGR 23 for CAD, ENGL C1000, and CS 1/2 or ENGR 26 for programming.
How long is the math sequence at Las Positas for this major?
Four semesters: MATH 1, then MATH 2, MATH 3 and MATH 5. MATH 7, linear algebra, needs only MATH 2, so it can run alongside MATH 3.
Does Las Positas cover all of UCLA's Mechanical Engineering prep?
Yes, ASSIST lists a Las Positas match for all 11 required courses. Among the five recommended electives, Las Positas covers two: EC ENGR 110L and MAT SCI 104.
How competitive is admission to UCLA Mechanical Engineering?
UCLA's Samueli School admitted 12% of all 2025 transfer applicants to the major and requires a 3.4 minimum GPA, standards that apply no matter which college you attend.
Explore More
Related Transfer Plans
Las Positas College students planning a Mechanical Engineering transfer to the University of California, Los Angeles can complete all 11 of UCLA's required prep courses at Las Positas. The math chain from MATH 1 through MATH 5 runs four semesters, with MATH 7 for linear algebra and ENGR 23 for CAD alongside it. Admission is tight: 12% of 2025 transfer applicants to the major got in, and Samueli wants at least a 3.4 GPA. Transfermatic can build that four-semester math run into a full transfer plan for Las Positas students.
Build your Las Positas College → UCLA plan
Personalized, semester-by-semester. Free to start.
Get My Transfer Plan