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:

1. Most Washington state college equivalencies can be found in the UW Seattle equivalency guide.
2. 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.
3. 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

1. Important notes on transfer courses
2. Biology
3. Chemistry
4. Computer Programming
5. English Composition
6. Mathematics
7. Mechanical Engineering
8. 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

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

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.

English Composition

Mathematics

Mechanical Engineering

Physics