MiraCosta College to UCSB
Mechanical Engineering Transfer Plan
MiraCosta has a match for 16 of UCSB's 20 Mechanical Engineering prep courses. ENGR 3, ME 15, ME 12S and ME 17 have no MiraCosta match, so plan for them before you apply.
From
MiraCosta College
To
UC Santa Barbara
Mechanical EngineeringMajor Requirements
Mechanical Engineering Major Preparation
Courses at MiraCosta College that satisfy UC Santa Barbara's Mechanical Engineering major preparation, mapped and verified by Transfermatic's transfer engine.
| Course at MiraCosta College | Satisfies at UCSB | Units |
|---|---|---|
| MATH 150 or MATH 150H or MATH 150S — Calculus and Analytic Geometry I | MATH 3A — Calculus with Applications, First Course | 5 |
| MATH 155 — Calculus and Analytic Geometry II | MATH 3B — Calculus with Applications, Second Course | 4 |
| MATH 270 — Linear Algebra | MATH 4A — Linear Algebra with Applications | 4 |
| MATH 265 — Differential Equations | MATH 4B — Differential Equations | 4 |
| PHYS 151 — Principles of Physics I | PHYS 7A — Basic Physics | 4 |
| PHYS 151 + PHYS 152 + PHYS 253 — Principles of Physics I + Principles of Physics II + Principles of Physics III | PHYS 7B — Basic Physics | 12 |
| PHYS 152 + PHYS 253 — Principles of Physics II + Principles of Physics III | PHYS 7C — Basic Physics | 8 |
| PHYS 151 + PHYS 152 — Principles of Physics I + Principles of Physics II | PHYS 7L — Physics Laboratory | 8 |
| No MiraCosta match | ENGR 3 — Introduction to Programming | — |
| ENGR 130 — Statics | ME 14 — Statics | 3 |
| CHEM 150 — General Chemistry I: For Science Majors | CHEM 1A, CHEM 2AL | 5 |
| CHEM 150 + CHEM 151 — General Chemistry I: For Science Majors + General Chemistry II: For Science Majors | CHEM 1B — General Chemistry (recommended) | 10 |
| MATH 260 — Calculus and Analytic Geometry III | MATH 6A — Vector Calculus with Applications, First Course | 4 |
| MATH 260 — Calculus and Analytic Geometry III | MATH 6B — Vector Calculus with Applications, Second Course | 4 |
| PHYS 280 — Introduction to Electronics | ME 6 — Basic Electrical and Electronic Circuits | 3 |
| DESN 111 or DESN 203 — Engineering Design Graphics | ME 10 — Engineering Graphics: Sketching, CAD, and Conceptual Design | 4 |
| No MiraCosta match | ME 15 — Strength of Materials | — |
| ENGR 230 — Dynamics | ME 16 — Engineering Mechanics: Dynamics | 3 |
| PHYS 152 + PHYS 253 — Principles of Physics II + Principles of Physics III | PHYS 7D — Basic Physics | 8 |
| No MiraCosta match | ME 12S — Introduction to Machine Shop | — |
| No MiraCosta match | ME 17 — Mathematics of Engineering | — |
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 MiraCosta College
UCSB's Mechanical Engineering program uses its own GE pattern (see note below), but these five MiraCosta College courses cover foundation requirements every UC accepts. Start here.
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 |
UCSB Mechanical Engineering: full GE notes
UCSB tells College of Engineering transfers to prioritize major coursework over Cal-GETC or IGETC; general education can wait until after transfer for students planning a three-year stay.
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, UCSB quarters
MiraCosta runs on semesters and UCSB on quarters. Your units convert when you transfer, one semester unit to 1.5 quarter units, and anything left runs on UCSB'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 UCSB requirements have no MiraCosta match
MiraCosta lists no course for ENGR 3, ME 15, ME 12S and ME 17. Check UCSB'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 MATH 150
MATH C2210 and MATH 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 MATH 3A
For UCSB MATH 3A, MiraCosta accepts MATH 150 or MATH 150H or MATH 150S. You need only one of them, so pick whichever fits your schedule.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What classes should I take at MiraCosta for UCSB Mechanical Engineering?
MATH 150 or MATH 150H or MATH 150S, MATH 155, MATH 270, MATH 265, PHYS 151, PHYS 152 and PHYS 253, plus the rest in the table above. Together they match 16 of the 20 prep courses UCSB lists for Mechanical Engineering.
What doesn't MiraCosta cover for UCSB Mechanical Engineering?
ENGR 3, ME 15, ME 12S and ME 17. MiraCosta lists no course for them, so check UCSB's Mechanical Engineering page for whether they have to be finished before you transfer.
Does MiraCosta MATH 155 transfer to UCSB?
Yes, for Mechanical Engineering. MiraCosta MATH 155 (Calculus and Analytic Geometry II) is the match for UCSB MATH 3B (Calculus with Applications, Second Course) in the transfer agreement.
What should I take first at MiraCosta for UCSB Mechanical Engineering?
MATH C2210 and MATH 150, plus ENGL C1000 for English composition. They sit at the start of their sequences.
Explore More
Related Transfer Plans
MiraCosta College students transferring to UC Santa Barbara for Mechanical Engineering can match 16 of 20 lower-division prep courses at MiraCosta, including MATH 150 or MATH 150H or MATH 150S and MATH 155. ENGR 3 and ME 15 have no MiraCosta College equivalent in the 2025-2026 agreement. MATH C2210 and MATH 150 are good first-semester picks. On Transfermatic, put in MiraCosta College and UC Santa Barbara, and you get the classes you need for Mechanical Engineering, semester by semester.
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