Mt. San Antonio College to UCI
Computer Science Transfer Plan
Semester-by-semester courses, IGETC requirements, and major prerequisites — verified from real articulation data.
From
Mt. San Antonio College
To
UC Irvine
Computer ScienceGPA Reality Check
UCI's minimum GPA to apply is 3.0, but admitted CS transfers cluster in the 3.57–3.93 range — and Computer Science carries one of the lowest admit rates on campus at around 21%. Your major prep GPA in CSCI 110, CSCI 111, and the calculus sequence carries the most weight, since those are the courses UCI evaluates most closely. A 3.0 gets you eligible; you need something closer to a 3.7 or above to be genuinely competitive.
Major Requirements
Computer Science B.S. — Donald Bren School of Information and Computer Sciences Major Preparation
Computer Science B.S. — Donald Bren School of Information and Computer Sciences at UC Irvine
Courses at Mt. San Antonio College that satisfy UC Irvine's Computer Science major preparation, verified via ASSIST.org.
UCI offers several ICS-adjacent degrees that students frequently mix up: Informatics (focused on the human and social side of software), Computer Science and Engineering (a joint degree with the Samueli School of Engineering — heavier on hardware and systems), and Data Science. If you want core CS theory and software development, the Computer Science B.S. in ICS is the right target. Each program has its own prep requirements, so confirm your choice early.
| Course at Mt. San Antonio College | Satisfies at UCI | Units |
|---|---|---|
| CSCI 110 — Introduction to Computer Science | I&C SCI 31 — Introduction to Programming | 3.5 |
| CSCI 111 — C++ Programming | I&C SCI 32 — Programming with Software Libraries | 3.5 |
| MATH 26A — Calculus I | MATH 2A — Single-Variable Calculus | 4 |
| MATH 26B — Calculus II | MATH 2B — Single-Variable Calculus | 4 |
| MATH 26C — Multivariable Calculus | MATH 2D — Multivariable Calculus | 4 |
| MATH 28 — Linear Algebra | MATH 3A — Introduction to Linear Algebra | 4 |
| No equivalent at Mt. SAC | I&C SCI 6B — Boolean Logic and Discrete Structures | — |
Courses with no equivalent must be taken at UC Irvine after transfer. Factor this into your first-year course plan.
General Education
Foundation GE at Mt. San Antonio College
Complete these five courses at Mt. San Antonio 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 1
General Biology
CHEM 10
Chemistry for Allied Health Majors
HIST 1
History of the United States
ENGL C1000
Academic Reading and Writing
ENGL C1001
Critical Thinking and Writing
| Area | Course at Mt. San Antonio College | Units |
|---|---|---|
Life Science | BIOL 1 — General Biology | 4 |
Physical Science | CHEM 10 — Chemistry for Allied Health Majors | 5 |
Humanities | HIST 1 — History of the United States | 3 |
English CompositionCCN | ENGL C1000 — Academic Reading and Writing | 4 |
Critical ThinkingCCN | ENGL C1001 — Critical Thinking and Writing | 4 |
CSCI 110 → CSCI 111 → Calculus Chain
CSCI 111 requires CSCI 110 as a prerequisite, and the entire calculus sequence (MATH 26A → 26B → 26C) must be completed before transfer — start both chains in your very first semester or you will not have enough semesters to finish them.
Mt. SAC runs on semesters — UCI runs on quarters
You'll have two semesters per year at Mt. SAC to knock out your major prep, but once you arrive at UCI you'll move to a 10-week quarter system that covers material significantly faster — plan to hit the ground running.
Preview
Your First Semester
A preview of what Pipeline generates — exact courses, in the right order, every semester.
Watch Out
Common Mistakes for This Transfer Path
TAG Does Not Cover Computer Science at UCI
UCI's Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG) program excludes ALL majors in the Donald Bren School of Information and Computer Sciences — and Computer Science lives in that school. No TAG exists for this major, full stop. Don't waste your September TAG window applying for it; use that time to make sure your CSCI 110 and CSCI 111 sequence and your calculus chain are on track instead.
Mt. SAC Has No Discrete Math Articulation for UCI
UCI's CS program requires I&C SCI 6B (Boolean Logic and Discrete Structures) as part of its lower-division prep, and Mt. SAC currently has no articulated equivalent for that course. That means you'll take it at UCI after transfer, which can add a quarter to your two-year plan. Factor this into your four-year timeline so it doesn't catch you off guard.
Visual Basic and C# Courses Won't Count Toward Prep
UCI explicitly states that courses in Visual Basic, C, and C# are not approved preparation for the CS major — only Python, Java, or C++ qualify. Mt. SAC's CSCI 111 uses C++ and does articulate, but if you take any Visual Basic or C# electives thinking they'll pad your prep, they won't. Stick to CSCI 110 and CSCI 111 for your programming requirement.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use TAG to get into Computer Science at UC Irvine from Mt. San Antonio College?
No — TAG is not available for any major in UCI's Donald Bren School of Information and Computer Sciences, which is where the Computer Science B.S. lives. Mt. SAC students applying to UCI CS must go through the standard transfer application process, with the UC application window running October 1 through December 1. Focus your energy on earning a strong GPA in CSCI 110, CSCI 111, and your calculus sequence.
What GPA do I need to transfer from Mt. San Antonio College to UCI for Computer Science?
UCI requires a minimum 3.0 cumulative UC-transferable GPA and a 3.0 in your major prep courses, but the reality is that admitted CS transfer students cluster in the 3.57–3.93 range. Computer Science carries an admit rate of approximately 21% — among the most competitive on campus. Aim as close to 3.7 or higher as possible to give yourself a real shot.
Which Mt. San Antonio College courses count as Computer Science prep for UC Irvine?
The two core programming courses are CSCI 110 (Introduction to Computer Science) and CSCI 111 (C++ Programming), which articulate to UCI's I&C SCI 31–32 introductory sequence. You also need to complete the full calculus chain — MATH 26A, MATH 26B, and MATH 26C — before transfer. Note that Mt. SAC does not have an articulated equivalent for UCI's discrete structures requirement (I&C SCI 6B), so plan to take that course after you arrive at UCI.
Does IGETC apply to Computer Science at UC Irvine for transfer students?
Yes, IGETC is accepted for the Computer Science B.S. at UCI, which can significantly reduce the general education coursework you need to complete after transfer. That said, your priority should still be finishing the required major prep courses — CSCI 110, CSCI 111, and the calculus sequence — since those are what UCI evaluates most closely in the admissions process.
How many applicants apply to transfer to UCI Computer Science each year?
For Fall 2024, UCI received 25,094 total transfer applications across all majors, and Computer Science is one of the most competitive programs on campus with an admit rate of approximately 21%. Mt. San Antonio College has historically been one of UCI's top feeder community colleges, so competition from your own campus can be real. A complete and timely application — with strong grades in CSCI 110 and CSCI 111 — is essential.
Explore More
Related Transfer Plans
Students at Mt. San Antonio College (Mt. SAC) who are planning to transfer to UC Irvine (UCI) for Computer Science are taking on one of the most competitive transfer pathways in the California community college system. UCI's Computer Science B.S. is housed in the Donald Bren School of Information and Computer Sciences — a nationally ranked program with a transfer admit rate of approximately 21% and an admitted GPA range clustered between 3.57 and 3.93. Effective transfer planning at Mt. SAC means starting the major prerequisites early: CSCI 110 (Introduction to Computer Science) must be completed before CSCI 111 (C++ Programming), and the entire calculus chain of MATH 26A, 26B, and 26C must be finished before the application is filed. One important gap specific to Mt. SAC students is that no course at Mt. SAC currently articulates to UCI's I&C SCI 6B (Boolean Logic and Discrete Structures), which means that course will need to be completed after transfer. IGETC is accepted for this major and can be used to satisfy most of UCI's lower-division general education requirements, giving students room to focus on major prerequisites during their time at Mt. SAC. One common misconception worth flagging: the UC Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG) program does not apply to Computer Science or any other major in UCI's Donald Bren School of ICS, so students must compete through the standard application process. Tools like Pipeline help Mt. SAC students map out a semester-by-semester plan that sequences major prerequisites correctly, tracks IGETC completion, and avoids the scheduling mistakes that can delay transfer by a full year. With nearly 25,000 total transfer applicants competing for UCI spots each cycle, a well-built plan made early is one of the most important advantages a student can have.
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