De Anza College to UC Berkeley
Computer Science Transfer Plan
Quarter-by-quarter courses, IGETC requirements, and major prerequisites — verified from real articulation data.
From
De Anza College
To
UC Berkeley
GPA Reality Check
Berkeley's minimum GPA is 3.0, but the College of Engineering — which houses EECS, the closely related CS engineering track — reported an average admitted transfer GPA of 3.92 for Fall 2025. For CDSS Computer Science, the expectation is similarly brutal: a 3.8 gets you in the conversation, but anything below that is a hard sell. The courses that matter most are your math sequence (MATH 1A, 1B, MATH 22) and your CS courses (CIS 22A, CIS 22B) — Berkeley weighs your STEM GPA heavily, so a B in Calculus can hurt more than a B in a humanities elective.
Transfer Alliance Project (TAP)
The Transfer Alliance Project (TAP) is UC Berkeley's dedicated program for underserved community college students — and De Anza College is one of 31 participating campuses. TAP connects you with UC Berkeley advisors who provide one-on-one transfer planning, workshops, and application support that most students don't have access to. To get certified, reach out to De Anza's Transfer Center and ask specifically about TAP enrollment through Berkeley's Center for Educational Partnerships.
Major Requirements
Computer Science (CDSS B.S.) Major Preparation
Computer Science (CDSS B.S.) at UC Berkeley
Courses at De Anza College that satisfy UC Berkeley's Computer Science major preparation, verified via ASSIST.org.
UC Berkeley's CDSS is home to three majors — Computer Science, Data Science, and Statistics — and students frequently confuse them. CS (CDSS B.S.) is a technical, theory-heavy degree focused on algorithms, systems, and software. Data Science emphasizes statistical modeling and data pipelines. If you applied to EECS (Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences) in the College of Engineering instead, that's a separate, even more selective program with different prerequisites — don't mix up the two CS paths when building your coursework plan.
| Course at De Anza College | Satisfies at UC Berkeley | Units |
|---|---|---|
| MATH 1A — Calculus | MATH 1A — Calculus | 5 |
| MATH 1B — Calculus | MATH 1B — Calculus | 5 |
| MATH 22 — Linear Algebra | MATH 54 — Linear Algebra and Differential Equations (linear algebra portion only; CS does not require the full Math 54 equivalent) | 4 |
| CIS 22A — C++ Programming and Problem Solving | CS 61A — The Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs (subject to equivalency review) | 4.5 |
| CIS 22B — Intermediate C++ Programming | CS 61B — Data Structures (subject to equivalency review; Berkeley will verify your course covers hash tables, balanced trees, and large-scale projects) | 4.5 |
| No equivalent at De Anza College | CS 70 — Discrete Mathematics and Probability Theory (available via UC Berkeley Summer Session or Concurrent Enrollment) | — |
| MATH 10 — Elementary Statistics/Probability | STATS 20 — Probability and Statistics (recommended for CS breadth preparation) | 5 |
Courses with no equivalent must be taken at UC Berkeley after transfer. Factor this into your first-year course plan.
General Education
IGETC at De Anza College
Complete IGETC at De Anza College to satisfy UC Berkeley's lower-division GE requirements before transferring.
EWRT 1A (English Composition)
4 unitsEWRT 2 (Critical Reading and Writing) or LART 250 (Reading and Writing with Critical Thinking Across the Disciplines)
4 unitsMATH 10 (Elementary Statistics/Probability) or MATH 11 (Probability and Statistics for Business and Social Science) — note: MATH 10 doubles as CS-adjacent prep
4-5 unitsART 1A (Introduction to Art History: Prehistoric to Gothic) or DANC 6 (History and Appreciation of Dance)
4 unitsELIT 1 (Introduction to Literature) or HUMN 1 (Introduction to Humanities: Pre-History through the Renaissance)
4 unitsHIST 17A (United States History from Settlement to Civil War) or POLS 1 (Contemporary Politics of the United States)
4 unitsPHYS 4A (Physics — Mechanics) or CHEM 1A (General Chemistry)
5 unitsBIOL 6A (Cell Biology and Evolution) or ASTR 4 (General Astronomy)
4-5 unitsSPAN 1 (Elementary Spanish, First Quarter), SPAN 2 (Elementary Spanish, Second Quarter), FREN 1 (Elementary French, First Quarter), or FREN 2 (Elementary French, Second Quarter) — must reach proficiency equivalent to two years of high school language
5 units| Area | Course options at De Anza College | Units |
|---|---|---|
| 1A: English Composition | EWRT 1A (English Composition) | 4 |
| 1B: Critical Thinking and Composition | EWRT 2 (Critical Reading and Writing) or LART 250 (Reading and Writing with Critical Thinking Across the Disciplines) | 4 |
| 2: Mathematical Concepts and Quantitative Reasoning | MATH 10 (Elementary Statistics/Probability) or MATH 11 (Probability and Statistics for Business and Social Science) — note: MATH 10 doubles as CS-adjacent prep | 4-5 |
| 3A: Arts | ART 1A (Introduction to Art History: Prehistoric to Gothic) or DANC 6 (History and Appreciation of Dance) | 4 |
| 3B: Humanities | ELIT 1 (Introduction to Literature) or HUMN 1 (Introduction to Humanities: Pre-History through the Renaissance) | 4 |
| 4: Social and Behavioral Sciences | HIST 17A (United States History from Settlement to Civil War) or POLS 1 (Contemporary Politics of the United States) | 4 |
| 5A: Physical Sciences | PHYS 4A (Physics — Mechanics) or CHEM 1A (General Chemistry) | 5 |
| 5B: Biological Sciences | BIOL 6A (Cell Biology and Evolution) or ASTR 4 (General Astronomy) | 4-5 |
| 6: Language Other Than English | SPAN 1 (Elementary Spanish, First Quarter), SPAN 2 (Elementary Spanish, Second Quarter), FREN 1 (Elementary French, First Quarter), or FREN 2 (Elementary French, Second Quarter) — must reach proficiency equivalent to two years of high school language | 5 |
MATH 1A → MATH 1B → MATH 22
These three courses must be taken in strict order across three separate quarters — and all are required before you can complete Berkeley's CS math prep. Start MATH 1A in your very first quarter at De Anza, or you risk having to apply before your prep is complete.
UC Berkeley runs on semesters — De Anza runs on quarters
De Anza's quarter system means you cover material faster per term, which works in your favor for squeezing in the math and CS sequence — but it also means your spring quarter ends later than Berkeley's semester calendar, so confirm your final course completion dates line up with Berkeley's spring deadline for required coursework.
Preview
Your First Quarter
A preview of what Pipeline generates — exact courses, in the right order, every quarter.
Watch Out
Common Mistakes for This Transfer Path
Don't wait to start MATH 1A
The biggest timeline killer for CS transfers is starting the calculus sequence late. MATH 1A feeds into MATH 1B, which feeds into MATH 22 — that's three sequential quarters minimum before you've covered Berkeley's math prep. If you start MATH 1A in your second quarter instead of your first, you may not finish the chain before your application deadline.
CS 70 has no De Anza equivalent — plan early
Berkeley's CS 70 (Discrete Mathematics and Probability Theory) is a required lower-division course for the CS major, and De Anza has no articulated equivalent for it. You can take it through UC Berkeley's Summer Session or via Concurrent Enrollment while still at De Anza — but seats are limited. Don't discover this gap after you've already applied.
CIS 22B equivalency isn't automatic
Berkeley scrutinizes CS 61B equivalencies more carefully than almost any other course. Your CIS 22B (Intermediate C++ Programming) will be reviewed by faculty to confirm you implemented hash tables, balanced binary trees, and a substantial independent project. If your coursework doesn't hit those marks, Berkeley may ask you to retake 61B on campus — eating an entire semester you don't have to spare.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What GPA do I need to transfer from De Anza College to UC Berkeley for Computer Science?
The official minimum is a 3.0 UC-transferable GPA, but that number is largely irrelevant for CS. The College of Engineering reported an average admitted transfer GPA of 3.92 for Fall 2025, and CDSS Computer Science is similarly competitive. Your GPA in math courses like MATH 1A and MATH 1B, and in programming courses like CIS 22A and CIS 22B, carries extra weight — Berkeley specifically examines STEM coursework performance.
Does completing IGETC at De Anza College help my UC Berkeley Computer Science transfer application?
IGETC is no longer required for admission to Berkeley's CDSS, but completing it is still strongly recommended. According to CDSS, finishing IGETC automatically satisfies all CDSS breadth requirements, which frees up your two years at Berkeley to focus on upper-division CS coursework. It's worth doing — just don't let IGETC courses crowd out your major prep like MATH 1A or CIS 22A.
What courses should I take at De Anza College to prepare for UC Berkeley's Computer Science major?
The core lower-division prep on ASSIST includes the calculus sequence (MATH 1A and MATH 1B), linear algebra (MATH 22), and the CS programming sequence (CIS 22A and CIS 22B). There is no articulated equivalent for Berkeley's CS 70 at De Anza — you'll need to take that via Berkeley Summer Session or Concurrent Enrollment. Confirm the current agreement on ASSIST.org before registering, as articulations can change year to year.
Is the Transfer Alliance Project (TAP) available for De Anza College students transferring to UC Berkeley?
Yes — De Anza College is one of 31 community college campuses served by Berkeley's Transfer Alliance Project (TAP). TAP is designed for underserved students and provides one-on-one advising, workshops, and application support directly from UC Berkeley staff. Ask De Anza's Transfer Center about enrolling in TAP through Berkeley's Center for Educational Partnerships as early as your first semester at De Anza.
Is UC Berkeley Computer Science the same as EECS, and which one should I apply to from De Anza?
They are different programs. Computer Science at Berkeley now lives in the College of Computing, Data Science, and Society (CDSS) and awards a B.S. degree. EECS (Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences) is housed in the College of Engineering and is widely considered even more selective. The prerequisite coursework at De Anza overlaps significantly, but the application is to a specific program — pick one intentionally, because the College of Engineering does not allow transfer students to change their major after admission.
Explore More
Related Transfer Plans
Planning your transfer from De Anza College to UC Berkeley for Computer Science is one of the most competitive pathways in the California community college system — and getting it right requires more than good grades. The CS major at UC Berkeley now lives in the College of Computing, Data Science, and Society (CDSS), awarding a B.S. degree to students who survive a rigorous lower-division prep sequence that starts at De Anza College with MATH 1A (Calculus), continues through MATH 1B and MATH 22 (Linear Algebra), and runs through the programming sequence in CIS 22A and CIS 22B. For Fall 2025, the College of Engineering — which houses the closely related EECS program — admitted just 13.9% of transfer applicants with an average GPA of 3.92, and CDSS Computer Science tracks similarly. Transfer planning at this level means mapping every course against ASSIST.org, completing IGETC certification (CDSS highly recommends it, even though it's no longer required for admission, because finishing IGETC automatically satisfies all CDSS breadth requirements), and accounting for courses like CS 70 that have no equivalent at De Anza College and must be completed through Berkeley's Summer Session. One critical gap many students miss: there is no articulated course at De Anza College for Berkeley's CS 70, so students who don't discover this early often arrive on campus one required course behind. De Anza College students also have access to UC Berkeley's Transfer Alliance Project (TAP), a dedicated advising and enrichment program for underserved community college students that provides application support and direct access to Berkeley advisors. Tools like Pipeline help De Anza students build personalized transfer plans that account for these prerequisite chains, IGETC requirements, and major prerequisites simultaneously — so nothing slips through the cracks on one of the most demanding transfer pathways in the UC system.
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