Los Angeles Pierce College to UCLA
Computer Science Transfer Plan
Pierce College covers 13 of UCLA's 15 Computer Science prep requirements, from CS 216 through calculus, discrete math and a three-course physics series. COM SCI 35L and the logic design requirement stay open because ASSIST lists no Pierce course for either.
From
Los Angeles Pierce College
To
UCLA
Computer ScienceMajor Requirements
Computer Science Major Preparation
Courses at Los Angeles Pierce College that satisfy UCLA's Computer Science major preparation, mapped and verified by Transfermatic's transfer engine.
| Course at Los Angeles Pierce College | Satisfies at UCLA | Units |
|---|---|---|
| CS 216 — Object-Oriented Programming in C++ | COM SCI 31 — Introduction to Computer Science I | 3 |
| CS 136 — Introduction to Data Structures | COM SCI 32 — Introduction to Computer Science II | 3 |
| CS 130 — Introduction to Computer Architecture and Organization | COM SCI 33 — Introduction to Computer Organization | 3 |
| No Pierce match | COM SCI 35L — Software Construction Laboratory | — |
| No Pierce match for any of 2 options | COM SCI M51A — Logic Design of Digital Systems and others (choose 1) | — |
| MATH 261 — Calculus I | MATH 31A — Differential and Integral Calculus | 5 |
| MATH 262 — Calculus II | MATH 31B — Integration and Infinite Series | 5 |
| MATH 263 — Calculus III | MATH 32A — Calculus of Several Variables | 5 |
| MATH 263 — Calculus III | MATH 32B — Calculus of Several Variables | 5 |
| MATH 270 — Linear Algebra | MATH 33A — Linear Algebra and Applications | 3 |
| MATH 275 — Ordinary Differential Equations | MATH 33B — Differential Equations | 3 |
| CS 131 — Discrete Structures for Computer Science | MATH 61 — Introduction to Discrete Structures | 3 |
| PHYSICS 102 + PHYSICS 101 + PHYSICS 103 — Physics for Engineers and Scientists II + Physics for Engineers and Scientists I + Physics for Engineers and Scientists III | 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 |
| ENGLISH 102 or ENGL C1001 or PHILOS 005 — College Reading and Composition II | English composition courses (choose 1) | 3 |
| CS 216 — Object-Oriented Programming in C++ | Computer programming courses: C++ preferred (choose 1) | 3 |
Courses with no equivalent must be taken at UCLA after transfer. Factor this into your first-year course plan.
General Education
Foundation GE at Los Angeles Pierce College
UCLA'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 |
UCLA Computer Science: full GE notes
Samueli doesn't require, recommend or accept a partial IGETC or Cal-GETC certification for Computer Science applicants.
Six semesters from algebra to upper physics
Pierce's chain runs MATH 240, then MATH 260, MATH 261, MATH 262 and MATH 263, ending at PHYSICS 103. That's six semesters minimum, so start the math side as early as you can.
Pierce runs semesters, UCLA runs quarters
A single Pierce class can cover more ground than one UCLA quarter course. MATH 263 alone satisfies both MATH 32A and MATH 32B, which is typical when converting a semester sequence into UCLA's quarter system.
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
Discrete math comes from computer science, not math
Pierce satisfies MATH 61 with CS 131, a computer science course rather than a math department class. Register through the CS department when you plan this requirement.
One calculus course fills two UCLA quarters
MATH 263 alone covers both MATH 32A and MATH 32B, so multivariable calculus takes one Pierce semester instead of two separate courses. Plan your schedule around that single class.
Physics builds directly on your calculus load
PHYSICS 101 needs MATH 261 first, and PHYSICS 102 and 103 each depend on the physics course before them. Don't start the series until your calculus is on track.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What classes should I take at Pierce for UCLA computer science?
Take CS 216, CS 136, CS 130, CS 131, MATH 261, 262, 263, 270 and 275, plus PHYSICS 101, 102 and 103 and ENGL C1000. Complete this list by the end of spring before transfer, all for a letter grade.
Which UCLA computer science courses have no Pierce match?
COM SCI 35L and the logic design requirement, which UCLA lists as COM SCI M51A or EC ENGR M16. ASSIST shows no Pierce equivalent for either. Neither is among the courses UCLA wants done by spring before transfer, so both come at UCLA.
How competitive is UCLA computer science admission?
Extremely competitive: UCLA admitted only 5% of all transfer applicants to the major in 2025. Samueli Engineering requires a 3.4 minimum transferable GPA and does not review denied applicants for a different major.
Does Pierce CS 216 transfer to UCLA?
Yes. CS 216 matches COM SCI 31 and also satisfies UCLA's separate programming-language requirement, since it's an object-oriented C++ course. C and Java courses are accepted too, though UCLA prefers C++.
Explore More
Related Transfer Plans
Los Angeles Pierce College students aiming for the Computer Science B.S. at UCLA can finish most of the lower-division prep before they leave Pierce. CS 216 and CS 136 map onto UCLA's COM SCI 31 and COM SCI 32, and MATH 263 alone covers both quarters of multivariable calculus. The physics series runs PHYSICS 101 through PHYSICS 103, the end of a six-semester chain that starts at MATH 240. COM SCI 35L and the logic design requirement have no Pierce match. Transfermatic turns this ASSIST agreement into a term-by-term Pierce plan that tracks every prerequisite.
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