Los Angeles Pierce College to UCSB
Computer Science Transfer Plan
Pierce covers every course UCSB requires for Computer Science admission, from MATH 261 calculus through CS 136 data structures. Both strongly recommended electives, CS 216 and CS 130, are offered too if you want to finish them early.
From
Los Angeles Pierce College
To
UC Santa Barbara
Computer ScienceMajor Requirements
Computer Science Major Preparation
Courses at Los Angeles Pierce College that satisfy UC Santa Barbara's Computer Science major preparation, mapped and verified by Transfermatic's transfer engine.
| Course at Los Angeles Pierce College | Satisfies at UCSB | Units |
|---|---|---|
| MATH 261 — Calculus I | MATH 3A — Calculus with Applications, First Course | 5 |
| MATH 262 — Calculus II | MATH 3B — Calculus with Applications, Second Course | 5 |
| MATH 270 — Linear Algebra | MATH 4A — Linear Algebra with Applications | 3 |
| MATH 275 — Ordinary Differential Equations | MATH 4B — Differential Equations | 3 |
| CS 114 or CS 116 — Programming in C | CMPSC 16 — Problem Solving with Computers I | 3 |
| CS 136 — Introduction to Data Structures | CMPSC 24 — Problem Solving with Computers II | 3 |
| CS 131 — Discrete Structures for Computer Science | CMPSC 40 — Foundations of Computer Science | 3 |
| CS 216 — Object-Oriented Programming in C++ | CMPSC 32 — Object Oriented Design and Implementation (recommended) | 3 |
| CS 130 — Introduction to Computer Architecture and Organization | CMPSC 64 — Computer Organization and Logic Design (recommended) | 3 |
| MATH 263 — Calculus III | MATH 6A — Vector Calculus with Applications, First Course | 5 |
| PHYSICS 101 — Physics for Engineers and Scientists I | PHYS 1 — Basic Physics (choose 2) | 5 |
| PHYSICS 102 + PHYSICS 101 — Physics for Engineers and Scientists II + Physics for Engineers and Scientists I | PHYS 2 — Basic Physics (choose 2) | 10 |
| PHYSICS 102 — Physics for Engineers and Scientists II | PHYS 3, PHYS 3L (choose 2) | 5 |
| PHYSICS 066 (or another listed option) — Physics with Calculus for Life Science Majors I | PHYS 6A, PHYS 6AL, PHYS 6B, PHYS 6BL, PHYS 6C, PHYS 6CL (choose 2) | 5 |
| PHYSICS 101 — Physics for Engineers and Scientists I | PHYS 7A — Basic Physics (choose 2) | 5 |
| PHYSICS 101 + PHYSICS 102 + PHYSICS 103 — Physics for Engineers and Scientists I + Physics for Engineers and Scientists II + Physics for Engineers and Scientists III | PHYS 7B — Basic Physics (choose 2) | 15 |
| No Pierce 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 Los Angeles Pierce College
UCSB's Computer Science program uses its own GE pattern (see note below), but these five Los Angeles Pierce College courses cover foundation requirements every UC accepts. Start here.
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 |
UCSB Computer Science: full GE notes
UCSB's Engineering college wants transfer applicants prioritizing major courses over IGETC or Cal-GETC, with general education left for after arrival on a three-year transfer timeline.
Five semesters of math at Pierce
MATH 240, then 260, 261, 262, then 270: Pierce's chain to UCSB's linear algebra requirement runs five semesters, so begin the sequence your very first term.
Pierce semesters, UCSB quarters
Pierce runs two semesters a year; UCSB runs three quarters. Semester credits convert to quarter units at UCSB, and courses grouped together at Pierce can end up 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
Either CS course satisfies CMPSC 16
Pierce students can take either CS 114 or CS 116 to cover UCSB's intro programming requirement; you only need one, not both, to check that box.
Both recommended electives are on offer
CS 216 and CS 130 match UCSB's strongly recommended CMPSC 32 and CMPSC 64. Neither is required, but finishing them at Pierce means less catching up after transfer.
Linear algebra caps a five-course chain
MATH 240, 260, 261, 262, then 270: UCSB's linear algebra requirement sits at the end of a five-semester math sequence at Pierce, so don't wait to start it.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Pierce College MATH 261 transfer to UCSB Computer Science?
Yes. MATH 261 satisfies UCSB's MATH 3A calculus requirement, one of seven courses Pierce students need finished for admission to the major.
What classes does Pierce not cover for UCSB CS?
Pierce covers all seven required admission courses. UCSB also lists PSTAT 120A, but that's an upper-division class taken at UCSB by everyone, not a gap specific to Pierce.
How competitive is UCSB Computer Science admission?
About 12% of transfer applicants to the major were admitted in 2025, a rate covering every community college that applies, not one particular to Pierce. Prep completion, grades and GPA all factor in.
Can I finish UCSB CS prep in two years at Pierce?
Only if you place above MATH 240. From MATH 240, reaching MATH 270, the linear algebra requirement, takes five semesters through MATH 260, 261 and 262, and UCSB wants required prep done by the end of spring before transfer.
Explore More
Related Transfer Plans
Los Angeles Pierce College students headed into UC Santa Barbara's Computer Science, B.S. match every required admission course, from MATH 261 calculus through CS 136 data structures, and Pierce also offers both strongly recommended electives, CS 216 and CS 130. PSTAT 120A remains an upper-division UCSB course taken after transfer no matter which college a student comes from. Transfermatic lays out this Pierce-to-UCSB route with the exact classes that count toward each requirement.
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