Palomar College to UCSD
Computer Science Transfer Plan
Palomar matches 10 of UC San Diego's 11 Computer Science requirements, with CSCI 112 covering CSE 29. Only CSE 21, Mathematics for Algorithms and Systems, has no Palomar course, and it isn't on UCSD's spring screening list.
From
Palomar College
To
UC San Diego
Computer ScienceMajor Requirements
Computer Science Major Preparation
Courses at Palomar College that satisfy UC San Diego's Computer Science major preparation, mapped and verified by Transfermatic's transfer engine.
| Course at Palomar College | Satisfies at UCSD | Units |
|---|---|---|
| CSCI 114 — Programming Fundamentals II | CSE 11 — Introduction to Programming and Computational Problem Solving - Accelerated Pace | 4 |
| CSCI 210 — Data Structures | CSE 12 — Basic Data Structures and Object-Oriented Design | 4 |
| CSCI 112 — Programming Fundamentals I | CSE 29 — Systems Programming and Software Tools | 4 |
| MATH 245 — Discrete Mathematics | CSE 20 — Discrete Mathematics | 3 |
| No Palomar match | CSE 21 — Mathematics for Algorithms and Systems | — |
| CSCI 212 — Machine Organization and Assembly Language | CSE 30 — Computer Organization and Systems Programming | 4 |
| MATH 200 — Introduction to Linear Algebra | MATH 18 — Linear Algebra | 3 |
| MATH 140 or MATH 140E — Calculus with Analytic Geometry, First Course | MATH 20A — Calculus for Science and Engineering | 5 |
| MATH 141 or MATH 141E — Calculus with Analytic Geometry, Second Course | MATH 20B — Calculus for Science and Engineering | 4 |
| MATH 205 — Calculus with Analytic Geometry, Third Course | MATH 20C — Calculus and Analytic Geometry for Science and Engineering | 4 |
| BIOL 200 + BIOL 201 — Foundations of Biology I + Foundations of Biology II | BILD 1 — The Cell (choose 1) | 8 |
| BIOL 201 + BIOL 200 — Foundations of Biology II + Foundations of Biology I | BILD 2 — Multicellular Life (choose 1) | 8 |
| BIOL 201 + BIOL 200 — Foundations of Biology II + Foundations of Biology I | BILD 3 — Organismic and Evolutionary Biology (choose 1) | 8 |
| CHEM 110 — General Chemistry | CHEM 6A — General Chemistry I (choose 1) | 3 |
| CHEM 110 + CHEM 115 — General Chemistry + General Chemistry | CHEM 6B — General Chemistry II (choose 1) | 6 |
| PHYS 230 — Principles of Physics | 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 Palomar College
Complete these five courses at Palomar 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 100
Introductory Biology: General Biology
CHEM 100
Fundamentals of Chemistry
HIST 101
History of the United States through Reconstruction
ENGL C1000
Academic Reading and Writing
ENGL C1001
Critical Thinking and Writing
| Area | Course at Palomar College | Units |
|---|---|---|
Life Science | BIOL 100 — Introductory Biology: General Biology | 4 |
Physical Science | CHEM 100 — Fundamentals of Chemistry | 4 |
Humanities | HIST 101 — History of the United States through Reconstruction | 3 |
English CompositionCCN | ENGL C1000 — Academic Reading and Writing | 4 |
Critical ThinkingCCN | ENGL C1001 — Critical Thinking and Writing | 4 |
Three semesters through the programming chain
Palomar's longest sequence runs CSCI 112, then CSCI 114, then CSCI 210: three semesters minimum. Start CSCI 112 your first term so the chain clears on time.
Palomar semesters, UCSD quarters
Palomar teaches in semesters, while UCSD splits its year into quarters, so a course like MATH 140 covers UCSD content at a different pace once you transfer. Plan for three terms a year afterward.
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
CSE 29 has a direct Palomar match
ASSIST matches CSCI 112, Programming Fundamentals I, to CSE 29, Systems Programming and Software Tools. It's also the first course in Palomar's longest chain, since CSCI 114 needs it.
Programming is a three-semester chain
CSCI 112, then CSCI 114, then CSCI 210 takes three semesters, and CSCI 212 also needs CSCI 114. CSE 11 and CSE 12 are due by spring before transfer, so start CSCI 112 early.
Enhanced calculus counts the same
MATH 140 or the Enhanced MATH 140E each satisfy MATH 20A on their own, and MATH 141 or MATH 141E do the same for MATH 20B.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What classes should I take at Palomar for UCSD computer science?
CSCI 114 for CSE 11, CSCI 210 for CSE 12, CSCI 112 for CSE 29, MATH 245 for discrete math, CSCI 212 for computer organization, and MATH 140 through MATH 205 for the calculus sequence into MATH 200 for linear algebra.
What doesn't Palomar cover for UCSD computer science?
CSE 21, Mathematics for Algorithms and Systems. ASSIST lists no Palomar course against it, so it's the single requirement of eleven you'd finish at UCSD instead of before transfer.
What is the UCSD computer science transfer admit rate?
17% for 2025, calculated across every transfer applicant to Computer Science, not Palomar applicants alone. It's a screened major, so finishing math, programming and one science course by spring counts alongside that rate.
Does Palomar's CSCI 112 count toward UCSD's CSE 29 requirement?
Yes. CSCI 112, Programming Fundamentals I, is Palomar's match for CSE 29, Systems Programming and Software Tools. It's also the prerequisite that starts Palomar's three-course programming chain.
Explore More
Related Transfer Plans
Palomar College students transferring into UC San Diego's Computer Science B.S. can complete 10 of the 11 lower-division requirements at Palomar. CSCI 114 and CSCI 210 cover programming and data structures, CSCI 112 covers CSE 29, and MATH 140 through MATH 205 carries calculus toward MATH 200 for linear algebra. Only CSE 21 has no Palomar match. Transfermatic maps Palomar's three-semester programming chain against UCSD's spring prep deadline.
Build your Palomar College → UCSD plan
Personalized, semester-by-semester. Free to start.
Get My Transfer Plan