Recommended Coursework for Applying to the Graduate Degree Programs

Minimum Graduate Admission Requirements

  1. A bachelor’s degree or recognized equivalent from an accredited institution. (If you are in your final year of studies and you expect to earn your degree by mid-August of the following year, you may apply. If you are admitted, you will be required to provide proof at that time that you have earned your bachelor’s degree, usually in the form of a final official transcript.)
  2. If you attended an American university or a university that uses a similar 4.0 scale, a satisfactory scholastic average with a minimum grade-point average (GPA) of 3.0 (B) is required. If you attended a university that does not use the 4.0 system, please do not try and convert your grades to our system – just leave that section blank on your application.
  3. The General Test of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Please see the Admission Requirements page for more information.
  4. If you received or are a candidate to receive a degree from an institution outside the United States, please read the Minimum Degree Requirements for International Applicants and Evidence of English Language Proficiency.

Suggestions for People Without a Technical Background Who Wish to Apply to Our Computer Science Program

We do not require applicants to have a technical background. However, a certain foundation may be needed for a successful applicant. Though there are no set class requirements, these are the courses that we SUGGEST you consider.

  • Math 1A and 1B = college level calculus
  • Math 54 = linear algebra and differential equations
  • CS61A = computer programming
  • CS61B = data structures
  • CS61C = machine structures
  • CS70 = discrete mathematics and probability theory

The junior/senior level or specialized courses in computer science that you take depend on what field of CS you want to study in grad school. Traditionally, the best approach is to obtain a broad education in CS. Berkeley courses that could satisfy this include:

  • CS150 = Components and Design Techniques for Digital Systems
  • CS162 = Operating Systems and System Programming
  • CS164 = Programming Languages and Compiler Design
  • CS170 = Efficient Algorithms and Intractable Problems*

*Since there are no set upper division requirements in CS at UC Berkeley other than CS170, it is hard to tell what upper division courses to take. Again, it depends on your areas of interest. You should consult experts in the various fields of CS to decide what would be best for you.

Also, please keep in mind that these are NOT required courses, just suggestions.