De Anza College to UCI
Computer Science Transfer Plan
Quarter-by-quarter courses, IGETC requirements, and major prerequisites — verified from real articulation data.
From
De Anza College
To
UC Irvine
Computer ScienceGPA Reality Check
UCI requires a minimum 3.0 GPA to apply and a minimum 3.0 in your major prep courses — but the median GPA for admitted CCC transfers is 3.77, and CS is one of the most competitive majors on campus at roughly a 21% admit rate. The courses that matter most are your math and programming sequence: MATH 1A, MATH 1B, CIS 22A, CIS 22B, and CIS 22C. Bs in those courses won't cut it — you need a streak of As to be genuinely competitive.
Major Requirements
Computer Science (Donald Bren School of ICS, B.S.) Major Preparation
Computer Science (Donald Bren School of ICS, B.S.) at UC Irvine
Courses at De Anza College that satisfy UC Irvine's Computer Science major preparation, verified via ASSIST.org.
UCI offers three easily-confused CS-adjacent degrees. Computer Science (B.S.) is a pure CS degree in the Donald Bren School of ICS. Computer Science and Engineering (B.S.) is a joint degree with the Henry Samueli School of Engineering — different school, different prep requirements, and a heavier engineering course load. Informatics (B.S.), also in the Bren School, focuses on how software interacts with people and organizations — closer to UX and human-computer interaction than systems or algorithms. Make sure your ASSIST agreement matches the specific degree you want.
| Course at De Anza College | Satisfies at UCI | Units |
|---|---|---|
| MATH 1A — Calculus | MATH 2A — Single-Variable Calculus | 5 |
| MATH 1B — Calculus | MATH 2B — Single-Variable Calculus | 5 |
| CIS 22A — Introduction to Programming Methodologies | I&C SCI 31 — Introduction to Programming | 4.5 |
| CIS 22B — Advanced Data Structures | I&C SCI 33 — Intermediate Programming | 4.5 |
| CIS 22C — Data Abstraction and Structures | I&C SCI 46 — Data Structure Implementation and Analysis | 4.5 |
| MATH 22 — Discrete Mathematics | I&C SCI 6B — Boolean Logic and Discrete Structures | 4 |
General Education
Foundation GE at De Anza College
Complete these five courses at De Anza College to start your UCI 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
Introductory Biology
CHEM 10
Introductory Chemistry
HIST 17A
History of the United States to Early National Era
ENGL C1000
Academic Reading and Writing
ENGL C1001
Critical Thinking and Writing
| Area | Course at De Anza College | Units |
|---|---|---|
Life Science | BIOL 10 — Introductory Biology | 5 |
Physical Science | CHEM 10 — Introductory Chemistry | 5 |
Humanities | HIST 17A — History of the United States to Early National Era | 4 |
English CompositionCCN | ENGL C1000 — Academic Reading and Writing | 5 |
Critical ThinkingCCN | ENGL C1001 — Critical Thinking and Writing | 5 |
CIS 22A → CIS 22B → CIS 22C
This three-course programming sequence is strictly sequential — each course requires the previous one as a prerequisite. If you don't start CIS 22A in your very first quarter at De Anza, you risk running out of time to complete the full chain before your UCI application is reviewed.
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
CS Is Excluded From UCI's TAG Program
This is the single biggest planning mistake De Anza CS students make: assuming TAG applies to their major. UCI explicitly excludes ALL majors in the Donald Bren School of Information and Computer Sciences from the TAG program — Computer Science included. You will apply through the regular UC application process (October 1–November 30), and admission is competitive at around 21%. Plan for a strong application, not a guaranteed one.
Start CIS 22A in Your Very First Quarter
De Anza's programming sequence — CIS 22A → CIS 22B → CIS 22C — spans a minimum of three consecutive quarters with no skipping allowed. If you wait until Winter or Spring quarter to start CIS 22A, you almost certainly won't finish the full sequence before UCI's application deadline. Day one at De Anza, CIS 22A goes on your schedule.
UCI Uses Python and Java — Know Both Before You Arrive
De Anza's CIS 22A is taught in Python, which aligns with UCI's intro sequence. But UCI's upper-division CS curriculum relies heavily on Java, and the Bren School explicitly warns incoming transfer students to become familiar with Java before their first quarter. CIS 36A (Java Programming) at De Anza is listed as highly recommended by UCI advisors — take it if your schedule allows.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use TAG to get into Computer Science at UC Irvine from De Anza College?
No — this is one of the most common misconceptions for De Anza CS students. UCI explicitly excludes all majors in the Donald Bren School of Information and Computer Sciences from the TAG program. That means Computer Science, Informatics, and related ICS majors are all ineligible. You apply through the standard UC application process, and with a ~21% transfer admit rate for CS, your GPA and completed coursework need to be genuinely competitive.
What GPA do I need to transfer from De Anza to UCI for Computer Science?
UCI's official minimum is a 3.0 cumulative GPA, but that bar is far below what admitted students actually carry. The median GPA for California community college transfers to UCI is 3.77, and CS is among the most selective majors on campus. Your grades in MATH 1A, MATH 1B, CIS 22A, and CIS 22B carry the most weight since those are the core major prep courses.
What courses do I need to complete at De Anza College before transferring to UCI for Computer Science?
UCI's Donald Bren School of ICS requires a one-year calculus sequence (MATH 1A and MATH 1B at De Anza) and a one-year object-oriented programming sequence in Python, Java, or C++. At De Anza, that programming sequence is CIS 22A, CIS 22B, and CIS 22C. UCI also strongly recommends MATH 22 (Discrete Mathematics) and additional CS courses. All required prep courses must be completed with a B or better.
Does IGETC count for Computer Science at UC Irvine?
Yes — IGETC is accepted for Computer Science in the Donald Bren School of ICS at UCI. Completing IGETC before you transfer is a smart move because it clears most of your lower-division general education obligations, letting you focus on upper-division CS coursework right away. That said, major prep comes first: if you have to choose between an IGETC elective and finishing CIS 22C or MATH 1B, always prioritize the major requirement.
How many applicants does UC Irvine receive for Computer Science transfers, and what are my chances?
For Fall 2024, UCI received roughly 25,094 total transfer applications across all majors, and Computer Science is one of the most applied-to programs on campus. The CS-specific transfer admit rate is approximately 21%, compared to UCI's overall transfer admit rate of about 39.9%. Your best tools for standing out are a completed programming sequence (CIS 22A, 22B, 22C), strong grades in calculus, and a compelling personal statement describing your CS goals.
Explore More
Related Transfer Plans
Planning to transfer from De Anza College to UC Irvine for Computer Science is one of the most competitive pathways in the California community college system — and one of the most rewarding if you approach it strategically. De Anza College, based in Cupertino in the heart of Silicon Valley, sends hundreds of students to the UC system each year, but Computer Science at UCI's Donald Bren School of Information and Computer Sciences carries an admit rate of roughly 21%, well below UCI's overall transfer admit rate of about 39.9%. Successful transfer planning starts early, ideally in your very first quarter at De Anza, because the major prerequisites form a strict sequence that can't be rushed. The calculus track — MATH 1A followed by MATH 1B — and the programming track — CIS 22A (Introduction to Programming Methodologies), then CIS 22B, then CIS 22C — must both be completed before you apply. UCI requires all major prep courses with grades of B or better. One important and often-misunderstood fact: unlike many other UCI majors, Computer Science is not eligible for the Transfer Admission Guarantee program — all Donald Bren School of ICS majors are excluded. That means your application stands on the strength of your GPA, completed coursework, and personal statements alone, making the median admitted GPA of 3.77 a realistic target to aim for. IGETC is accepted for this major, so completing it alongside your major prerequisites is an efficient use of your quarters. Tools like Pipeline can help De Anza students build a personalized, quarter-by-quarter transfer plan that maps out IGETC completion, major prerequisites, and application deadlines in one place — so nothing slips through the cracks on the path from De Anza College to UCI.
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