Pasadena City College to UC Berkeley
Computer Science Transfer Plan
Semester-by-semester courses, IGETC requirements, and major prerequisites — verified from real articulation data.
From
Pasadena City College
To
UC Berkeley
GPA Reality Check
UC Berkeley's minimum GPA to apply is 3.0, but the middle 50% of admitted transfer students landed between 3.61 and 3.96 — and that's across all majors. Computer Science is one of the most competitive majors on campus, with an estimated admit rate around 7%. That gap between 3.0 and 3.8+ is where most CS applicants get filtered out. Your grades in CS 002, CS 003A, and the full calculus sequence (MATH 5 through MATH 8) carry the most weight — these are exactly the courses Berkeley's readers will scrutinize to gauge whether you can handle their upper-division curriculum.
Major Requirements
Computer Science (L&S B.A.) Major Preparation
Computer Science (L&S B.A.) at UC Berkeley
Courses at Pasadena City College that satisfy UC Berkeley's Computer Science major preparation, verified via ASSIST.org.
UC Berkeley offers two separate CS pathways that students frequently confuse. The CS B.A. lives in the College of Letters and Science and is what transfer students apply to. The EECS (Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences) B.S. is in the College of Engineering — it has a minimum 3.5 GPA requirement for transfer, IGETC is not recommended, and admitted engineering students cannot change majors within the college. These are different applications, different colleges, and different degree paths. Make sure you know which one you're aiming for.
| Course at Pasadena City College | Satisfies at UC Berkeley | Units |
|---|---|---|
| CS 002 — Introduction to Computer Science | COMPSCI 61A — Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs | 3 |
| CS 003A — Fundamentals of Computer Science II (C++) | COMPSCI 61B — Data Structures | 3 |
| No equivalent at Pasadena City College | COMPSCI 61C — Machine Structures | — |
| No equivalent at Pasadena City College | COMPSCI 70 — Discrete Mathematics and Probability Theory | — |
| MATH 5 — Calculus I | MATH 1A — Calculus | 5 |
| MATH 6 — Calculus II | MATH 1B — Calculus | 5 |
| MATH 8 — Multivariable Calculus | MATH 53 — Multivariable Calculus | 5 |
| MATH 55 — Linear Algebra | MATH 54 — Linear Algebra and Differential Equations (linear algebra component) | 4 |
Courses with no equivalent must be taken at UC Berkeley after transfer. Factor this into your first-year course plan.
General Education
IGETC at Pasadena City College
Complete IGETC at Pasadena City College to satisfy UC Berkeley's lower-division GE requirements before transferring.
ENGL 1A
3 unitsENGL 1B, ENGL 10
3 unitsMATH 5 (also satisfies major prep Calculus I requirement)
5 unitsART 1, MUS 1, THEA 1
3 unitsPHIL 1, HIST 1, ENGL 4
3 unitsPSYCH 1, SOC 1, ECON 1
3 unitsPHYS 1A, CHEM 1A
3-5 unitsPHYS 1AL, CHEM 1AL
1-2 unitsSPAN 1, ASL 1, CHIN 1, FREN 1
5 units| Area | Course options at Pasadena City College | Units |
|---|---|---|
| 1A: English Composition | ENGL 1A | 3 |
| 1B: Critical Thinking and Composition | ENGL 1B, ENGL 10 | 3 |
| 2: Mathematical Concepts and Quantitative Reasoning | MATH 5 (also satisfies major prep Calculus I requirement) | 5 |
| 3A: Arts | ART 1, MUS 1, THEA 1 | 3 |
| 3B: Humanities | PHIL 1, HIST 1, ENGL 4 | 3 |
| 4: Social and Behavioral Sciences | PSYCH 1, SOC 1, ECON 1 | 3 |
| 5A: Physical and Biological Sciences (lecture) | PHYS 1A, CHEM 1A | 3-5 |
| 5B: Physical and Biological Sciences (lab) | PHYS 1AL, CHEM 1AL | 1-2 |
| 6: Language Other Than English | SPAN 1, ASL 1, CHIN 1, FREN 1 | 5 |
MATH 5 → MATH 6 → MATH 8
This is a locked three-semester chain — each course requires the one before it, and Berkeley expects the full sequence completed before you transfer into CS. Start MATH 5 (Calculus I) in your very first semester at PCC, or you risk running out of time.
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
Confusing the CS B.A. with EECS
UC Berkeley has two CS-related programs and they are completely separate applications. The CS B.A. is in the College of Letters and Science — it accepts IGETC and has a 3.0 minimum GPA. The EECS B.S. is in the College of Engineering, requires a 3.5 minimum, and does not recommend IGETC. Most transfer students should apply to CS B.A. unless they have specifically prepared for the engineering track. Applying to the wrong one wastes your shot.
Waiting Too Long to Start Calculus
MATH 5, MATH 6, and MATH 8 form a three-semester chain that has to run in strict sequence. If you don't start MATH 5 (Calculus I) in your very first semester at PCC, there is a real chance you will not finish MATH 8 (Multivariable Calculus) before your transfer application is due. Berkeley expects all lower-division math prep to be complete or in progress at the time you apply in December.
Skipping CS 61C With No Plan
COMPSCI 61C (Machine Structures) has no articulated equivalent at Pasadena City College, which means Berkeley knows you won't arrive having completed it. That's okay — Berkeley allows you to take it after transfer. But if you show up to Berkeley without CS 002 and CS 003A done, you will have a much harder first semester. Get those two PCC courses done and treat CS 61C as a planned first-semester Berkeley course.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
How competitive is it to transfer from Pasadena City College to UC Berkeley for Computer Science?
Very competitive. The overall UC Berkeley transfer admit rate for Fall 2025 was approximately 24% across all majors, but Computer Science is one of Berkeley's most selective majors with an estimated admit rate closer to 7%. To be a realistic applicant, aim for a 3.8 GPA or higher — especially in major prep courses like CS 002 and MATH 5 through MATH 8.
Does Pasadena City College have a TAG or guaranteed admission agreement with UC Berkeley?
No. UC Berkeley does not participate in the Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG) program — it is one of three UC campuses that does not offer TAG. There is also no Transfer Alliance Program (TAP) partnership specifically between Pasadena City College and UC Berkeley. Your admission is based entirely on your application, GPA, and coursework completion.
Should I complete IGETC at PCC before transferring to UC Berkeley for CS?
Yes, if you are applying to the CS B.A. in the College of Letters and Science. UC Berkeley's L&S college states that completing IGETC will 'optimize degree progress' for admitted students. ENGL 1A is a strong starting point, and MATH 5 does double duty — it counts for both IGETC Area 2 and your required Calculus I major prep. Note: if you were targeting the EECS B.S. in Engineering instead, IGETC is not recommended for that program.
Which Pasadena City College CS courses articulate to UC Berkeley's Computer Science major?
CS 002 (Introduction to Computer Science) articulates to Berkeley's COMPSCI 61A, and CS 003A (Fundamentals of Computer Science II in C++) articulates to COMPSCI 61B. COMPSCI 61C (Machine Structures) and COMPSCI 70 (Discrete Math) have no PCC equivalents — the ASSIST agreement notes COMPSCI 70 is available via Berkeley Summer Session or Concurrent Enrollment.
What is the difference between the CS B.A. and EECS B.S. at UC Berkeley for transfer students?
These are two distinct programs in two different colleges. The CS B.A. is offered through the College of Letters and Science — transfer students apply to the college (not directly to the major) and declare CS once enrolled. The EECS B.S. is in the College of Engineering, requires a minimum 3.5 GPA, and does not accept IGETC. Engineering admits also cannot change their major within the college after admission. If you are coming from PCC on the standard IGETC track, the CS B.A. is almost certainly the right path.
Explore More
Related Transfer Plans
Planning your transfer from Pasadena City College to UC Berkeley as a Computer Science major is one of the most demanding transfer pathways in the California community college system — and one of the most rewarding if you approach it right. The CS B.A. in UC Berkeley's College of Letters and Science is the program most PCC transfer students are aiming for; it should not be confused with the EECS B.S. in the College of Engineering, which is a separate application with a higher GPA threshold and a different set of rules. With an overall UC Berkeley transfer admit rate of approximately 24% for Fall 2025 across all majors, and Computer Science carrying an estimated admit rate near 7%, transfer planning has to start the moment you set foot on the PCC campus. The math sequence alone — MATH 5 (Calculus I), MATH 6 (Calculus II), and MATH 8 (Multivariable Calculus) — takes three sequential semesters and can only be completed in time if you start in your very first semester. Add CS 002 (Introduction to Computer Science) and CS 003A (Fundamentals of Computer Science II in C++) to satisfy the major prerequisites for Berkeley's COMPSCI 61A and 61B, and your schedule fills up fast. For general education, completing IGETC at Pasadena City College is accepted and recommended for the CS B.A. path — Berkeley's L&S college confirms it will streamline your degree progress. IGETC courses like ENGL 1A, PSYCH 1, and SPAN 1 can be woven into your plan around your major prep courses without adding extra semesters. Tools like Pipeline help students map out this exact kind of personalized plan — showing which semesters to slot each course, which requirements do double duty, and where the sequencing risks are — so you are not guessing when the December application deadline arrives.
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