Santa Monica College to SDSU
Mechanical Engineering Transfer Plan
SMC matches 5 of SDSU's 15 Mechanical Engineering requirements: CHEM 11, MATH 8, MATH 11 and both physics-with-lab courses. MATH 150, biology and all eight M E-block courses have no SMC match, and SDSU wants all major prep done by the end of spring 2027.
From
Santa Monica College
To
San Diego State University
Mechanical EngineeringMajor Requirements
Mechanical Engineering Major Preparation
Courses at Santa Monica College that satisfy San Diego State University's Mechanical Engineering major preparation, mapped and verified by Transfermatic's transfer engine.
| Course at Santa Monica College | Satisfies at SDSU | Units |
|---|---|---|
| No SMC match | M E 190 — Computer-Aided Design | — |
| No SMC match | M E 200 — Statics | — |
| No SMC match | M E 202 — Computer Programming and Applications | — |
| No SMC match | M E 220 — Dynamics | — |
| No SMC match | M E 230 — Basics of Mechatronics | — |
| No SMC match | M E 240 — Introduction to Engineering Materials | — |
| No SMC match | M E 241 — Materials Laboratory | — |
| No SMC match | A E 280 — Methods of Analysis | — |
| CHEM 11 — General Chemistry I | CHEM 200 — General Chemistry (choose 1) | 5 |
| No SMC match for any of 2 options | BIOL 100 — General Biology and others (choose 1) | — |
| No SMC match | MATH 150 — Calculus I | — |
| MATH 8 — Calculus 2 | MATH 151 — Calculus II | 5 |
| MATH 11 — Multivariable Calculus | MATH 252 — Calculus III | 5 |
| 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
SDSU's Mechanical Engineering program uses its own GE pattern (see note below), but these five Santa Monica College courses cover foundation requirements every CSU accepts. Start here.
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 |
SDSU Mechanical Engineering: full GE notes
SDSU says the GE pattern engineering majors commonly use is SDSU's own, rather than Cal-GETC or CSU GE certification.
Start math your first term at SMC
MATH 2 leads to MATH 7, then MATH 8, then MATH 11, four semesters minimum. Begin math right away or the calculus sequence pushes your transfer timeline back.
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
No SMC match for the M E block
SDSU's eight M E-block courses, Computer-Aided Design through Materials Laboratory plus A E 280, have no SMC equivalent on ASSIST. SDSU still expects all catalog major prep done by the end of spring 2027.
Calculus I has no match here
MATH 8 covers SDSU's Calculus II and MATH 11 covers Calculus III, but ASSIST lists no SMC course for MATH 150, Calculus I, even though MATH 7 feeds into MATH 8.
C or better, no credit/no credit
SDSU wants a C or better, not credit/no credit, in CHEM 200, MATH 151, PHYS 195 and PHYS 196. At SMC those are CHEM 11, MATH 8, PHYSCS 21 and PHYSCS 22.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Does SMC MATH 8 transfer to SDSU for Mechanical Engineering?
Yes. MATH 8 satisfies SDSU's MATH 151, Calculus II. MATH 11 separately covers MATH 252, Calculus III, but ASSIST lists no SMC course for MATH 150, Calculus I.
What doesn't Santa Monica College cover for SDSU Mechanical Engineering?
None of SDSU's eight M E-block courses, MATH 150, or the BIOL 100/BIOL 101 choice has an SMC match: 10 of 15 requirements. SDSU's deadline for that prep is the end of spring 2027; summer 2027 courses don't count.
What GPA does SDSU require for Mechanical Engineering transfer?
For fall 2027, SDSU's Mechanical Engineering GPA minimum is 2.70. SMC isn't on SDSU's local-admission list, so your GPA and finished prep carry the application on their own.
How long is SMC's math sequence before I can transfer?
The chain runs MATH 2, then MATH 7, then MATH 8, then MATH 11, four semesters minimum. Start math your first term if you want calculus done before you leave SMC.
Explore More
Related Transfer Plans
Santa Monica College students planning to transfer into San Diego State University's Mechanical Engineering, B.S. program clear five of fifteen requirements through courses like MATH 8 and MATH 11, but SDSU's eight M E prep courses, MATH 150 and biology have no SMC match under the current ASSIST agreement. SMC is outside SDSU's local admission area, so a 2.70 GPA and prep finished by the end of spring 2027 carry the application. On our platform, put in your CC and your transfer university and Transfermatic maps every matched class and gap like these for you automatically.
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