Los Angeles Pierce College to UCSD
Computer Science Transfer Plan
Pierce College matches 9 of UC San Diego's 11 Computer Science requirements, with CS 216 or CS 213 covering CSE 11. CSE 29 and CSE 21 have no Pierce course and aren't on UCSD's screening list, so both wait until UCSD.
From
Los Angeles Pierce College
To
UC San Diego
Computer ScienceMajor Requirements
Computer Science Major Preparation
Courses at Los Angeles Pierce College that satisfy UC San Diego's Computer Science major preparation, mapped and verified by Transfermatic's transfer engine.
| Course at Los Angeles Pierce College | Satisfies at UCSD | Units |
|---|---|---|
| CS 216 or CS 213 — Object-Oriented Programming in C++ | CSE 11 — Introduction to Programming and Computational Problem Solving - Accelerated Pace | 3 |
| CS 136 — Introduction to Data Structures | CSE 12 — Basic Data Structures and Object-Oriented Design | 3 |
| No Pierce match | CSE 29 — Systems Programming and Software Tools | — |
| CS 131 — Discrete Structures for Computer Science | CSE 20 — Discrete Mathematics | 3 |
| No Pierce match | CSE 21 — Mathematics for Algorithms and Systems | — |
| CS 130 — Introduction to Computer Architecture and Organization | CSE 30 — Computer Organization and Systems Programming | 3 |
| MATH 270 — Linear Algebra | MATH 18 — Linear Algebra | 3 |
| MATH 261 — Calculus I | MATH 20A — Calculus for Science and Engineering | 5 |
| MATH 262 — Calculus II | MATH 20B — Calculus for Science and Engineering | 5 |
| MATH 263 — Calculus III | MATH 20C — Calculus and Analytic Geometry for Science and Engineering | 5 |
| BIOLOGY 007 + BIOLOGY 006 — General Biology II + General Biology I | BILD 1 — The Cell (choose 1) | 10 |
| BIOLOGY 006 + BIOLOGY 007 — General Biology I + General Biology II | BILD 2 — Multicellular Life (choose 1) | 10 |
| BIOLOGY 007 + BIOLOGY 006 — General Biology II + General Biology I | BILD 3 — Organismic and Evolutionary Biology (choose 1) | 10 |
| CHEM 101 — General Chemistry I | CHEM 6A — General Chemistry I (choose 1) | 5 |
| CHEM 102 + CHEM 101 — General Chemistry II + General Chemistry I | CHEM 6B — General Chemistry II (choose 1) | 10 |
| PHYSICS 101 — Physics for Engineers and Scientists I | PHYS 2A — Physics - Mechanics (choose 1) | 5 |
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 Los Angeles Pierce College
Complete these five courses at Los Angeles Pierce 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.
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 to linear algebra
Pierce's math chain runs MATH 240, then 260, 261, 262, then MATH 270: five semesters minimum. Start it your first term so it's finished before UCSD's spring prep deadline.
Pierce semesters, UCSD quarters
Pierce operates on semesters, while UCSD splits its year into quarters, so a Pierce course like MATH 261 covers UCSD content at a different pace once you transfer. Expect three terms a year afterward.
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
Two Pierce courses open CSE 11
CS 216 or CS 213 each satisfy CSE 11 on their own. ASSIST accepts either one, so take whichever fits your first-term schedule.
Most Pierce CS matches need CS 116
CS 216, CS 213, CS 131 and CS 130 each list CS 116 or CO SCI 575 as a prerequisite. Take one of those early, since CSE 11 and CSE 20 are due by spring before transfer.
Two CSE requirements have no Pierce match
CSE 29 and CSE 21 aren't in Pierce's course list for this agreement. Both are finished at UCSD after you transfer.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What classes should I take at Pierce College for UCSD computer science?
CS 216 or CS 213 for CSE 11, CS 136 for CSE 12, CS 131 for discrete math, CS 130 for computer organization, and MATH 261 through MATH 263 for the calculus sequence that leads into MATH 270 for linear algebra.
What doesn't Pierce College cover for UCSD computer science?
Pierce's ASSIST list skips CSE 29, Systems Programming and Software Tools, along with CSE 21, Mathematics for Algorithms and Systems. Both stay on your list for after transfer.
What is the UCSD computer science transfer admit rate?
17% in 2025, counted across every transfer applicant to Computer Science, not just Pierce students. It's a screened major, so finishing math, programming and one science course by spring carries more weight than the rate itself.
Does Pierce's BIOLOGY 007 satisfy UCSD's science requirement?
Yes, BIOLOGY 007 paired with BIOLOGY 006 matches UCSD's BILD options. It's one of several science choices, including chemistry and physics, that satisfy the same lower-division requirement.
Explore More
Related Transfer Plans
Los Angeles Pierce College students transferring into UC San Diego's Computer Science B.S. can complete 9 of the 11 lower-division requirements at Pierce. CS 216 or CS 213 opens programming, CS 136 covers data structures, and MATH 261 through MATH 263 carries calculus toward MATH 270 for linear algebra. CSE 29 and CSE 21 have no Pierce match and are left for after transfer. Transfermatic tracks Pierce's five-semester math chain against UCSD's spring cutoff so the sequence stays on schedule.
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