Santa Monica College to SDSU
Computer Science Transfer Plan
SMC covers Calculus II, Linear Algebra, statistics and both physics courses, five of SDSU's twelve Computer Science prep requirements. Calculus I, Discrete Math and all five computer science courses have no SMC match, and SDSU's deadline for catalog major prep is the end of spring 2027.
From
Santa Monica College
To
San Diego State University
Computer ScienceMajor Requirements
Computer Science Major Preparation
Courses at Santa Monica College that satisfy San Diego State University's Computer Science major preparation, mapped and verified by Transfermatic's transfer engine.
| Course at Santa Monica College | Satisfies at SDSU | Units |
|---|---|---|
| No SMC match | CS 150, CS 150L | — |
| No SMC match | CS 160, CS 160L | — |
| No SMC match | CS 210 — Data Structures | — |
| No SMC match | CS 240 — Computer Organization | — |
| No SMC match | CS 250 — Introduction to Software Systems | — |
| No SMC match | MATH 150 — Calculus I | — |
| MATH 8 — Calculus 2 | MATH 151 — Calculus II | 5 |
| No SMC match | MATH 245 — Discrete Mathematics | — |
| MATH 13 — Linear Algebra | MATH 254 — Introduction to Linear Algebra | 3 |
| STAT C1000 — Introduction to Statistics | STAT 250 — Statistical Principles and Practices | 4 |
| PHYSCS 21 — Mechanics with Lab | PHYS 195, PHYS 195L | 5 |
| PHYSCS 22 — Electricity and Magnetism with Lab | PHYS 196, PHYS 196L | 5 |
Courses with no equivalent must be taken at San Diego State University after transfer. Factor this into your first-year course plan.
General Education
Foundation GE at Santa Monica College
Complete these five courses at Santa Monica College to start your SDSU 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 10
Applied Ecology and Conservation Biology
CHEM 10
Introductory General Chemistry
ENGL C1001
Critical Thinking and Writing
ENGL C1000
Academic Reading and Writing
COMM C1000
Introduction to Public Speaking
| Area | Course at Santa Monica College | Units |
|---|---|---|
Life Science | BIOL 10 — Applied Ecology and Conservation Biology | 4 |
Physical Science | CHEM 10 — Introductory General Chemistry | 5 |
HumanitiesCCN | ENGL C1001 — Critical Thinking and Writing | 3 |
English CompositionCCN | ENGL C1000 — Academic Reading and Writing | 3 |
Oral CommunicationCCN | COMM C1000 — Introduction to Public Speaking | 3 |
Four semesters to reach Linear Algebra
MATH 2 leads to MATH 7, then MATH 8, then MATH 13. Skip a semester anywhere in that chain and Linear Algebra slides past when SDSU wants prep finished.
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
SMC has no CS course match at all
CS 150, CS 160, CS 210, CS 240 and CS 250 all show no SMC equivalent. SDSU wants its full catalog prep done by the end of spring 2027, and summer courses that year won't count.
Start MATH 2 your first semester
The path to MATH 13 runs through MATH 7 and MATH 8 first, four semesters minimum. Delaying math at SMC pushes Linear Algebra past your target transfer term.
Calculus I and Discrete Math are gaps
SMC has no match for SDSU's MATH 150 or MATH 245, even though MATH 8 and MATH 13 cover Calculus II and Linear Algebra. Both are part of SDSU's catalog prep due by spring 2027.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Does SMC MATH 8 transfer to SDSU Computer Science?
Yes. MATH 8 covers SDSU's MATH 151, Calculus II, and MATH 13 covers MATH 254, Linear Algebra. The other two math prep courses, Calculus I and Discrete Math, have no SMC match.
Can I take Data Structures at SMC before transferring to SDSU?
No. SMC has no course matched to CS 210 in this agreement, along with CS 150, CS 160, CS 240 and CS 250, and SDSU expects catalog prep finished by the end of spring 2027.
What GPA do I need to transfer to SDSU for Computer Science?
SDSU's published fall 2027 minimum for Computer Science is a 2.0, but the major is impacted, so applicants above that minimum get priority in the ranking.
Does SMC PHYSCS 21 count toward SDSU's physics requirement?
Yes. PHYSCS 21 covers SDSU's PHYS 195 lecture and lab together, and PHYSCS 22 covers PHYS 196 the same way, so both semesters of physics clear as single SMC classes.
Explore More
Related Transfer Plans
Santa Monica College students heading to San Diego State University for a Computer Science, B.S. cover five of SDSU's twelve major prep requirements before transferring. SMC's MATH 8 and MATH 13 clear Calculus II and Linear Algebra, and STAT C1000 clears the statistics requirement, but none of SDSU's five computer science courses, including CS 210 Data Structures, have an SMC match. Students planning this route through Transfermatic should know SDSU wants catalog major prep done by the end of spring 2027, while Calculus I, Discrete Math and the programming core show no SMC equivalent in the current agreement.
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