UCSD Mathematics-Computer Science Major and the Transfer Process

Transfer Students UC Transfers
1

Hey, how’s it going? Recently, I came to the understanding that I won’t have enough time to complete my math requirements in order to transfer to UC San Diego as a computer science major. But, I got ahold of an admissions officer’s email who I previously met up with and he replied with:

"Good to hear from you! Unfortunately, it looks like you are playing catch up with the Math and that’s just about the only major prep that Computer Science wants. You will need Math 3A, 3B, 4A and 26 to meet the requirements. I just don’t see how you can fit them all in by Spring 2016. Without them, your application for Fall 2016 would not be considered.

You could stay at IVC and apply for Fall 2017. In that case we can work up a plan that allows you to finish not only the Math, but the general education requirements and more major prep beyond the minimum required.

Alternatively, you could look at a closely related major outside the school of engineering. We do have a BS in Mathematics – Computer Science degree. It does not require the major prep to be completed. All you need is the 7 course pattern. You can go to this page: http://www.ucsd.edu/catalog/curric/MATH-ug.html.

Scroll down to the Mathematics – Computer Science major to see the courses on the degree program. It is really a hardcore mathematics degree, with some computer science on the side. But, from my understanding the best computer science folks are really very well versed in math as well. You could take any CS courses not in this program, while you are still at IVC, or even go on and do a graduate degree in computer science.

So there’s a couple options. I’ll be up at IVC again this Spring, at least for the transfer fair and maybe also for some individual appointments. Hopefully, we can catch up and talk about this."

Keep in mind, I am a freshman in my second semester. Currently my grade point average is at around a 3.5 but I only have three classes under my belt. UC San Diego is my top choice and their pre-requirements for computer science are similar to all the top UC’s. I was wondering if you guys know how the mathematics-computer science major is at UC San Diego? The goal is to be a software engineer, primarily after I graduate. I understand the math major is rigorous. I am fairly well with math, if I practice and manage my time well. What would you guys do in this situation?

I tried to create a short checklist earlier (spring break shenanigans) in order to successfully transfer.

  1. Keep grade point average above a 3.5.
  2. Be involved in school i.e. clubs, organizations.
  3. Be involved in your major i.e. attend hackathons, engineering events.
  4. Start drafting personal statements now.
  5. Manage your time well.
  6. Don't worry so much.

Do you guys have any tips or suggestions in the cool but not so great transfer process?

2

Wow, great advisor. I would say stay the extra year and get math and all that other stuff under your belt. It will save you a lot of money, get you more competitive, and probably ensure your acceptance the following year. A year is nothing in the scope of life. You’ll be applying by next November.

3

I was considering the Math/CS major at UCSD as well, but keep in mind that is it not really a replacement for Computer Science. This link sums it pretty good:
http://www.reddit.com/r/UCSD/comments/21rmu9/help_with_colleges_difference_between_the_cs/cgg6u2w

From what I’ve read, it is more of a Math major than Computer Science, so it’s feasible if you know what direction you want to go after college (Math/CS would be good for data science or areas where more math is needed). Math/CS can definitely land you a software engineering job, but employers will probably want to see more projects/experience on your resume and ask you more technical questions since you’re not a “pure” CS.

I decided to TAG to UCI and spend an extra year there instead of an extra year at CC to meet UCSD prereqs, but it’s all up to you! :wink:

4

What courses have you completed so far?

Here are the ASSIST reports for IVC → UCSD for CS (BA) and Math-CS:

http://web1.assist.org/web-assist/report.do?agreement=aa&reportPath=REPORT_2&reportScript=Rep2.pl&event=19&dir=2&sia=IRVINE&ria=UCSD&ia=UCSD&oia=IRVINE&aay=14-15&ay=14-15&dora=COMPUTER+SCIENCE
http://web1.assist.org/web-assist/report.do?agreement=aa&reportPath=REPORT_2&reportScript=Rep2.pl&event=19&dir=2&sia=IRVINE&ria=UCSD&ia=UCSD&oia=IRVINE&aay=14-15&ay=14-15&dora=MATH%2FCS

The overall degree requirements are listed at:

http://www.ucsd.edu/catalog/curric/CSE-ug.html
http://www.ucsd.edu/catalog/curric/MATH-ug.html

Where the requirements are the same:

Math: 20A, 20B, 20C, 20F
CSE: 8B or 11, 12, 20, 21, 30, 100, 101, 105
(20 and 21 are not specifically required for Math-CS, but are prerequisites for required courses)

CS (BA) requires in addition:

CSE: 110, 120, 131, 140, 140L, 141, 141L, 2 units of lower division electives, 28 units of upper division electives
8 units of physics, chemistry, or biology

Math-CS requires in addition:

Math: 20D, 20E, 100A or 103A, 100B or 103B, 109, 180A, 184A, 24 units of upper division electives

5

@lindyk8, transferring as junior is not what I prefer. I think I would get the ability to network to a greater extent and get more profound projects done with colleagues if I transfer as sophomore. I would definitely save a load of money and be more competitive but I am still hesitant. Nonetheless, thanks for the response!

@nirvanemesis, thank you for the response. I understand the mathematics-computer science major is solely mathematics with a touch of computer science. I also liked that you reassured more projects and experience on my resume, I definitely agree. I plan to start a couple projects this summer as well as learn a couple new languages. So far I am proficient in C and a beginner in python. The goal is to land an internship as a software engineer, preferably at a good tech company. On another note, that’s awesome! UCI is great, I’ve biked around campus a few times. They have walkable stores too, i.e. Albertsons. I have a couple friends who attend UCI, they have their own townhouse. Which I think is great but they told me they had to take out loans which is not so great. A pro of community college is that you are never in debt, well at least from my experience. What are you majoring in?

@ucbalumnus, I have completed Intro to Humanities (HUM 1), Writing 201 (Pre-requirement for Writing 1, currently in Writing 1), and Intermediate Algebra (Pre-requirement for Trig, taking Trig in the summer, PreCalculus in the fall then Analytic Geometry and Calculus 1 during the spring of 2016). The B.S. for computer science requires you to complete certain courses to even be eligible where as the B.S. for mathematics-computer science has no definite required course to be done prior to transferring.

6

@BernardAl I’m going to be majoring in Computer Science at UCI. Initially I wanted to do Software Engineering, but they had more course reqs so I would have had to stay there for an extra few quarters. That’s true about debt, I’m going to save tens of thousands of dollars by transferring, provided I get out in two years haha ;). UCSD definitely has a top notch CS department, but I just wanted you to know that you’ll be specializing in math and applying it to programming. It’s a good career path, but it’s not as versatile as a pure CS degree.

7

UCSD doesn’t take many sophomore level transfers.

8

It looks like you are quite behind me in math for both majors. Take your time to build up your math skills and knowledge. It is cheaper to do so at CC than to need extra quarters at UCSD.

9

@nirvanemsis from my knowledge, you can be software engineer if you major in related areas i.e. be mathematics, or any engineering field. UCI is most likely my back up school but it’s top notch nonetheles. On another note, companies such as Google and numerous others don’t put too much emphasis on your degree. It’s what projects you do outside of school that play a critical role as well as your understanding and skills of programming languages and topics such as algorithms or data structures. Degrees don’t really matter when it comes to programming (although they matter in other ways when it comes to you getting hired). For a career such as a software engineer, you need experience, not degrees. Experience varying from self-projects, projects with professors and or colleagues.

@luckie1367, I probably made a mistake. I plan to transfer as a incoming junior.

@ucbalumnus, it seems logical but I am still uncertain.

10

To transfer as a junior, it is best if you target fall 2017, because you will need until spring 2017 to complete the needed math:

fall 2015: precalculus (IVC Math 2)
spring 2016: calculus 1 (IVC Math 3A), discrete math 1 (IVC Math 30 or CS 6A)
fall 2016: calculus 2 (IVC Math 3B), discrete math 2 (IVC Math 31 or CS 6B), abstract math (IVC Math 13)*
spring 2017: calculus 3 (IVC Math 4A), linear algebra (IVC Math 26), differential equations (IVC Math 24)**

IVC Math 13 will give you a taste of what upper division math courses and CS theory courses will be like. Although not required, it is probably a good idea to take it so that you can gauge how strong your interest is in the abstract math you will find in upper division courses.
*IVC Math 24 is needed for the UCSD Math-CS major but not the CS(BA) major.

11

@ucbalumnus, thanks for the response! I plan to transfer as an incoming junior, my mistake. That’s a solid outline you provided, a bit overwhelming but solid. While I do think it’s a good logical argument to stay at IVC, I believe I would be better off completing the major required courses at UCSD along with the general requirements.

12

UCSD does not admit sophomore level transfers. So your best bet is to prepare for junior level transfer with all of the possible lower division courses covered with courses available at IVC.

You will not be ready for junior transfer as a CS or Math-CS major with calculus 1 as your highest math course completed.

13

@BernardAl‌ You’ll be applying with students who HAVE completed the prereqs so your chances become less likely to be accepted if you don’t complete them. Follow ucbalumnus’ plan and remember you can attend multiple CCs to complete your prereqs and GEs.