San Diego Mesa College to UCLA
Computer Science Transfer Plan
San Diego Mesa College matches 13 of UCLA's 15 Computer Science prep courses, from CISC 192 through calculus, physics and discrete math. Only COM SCI 35L and the logic design requirement have no Mesa equivalent on ASSIST.
From
San Diego Mesa College
To
UCLA
Computer ScienceMajor Requirements
Computer Science Major Preparation
Courses at San Diego Mesa College that satisfy UCLA's Computer Science major preparation, mapped and verified by Transfermatic's transfer engine.
| Course at San Diego Mesa College | Satisfies at UCLA | Units |
|---|---|---|
| CISC 192 or CISC 201 — C/C++ Programming | COM SCI 31 — Introduction to Computer Science I | 4 |
| CISC 187 — Data Structures in C++ | COM SCI 32 — Introduction to Computer Science II | 4 |
| CISC 211 — Computer Organization and Assembly Language | COM SCI 33 — Introduction to Computer Organization | 4 |
| No Mesa match | COM SCI 35L — Software Construction Laboratory | — |
| No Mesa match for any of 2 options | COM SCI M51A — Logic Design of Digital Systems and others (choose 1) | — |
| MATH 150 — Calculus with Analytic Geometry I | MATH 31A — Differential and Integral Calculus | 5 |
| MATH 151 — Calculus with Analytic Geometry II | MATH 31B — Integration and Infinite Series | 4 |
| MATH 252 — Calculus with Analytic Geometry III | MATH 32A — Calculus of Several Variables | 4 |
| MATH 252 — Calculus with Analytic Geometry III | MATH 32B — Calculus of Several Variables | 4 |
| MATH 254 — Introduction to Linear Algebra | MATH 33A — Linear Algebra and Applications | 3 |
| MATH 255 — Differential Equations | MATH 33B — Differential Equations | 3 |
| MATH 245 — Discrete Mathematics | MATH 61 — Introduction to Discrete Structures | 3 |
| PHYS 196 + PHYS 195 + PHYS 197 — Electricity and Magnetism + Mechanics + Waves, Optics and Modern Physics | PHYSICS 1A, PHYSICS 1B, PHYSICS 1C, PHYSICS 4AL, PHYSICS 4BL | 15 |
| ENGL C1000 — Academic Reading and Writing | ENGCOMP 3 — English Composition, Rhetoric, and Language (choose 1) | 3 |
| ENGL 105 or ENGL C1001 or PHIL 205 — Composition and Literature | English composition courses (choose 1) | 3 |
| CISC 192 — C/C++ Programming | 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 San Diego Mesa College
UCLA's Computer Science program uses its own GE pattern (see note below), but these five San Diego Mesa College courses cover foundation requirements every UC accepts. Start here.
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 |
UCLA Computer Science: full GE notes
Samueli Engineering doesn't require or recommend IGETC or Cal-GETC for this major, and a partial certification won't be accepted.
Five semesters from MATH 141 to diff eq
Mesa's chain runs MATH 141, then MATH 150, MATH 151, MATH 252 and MATH 255. That's five semesters minimum before differential equations, so enroll in MATH 141 your first term if you need it.
Semesters at Mesa, quarters at UCLA
Credits won't line up one for one between the two calendars. MATH 252, a single Mesa course, satisfies two separate UCLA quarter classes, which is common once you compare a semester system to a quarter system.
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
Two courses can cover COM SCI 31
CISC 192 or CISC 201 satisfies COM SCI 31. CISC 201 lists CISC 192 as its prerequisite, so CISC 192 comes first either way, and it alone also covers UCLA's programming requirement.
One calculus course covers two UCLA classes
MATH 252 alone satisfies both MATH 32A and MATH 32B at UCLA, since it's a full multivariable calculus course. You don't need a separate Mesa class for each quarter requirement.
All three physics courses are required
PHYS 195, PHYS 196 and PHYS 197 must all be completed, and PHYS 196 depends on finishing PHYS 195 first. Plan the physics sequence early since it follows the math prerequisites.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What classes should I take at Mesa for UCLA computer science?
Take CISC 192, CISC 187, CISC 211, MATH 150, 151, 252, 254, 255 and 245, plus PHYS 195, 196 and 197 and ENGL C1000. Finish this list by the end of spring before you transfer, all for a letter grade.
Which UCLA computer science courses have no Mesa match?
COM SCI 35L, the software lab, and the logic design course (COM SCI M51A or EC ENGR M16). ASSIST shows no Mesa course for either. UCLA's spring deadline list (calculus, linear algebra, differential equations, physics, programming) leaves both out, so you'd take them at UCLA.
How hard is it to transfer to UCLA computer science?
UCLA admitted only 5% of all transfer applicants to the major in 2025. Samueli Engineering wants a 3.4 minimum transferable GPA and reviews you only for the major you apply to, not an alternate.
Does Mesa CISC 192 transfer to UCLA?
Yes, CISC 192 matches COM SCI 31 and also fills UCLA's separate programming-language requirement. C++ is UCLA's preferred language, though the agreement notes accept Java and C courses too.
Explore More
Related Transfer Plans
San Diego Mesa College students working toward the Computer Science B.S. at UCLA can complete nearly all of the lower-division prep locally. Mesa's CISC 192 and CISC 187 line up with UCLA's COM SCI 31 and COM SCI 32, and a single MATH 252 course covers both quarters of multivariable calculus. The physics series runs PHYS 195 through PHYS 197. Only COM SCI 35L and the logic design requirement wait until after transfer. Transfermatic builds this ASSIST agreement into a term-by-term Mesa plan that respects every prerequisite along the way.
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