Santa Barbara City College to UCSB
Computer Science Transfer Plan
SBCC has a match for 10 of UCSB's 11 Computer Science prep courses. PSTAT 120A has no SBCC match, so plan for it before you apply.
From
Santa Barbara City College
To
UC Santa Barbara
Computer ScienceMajor Requirements
Computer Science Major Preparation
Courses at Santa Barbara City College that satisfy UC Santa Barbara's Computer Science major preparation, mapped and verified by Transfermatic's transfer engine.
| Course at Santa Barbara City College | Satisfies at UCSB | Units |
|---|---|---|
| MATH 150 — Calculus with Analytic Geometry I | MATH 3A — Calculus with Applications, First Course | 5 |
| MATH 160 — Calculus with Analytic Geometry II | MATH 3B — Calculus with Applications, Second Course | 5 |
| MATH 210 — Linear Algebra | MATH 4A — Linear Algebra with Applications | 4 |
| MATH 220 — Differential Equations | MATH 4B — Differential Equations | 4 |
| (CS 105 and CS 137) or (CS 105 and CS 140) — Theory and Practice I | CMPSC 16 — Problem Solving with Computers I | 3 |
| CS 140 + CS 106 — Object-Oriented Programming Using C++ + Theory and Practice II | CMPSC 24 — Problem Solving with Computers II | 7 |
| CS 108 — Discrete Structures | CMPSC 40 — Foundations of Computer Science | 4 |
| CS 140 + CS 106 — Object-Oriented Programming Using C++ + Theory and Practice II | CMPSC 32 — Object Oriented Design and Implementation (recommended) | 7 |
| CS 107 — Computer Architecture & Organization | CMPSC 64 — Computer Organization and Logic Design (recommended) | 3 |
| MATH 200 — Multivariable Calculus | MATH 6A — Vector Calculus with Applications, First Course | 4 |
| PHYS 121 — Mechanics of Solids and Fluids | PHYS 1 — Basic Physics (choose 2) | 5 |
| PHYS 121 + PHYS 122 + PHYS 123 — Mechanics of Solids and Fluids + Electricity and Magnetism + Heat, Light and Modern Physics | PHYS 2 — Basic Physics (choose 2) | 15 |
| PHYS 122 — Electricity and Magnetism | PHYS 3, PHYS 3L (choose 2) | 5 |
| (PHYS 110 and PHYS 111) or (PHYS 106 and PHYS 105) — Introductory Physics | PHYS 6A, PHYS 6AL, PHYS 6B, PHYS 6BL, PHYS 6C, PHYS 6CL (choose 2) | 4 |
| PHYS 121 — Mechanics of Solids and Fluids | PHYS 7A — Basic Physics (choose 2) | 5 |
| PHYS 121 + PHYS 122 — Mechanics of Solids and Fluids + Electricity and Magnetism | PHYS 7B — Basic Physics (choose 2) | 10 |
| No SBCC match | PSTAT 120A — Probability and Statistics | — |
| CS 132 — Digital Logic Design | ECE 15A — Fundamentals of Logic Design (recommended) | 3 |
Courses with no equivalent must be taken at UC Santa Barbara after transfer. Factor this into your first-year course plan.
General Education
Foundation GE at Santa Barbara City College
UCSB's Computer Science program uses its own GE pattern (see note below), but these five Santa Barbara City College courses cover foundation requirements every UC accepts. Start here.
BIOL 100
Concepts of Biology
CHEM 101
Introductory Chemistry
HIST 101
History of the U.S. to 1877
ENGL C1000
Academic Reading and Writing
ENGL C1001
Critical Thinking and Writing
| Area | Course at Santa Barbara City College | Units |
|---|---|---|
Life Science | BIOL 100 — Concepts of Biology | 4 |
Physical Science | CHEM 101 — Introductory Chemistry | 4 |
Humanities | HIST 101 — History of the U.S. to 1877 | 3 |
English CompositionCCN | ENGL C1000 — Academic Reading and Writing | 4 |
Critical ThinkingCCN | ENGL C1001 — Critical Thinking and Writing | 3 |
UCSB Computer Science: full GE notes
UCSB's Engineering college has applicants prioritize major coursework over IGETC or Cal-GETC, with general education left until after transfer for students on a three-year timeline.
5 semesters minimum for MATH 149 onward
MATH 149 through MATH 220: 5 courses, each needing the one before, so 5 semesters minimum, more than four fall and spring terms. Start MATH 149 first or plan on summer. Placing higher shortens it.
SBCC semesters, UCSB quarters
SBCC runs on semesters and UCSB on quarters. Your units convert when you transfer, one semester unit to 1.5 quarter units, and anything left runs on UCSB'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
PSTAT 120A has no SBCC match
SBCC lists no course for PSTAT 120A. Check UCSB's Computer Science page for whether it has to be done before you transfer, and plan where you'll cover it.
Start with MATH 149 and CS 105
MATH 149 and CS 105 sit at the start of their sequences for this route, so they fit your first semester, next to ENGL C1000 for English composition.
What UCSB looks for
By the end of spring before transfer, complete 2 semesters of calculus, linear algebra, differential equations, C/C++ programming, data structures in C++ and discrete math.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What classes should I take at SBCC for UCSB Computer Science?
MATH 150, MATH 160, MATH 210, MATH 220, CS 105, CS 140 and CS 106, plus the rest in the table above. Together they match 10 of the 11 prep courses UCSB lists for Computer Science.
What doesn't SBCC cover for UCSB Computer Science?
PSTAT 120A. SBCC lists no course for it, so check UCSB's Computer Science page for whether it has to be finished before you transfer.
Does SBCC MATH 150 transfer to UCSB?
Yes, for Computer Science. SBCC MATH 150 (Calculus with Analytic Geometry I) is the match for UCSB MATH 3A (Calculus with Applications, First Course) in the transfer agreement.
What is UCSB's transfer admit rate for Computer Science?
12% of all transfer applicants to UCSB Computer Science were admitted in 2025. That figure covers applicants from every college, so it isn't specific to SBCC.
Explore More
Related Transfer Plans
Santa Barbara City College students transferring to UC Santa Barbara for Computer Science can match 10 of 11 lower-division prep courses at SBCC, including MATH 150 and MATH 160. PSTAT 120A has no Santa Barbara City College equivalent in the 2025-2026 agreement. MATH 149 and CS 105 are good first-semester picks. On Transfermatic, put in Santa Barbara City College and UC Santa Barbara, and you get the classes you need for Computer Science, semester by semester.
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