<p>I’m a prospective EECS major at berkeley, and I’d like to know if it’s possible to create my own engineering degree (specifically, a mix of EECS and ME). if not, are there other viable options at berkeley for a person very much interested in automative/aeronautic design and circuits?</p>
<p>thanks =)</p>
<p>I don’t think so (not too familiar with this so I may be wrong). The “make your own major” program is part of ISF, interdisciplinary studies field program, in L&S. There are however programs where you can get one degree in two different majors. For instance, they have one for Chem E and Nuc E, where you can get one degree but this BS degree encompasses both majors. The number of classes you take in each area is reduced, however. You should check the CoE announcement to see if they have a major that fits your needs.</p>
<p>You can’t make your own major, but EECS is designed such that almost everyone can graduate in three years and the fourth year is supplemental so you can be great what you do. The example schedules that CoE give you assume that you have absolutely no AP/IB/CC credit but since almost everyone got a 5 on Calc BC and has an AP science done, if not more than one, you can skip enough stuff. In short, there is much opportunity for you to take some ME courses if you’d like and still be able to graduate. Those ME courses will also count towards your technical course requirements and the 120-unit minimum.</p>
<p>@bsd: which example schedules are you talking about? there’s one in <a href=“http://www.coe.berkeley.edu/students/EngAnn08.pdf[/url]”>http://www.coe.berkeley.edu/students/EngAnn08.pdf</a> and some on the EECS website (<a href=“http://www.eecs.berkeley.edu/Programs/Notes/Content/Chapter4.pdf[/url]”>New Grads: As Soon As You Arrive - EECS at Berkeley).</p>
<p>@bsd Whoa, do almost all EECS-ers really have a 5 on Calculus BC under their belt?</p>
<p>@razpra: My comment applies to either schedule. If you cross out Math 1A and 1B, the natural science requirement, and one of either CS61B or Physics 7A (many people will have at least one of those done), and then a humanities or two (AP Lit, AP history anyone?) you can see how you can shave off a semester’s worth of courses, if not more. There are quite a few people who take summer courses or more than 16 units, so you could probably do a few 18- or 20-unit semesters and have everything done in three years.</p>
<p>In reality, you probably won’t be following either. Some people finish the lower-divs ASAP, some people leave them till their senior year. Everyone I know takes their courses based on:
1.) whether they need that course as a prereq for some other course they want to take,
2.) how good the current semester’s prof is, and
3.) hearsay from peers.</p>
<p>If you are an EE person, then having 20 and 40 done ASAP is an appealing prospect because you can jump into upper divs in your second year. CS people want to finish 61ABC either by the end of their first year or the end of first semester, sophomore year. </p>
<p>Each course teaches something that you should know. I’m not saying you need to cover the entire EECS spectrum, but college is your one chance to immerse yourself in learning and both EE and CS are broad fields that are also very deep. There’s a lot out there.</p>
<p>@dylpkls91: I felt slightly behind, having only Math 1A, 1B, 61B, and my natural science out of the way. During my CalSO session, I think everyone was done with at least Math 1A (almost everyone had 1B done as well… AP Calc BC gives out like one-third or so 5’s from what I remember), as well as their natural science and Physics 7A (which you get from AP Physics C - Mechanics) as well as some humanities. It also isn’t uncommon for students to have pursued higher math, so people do come in with some or all of 53, 54, and 55 done.</p>
<p>Wow. Now I’m almost relieved that I wasn’t accepted to EECS. I wouldn’t have been able to skip even Math 1A with complete confidence! I don’t have an AP natural science either, or Physics C (I’m in B). As much as I like Cal, it looks like UCLA is a much more sane choice for me :)</p>
<p>@dylpkls91, do keep in mind that people who tend to be ahead in life like to talk more, and those who are not do not talk at all. I know plenty of EECS/CS majors, including me, who are still taking Math 1A and a science course, but yeah, we do not go talking about it. </p>
<p>And please don’t let the others scare you into going to the best EECS program in the world! Trust me, UCLA does not compare. It is AMAZING here.</p>