Computer Science & Majors in the College of
Engineering and College of Chemistry
Computer science:
General Tips
•
If you have no CS experience, you are recommended to take either CS 10 or CS 61AS, which
offer a gentler introduction. CS 10 is a fantastic class designed to introduce newbies to CS
concepts in a fun way. CS 61AS is the self-paced version of CS 61A, and has a zeroth unit that’s
designed specifically for newbies. You only have to take either 61A or 61AS to fulfill the 61A
requirement.
•
On the other hand, if you have CS experience (meaning you have coded in a programming
language before - HTML/CSS does not count - and/or that you are at least vaguely familiar with
variables, functions, and concepts like iteration/recursion), you should be taking CS 61A.
•
CS 61AS teaches Scheme, Logic, and Python, with Logic and Python happening during the
fourth quarter of the course. CS 61A is taught in Python, with some variant on SQL. CS at its
core is language-agnostic. Go with the class that fits your skill level and goals, above all else.
Picking up the concepts is harder than picking up a new language. Computer science is about
concepts, not about languages.
•
The CS 61 series gives priority to undeclared freshmen and sophomores. It would be in your best
interest to finish these before junior year, otherwise you can only be waitlisted.
•
There is a 3.0 GPA cap to declare the CS major in L&S CS for all CS lower-divs (CS 61A/B/C/70,
Math 1A/1B/54). However, you may write a personal statement if your GPA is below this, so don’t
fret - but do definitely have a backup plan. If your GPA is at or above this, you will get in
automatically. There is no limit on the number of people >= 3.0 GPA that they can take.
•
Most classes are intentionally curved to about a 2.7 average. This means in most cases, your
grade will be rounded up.
•
If you want to learn a particular programming language or skill, look into the CS 9 series, which
are self-paced classes designed to teach you just a programming language, rather than
concepts. They assume you already have a good grasp of programming concepts.
•
You should NOT take EE20/40 this coming year -- unless you plan on completing BOTH EE20
and EE40 by the end of the year, since EE16A/B will be replacing those classes.
•
Breadth requirements in EECS aren't fewer per se, just less restrictive. It just happens that most
people have APs that waive them out of up to 2 humanities. There's also an upper division series
requirement people should be aware of.
Differences between L&S CS and EECS:
•
L&S CS has more breadth requirements (the L&S 7-course breadth requirement) and requires
you to apply to declare the major, with a GPA cap. Declared juniors and sophomores must also
wait until Phase II to enroll directly in (or waitlist) their upper-div CS classes.
•
EECS has more STEM requirements (Math 53, Physics 7A/B, and both lower-div EE classes,
instead of just one), and fewer breadth requirements. You can Phase I just about any CS class
because you’re already declared. However, admission to the major when you applied for Berkeley
is usually more selective.
•
Also, CoE does not allow you take ANY technical class, whether or not it is for your major, P/NP
except in your final semester. Pretty sure this isn't the case in LSCS.
Backup major tips for L&S CS:
•
Cognitive science (cogsci) is an interdisciplinary major, merging psychology with computer
science, neurobio, and a few other areas. CS 61A (or E7) is required for the major, and CS 188
(Artificial Intelligence), among others, is a class that counts toward the major. This seems to be a
pretty popular backup option.
•
Applied math has a track that lets you use a few CS classes for it. This is yet another option.
•
You can always do a CS minor, which you declare after finishing the requirements (CS
61A/B/C/70 and 3 CS upper-divs of your choice). In the future, the minor will be capped at 2.8
GPA, but this has not been implemented yet.
•
You may reapply to declare CS every semester until the semester before you graduate (if you’re
graduating in spring). If you graduate in fall, you may be able to declare your last fall semester and
be listed for spring graduation, even if you complete the major and finish school in the fall.
College of Engineering & College of Chemistry:
These departments are probably the strictest in terms of the flexibility these majors offer. However, this
means that the courses taken per semester are more clear-cut. In addition, these two colleges give clear
direction of which courses students should take when. Here is advice for which courses COE students
should take first semester:
http://coe.berkeley.edu/students/current-undergraduates/new-students/first-semester-planning.html
For later semesters, consult the COE handbook:
http://coe.berkeley.edu/students/COE_Announcement_2012-2013.pdf
and the COC handbook:
http://chemistry.berkeley.edu/student_info/undergrad_info/publications/chem_10_11.pdf
Helpful Upperclassmen
•
Victoria Lo - CS Senior
Any questions or need scheduling advice?
Ask us at CalAsk.com