Taking cross-college courses at Berkeley? Engineering and Social Sciences?

ucbalumnus
Wed, 20 Nov 2013 11:45:11 +0000

noncomposmentis:

Is it possible to major in ‘Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences’ (a course at the College of Engineering) and take courses/minor in, let’s say, ‘Political Sciences’ at the College of Letters and Science?



Since all majors in the College of Engineering require some courses from College of Letters and Science departments (math, physics, and your choice of humanities and social studies for breadth requirements), the answer to your first question is yes.



noncomposmentis:

Also, does it matter what ‘undecided’ category I choose?



Yes. If you apply as “College of Engineering Undeclared” and are admitted and enroll, you can choose any College of Engineering major later. Note that the College of Engineering has different selectivity by major, most are more selective than the College of Letters and Science, and College of Engineering Undeclared is probably more selective than most of the declared majors.

If you apply at “College of Letters and Science Undeclared” and are admitted and enroll, changing into a College of Engineering major will require another very competitive admission process: [Change of College (into COE) ? UC Berkeley College of Engineering](Change of college - Berkeley Engineering) . Note that all frosh entering the College of Letters and Science enter Undeclared and will declare majors later after completing the prerequisites (a few majors require a higher GPA to declare).



noncomposmentis:

Can I not just shop for courses when I get there?



You have to be aware of the prerequisite sequences for the possible majors you are considering, so that you will not delay graduation. For example, physics has a 7 semester long sequence of prerequisites, so if you are interested in the physics major, you need to get started on the prerequisites early. Engineering majors also have long sequences of prerequisites.