Electrical Engineering & Computer Sciences (EECS)

Bachelor of Science (BS)

The Berkeley Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences major (EECS), offered through the College of Engineering, combines fundamentals of computer science and electrical engineering in one major.

Note that students wishing to study computer science at UC Berkeley have two different major options: The EECS major leads to the Bachelor of Science (BS), while the the College of Letters & Sciences offers a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree.  An essential difference between the two majors is that the EECS program requires a greater number of math and science courses than the CS program, which requires a greater number of non-technical, or breadth, courses. For further information on the BA program, please see the Computer Science program page in this Guide. 

After completing the required lower division courses, students in the EECS major are able to pursue coursework in computer science and/or electrical engineering, based on their personal interests. 

Admission to the Major

Prospective undergraduates to the College of Engineering apply to a specific major within the college. For further information, please see the College of Engineering's website.

Students accepted into colleges other than the College of Engineering will not be allowed to change to the College of Engineering in order to declare the EECS major. Prospective undergraduates interested in the EECS major must apply for admission to the College of Engineering.  

Accreditation

All UC Berkeley programs are accredited through the Accrediting Commission for Schools, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (ACS WASC).

Honors Program

The EECS honors degree program is designed to provide accomplished undergraduate students a greater connection to the department. Honors students pursue undergraduate research and select an academic concentration outside of EECS. In addition, students receive a special faculty adviser, engage in research, receive official notation of the honors degree on their Berkeley transcript, and are invited to special events with faculty and EECS honors alumni.

For more information regarding this program, please click here.

Five-Year BS/MS Program

The Five-Year Bachelor/Master Program, called the 5th Year MS Program for short, offers qualified Berkeley EECS and L&S Computer Science students a unique opportunity to begin graduate study immediately after their undergraduate program, thereby accelerating the master's degree by requiring only one additional year beyond the bachelor's degree. This is not a concurrent degree program. Students earn their bachelor's degree first and then the master's. However, careful planning during the undergraduate program allows motivated students to begin a research project and complete some master's course requirements while still in undergraduate standing. Depending on how quickly a student progresses through the undergraduate program, the additional graduate year may come sooner than the fifth year at Berkeley. The Five-Year Program is not intended for those who wish to pursue a PhD. For further information regarding this program, please see the Five-Year BS/MS tab on this page or the Department's website.

Minor Program

The EECS minor, offered through the College of Engineering, is an optional program for students interested in a coherent  program of EECS coursework outside their major. It is open to any undergraduate who has declared a major other than EECS and has completed four of the course requirements. For further information regarding the requirements and declaration process, please see the Minor Requirements tab.

The EECS Department also offers minors in Computer Science and Electronic Intelligent Systems. For information about these programs, please see the Computer Science or the Electronic Intelligent Systems pages in this Guide.

Joint Majors

The EECS Department also offers two joint majors with other departments in the College of Engineering. For further information on these programs, please click the links below:
Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences/Materials Science and Engineering (Department of Materials Science and Engineering)
Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences/Nuclear Engineering (Department of Nuclear Engineering)

Visit Department Website

1. Preparing graduates to pursue postgraduate education in electrical engineering, computer science, or related fields.
2. Preparing graduates for success in technical careers related to electrical and computer engineering, or computer science and engineering.
3. Preparing graduates to become leaders in fields related to electrical and computer engineering or computer science and engineering.

Learning Goals for the Major 

EE

CS

1. An ability to apply knowledge of computing and mathematics appropriate to the program's student outcomes and to the discipline.
2. An ability to analyze a problem, and identify and define the computing requirements appropriate to its solution.
3. An ability to design, implement, and evaluate a computer-based system, process, component, or program to meet desired needs.
4. An ability to function effectively on teams to accomplish a common goal.
5. An understanding of professional, ethical, legal, security and social issues and responsibilities.
6. An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
7. An ability to analyze the local and global impact of computing on individuals, organizations, and society.
8. Recognition of the need for and an ability to engage in continuing professional development.
9.  An ability to use current techniques, skills, and tools necessary for computing practice.

• finish secondary school and
• earn a certificate of completion, which allows admission to a university in their home country or country of graduation

In addition:

Students who have completed the IGCSE or O-level exams have not yet met the requirements for admission at UC Berkeley. The university requires further study, either completion of the two-year A-level program with a minimum of three academic exams, the IB diploma program, or another similar academic curriculum.

Students from countries requiring entry into military service upon completion of secondary education should not submit an application until the obligation has been met. UC Berkeley cannot defer admission to a later term.

Students may have to meet additional admission requirements and follow certain guidelines for filling out the undergraduate application, depending on country or educational system.

Apply to Berkeley by filling out the UC application. You can begin working on the application as early as August 1, and must submit the application November 1-30. You can apply to as many UC campuses as you like with one application, and each campus will receive your application and official test scores. If you have difficulties, contact the UC Application Center at [email protected] or (800) 207-1710.