STEM Transfer Courses
This page contains information on transferring courses for all major entry prerequisites in the School of STEM, and was last updated on September 28, 2024.
This page is updated infrequently. For up-to-date course equivalencies, follow these steps:
- Most Washington state college equivalencies can be found in the UW Seattle equivalency guide.
- If the UW Seattle equivalency guide does not have an equivalency (the course is not listed or has an equivalency like “1XX” or “2XX”), then check the UW Bothell equivalency guide instead.
- If neither the UW Seattle or UW Bothell equivalency guides have equivalencies listed, or you need more help evaluating your transfer courses, contact your current academic advisor (for internal applicants) or the admissions office (for transfer applicants). This will be the case for courses from all other 4-year institutions in Washington state, and also from all institutions (2- or 4-year) not in Washington state.
Navigation
- Important notes on transfer courses
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Computer Programming
- English Composition
- Mathematics
- Mechanical Engineering
- Physics
Important notes on transfer courses
- Covid-19 and Pass/Fail Grading. The University of Washington recognizes the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic. For courses taken during an Extraordinary Circumstances Quarter (ECQ), we will consider pass/fail grading options for both admissions and graduation requirements. A grade of ‘S’ (Satisfactory) at UW or other non-numerical grade from other institutions will be accepted, provided that the definition of the grade indicates it would have been at least a 2.0 if it had been numerically graded.
- Washington state common course numbering. Many Washington state colleges use the Common Course Numbering (CCN) system for their courses, noted with an ampersand (&) in the prefix, but other course numbers vary depending on the college. Visit the UW Seattle equivalency guide to determine how most courses from most Washington state colleges transfer to the University of Washington. If you can’t find the course or if it comes in as non-specific credit (‘1XX’ or ‘2XX’), try visiting the UW Bothell equivalency guide instead.
- Foundational science series. To be considered for major prerequisite equivalency, Intro Biology, General Chemistry, and Intro Physics series must be intended for science or engineering majors and must include labs.
- Splitting series between institutions. The UW equivalency guides assume that you take all courses in a series at a single college or university. Concepts are often taught in different orders at different places, even if they share the Washington state CCN (common course numbering) system. To avoid missing important concepts, we recommend not splitting series between different institutions, especially foundational science series like Intro Biology, General Chemistry, or Intro Physics.
- Quarters versus semesters. The University of Washington uses a quarter system. If you are transferring from an institution that uses a semester system, please be aware that a three-quarter series and a two-semester series are usually considered equivalent, but the important part is what content the courses covered.
Biology
Major Entry Requirement | UW Bothell | UW Seattle | UW Tacoma | WA State Colleges (CCN = common course numbers) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Intro Biology I, II, and III + Labs | BBIO 180, 200, 220 | BIOL 180, 200, 220 | TBIOL 120, 130, 140 | CCN: BIOL& 211*, 212, 213 or BIOL& 221, 222, 223 Peninsula: BIOL& 100, BOT 101, ZOOL 101 also accepted if all three taken. * Note: We accept BIOL& 211 as equivalent to BBIO 200. If you transfer to UW with this course you can complete the series by taking BBIO 180 and 220. |
Unaccepted biology courses
- Anatomy & Physiology. The Physiology and Biology Electives requirements of the degree must be fulfilled using 300-level or higher course. The courses should require intro-level biology as a prerequisite and be comprehensive in its content (not just human-specific). The following courses are not accepted for the requirement:
- B STR 301, 118, 119 (Human Anatomy, Survey of Physiology) at the UW Seattle
- BIOL& 231, 232 (Human Anatomy, Human Physiology) at Washington colleges
- BIOL& 241, 242 (Human A&P I, II) at Washington colleges
- BIOL& 251, 252, 253 (Human A&P I, II, III) at Washington colleges
- Other physiology courses without Introductory Biology as a prerequisite
- Microbiology. The Cell Biology and Biology Elective requirements of the degree must be fulfilled using 300-level or higher courses. The courses should require intro-level biology as a prerequisite and be comprehensive in its content (not just pathology). The following courses are not accepted for the requirement.
- MICROM 301, 302 (General Microbiology) at the UW Seattle
- BIOL& 260 (Microbiology) at Washington colleges
- Other microbiology courses without Introductory Biology as a prerequisite
Chemistry
Major Entry Requirement | UW Bothell | UW Seattle | UW Tacoma | WA State Colleges (CCN = common course numbers) |
---|---|---|---|---|
General Chemistry I, II, and III + Labs | BCHEM 143+144, 153+154, 163+164 | CHEM 142, 152, 162 Note: Individual courses not equivalent with UW Bothell or WA colleges. Take whole series at UW Seattle. | TCHEM 142, 152, 153 Note: Individual courses not equivalent with UW Bothell or WA colleges. Take whole series at UW Tacoma. | CCN: CHEM& 141+151, 142+152, 143+153; or CHEM& 161, 162, 163 Northwest Indian: CHEM 142, 152, 162 Shoreline: CHEM 171+181, 172+182, 173+183 |
Organic Chemistry I, II, and III + Labs | BCHEM 237 (no lab), 238+241, 239+242 | CHEM 237, 238+241, 239+242 | TCHEM 251, 261, 271 | CCN: CHEM& 241+251, 242+252, 243+253*; or CHEM& 261, 262, 263 Cascadia: CHEM& 241, 242, 243; and CHEM 254, 255 labs Shoreline: CHEM& 241, 242, 243; and CHEM 271, 272 labs * Note: The CHEM& 253 CCN is usually required for equivalency, but not always. If you might not take it, double check with UW Bothell advising to confirm. |
Computer Programming
Washington state colleges vary widely in their course numbering for Introductory Computer Programming courses. Many use the Common Course Numbering (CCN) system for the first course, denoted with an ampersand (&), and then use their own numbering system for the second course. Other colleges use their own numbering system for both courses. Check with the staff at your college to ensure you are taking the right course.
Major Entry Requirement | UW Bothell | UW Seattle | UW Tacoma | WA State Colleges (CCN = common course numbers) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Intro Computer Programming I and II for Engineers + Labs (C++) | CSS + CSSSKL 132, 133 | No equivalent series. Take Java series instead. | No equivalent series. Take Java series instead. | CCN: No standard series. Edmonds: CS& 131, CS 132, CS 133 Everett: CS& 131, CS 132 |
Intro Computer Programming I and II + Labs (Java) | CSS + CSSSKL 142, 143 | CSE 122, 123 | TCSS 142 and 143 | CCN: No standard series. Refer to individual college entries. Bellevue: CS 210 and 211 Cascadia: IT-CS 142 and IT-CS 143 Columbia Basin: CS& 131, CS 162, CS 260 Edmonds: CS& 141, CS 142, CS 143 Everett: CS& 141, CS 142 Green River: CS 122 and 123 Highline: CSCI 142 and 143 Seattle Colleges (North, Central, and South): CSC 142 and 143 Shoreline: CS& 141 and CS 143 |
English Composition
Major Entry Requirement | UW Bothell | UW Seattle | UW Tacoma | WA State Colleges (CCN = common course numbers) |
---|---|---|---|---|
English Composition I | BWRIT 134 | ENGL 111, 121, or 131 | TWRT 101 or 121 | CCN: ENGL& 101 |
English Composition II or similar (Research Writing; also similar courses such as Intro to Technical Writing, etc.) | BWRIT 135 | ENGL 141 or ENGR 231 | TWRT 211 | CCN: ENGL& 102 or 235* Bellevue: ENGL 201, 235, 271, or 272 Edmonds: ENGR 231 Highline: ENGL 205 Green River: ENGL 126 or 128 * Note: If ENGL& 235 is taken as a 3-credit course, you may need to take 2 more credits of writing later on to finish UW’s “W” (Additional Writing) graduation requirement. |
Mathematics
Major Entry Requirement | UW Bothell | UW Seattle | UW Tacoma | WA State Colleges (CCN = common course numbers) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Calculus I, II, and III | STMATH 124, 125, 126 | MATH 124, 125, 126 | TMATH 124, 125, 126 | CCN: MATH& 151, 152; and either 163 or both 153+254 Lower Columbia, Skagit Valley, Wenatchee Valley: MATH& 151, 152, and 153 (without 254) Whatcom: MATH& 151, 152, and 153 if taken with one of MATH 207 or 208. |
Differential Equations | STMATH 207 | MATH 207 | TMATH 207 | CCN: No standard course. Refer to individual college entries. Bellevue, Cascadia, Green River, Lake Washington, Seattle Colleges (North / Central / South), Peninsula, Pierce, Skagit Valley, South Puget Sound, Tacoma, Walla Walla, Wenatchee Valley, Whatcom: MATH 238 Big Bend, Highline: MATH 230 Centralia: MATH 212 Clark, Olympic: MATH 221 Columbia Basin: MATH 255 Edmonds: MATH 271 Everett: MATH 261 Grays Harbor: MATH 241 Lower Columbia: MATH 240 Shoreline: MATH 207 Spokane Colleges (SCC / SFCC), Yakima Valley: MATH 274 |
Matrix Algebra (or Linear Algebra) | STMATH 208 | MATH 208 | TMATH 208 | CCN: No standard course. Refer to individual college entries. Bellevue, Cascadia, Edmonds, Shoreline: MATH 208 Big Bend, Grays Harbor, Highline, Lower Columbia, Seattle Colleges (North / Central / South), Spokane Colleges (SCC / SFCC), Tacoma, Walla Walla, Yakima Valley: MATH 220 Centralia: MATH 118 Clark: MATH 215 Columbia Basin: MATH 243 Everett: MATH 260 Green River: MATH 240 Lake Washington: MATH 230 Olympic: MATH 250 Peninsula: MATH 210 Pierce, South Puget Sound: MATH 205 Skagit Valley, Whatcom: MATH 204 Wenatchee Valley: MATH 211 |
Multivariable Calculus (sometimes called Calculus IV or Vector Calculus) | STMATH 224 | MATH 224 | TMATH 224 | CCN: MATH& 254* or 264 Bellevue: MATH 255 Peninsula, Seattle Colleges (North / Central / South): MATH 224 * Note: MATH& 254 from Bellevue College and South Puget Sound Community College not currently accepted for equivalency. |
Mechanical Engineering
Major Entry Requirement | UW Bothell | UW Seattle | UW Tacoma | WA State Colleges (CCN = common course numbers) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Intro Mechanical Engineering I, II, and III (Statics, Mechanics of Materials, Dynamics) | BME 221, 222, 223 | AA 210, CEE 220, ME 230 | TME 221, 222, 223 | CCN: ENGR& 214, 225, 215 Spokane Colleges (SCC, SFCC): ENGR 201, 203, 202 |
Physics
Major Entry Requirement | UW Bothell | UW Seattle | UW Tacoma | WA State Colleges (CCN = common course numbers) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Intro Physics I, II, and III + Labs, Algebra-based | BPHYS 114+117, 115+118, 116+119 | PHYS 114+117, 115+118, 116+119 | No equivalent series. Take calculus-based series instead. | CCN: PHYS& 114, 115, 116; or 134+124, 135+125, 136+126 Columbia Basin: PHYS& 134, 135, 135 (no separate labs) Green River: PHYS 154, 155, 156 also accepted. Spokane Colleges (SCC, SFCC): PHYS 101, 102, 103 |
Intro Physics I, II, and III + Labs, Calculus-based (Mechanics, Electromagnetism & Oscillatory Motion, and Waves; also called “Engineering Physics”) | BPHYS 121, 122, 123 | PHYS 121, 122, 123 | TPHYS 121, 122, 123 | CCN: PHYS& 221, 222, 223; or 241+231, 242+232, 243+233 Highline, Spokane Colleges (SCC, SFCC): PHYS 201, 202, 203 Olympic: PHYS 254, 255, 256 |