Math Pathways

UCSD offers two calculus math pathways. Students start in the pathway based on their math placement and complete each successive course required by their major and/or college (see Math and Your Major).

The Math 10 calculus series is the pathway for biological and social science majors.
The Math 20 calculus series is the pathway for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics majors.

Check Math and Your Major to determine which calculus series you should enroll in.

Math 10 Series Pathway

The Math 10 series meets minimum requirements for biology and social science majors and meets the general education requirements for many of the UCSD colleges. Check Math and Your Major to ensure this calculus pathway meets the requirements.

For more information on each course, visit the UCSD Math Catalog.

Preparatory Courses Leading to the Math 10 Series

Math 2: Introduction to College Mathematics

A highly adaptive course designed to build on students’ strengths while increasing overall mathematical understanding and skill. Prerequisite: Math Placement Exam qualifying score.

Math 3B: Foundations of Precalculus

Preparatory course to Math 3C. Prerequisite: Math Placement Exam qualifying score or the PUP-Exam.

Math 3C: Precalculus

Preparatory course to Math 10A. Prerequisite: Math Placement Exam qualifying score or MATH 3B.

Math 10 Series

Math 10A: Calculus I

First calculus course of the 10 series pathway. Prerequisite: Math Placement Exam qualifying score, or AP Precalculus score of 4 or 5, or AP Calculus AB score of 2, or MATH 3C, or MATH 4C.

Math 10B: Calculus II

Second calculus course of the 10 series pathway. Prerequisite: AP Calculus AB score of 3, 4, or 5 (or equivalent AB subscore on BC exam), or MATH 10A, or MATH 20A.

Math 10C: Calculus III

Third calculus course of the 10 series pathway. Prerequisite: AP Calculus BC score of 3, 4, or 5, or MATH 10B, or MATH 20B.

Math 11: Calculus-Based Introductory Probability and Statistics

Required for some majors needing the Math 10 series. Prerequisite: AP Calculus BC score of 3, 4, or 5, or MATH 10B or MATH 20B.

Math 20 Series Pathway

The Math 20 series satisfies mathematics prerequisites for students in STEM majors and can be used to meet general education requirements for many colleges. Check Math and Your Major to ensure this calculus pathway meets the requirements.

For more information on each course, visit the UCSD Math Catalog.

Preparatory Courses Leading to the Math 20 Series

Math 2: Introduction to College Mathematics

A highly adaptive course designed to build on students’ strengths while increasing overall mathematical understanding and skill. Prerequisite: Math Placement Exam qualifying score.

Math 3B: Foundations of Precalculus

Preparatory course to Math 3C. Prerequisite: Math Placement Exam qualifying score or the PUP-Exam.

Math 3C: Precalculus

Preparatory course to Math 10A. Prerequisite: Math Placement Exam qualifying score or MATH 3B.

Math 4C: Precalculus for Science and Engineering

Preparatory course to Math 20A. Prerequisites: Math Placement Exam qualifying score, or MATH 3C, or AP Precalculus score of 4 or 5, or AP Calculus AB score (or subscore) of 2.

Math 20 Series

Math 20A: Calculus for Science and Engineering

First calculus course of the 20 series pathway. Prerequisites: Math Placement Exam qualifying score, or AP Precalculus score of 5, or AP Calculus AB score of 3 (or equivalent AB subscore on BC exam), or MATH 4C or MATH 10A.

Math 20B: Calculus for Science and Engineering

Second calculus course of the 20 series pathway. Prerequisites: AP Calculus AB score of 4 or 5, or AP Calculus BC score of 3, or MATH 20A with a grade of C– or better, or MATH 10B with a grade of C– or better, or MATH 10C with a grade of C– or better.

Math 20C: Calculus and Analytic Geometry for Science and Engineering

Third calculus course of the 20 series pathway. Prerequisites: AP Calculus BC score of 4 or 5, or MATH 20B with a grade of C– or better.

Math 20D: Introduction to Differential Equations

Required for some majors needing the Math 20 series. Prerequisites: MATH 20C or MATH 31BH and MATH 18 or MATH 31AH with a grade of C– or better. Students who have not completed listed prerequisites may enroll with consent of instructor.

Math 20E: Vector Calculus

Required for some majors needing the Math 20 series. Prerequisites: MATH 18 or MATH 20F or MATH 31AH and MATH 20C (or MATH 21C) or MATH 31BH with a grade of C– or better.

Math 18: Linear Algebra

Required for some majors needing the Math 20 series. Prerequisites: Math Placement Exam qualifying score, or AP Calculus AB score of 3 (or equivalent AB subscore on BC exam), or MATH 4C, or MATH 10A, or MATH 20A. Students who have not completed listed prerequisites may enroll with consent of instructor.

Note: The IB Higher-Level Math Applications and Interpretations and any IB Standard-Level Mathematics exams are not UC transferable; therefore, they cannot be used to meet the prerequisites to enroll in math at UCSD. Students who do not meet course prerequisites will need to take the MPE.