Orange Coast College to UC Berkeley
Mechanical Engineering Transfer Plan
Orange Coast College matches all ten UC Berkeley Mechanical Engineering admission requirements, and the honors MATH A182H can cover both MATH 51 and MATH 52 in a single class. Only ENGIN 7, through ENGR A220, matches Berkeley's five strongly recommended electives.
From
Orange Coast College
To
UC Berkeley
Mechanical EngineeringMajor Requirements
Mechanical Engineering Major Preparation
Courses at Orange Coast College that satisfy UC Berkeley's Mechanical Engineering major preparation, mapped and verified by Transfermatic's transfer engine.
| Course at Orange Coast College | Satisfies at UC Berkeley | Units |
|---|---|---|
| CHEM A180 — General Chemistry A | CHEM 1A, CHEM 1AL | 5 |
| MATH A180 or MATH A180H or MATH A182H — Calculus 1 | MATH 51 — Calculus I | 5 |
| MATH A182H or MATH A185 or MATH A185H — Calculus 1 and 2 Honors | MATH 52 — Calculus II | 5 |
| MATH A280 or MATH A280H — Calculus 3 | MATH 53 — Multivariable Calculus | 5 |
| MATH A285 or MATH A285H — Introduction to Linear Algebra and Differential Equations | MATH 54 — Linear Algebra and Differential Equations | 5 |
| PHYS A185 — Calculus Based Physics: Mechanics with Lab | PHYSICS 7A — Physics for Scientists and Engineers | 5 |
| PHYS A280 — Calculus Based Physics: Electricty/Magnetism with Lab | PHYSICS 7B — Physics for Scientists and Engineers | 5 |
| ENGL C1000 or ESL A100 — Academic Reading and Writing | Courses that satisfy Reading & Composition A | 4 |
| ENGL A101 (or another listed option) — Critical Reasoning: Fiction | Courses that satisfy Reading & Composition B | 4 |
| ASTR A103 — Cosmology | ASTRON 7A — Introduction to Astrophysics (choose 1) | 3 |
| BIOL A185 + BIOL A180 — Introduction to Biology for Majors 2: Ecology, Evolution, Diversity, and Physiology + Introduction to Biology for Majors 1: Cell and Molecular Biology | BIOLOGY 1A, BIOLOGY 1AL (choose 1) | 9 |
| BIOL A183 + BIOL A183L + BIOL A185 — Botany + Botany Lab + Introduction to Biology for Majors 2: Ecology, Evolution, Diversity, and Physiology | BIOLOGY 1B — General Biology (Plant Form & Function, Ecology, Evolution) (choose 1) | 9 |
| CHEM A185 — General Chemistry B | CHEM 1B — General Chemistry (choose 1) | 5 |
| CHEM A220L + CHEM A220 — Organic Chemistry A Lab + Organic Chemistry A | CHEM 3A, CHEM 3AL (choose 1) | 5 |
| CHEM A225L + CHEM A225 — Organic Chemistry B Laboratory + Organic Chemistry B | CHEM 3B, CHEM 3BL (choose 1) | 5 |
| ENGR A220 — Programming and Problem-Solving in MATLAB | ENGIN 7 — Introduction to Computer Programming for Scientists and Engineers (MATLAB) (recommended) | 4 |
| No OCC match | ENGIN 26 — Three-Dimensional Modeling for Design (recommended) | — |
| No OCC match | ENGIN 29 — Manufacturing and Design Communication (recommended) | — |
| No OCC match | MEC ENG 40 — Thermodynamics (recommended) | — |
| No OCC match | MEC ENG C85 — Introduction to Solid Mechanics (recommended) | — |
Courses with no equivalent must be taken at UC Berkeley after transfer. Factor this into your first-year course plan.
General Education
Foundation GE at Orange Coast College
UC Berkeley's Mechanical Engineering program uses its own GE pattern (see note below), but these five Orange Coast College courses cover foundation requirements every UC accepts. Start here.
BIOL A100
Principles of Biology
CHEM A100
Principles of Chemistry
HIST A101
Afro-American History
ENGL C1000
Academic Reading and Writing
ENGL C1001
Critical Thinking and Writing
| Area | Course at Orange Coast College | Units |
|---|---|---|
Life Science | BIOL A100 — Principles of Biology | 4 |
Physical Science | CHEM A100 — Principles of Chemistry | 3 |
Humanities | HIST A101 — Afro-American History | 3 |
English CompositionCCN | ENGL C1000 — Academic Reading and Writing | 4 |
Critical ThinkingCCN | ENGL C1001 — Critical Thinking and Writing | 4 |
UC Berkeley Mechanical Engineering: full GE notes
Cal-GETC and IGETC don't satisfy Berkeley Engineering's requirements for this major; OCC's ENGL C1000 and R&C B course still are non-negotiable.
Calculus is a five-semester runway
MATH A070, MATH A170, MATH A180, MATH A185, then MATH A280 takes five semesters if you start below transfer-level calculus. Start immediately, since Berkeley reviews only applicants who finish everything by the spring before fall enrollment.
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
MATH A182H covers two requirements
Taking honors MATH A182H by itself satisfies both MATH 51 and MATH 52, since ASSIST lists it as an accepted option for each. The standard path is MATH A180 then MATH A185, two separate courses instead.
ASTR A103 is an easy pick
Cosmology, ASTR A103, matches ASTRON 7A directly for Berkeley's one-course choice. It's a single lecture course, a lighter path through that requirement than the chemistry, biology or physics alternatives on the same list.
Only ENGIN 7 has an OCC match
ENGR A220 covers ENGIN 7 on Berkeley's strongly recommended list. ENGIN 26, ENGIN 29, MEC ENG 40 and MEC ENG C85 have no OCC equivalent, and none of the five is required for admission.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What classes should I take at OCC for UC Berkeley mechanical engineering?
CHEM A180; MATH A180 and MATH A185, or MATH A182H for both; MATH A280; MATH A285; PHYS A185 and PHYS A280; ENGL C1000 and an R&C B option like ENGL A101; and one choice-list course, such as ASTR A103.
What doesn't OCC cover for Berkeley Mechanical Engineering?
Every required admission course has an OCC match. Berkeley's strongly recommended list is where the gaps are: ENGIN 26, ENGIN 29, MEC ENG 40 and MEC ENG C85 have no OCC equivalent, though none of them is required.
Does OCC's ASTR A103 count for Berkeley engineering?
Yes, as your one-course choice. ASTR A103 matches ASTRON 7A, one of the accepted options, and it's a single lecture course rather than a lab science sequence like the chemistry or biology alternatives.
What GPA do OCC students need for Berkeley mechanical engineering?
You'll need at least a 3.5 GPA, and Berkeley's series rule means a partly finished sequence, like organic chemistry, earns zero credit toward the requirement even if you're strong everywhere else. Complete or not is the whole test.
Explore More
Related Transfer Plans
Orange Coast College students planning UC Berkeley Mechanical Engineering can finish every admission course at OCC, including the honors MATH A182H, which covers both MATH 51 and MATH 52 in one class. OCC also matches ASTR A103 to Berkeley's ASTRON 7A option, an easier one-course choice than the lab-science alternatives most students consider. Only one of Berkeley's five strongly recommended electives, ENGIN 7, has an OCC equivalent. Admission requires a 3.5 GPA and every course finished by spring. Transfermatic can sequence these OCC classes so the five-semester calculus chain doesn't slip.
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