Riverside City College to UCLA
Computer Science Transfer Plan
RCC has a match for 13 of UCLA's 15 Computer Science prep courses. COM SCI 35L and a UCLA choose-1 requirement have no RCC match, so plan for them before you apply.
From
Riverside City College
To
UCLA
Computer ScienceMajor Requirements
Computer Science Major Preparation
Courses at Riverside City College that satisfy UCLA's Computer Science major preparation, mapped and verified by Transfermatic's transfer engine.
| Course at Riverside City College | Satisfies at UCLA | Units |
|---|---|---|
| CIS 17A or CIS 5 — Programming Concepts and Methodology II: C++ | COM SCI 31 — Introduction to Computer Science I | 3 |
| CIS 17C — C++ Programming: Data Structures | COM SCI 32 — Introduction to Computer Science II | 3 |
| CIS 11 — Computer Architecture and Organization: Assembly | COM SCI 33 — Introduction to Computer Organization | 3 |
| No RCC match | COM SCI 35L — Software Construction Laboratory | — |
| No RCC match for any of 2 options | COM SCI M51A — Logic Design of Digital Systems and others (choose 1) | — |
| MAT 1A — Calculus I | MATH 31A — Differential and Integral Calculus | 4 |
| MAT 1B — Calculus II | MATH 31B — Integration and Infinite Series | 4 |
| MAT 1C — Calculus III | MATH 32A — Calculus of Several Variables | 4 |
| MAT 1C — Calculus III | MATH 32B — Calculus of Several Variables | 4 |
| MAT 3 — Linear Algebra | MATH 33A — Linear Algebra and Applications | 3 |
| MAT 2 — Differential Equations | MATH 33B — Differential Equations | 4 |
| CIS 7 — Discrete Structures | MATH 61 — Introduction to Discrete Structures | 3 |
| PHY 4A + PHY 4B + PHY 4C — Mechanics + Electricity and Magnetism + Heat, Light and Waves | PHYSICS 1A, PHYSICS 1B, PHYSICS 1C, PHYSICS 4AL, PHYSICS 4BL | 12 |
| ENGL C1000 — Academic Reading and Writing | ENGCOMP 3 — English Composition, Rhetoric, and Language (choose 1) | 4 |
| ENGL 1B or ENGL 1BH — Critical Thinking and Writing | English composition courses (choose 1) | 4 |
| CIS 5 or (CSC 17A and CIS 17B) or (CIS 17C and CSC 17A) — Programming Concepts and Methodology I: C++ | Computer programming courses: C++ preferred (choose 1) | 4 |
Courses with no equivalent must be taken at UCLA after transfer. Factor this into your first-year course plan.
General Education
Foundation GE at Riverside City College
UCLA's Computer Science program uses its own GE pattern (see note below), but these five Riverside City College courses cover foundation requirements every UC accepts. Start here.
BIO 1
General Biology
AST 1A
Introduction to the Solar System
ENGL 14
American Literature I: Pre-Contact through Civil War
ENGL C1000
Academic Reading and Writing
COMM C1000
Introduction to Public Speaking
| Area | Course at Riverside City College | Units |
|---|---|---|
Life Science | BIO 1 — General Biology | 4 |
Physical Science | AST 1A — Introduction to the Solar System | 3 |
Humanities | ENGL 14 — American Literature I: Pre-Contact through Civil War | 3 |
English CompositionCCN | ENGL C1000 — Academic Reading and Writing | 4 |
Oral CommunicationCCN | COMM C1000 — Introduction to Public Speaking | 3 |
UCLA Computer Science: full GE notes
Computer Science applicants to Samueli don't need IGETC or Cal-GETC, and a partial version of either isn't accepted.
RCC semesters, UCLA quarters
RCC runs on semesters and UCLA on quarters. Your units convert when you transfer, one semester unit to 1.5 quarter units, and anything left runs on UCLA'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
2 UCLA requirements have no RCC match
RCC lists no course for COM SCI 35L and a UCLA choose-1 requirement. Check UCLA's Computer Science page for whether they have to be done before you transfer, and plan where you'll cover them.
Start with CIS 17A and MAT 1A
CIS 17A and MAT 1A sit at the start of their sequences for this route, so they fit your first semester, next to ENGL C1000 for English composition.
RCC gives you options here
For UCLA COM SCI 31, RCC accepts CIS 17A or CIS 5. You need only one of them, so pick whichever fits your schedule.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What classes should I take at RCC for UCLA Computer Science?
CIS 17A or CIS 5, CIS 17C, CIS 11, MAT 1A, MAT 1B, MAT 1C and MAT 3, plus the rest in the table above. Together they match 13 of the 15 prep courses UCLA lists for Computer Science.
What doesn't RCC cover for UCLA Computer Science?
COM SCI 35L and a UCLA choose-1 requirement. RCC lists no course for them, so check UCLA's Computer Science page for whether they have to be finished before you transfer.
Does RCC CIS 17C transfer to UCLA?
Yes, for Computer Science. RCC CIS 17C (C++ Programming: Data Structures) is the match for UCLA COM SCI 32 (Introduction to Computer Science II) in the transfer agreement.
What is UCLA's transfer admit rate for Computer Science?
5% of all transfer applicants to UCLA Computer Science were admitted in 2025. That figure covers applicants from every college, so it isn't specific to RCC.
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Related Transfer Plans
Riverside City College students transferring to UCLA for Computer Science can match 13 of 15 lower-division prep courses at RCC, including CIS 17A or CIS 5 and CIS 17C. COM SCI 35L and a UCLA choose-1 requirement have no Riverside City College equivalent in the 2025-2026 agreement. CIS 17A and MAT 1A are good first-semester picks. On Transfermatic, put in Riverside City College and UCLA, and you get the classes you need for Computer Science, semester by semester.
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