Los Angeles Pierce College to UC Berkeley
Computer Science Transfer Plan
Los Angeles Pierce College covers all three required UC Berkeley Computer Science courses, and it also matches the recommended COMPSCI 61B and 61C. Only COMPSCI 61A and COMPSCI 70 have no Pierce equivalent.
From
Los Angeles Pierce College
To
UC Berkeley
Computer ScienceMajor Requirements
Computer Science Major Preparation
Courses at Los Angeles Pierce College that satisfy UC Berkeley's Computer Science major preparation, mapped and verified by Transfermatic's transfer engine.
| Course at Los Angeles Pierce College | Satisfies at UC Berkeley | Units |
|---|---|---|
| MATH 261 — Calculus I | MATH 51 — Calculus I | 5 |
| MATH 262 — Calculus II | MATH 52 — Calculus II | 5 |
| MATH 270 + MATH 275 — Linear Algebra + Ordinary Differential Equations | MATH 54 — Linear Algebra and Differential Equations (choose 1) | 6 |
| No Pierce match | COMPSCI 61A — The Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs (recommended) | — |
| (CS 216 and CS 136) or (CS 216 and CS 236) — Object-Oriented Programming in C++ | COMPSCI 61B — Data Structures (recommended) | 3 |
| CS 230 + CS 130 — Advanced Computer Architecture and Organization + Introduction to Computer Architecture and Organization | COMPSCI 61C — Machine Structures (recommended) | 6 |
| No Pierce 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 Los Angeles Pierce College
Complete these five courses at Los Angeles Pierce 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.
ANATOMY 001
Introduction to Human Anatomy
CHEM 051
Fundamentals of Chemistry I
A S L 003
American Sign Language III
ENGL C1000
Academic Reading and Writing
ENGL C1001
Critical Thinking and Writing
| Area | Course at Los Angeles Pierce College | Units |
|---|---|---|
Life Science | ANATOMY 001 — Introduction to Human Anatomy | 4 |
Physical Science | CHEM 051 — Fundamentals of Chemistry I | 5 |
Humanities | A S L 003 — American Sign Language III | 4 |
English CompositionCCN | ENGL C1000 — Academic Reading and Writing | 3 |
Critical ThinkingCCN | ENGL C1001 — Critical Thinking and Writing | 3 |
Five semesters until linear algebra lands
Pierce's chain goes MATH 240, 260, 261, 262, then 270: five semesters. Register for math your first semester so linear algebra and differential equations finish 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 270 is what counts
ASSIST pairs MATH 270 with MATH 275 for Berkeley's MATH 54, but the notes say CS accepts just the linear algebra course. That's MATH 270, which needs MATH 262.
61C has a two-course path too
CS 230 and CS 130 together match the recommended COMPSCI 61C. CS 130 comes first, since CS 230 requires it, so order matters.
Two CS 216 pairings for 61B
CS 216 plus CS 136 matches COMPSCI 61B, and so does CS 216 plus CS 236. CS 236 needs CS 136 first, so the CS 136 pairing is the shorter route.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What classes do I need at Pierce for UC Berkeley computer science?
MATH 261 and MATH 262 for calculus, then MATH 270 for linear algebra, which Berkeley CS accepts without MATH 275. That covers every required course. CS 216 with CS 136 adds the recommended 61B, and CS 230 with CS 130 adds 61C.
What doesn't Pierce cover for Berkeley CS?
Nothing required. COMPSCI 61A and COMPSCI 70, both on the recommended list, have no Pierce match. Everything else on Berkeley's required and recommended lists has a Pierce equivalent.
How hard is it to transfer into Berkeley computer science?
Very hard. UC Berkeley admitted 5% of 2025 transfer applicants to Computer Science across all sending colleges, not Pierce in particular. Listing a different major on your application also rules out adding CS after you're admitted.
Is IGETC required for Berkeley CS?
No, it's not required for admission to the major. The College of Computing, Data Science, and Society recommends it for degree progress once you're enrolled, but only the UC 7-course pattern is mandatory before you apply.
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Related Transfer Plans
Los Angeles Pierce College students planning the Computer Science, B.A. at UC Berkeley clear every required admission course on campus, from MATH 261 and MATH 262 through MATH 270, the linear algebra half of the MATH 270 and MATH 275 pair. Pierce also matches both recommended courses, COMPSCI 61B through CS 216 and CS 136, and COMPSCI 61C through CS 230 and CS 130. Transfermatic sequences that five-semester math chain so every requirement lands ahead of Berkeley's spring completion check.
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