San Diego Mesa College to UCSD
Computer Science Transfer Plan
Mesa matches 9 of UC San Diego's 11 Computer Science requirements, though CSE 12 takes both CISC 187 and CISC 191 together. CSE 29 and CSE 21 have no Mesa course, so those wait until after transfer.
From
San Diego Mesa College
To
UC San Diego
Computer ScienceMajor Requirements
Computer Science Major Preparation
Courses at San Diego Mesa College that satisfy UC San Diego's Computer Science major preparation, mapped and verified by Transfermatic's transfer engine.
| Course at San Diego Mesa College | Satisfies at UCSD | Units |
|---|---|---|
| CISC 191 — Intermediate Java Programming | CSE 11 — Introduction to Programming and Computational Problem Solving - Accelerated Pace | 4 |
| CISC 187 + CISC 191 — Data Structures in C++ + Intermediate Java Programming | CSE 12 — Basic Data Structures and Object-Oriented Design | 8 |
| No Mesa match | CSE 29 — Systems Programming and Software Tools | — |
| MATH 245 or CISC 246 — Discrete Mathematics | CSE 20 — Discrete Mathematics | 3 |
| No Mesa match | CSE 21 — Mathematics for Algorithms and Systems | — |
| CISC 192 + CISC 211 — C/C++ Programming + Computer Organization and Assembly Language | CSE 30 — Computer Organization and Systems Programming | 8 |
| MATH 254 — Introduction to Linear Algebra | MATH 18 — Linear Algebra | 3 |
| MATH 150 — Calculus with Analytic Geometry I | MATH 20A — Calculus for Science and Engineering | 5 |
| MATH 151 — Calculus with Analytic Geometry II | MATH 20B — Calculus for Science and Engineering | 4 |
| MATH 252 — Calculus with Analytic Geometry III | MATH 20C — Calculus and Analytic Geometry for Science and Engineering | 4 |
| BIOL 210B + BIOL 210A — Introduction to the Biological Sciences II + Introduction to the Biological Sciences I | BILD 1 — The Cell (choose 1) | 8 |
| BIOL 210A + BIOL 210B — Introduction to the Biological Sciences I + Introduction to the Biological Sciences II | BILD 2 — Multicellular Life (choose 1) | 8 |
| BIOL 210A + BIOL 210B — Introduction to the Biological Sciences I + Introduction to the Biological Sciences II | BILD 3 — Organismic and Evolutionary Biology (choose 1) | 8 |
| CHEM 200 — General Chemistry I - Lecture | CHEM 6A — General Chemistry I (choose 1) | 3 |
| CHEM 200 + CHEM 201 — General Chemistry I - Lecture + General Chemistry II - Lecture | CHEM 6B — General Chemistry II (choose 1) | 6 |
| PHYS 195 — Mechanics | 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 San Diego Mesa College
Complete these five courses at San Diego Mesa 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
Natural History - Environmental Biology
CHEM 100
Fundamentals of Chemistry
HIST 100
World History I
ENGL C1000
Academic Reading and Writing
ENGL C1001
Critical Thinking and Writing
| Area | Course at San Diego Mesa College | Units |
|---|---|---|
Life Science | BIOL 100 — Natural History - Environmental Biology | 4 |
Physical Science | CHEM 100 — Fundamentals of Chemistry | 3 |
Humanities | HIST 100 — World History I | 3 |
English CompositionCCN | ENGL C1000 — Academic Reading and Writing | 3 |
Critical ThinkingCCN | ENGL C1001 — Critical Thinking and Writing | 3 |
Four semesters to linear algebra
Mesa's chain runs MATH 141, then MATH 150, then MATH 151, then MATH 254: four semesters minimum. Enroll in that track right away so it clears before UCSD's spring deadline.
Mesa semesters, UCSD quarters
Mesa runs on semesters while UC San Diego runs on quarters, so the pace of a course like MATH 150 changes once you transfer even though the content lines up. Expect 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
CSE 12 needs two Mesa courses
ASSIST pairs CISC 187 with CISC 191 for CSE 12, Basic Data Structures. Neither one alone counts, so schedule both before applying.
One course can clear science
CHEM 200 alone matches CHEM 6A, and PHYS 195 alone matches PHYS 2A once you've taken MATH 150. The biology route needs both BIOL 210A and BIOL 210B.
Two requirements stay open until UCSD
CSE 29 and CSE 21 have no Mesa match in this agreement. Both are finished at UCSD, so plan for the extra units after you arrive.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What classes should I take at Mesa for UCSD computer science?
CISC 191 for CSE 11, CISC 187 with CISC 191 for CSE 12, CISC 192 and CISC 211 for computer organization, MATH 245 or CISC 246 for discrete math, and MATH 150 through MATH 252 for the calculus sequence into MATH 254 for linear algebra.
What doesn't Mesa cover for UCSD computer science?
Mesa has no course listed for CSE 29, Systems Programming and Software Tools, or for CSE 21, Mathematics for Algorithms and Systems. Both requirements are left for after you transfer.
What is the UCSD computer science transfer admit rate?
17% for 2025, measured across every transfer applicant to Computer Science, not Mesa students alone. Because it's screened, finishing math, programming and one science course by spring counts for more than the raw rate.
Does Mesa's CISC 192 count toward UCSD computer science?
Yes. CISC 192 paired with CISC 211 is Mesa's match for CSE 30, Computer Organization and Systems Programming. CISC 211 needs CISC 179 first, and CISC 192 is also the prerequisite for CISC 187.
Explore More
Related Transfer Plans
San Diego Mesa College students aiming for UC San Diego's Computer Science B.S. can finish 9 of the 11 lower-division requirements at Mesa. CISC 191 opens programming, CISC 187 and CISC 191 together cover data structures, and MATH 150 through MATH 252 carries calculus into MATH 254 for linear algebra. CSE 29 and CSE 21 have no Mesa match and are left for UCSD. Transfermatic tracks the four-semester math chain against Mesa's own term dates so it clears before UCSD's spring cutoff.
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