Introduction to the Major
The Computer Science major (CS) deals with computer theory, methods of information processing, hardware and software design, and applications. The major combines a rigorous technical program with background in the liberal arts and sciences. The CS major prepares students for technical careers or graduate school programs related to EECS or CS.
All students admitted to the College of Letters & Science are admitted as undeclared students. To declare CS, students must achieve a cumulative grade point average of 3.30 in CS61A, CS61B, & CS70. All students who meet this criteria are admitted into the major.
One Department, Two Programs
There is no difference in the CS course content between the CS and EECS majors--the differences are what other subjects you'd like to study and the admissions processes to the university and majors.
If you prefer greater flexibility in your coursework, or have an interest double-majoring in an area outside engineering, the CS major might be a good choice. There is greater opportunity to explore other departments, like economics, business, and music.
If you have a great interest in electrical engineering or in double-majoring in another engineering major, the EECS major may be better suited for you.
Related Majors
There are many ways to get exposure to CS other than via the CS major. The following majors are avenues to study CS and to help prepare students for industry and graduate school: applied math, cognitive science, data science, & statistics.
The CS minor is also a great option that equips students for industry and graduate school.
First Year
Explore Your Major
- See CS requirements & declaration policies
- Plan on 1 CS class & 1 math class/semester:
- Take CS10 and/or CS8 before CS61A, if no coding experience.
- See math requirements & AP/IB policies. Find calculus starting point.
- Check in with a CS major advisor.
Connect and Build Community
- New to CS? Apply for the CS Scholars Program
- Get support in classes from resources and counselors
- Become familiar with Disabled Students’ Program, Gender Equity Resource Center, Undocumented Student Program, Educational Opportunity Program.
Discover Your Passions
- Enroll in a Freshman & Sophomore Seminar. Look for CS/EE 24 & 39.
- Visit the Office of Undergraduate Research and Scholarships to learn about research opportunities.
- Take a DeCal, a student-facilitated course.
Engage Locally and Globally
- Explore study abroad options now so you can incorporate them into your sophomore or junior year plans.
- Explore volunteer opportunities on campus.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
- Develop a plan for getting career ready.
- Join Handshake for Berkeley-specific career opportunities.
- Learn about career opportunities in CS at Berkeley Career Engagement.
- Look for internship programs at various companies specific to first-year students.
Second Year
Explore Your Major
- Complete the CS prerequisite coursework to declare your major. Recommended: Apply to CS by the end of your 2nd year.
- Use the EECS website to help guide your B.A. program, and the HKN course guide to think about future classes in CS/EE.
- Consider a minor.
Connect and Build Community
- Learn about EECS student organizations
- Consider becoming an Academic Intern, Reader, or Tutor for a lower-division CS/EE class.
- Seek CS Peer Advising and ask questions on the EECS 101 on Edstem
- Go to office hours of professors and GSIs.
Discover Your Passions
- Assist a professor in their research through the Undergraduate Research Apprenticeship Program
- Attend the EECS Department Colloquium Series to learn more about the field.
- Learn more about research opportunities available at UC Berkeley.
Engage Locally and Globally
- Explore study abroad options for CS and meet with both a CS major advisor and your L&S advisor to confirm requirement fulfillment.
- Join Bridging Berkeley to become a math mentor to middle schoolers.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
- Subscribe to the eecs-ugrad-jobs list-serv to learn about CS Info-sessions and Tech Talks
- Attend the EECS Internship Fair, EECS & STEM Career Fairs
- Meet with Berkeley Career Engagement or UPE for resume help and interview practice.
Third Year
Explore Your Major
- Complete CS lower-division requirements; begin taking upper-division courses
- Check-in with a CS major advisor
- Participate in faculty advising each semester once declared.
- If eligible and interested in research, consider the EECS Honors Program.
Connect and Build Community
- Enjoy teaching and/or mentoring? Become an EE/CS DeCal facilitator or CS Mentor. Learn about how to become anUndergraduate Student Instructor in future semesters.
- Consider applying to the Accel Scholars Program.
Discover Your Passions
- Explore Beehive and other EECS research opportunities for undergraduates.
- Learn about upper-division technical electives for your major outside CS.
- Join CalTeach to gain teaching skills and explore a career in education.
Engage Locally and Globally
- Interested in community outreach? Check out the opportunities available in community outreach programs for engineering students.
- Get matched with a graduate student mentor through Berkeley Connect.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
- Attend the Engineering and Tech Career Conference to prepare for recruiting season.
- Utilize job board tools in your job search.
- Explore graduate school options by speaking with faculty members and advisors.
Fourth Year
Explore Your Major
- Complete remaining CS upper-division requirements
- Consider getting faculty permission to take CS graduate courses.
- Meet with a CS advisor to ensure CS requirements will be completed.
- Check-in with an L&S advisor to stay on track to graduate.
Connect and Build Community
- Give back by becoming a CS peer advisor or tutor at the Student Learning Center.
- Volunteer for EECS Departmental events like CS Education Day and Cal Day.
- See ways to stay in touch with the EECS Department after you graduate.
Discover Your Passions
- Carry out your own research project funded by scholarships
- Attend events at the Sutardja Center for Entrepreneurship & Technology or the Jacobs Institute for Design and Innovation.
Engage Locally and Globally
- Consider researching and applying for scholarships available to recent Berkeley graduates.
- If interested in graduate school, explore gap year opportunities prior to embarking on your next academic or career adventure.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
- Continue to attend industry-related events.
- Take the GRE & seek letters of recommendation if interested in graduate school.
- View the First Destination Survey to find out what recent grads are doing.
Jobs and Employers
- Analyst, Axioma
- Application Developer, Workday
- ASIC Engineer, Nvidia
- Assoc. Publishing Producer, Google
- Care Coordinator, YoDerm
- Consultant, Bain and Company
- Cyber Security Consultant, Deloitte
- Data Analyst, Apple
- Data Scientist, Nerdwallet
- Front End Developer, HealthTap
- Hardware Engineer, Apple
- Infrastructure Engineer, Capital One
- Investment Engineer, Bridgewater
- iOS Engineer, Mozilla
- Machine Learning Engineer, eBay
- Mobile Developer, Sony
- Performance Engineer, Splunk
- Program Manager, Microsoft
- Programmer, Intl CS Institute
- R&D Engineer, Glint Photonics
- Site Reliability Engineer, Google
- Software Developer, Expedia
- Software Engineer, AirBnB
- Surface Warfare Officer, U.S. Navy
- Systems Specialist, Salesforce
- Teacher, Teach for India
- Technology Analyst, Goldman Sachs
- UX Designer, GoDaddy
Graduate Programs
- Algebra & Numbers Theory
- Artificial Intelligence & Robotics
- Audiology & Hearing Sciences
- Biological Sciences
- Biostatistics
- Chemistry
- Computational Mathematics
- Computer Engineering
- Computer Graphics
- Computer Science
- Electrical Engineering
- Industrial & Org. Psychology
- Interdisciplinary Studies
- Medicine
- Physical Chemistry
- Physics
Examples from the First Destination Survey of recent Berkeley graduates.
Connect With Us
Cal Day
Come to Berkeley’s annual Open House in April for information sessions, campus tours, special talks, and more. See what events the EECS Department offers at eecs.berkeley.edu/academics/undergraduate/calday.
Golden Bear Orientation
Join your peers in the campus-wide UC Berkeley orientation program for all new students.
Events
Attend department events with students, staff, and faculty. Visit eecs.berkeley.edu for news and updates.
Advising
Prospective students can make an appointment to meet with a CS advisor at berkeleycs.youcanbook.me. Current students should make a CS advising appointment through CalCentral.
Drop-in CS advising is available. Please check eecs.berkeley.edu/resources/undergrads/cs/advising for the latest schedule.
Letters & Science College advising services can be found at lsadvising.berkeley.edu
How to Use this Map
Use this map to help plan and guide your experience at UC Berkeley, including academic, co-curricular, and discovery opportunities. Everyone’s Berkeley experience is different and activities in this map are suggestions. Always consult with your advisors whenever possible for new opportunities and updates.
