Southwestern College to UCSD
Computer Science Transfer Plan
Southwestern matches 9 of UC San Diego's 11 Computer Science requirements, and either CIS 153 or MATH 130 covers CSE 11, though only MATH 130 is the prerequisite for MATH 140, the CSE 12 match. CSE 29 and CSE 21 have no Southwestern course, so those wait until UCSD.
From
Southwestern College
To
UC San Diego
Computer ScienceMajor Requirements
Computer Science Major Preparation
Courses at Southwestern College that satisfy UC San Diego's Computer Science major preparation, mapped and verified by Transfermatic's transfer engine.
| Course at Southwestern College | Satisfies at UCSD | Units |
|---|---|---|
| CIS 153 or MATH 130 — Internet Programming using JAVA/J++ | CSE 11 — Introduction to Programming and Computational Problem Solving - Accelerated Pace | 4 |
| MATH 140 — Data Structures and Algorithms | CSE 12 — Basic Data Structures and Object-Oriented Design | 4 |
| No Southwestern match | CSE 29 — Systems Programming and Software Tools | — |
| MATH 260 or MATH 265 — Discrete Mathematics | CSE 20 — Discrete Mathematics | 3 |
| No Southwestern match | CSE 21 — Mathematics for Algorithms and Systems | — |
| MATH 230 — Computer Organization and Architecture | CSE 30 — Computer Organization and Systems Programming | 4 |
| MATH 254 — Introduction to Linear Algebra | MATH 18 — Linear Algebra | 3 |
| MATH 250 — Analytic Geometry and Calculus I | MATH 20A — Calculus for Science and Engineering | 5 |
| MATH 251 — Analytic Geometry and Calculus II | MATH 20B — Calculus for Science and Engineering | 4 |
| MATH 252 — Analytic Geometry and Calculus III | MATH 20C — Calculus and Analytic Geometry for Science and Engineering | 4 |
| BIOL 210 + BIOL 212 + BIOL 211 — General Zoology + Biology of Plants + Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology | BILD 1 — The Cell (choose 1) | 12 |
| BIOL 211 + BIOL 210 + BIOL 212 — Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology + General Zoology + Biology of Plants | BILD 2 — Multicellular Life (choose 1) | 12 |
| BIOL 211 + BIOL 210 + BIOL 212 — Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology + General Zoology + Biology of Plants | BILD 3 — Organismic and Evolutionary Biology (choose 1) | 12 |
| CHEM 200 — General Chemistry I | CHEM 6A — General Chemistry I (choose 1) | 5 |
| CHEM 200 + CHEM 210 — General Chemistry I + General Chemistry II | CHEM 6B — General Chemistry II (choose 1) | 10 |
| PHYS 270 — Principles of Physics I | PHYS 2A — Physics - Mechanics (choose 1) | 4 |
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 Southwestern College
Complete these five courses at Southwestern 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
Principles of Biology
CHEM 100
Introduction to General Chemistry
HIST 104
Western Civilization I
ENGL C1000
Academic Reading and Writing
ENGL C1001
Critical Thinking and Writing
| Area | Course at Southwestern College | Units |
|---|---|---|
Life Science | BIOL 100 — Principles of Biology | 3 |
Physical Science | CHEM 100 — Introduction to General Chemistry | 4 |
Humanities | HIST 104 — Western Civilization I | 3 |
English CompositionCCN | ENGL C1000 — Academic Reading and Writing | 4 |
Critical ThinkingCCN | ENGL C1001 — Critical Thinking and Writing | 4 |
Four semesters to linear algebra
Southwestern's chain runs MATH 244, then MATH C2210, then MATH C2220, then MATH 254: four semesters minimum. Begin it right away to finish before UCSD's spring deadline.
Southwestern semesters, UCSD quarters
Southwestern teaches in semesters, while UCSD splits the year into quarters, so a course like MATH 250 covers UCSD content on a different pace once you transfer. Expect three terms a year afterward.
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
MATH 130 opens more doors
CIS 153 or MATH 130 each satisfy CSE 11 alone. MATH 130 is the one MATH 140 (CSE 12) and MATH 230 (CSE 30) require, so taking it first keeps both open.
Discrete math also has a choice
MATH 260 or MATH 265 each cover CSE 20, Discrete Mathematics, on their own. Either course clears the requirement without needing the other.
Two requirements have no Southwestern match
CSE 29 and CSE 21 aren't in Southwestern's course list for this agreement. Both are finished at UCSD after you enroll.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What classes should I take at Southwestern for UCSD computer science?
CIS 153 or MATH 130 for CSE 11, MATH 140 for CSE 12, MATH 230 for computer organization, MATH 260 or MATH 265 for discrete math, and MATH 250 through MATH 252 for calculus into MATH 254 for linear algebra.
What doesn't Southwestern cover for UCSD computer science?
Southwestern has no match for CSE 29, Systems Programming and Software Tools, or CSE 21, Mathematics for Algorithms and Systems. Both remain open until after you transfer.
What is the UCSD computer science transfer admit rate?
17% for 2025, measured across every transfer applicant to Computer Science, not Southwestern applicants specifically. Because it's screened, finishing math, programming and one science course by spring matters more than the rate.
Does Southwestern's MATH 254 count for UCSD's linear algebra requirement?
Yes. MATH 254 is Southwestern's match for MATH 18, Linear Algebra. It sits at the end of a four-semester chain that begins with MATH 244, so start math early.
Explore More
Related Transfer Plans
Southwestern College students transferring into UC San Diego's Computer Science B.S. can complete 9 of the 11 lower-division requirements at Southwestern. CIS 153 or MATH 130 opens programming, MATH 140 covers data structures, and MATH 250 through MATH 252 carries calculus toward MATH 254 for linear algebra. CSE 29 and CSE 21 have no Southwestern match and wait until after transfer. Transfermatic tracks Southwestern's four-semester math chain against UCSD's spring prep deadline.
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