MiraCosta College to UCSD
Mechanical Engineering Transfer Plan
MiraCosta has a match for 13 of UCSD's 17 Mechanical Engineering prep courses. MAE 20, MAE 3, MAE 11 and MAE 40 have no MiraCosta match, so plan for them before you apply.
From
MiraCosta College
To
UC San Diego
Mechanical EngineeringMajor Requirements
Mechanical Engineering Major Preparation
Courses at MiraCosta College that satisfy UC San Diego's Mechanical Engineering major preparation, mapped and verified by Transfermatic's transfer engine.
| Course at MiraCosta College | Satisfies at UCSD | Units |
|---|---|---|
| CS 150 or CS 111 or CS 138 — C++ Programming | MAE 8 — MATLAB Programming for Engineering Analysis | 3 |
| CHEM 150 — General Chemistry I: For Science Majors | CHEM 6A — General Chemistry I | 5 |
| MATH 270 — Linear Algebra | MATH 18 — Linear Algebra | 4 |
| MATH 150 or MATH 150H — Calculus and Analytic Geometry I | MATH 20A — Calculus for Science and Engineering | 5 |
| MATH 155 — Calculus and Analytic Geometry II | MATH 20B — Calculus for Science and Engineering | 4 |
| MATH 260 — Calculus and Analytic Geometry III | MATH 20C — Calculus and Analytic Geometry for Science and Engineering | 4 |
| MATH 265 — Differential Equations | MATH 20D — Introduction to Differential Equations | 4 |
| MATH 260 — Calculus and Analytic Geometry III | MATH 20E — Vector Calculus | 4 |
| PHYS 151 — Principles of Physics I | PHYS 2A — Physics - Mechanics | 4 |
| PHYS 152 — Principles of Physics II | PHYS 2B — Physics - Electricity and Magnetism | 4 |
| PHYS 253 + PHYS 152 — Principles of Physics III + Principles of Physics II | PHYS 2C — Physics - Fluids, Waves, Thermodynamics, and Optics | 8 |
| No MiraCosta match | MAE 20 — Elements of Materials Science | — |
| No MiraCosta match | MAE 3 — Introduction to Engineering Graphics and Design | — |
| No MiraCosta match | MAE 11 — Thermodynamics | — |
| ENGR 130 + ENGR 230 — Statics + Dynamics | MAE 30A — Statics & Introduction to Dynamics | 6 |
| ENGR 230 — Dynamics | MAE 30B — Dynamics & Vibrations | 3 |
| No MiraCosta match | MAE 40 — Linear Circuits | — |
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 MiraCosta College
Complete these five courses at MiraCosta 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.
BIO 102
Introductory Biology: Ecology and Environmental Biology
CHEM 103
Chemistry and Society: For Non-Science Majors
HIST 100
World History to 1500
ENGL C1000
Academic Reading and Writing
ENGL C1001
Critical Thinking and Writing
| Area | Course at MiraCosta College | Units |
|---|---|---|
Life Science | BIO 102 — Introductory Biology: Ecology and Environmental Biology | 4 |
Physical Science | CHEM 103 — Chemistry and Society: For Non-Science Majors | 3 |
Humanities | HIST 100 — World History to 1500 | 3 |
English CompositionCCN | ENGL C1000 — Academic Reading and Writing | 4 |
Critical ThinkingCCN | ENGL C1001 — Critical Thinking and Writing | 4 |
4 semesters minimum for MATH C2210 onward
MATH C2210 through PHYS 253: 4 courses, each needing the one before, so 4 semesters minimum. Start MATH C2210 in your first semester. Placing higher shortens it.
MiraCosta semesters, UCSD quarters
MiraCosta runs on semesters and UCSD on quarters. Your units convert when you transfer, one semester unit to 1.5 quarter units, and anything left runs on UCSD's quicker quarter schedule.
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
4 UCSD requirements have no MiraCosta match
MiraCosta lists no course for MAE 20, MAE 3, MAE 11 and MAE 40. Check UCSD's Mechanical Engineering page for whether they have to be done before you transfer, and plan where you'll cover them.
Start with MATH C2210 and CS 150
MATH C2210 and CS 150 sit at the start of their sequences for this route, so they fit your first semester, next to ENGL C1000 for English composition.
More than one way to cover MAE 8
For UCSD MAE 8, MiraCosta accepts CS 150 or CS 111 or CS 138. You need only one of them, so pick whichever fits your schedule.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What classes should I take at MiraCosta for UCSD Mechanical Engineering?
CS 150 or CS 111 or CS 138, CHEM 150, MATH 270, MATH 150 or MATH 150H, MATH 155, MATH 260 and MATH 265, plus the rest in the table above. Together they match 13 of the 17 prep courses UCSD lists for Mechanical Engineering.
What doesn't MiraCosta cover for UCSD Mechanical Engineering?
MAE 20, MAE 3, MAE 11 and MAE 40. MiraCosta lists no course for them, so check UCSD's Mechanical Engineering page for whether they have to be finished before you transfer.
Does MiraCosta CHEM 150 transfer to UCSD?
Yes, for Mechanical Engineering. MiraCosta CHEM 150 (General Chemistry I: For Science Majors) is the match for UCSD CHEM 6A (General Chemistry I) in the transfer agreement.
What is UCSD's transfer admit rate for Mechanical Engineering?
31% of all transfer applicants to UCSD Mechanical Engineering were admitted in 2025. That figure covers applicants from every college, so it isn't specific to MiraCosta.
Explore More
Related Transfer Plans
MiraCosta College students transferring to UC San Diego for Mechanical Engineering can match 13 of 17 lower-division prep courses at MiraCosta, including CS 150 or CS 111 or CS 138 and CHEM 150. MAE 20 and MAE 3 have no MiraCosta College equivalent in the 2025-2026 agreement. MATH C2210 and CS 150 are good first-semester picks. On Transfermatic, put in MiraCosta College and UC San Diego, and you get the classes you need for Mechanical Engineering, semester by semester.
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