Orange Coast College to UCSD
Computer Science Transfer Plan
Orange Coast College covers 9 of UC San Diego's 11 Computer Science requirements, with CS A170 opening the programming track and MATH A230 or CS A262 either one satisfying discrete math. CSE 29 and CSE 21 have no OCC match.
From
Orange Coast College
To
UC San Diego
Computer ScienceMajor Requirements
Computer Science Major Preparation
Courses at Orange Coast College that satisfy UC San Diego's Computer Science major preparation, mapped and verified by Transfermatic's transfer engine.
| Course at Orange Coast College | Satisfies at UCSD | Units |
|---|---|---|
| CS A170 — Java Programming 1 | CSE 11 — Introduction to Programming and Computational Problem Solving - Accelerated Pace | 4 |
| CS A200 — Data Structures | CSE 12 — Basic Data Structures and Object-Oriented Design | 4 |
| No OCC match | CSE 29 — Systems Programming and Software Tools | — |
| MATH A230 or CS A262 — Introduction to Discrete Mathematics | CSE 20 — Discrete Mathematics | 5 |
| No OCC match | CSE 21 — Mathematics for Algorithms and Systems | — |
| CS A216 — Computer Architecture | CSE 30 — Computer Organization and Systems Programming | 4 |
| MATH A235 or MATH A285 or MATH A285H — Applied Linear Algebra | MATH 18 — Linear Algebra | 3 |
| MATH A180 or MATH A180H or MATH A182H — Calculus 1 | MATH 20A — Calculus for Science and Engineering | 5 |
| MATH A185 or MATH A185H or MATH A182H — Calculus 2 | MATH 20B — Calculus for Science and Engineering | 5 |
| MATH A280 or MATH A280H — Calculus 3 | MATH 20C — Calculus and Analytic Geometry for Science and Engineering | 5 |
| BIOL A180 + BIOL A185 — Introduction to Biology for Majors 1: Cell and Molecular Biology + Introduction to Biology for Majors 2: Ecology, Evolution, Diversity, and Physiology | BILD 1 — The Cell (choose 1) | 9 |
| 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 | BILD 2 — Multicellular Life (choose 1) | 9 |
| BIOL A180 + BIOL A185 — Introduction to Biology for Majors 1: Cell and Molecular Biology + Introduction to Biology for Majors 2: Ecology, Evolution, Diversity, and Physiology | BILD 3 — Organismic and Evolutionary Biology (choose 1) | 9 |
| CHEM A180 — General Chemistry A | CHEM 6A — General Chemistry I (choose 1) | 5 |
| CHEM A180 + CHEM A185 — General Chemistry A + General Chemistry B | CHEM 6B — General Chemistry II (choose 1) | 10 |
| PHYS A185 — Calculus Based Physics: Mechanics with Lab | PHYS 2A — Physics - Mechanics (choose 1) | 5 |
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 Orange Coast College
Complete these five courses at Orange Coast 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.
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 |
Five semesters to discrete math
OCC's longest chain runs MATH A070, MATH A170, MATH A180, MATH A185, then MATH A230 for CSE 20: five semesters minimum. CSE 20 and calculus are due by spring, so start math your first term.
OCC semesters, UCSD quarters
OCC teaches on a semester calendar, but UCSD splits the year into quarters, so the pace changes once you arrive even though the OCC courses above cover the same material. Plan for three terms a year at UCSD.
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 has two OCC routes
MATH A230 or CS A262 each satisfy CSE 20 on their own. Pick whichever fits your schedule since ASSIST accepts either course alone.
CS A200 has two prerequisites
CS A200, OCC's match for CSE 12, needs both CS A150 and CS A250 first. CSE 12 is on UCSD's spring screening list, so get those two done early.
Two requirements have no OCC match
CSE 29 and CSE 21 aren't in OCC's course list for this agreement. Both wait until UCSD, so budget extra units after transfer.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What classes should I take at OCC for UCSD computer science?
CS A170 for CSE 11, CS A200 for CSE 12 after CS A150 and CS A250, CS A216 for computer organization, MATH A230 or CS A262 for discrete math, and MATH A180 through MATH A280 for calculus, then MATH A235 or MATH A285 for linear algebra.
What doesn't OCC cover for UCSD computer science?
Two requirements have no OCC equivalent in ASSIST: CSE 29, Systems Programming and Software Tools, and CSE 21, Mathematics for Algorithms and Systems. Both get finished at UCSD instead of before you leave OCC.
What is the UCSD computer science transfer admit rate?
17% in 2025, a figure spanning every transfer applicant to Computer Science, not OCC students alone. It's a screened major, so UCSD wants math, programming and one science course finished before spring of your transfer year.
Does OCC's honors calculus track count for UCSD computer science?
Yes. MATH A180H and MATH A185H match MATH 20A and MATH 20B the same as the non-honors courses, and MATH A280H counts for MATH 20C.
Explore More
Related Transfer Plans
Orange Coast College students transferring into UC San Diego's Computer Science B.S. can finish 9 of the 11 lower-division requirements at OCC. CS A170 and CS A200 cover programming and data structures, CS A216 covers computer organization, and either MATH A230 or CS A262 handles discrete math. Only CSE 29 and CSE 21 have no OCC match and wait until after transfer. Transfermatic maps OCC's five-semester calculus chain against UCSD's spring prep deadline so nothing gets scheduled too late.
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