Southwestern College to UCSB
Mechanical Engineering Transfer Plan
Southwestern College clears 17 of UCSB's 20 Mechanical Engineering requirements, with circuits, graphics, and Dynamics all transferring. ME 15, ME 12S and ME 17 have no Southwestern match; none of them is an admission requirement, so you can finish all three at UCSB.
From
Southwestern College
To
UC Santa Barbara
Mechanical EngineeringMajor Requirements
Mechanical Engineering Major Preparation
Courses at Southwestern College that satisfy UC Santa Barbara's Mechanical Engineering major preparation, mapped and verified by Transfermatic's transfer engine.
| Course at Southwestern College | Satisfies at UCSB | Units |
|---|---|---|
| MATH 250 — Analytic Geometry and Calculus I | MATH 3A — Calculus with Applications, First Course | 5 |
| MATH 251 — Analytic Geometry and Calculus II | MATH 3B — Calculus with Applications, Second Course | 4 |
| MATH 254 — Introduction to Linear Algebra | MATH 4A — Linear Algebra with Applications | 3 |
| MATH 253 — Introduction to Differential Equations | MATH 4B — Differential Equations | 3 |
| PHYS 270 — Principles of Physics I | PHYS 7A — Basic Physics | 4 |
| PHYS 270 + PHYS 272 + PHYS 274 — Principles of Physics I + Principles of Physics II + Principles of Physics III | PHYS 7B — Basic Physics | 12 |
| PHYS 272 + PHYS 274 — Principles of Physics II + Principles of Physics III | PHYS 7C — Basic Physics | 8 |
| PHYS 271 + PHYS 273 — Principles of Physics Laboratory I + Principles of Physics Laboratory II | PHYS 7L — Physics Laboratory | 2 |
| ENGR 221 — Computer Programming and Applications - MATLAB | ENGR 3 — Introduction to Programming | 3 |
| ENGR 250 — Engineering Statics | ME 14 — Statics | 3 |
| CHEM 200 — General Chemistry I | CHEM 1A, CHEM 2AL | 5 |
| CHEM 200 + CHEM 210 — General Chemistry I + General Chemistry II | CHEM 1B — General Chemistry (recommended) | 10 |
| MATH 252 — Analytic Geometry and Calculus III | MATH 6A — Vector Calculus with Applications, First Course | 4 |
| MATH 252 — Analytic Geometry and Calculus III | MATH 6B — Vector Calculus with Applications, Second Course | 4 |
| ENGR 271 + ENGR 270 — Electrical Circuits Laboratory + Electrical Circuits | ME 6 — Basic Electrical and Electronic Circuits | 4 |
| ENGR 110 — Engineering Design and Graphics | ME 10 — Engineering Graphics: Sketching, CAD, and Conceptual Design | 3 |
| No Southwestern match | ME 15 — Strength of Materials | — |
| ENGR 251 — Engineering Dynamics | ME 16 — Engineering Mechanics: Dynamics | 3 |
| PHYS 274 — Principles of Physics III | PHYS 7D — Basic Physics | 4 |
| No Southwestern match | ME 12S — Introduction to Machine Shop | — |
| No Southwestern match | ME 17 — Mathematics of Engineering | — |
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 Southwestern College
UCSB's Mechanical Engineering program uses its own GE pattern (see note below), but these five Southwestern College courses cover foundation requirements every UC accepts. Start here.
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 |
UCSB Mechanical Engineering: full GE notes
UCSB has Southwestern transfers prioritize major coursework over Cal-GETC or IGETC; general education can be finished later if you plan a three-year stay.
Five semesters through Physics III
MATH 244 leads to MATH C2210, then PHYS 270, PHYS 272, PHYS 274, five semesters minimum. PHYS 272 and PHYS 274 make up UCSB's required PHYS 7C, due by the end of spring before transfer.
Southwestern runs semesters, UCSB runs quarters
Southwestern's five-semester chain runs on a longer calendar than UCSB's quarter terms. Units and pacing convert once you arrive, so a finished Southwestern semester isn't a finished UCSB quarter.
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
Strength of Materials has no Southwestern match
ME 15 is the one gap in the engineering block; ME 6, ME 10, and ME 16 all clear through Southwestern courses like ENGR 270 and ENGR 251.
Circuit lab and lecture both required
ME 6 needs two Southwestern courses together: ENGR 271, Electrical Circuits Laboratory, plus ENGR 270, Electrical Circuits. One without the other leaves the requirement unfinished.
Chain runs through physics, not just math
The longest chain here ends in physics: MATH 244 leads to MATH C2210, then PHYS 270, PHYS 272, PHYS 274, five semesters, so the physics sequence needs early planning too.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Southwestern's calculus sequence transfer to UCSB Mechanical Engineering?
Yes. MATH 250 clears MATH 3A, MATH 251 clears MATH 3B, and MATH 252 clears both MATH 6A and MATH 6B.
What does Southwestern not cover for UCSB Mechanical Engineering?
ME 15 Strength of Materials, ME 12S Introduction to Machine Shop, and ME 17 Mathematics of Engineering have no Southwestern match. Circuits, graphics, and Dynamics all transfer.
How long is Southwestern's chain to Physics III?
Five semesters. MATH 244 leads to MATH C2210, then PHYS 270, PHYS 272, PHYS 274, so the physics sequence needs an early start too.
Is UCSB Mechanical Engineering TAG-eligible from Southwestern?
No. UCSB's College of Engineering majors sit outside TAG, so Southwestern applicants are reviewed on completed major prep, with a 3.5 GPA in those courses the most competitive mark.
Explore More
Related Transfer Plans
Southwestern College students transferring into UC Santa Barbara's Mechanical Engineering, B.S. program clear 17 of 20 requirements, with circuits, graphics, and Dynamics all transferring through Southwestern courses. ME 6 needs both ENGR 271 and ENGR 270 finished together, and the five-semester chain to Physics III runs mostly through the physics sequence rather than math. On our platform, put in your CC and your transfer university and Transfermatic checks Southwestern's coursework against UCSB's Mechanical Engineering requirements automatically.
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