De Anza College to UCSB
Computer Science Transfer Plan
Quarter-by-quarter courses, IGETC requirements, and major prerequisites — verified from real articulation data.
From
De Anza College
To
UC Santa Barbara
Computer ScienceGPA Reality Check
UC's published minimum for transfer is a 3.0, but UCSB explicitly recommends a 3.6 or higher for engineering majors — and the mid-50th percentile of admitted students campus-wide sits between 3.46 and 3.91. Computer Science in the College of Engineering is one of the most competitive majors at UCSB, so treat 3.6 as your floor, not your target. The courses that matter most for your major prep GPA are CIS 22A and CIS 22B — admissions will look closely at how you performed in your core CS and math courses, not just your overall GPA.
Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG)
UCSB's Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG) is a binding contract: meet the requirements, and your admission is guaranteed — no waitlist, no anxiety in April. For Computer Science in the College of Engineering, you need a minimum 3.4 GPA in your UC-transferable coursework. Submit your TAG through the UC TAG portal in September, then file your full UC application by November 30 under the exact same campus and major — skipping either step voids the guarantee.
Major Requirements
Computer Science (College of Engineering B.S.) Major Preparation
Computer Science (College of Engineering B.S.) at UC Santa Barbara
Courses at De Anza College that satisfy UC Santa Barbara's Computer Science major preparation, verified via ASSIST.org.
UCSB also offers Computer Engineering (B.S.) in the same College of Engineering — it blends hardware and software and requires a different course sequence (heavier on physics and circuits). There is no Computer Science B.A. or Letters & Science CS option at UCSB; the only CS degree is the B.S. through Engineering. Students interested in a more theory- or software-focused path sometimes also consider UCSB's Statistics & Data Science program, which lives in Letters & Science and has a different — and often less competitive — transfer prep track.
| Course at De Anza College | Satisfies at UCSB | Units |
|---|---|---|
| CIS 22A — C++ Programming and Problem Solving | CMPSC 16 — Problem Solving with Computers I | 4.5 |
| CIS 22B — C++ Data Structures and Algorithms | CMPSC 24 — Problem Solving with Computers II | 4.5 |
| MATH 1A — Calculus | MATH 3A — Calculus with Applications to Science and Engineering | 5 |
| MATH 1B — Calculus | MATH 3B — Calculus with Applications to Science and Engineering | 5 |
| MATH 1C — Multivariable Calculus | MATH 6A — Vector Calculus with Applications | 5 |
| MATH 2A — Linear Algebra | MATH 4A — Linear Algebra with Applications | 5 |
| No equivalent at De Anza College | CMPSC 40 — Foundations of Computer Science (Discrete Math/Logic — no De Anza articulation) | — |
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 De Anza College
Complete these five courses at De Anza College to start your UCSB 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 → CMPSC 24
CIS 22A must be completed before you can enroll in CIS 22B, and CIS 22B is the De Anza course that satisfies UCSB's CMPSC 24 requirement — one of the most important lower-division CS prep courses for this major. Delay CIS 22A even one quarter and you push back your entire computer science sequence, potentially arriving at UCSB without a key requirement completed.
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
CMPSC 40 Has No De Anza Equivalent
UCSB's CMPSC 40 (Foundations of Computer Science — discrete math and logic) has no articulated equivalent at De Anza College, unlike at some other California community colleges. That means you'll take it on campus after transfer, which adds to your first-quarter load. Factor this into your schedule planning so you're not overwhelmed while also completing other upper-division CS requirements.
Start Your Math Chain in Quarter One — No Exceptions
MATH 1A is the first link in a four-course chain: 1A → 1B → 1C → 2A (Linear Algebra). At De Anza on the quarter system, this chain takes a minimum of four consecutive quarters with no gaps. Wait even one quarter to start and you risk arriving at UCSB without Linear Algebra, which directly impacts your readiness for upper-division algorithms and theory courses.
TAG for Engineering Requires a 3.4 — Not 3.0
The UC system's minimum transfer GPA is 3.0, but UCSB's TAG for College of Engineering majors — including Computer Science — requires a minimum 3.4 GPA in your UC-transferable coursework. Aiming for the system-wide minimum and expecting TAG protection will leave you unpleasantly surprised in September. Build your plan around 3.6 to have a real buffer.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Does De Anza College have an articulated equivalent for UCSB's CMPSC 40?
No — CMPSC 40 (Foundations of Computer Science, covering discrete math and logic) currently has no articulated De Anza course equivalent, which is a notable gap compared to some other California community colleges. You will complete this course at UCSB after transfer, so plan your first-quarter schedule accordingly. Check ASSIST.org periodically, as articulation agreements do update.
What GPA do I need to transfer from De Anza College to UCSB for Computer Science?
The UC system-wide minimum is 3.0, but UCSB explicitly recommends a 3.6 or higher for engineering majors like Computer Science. The mid-50th percentile GPA for admitted UCSB transfers campus-wide is 3.46–3.91, and CS in the College of Engineering is among the most competitive majors. Your grades in CIS 22A, CIS 22B, and the MATH 1A–2A calculus sequence carry the most weight.
Can I get a TAG guarantee from De Anza College to UCSB for Computer Science?
Yes — UCSB participates in the Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG) program, and Computer Science in the College of Engineering is eligible. You'll need at least a 3.4 GPA in your UC-transferable coursework and must submit your TAG application in September before your intended transfer year. You must also file a full UC application by November 30 to the same campus and major, or the guarantee does not apply.
Which De Anza math courses do I need to prepare for UCSB Computer Science?
You need to complete the full calculus sequence — MATH 1A, MATH 1B, and MATH 1C (Multivariable Calculus) — which articulate with UCSB's MATH 3A, 3B, and 6A respectively. MATH 2A (Linear Algebra) at De Anza, which articulates with UCSB's MATH 4A, is strongly recommended before transfer and critical for upper-division CS work. That's four math courses in a strict prerequisite chain — start MATH 1A in your very first quarter.
Is IGETC accepted for Computer Science at UC Santa Barbara?
Yes, IGETC is accepted for transfer students entering UCSB's College of Engineering, including Computer Science. Completing IGETC at De Anza College before you transfer — starting with EWRT 1A for English Composition — can free up significant space in your schedule once you're on campus to focus on demanding upper-division CS coursework. Always confirm your specific IGETC certification with a De Anza counselor before you submit your UC application.
Explore More
Related Transfer Plans
Students at De Anza College pursuing Computer Science have a well-established pathway to UC Santa Barbara's highly competitive Bachelor of Science in Computer Science through the Robert Mehrabian College of Engineering. Thoughtful transfer planning is essential for this route: UCSB received 18,421 transfer applications for fall 2024, and the Computer Science program is one of the most selective majors on campus, with UCSB recommending a 3.6 or higher GPA for engineering majors — well above the UC system's 3.0 minimum. The mid-50th percentile GPA for all admitted UCSB transfers was 3.46–3.91. At De Anza, major prerequisites for this pathway center on a rigorous math and CS sequence: MATH 1A (Calculus), MATH 1B, MATH 1C (Multivariable Calculus), and MATH 2A (Linear Algebra) form a four-course chain that must begin in your first quarter without interruption. CIS 22A (C++ Programming and Problem Solving) and CIS 22B (C++ Data Structures and Algorithms) articulate with UCSB's CMPSC 16 and CMPSC 24 respectively and are equally critical — and they must be taken in sequence. One important articulation gap specific to De Anza: UCSB's CMPSC 40 (Foundations of Computer Science) currently has no equivalent at De Anza, meaning you'll complete it on campus after transfer. De Anza students can also pursue the Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG) for a binding commitment from UCSB, provided they meet the 3.4 GPA threshold for engineering majors and submit their TAG by the September deadline. IGETC certification is accepted by UCSB's College of Engineering, so completing IGETC at De Anza is a smart way to reduce your on-campus course load. Tools like Pipeline help De Anza students build a personalized quarter-by-quarter plan that maps every course — from MATH 1A to EWRT 1A — to their UCSB transfer goal, so nothing falls through the cracks.
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