Orange Coast College to UCLA
Mechanical Engineering Transfer Plan
OCC matches every one of UCLA's 11 required Mechanical Engineering courses. The honors course MATH A182H counts for both MATH 31A and MATH 31B, though the standard route, MATH A180 then MATH A185, covers the same two.
From
Orange Coast College
To
UCLA
Mechanical EngineeringMajor Requirements
Mechanical Engineering Major Preparation
Courses at Orange Coast College that satisfy UCLA's Mechanical Engineering major preparation, mapped and verified by Transfermatic's transfer engine.
| Course at Orange Coast College | Satisfies at UCLA | Units |
|---|---|---|
| CHEM A185 + CHEM A180 — General Chemistry B + General Chemistry A | CHEM 20A, CHEM 20B, CHEM 20L | 10 |
| MATH A180 or MATH A180H or MATH A182H — Calculus 1 | MATH 31A — Differential and Integral Calculus | 5 |
| MATH A182H or MATH A185 or MATH A185H — Calculus 1 and 2 Honors | MATH 31B — Integration and Infinite Series | 5 |
| MATH A280 or MATH A280H — Calculus 3 | MATH 32A — Calculus of Several Variables | 5 |
| MATH A280 or MATH A280H — Calculus 3 | MATH 32B — Calculus of Several Variables | 5 |
| MATH A285 or MATH A285H — Introduction to Linear Algebra and Differential Equations | MATH 33A — Linear Algebra and Applications | 5 |
| MATH A285 — Introduction to Linear Algebra and Differential Equations | MECH&AE 82 — Mathematics of Engineering | 5 |
| ENGR A180 — Engineering Graphics | MECH&AE 94 — Introduction to Computer-Aided Design and Drafting | 4 |
| PHYS A285 (or another listed option) — Calculus Based Physics: Modern with Lab | PHYSICS 1A, PHYSICS 1B, PHYSICS 1C, PHYSICS 4AL, PHYSICS 4BL | 5 |
| ENGL C1000 or ESL A100 — Academic Reading and Writing | ENGCOMP 3 — English Composition, Rhetoric, and Language (choose 1) | 4 |
| ENGL A101 (or another listed option) — Critical Reasoning: Fiction | English composition courses (choose 1) | 4 |
| CS A150 — C++ Programming Language 1 | COM SCI 31 — Introduction to Computer Science I (choose 1) | 4 |
| ENGR A220 — Programming and Problem-Solving in MATLAB | C&EE M20 — Introduction to Computer Programming with MATLAB (choose 1) | 4 |
| CS A250 — C++ Programming Language 2 | Computer programming courses: C, C++, Java or Matlab (choose 1) | 4 |
| No OCC match | EC ENGR 100 — Electrical and Electronic Circuits (recommended) | — |
| No OCC match | EC ENGR 110L — Circuit Measurements Laboratory (recommended) | — |
| No OCC match | MECH&AE 101 — Statics and Strength of Materials (recommended) | — |
| No OCC match | MECH&AE 102 — Dynamics of Particles and Rigid Bodies (recommended) | — |
| No OCC match | MAT SCI 104 — Science of Engineering Materials (recommended) | — |
Courses with no equivalent must be taken at UCLA after transfer. Factor this into your first-year course plan.
General Education
Foundation GE at Orange Coast College
UCLA'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 |
UCLA Mechanical Engineering: full GE notes
Cal-GETC and IGETC aren't required for Samueli admission, a half-completed one won't be accepted, and UCLA doesn't advise starting one for this major.
Five semesters from MATH A070 to MATH A280
MATH A070 leads to MATH A170, A180, A185 and A280 in order: five semesters minimum. Prep is due by the spring before transfer, so start math your first OCC semester.
OCC semesters cover two UCLA quarters
OCC teaches on the semester calendar while UCLA runs quarters. MATH A280, one OCC course, is ASSIST's match for both UCLA's MATH 32A and MATH 32B.
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 clears two requirements at once
ASSIST lists this one honors course against both MATH 31A and MATH 31B. OCC's prerequisite listing for it names MATH A140, MATH A180 and MATH A180H, so check you're eligible before planning around it instead of MATH A180 then MATH A185.
Physics has an honors substitute
PHYS A185H stands in for the regular PHYS A185 inside UCLA's physics requirement, alongside PHYS A280 and A285. ASSIST accepts either the honors or standard mechanics course in that combination.
No recommended elective has an OCC match
EC ENGR 100, EC ENGR 110L, MECH&AE 101, MECH&AE 102 and MAT SCI 104 are all recommended, not required, and ASSIST lists no OCC course against any of them.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What classes should I take at OCC for UCLA Mechanical Engineering?
MATH A180 through A280 (or the A182H honors combination), MATH A285 for linear algebra, CHEM A180/A185, PHYS A185, A280 and A285, ENGR A180 for CAD, and CS A150 or ENGR A220 for programming.
Does OCC MATH A182H transfer to UCLA as two courses?
Yes. ASSIST matches this single honors course to both MATH 31A and MATH 31B, UCLA's two single-variable calculus requirements. Its listed prerequisites include MATH A180, so most students take the MATH A180 and MATH A185 route.
What doesn't transfer from OCC for UCLA Mechanical Engineering?
All 11 required courses have an OCC match. The five strongly recommended electives are the exception; ASSIST lists no OCC course for any of them, so you'd take them after transfer if at all.
How selective is UCLA Mechanical Engineering for transfers?
UCLA's Samueli School admitted 12% of all 2025 transfer applicants to Mechanical Engineering, a figure for every applicant to the major rather than one specific to OCC, and requires a 3.4 minimum GPA.
Explore More
Related Transfer Plans
Orange Coast College students aiming for Mechanical Engineering at the University of California, Los Angeles can finish all 11 of UCLA's required prep courses without leaving OCC. ASSIST matches MATH A180 and MATH A185 to UCLA's first two calculus requirements, and the honors MATH A182H counts for both. None of UCLA's five recommended, not required, courses has an OCC match. Samueli admitted 12% of 2025 transfer applicants to the major, with a 3.4 GPA floor for every applicant. Transfermatic can work out whether the honors or standard track fits your OCC schedule better.
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