Computer Science Bachelor of Arts
At Berkeley, we construe computer science broadly to include the theory of computation, the design and analysis of algorithms, the architecture and logic design of computers, programming languages, compilers, operating systems, scientific computation, computer graphics, databases, artificial intelligence and natural language processing. Our goal is to prepare students both for a possible research career and long-term technical leadership in industry. We must therefore look beyond today’s technology and give students the big ideas and the learning skills that will prepare them to teach themselves about tomorrow’s technology.
Why Major in Computer Science?
Most students major in CS to prepare themselves for careers in industry. A bachelor’s degree in CS will prepare you for a diverse variety of interesting jobs including software engineering, web development, data analytics, and consulting . You might choose a career in computer graphics and animation or product management. You may work for a Fortune 500 company, a small Silicon Valley start-up, or choose to be self-employed!
Some CS students plan to pursue a research career, building experimental systems to advance the state of the art, rather than systems for immediate commercial use. Researchers may be professors at universities like UC Berkeley or may be employed in the research department of a corporation. The preparation for a research career generally includes pursuing a Ph.D. degree. Graduate school can also give students a more specific intellectual background in a particular area in preparation for more advanced technical careers — be it as a software engineer or in another position.
Some students majoring in CS aren’t sure about their career plans. They study CS simply because they like it and enjoy the challenge, and that may be the best reason of all!
Computer Science Comprehensive Review for First Year Students Admitted Fall 2023 or Later
This information is specific to the Computer Science (CS) major, and is supplemental to CDSS College guidance and policies about the Change of College or Simultaneous Degree application process. Students interested in the Computer Science major should be sure to review both documents.
(Updated on 4/9/24)
Group 1: Students Admitted in Fall 2023
- Students admitted in Fall 2023 who selected computer science on their admissions application have a guaranteed spot in that major, subject to completing prerequisites and maintaining good academic standing.
- First-year students admitted in Fall 2023 who did not select computer science on their admissions application may apply to the major via comprehensive review.
- Transfer students admitted in Fall 2023 who did not select computer science on their admissions have until the end of Summer 2024 to declare the CS major. Find more details on our transfer student page.
Group 2: Students Admitted in Fall 2024
- Students admitted to CDSS in Fall 2024 will be automatically enrolled in their selected major.
- Students admitted in Fall 2024 who did not select computer science on their admissions application may apply to the major via comprehensive review.
Sample Program Plans for Freshmen
Changing colleges or majors within Cal? Pursuing a Double Major/Minor?
It is possible to transfer into the CS program from another college or major on campus. Many of our students also pursue a second major of interest. For students pursuing other majors, we also offer an EECS minor, CS Minor and EIS Minor. Meet with a CS Advisor to discuss if these are possible.
Have a Question?
See the L&S CS Major FAQ
You can contact us at: cs-advising@cs.berkeley.edu
Current students can also search/post questions on the EECS 101 edstem
Want to meet with a CS advisor?
We offer remote advising appointments to both prospective and current students. We offer both in-person and virtual drop-in advising to current students. Please visit the CS advising page for more information.
Our hours are 10 am – 12 pm and 1 pm – 4 pm Monday through Friday.
Applying to the CS Major
Application timeline:
- The CS major application will only be open once grades are posted at the end of the semester to the 30th of the last month of the semester. In the recent past, we allowed students to submit the request to declare the CS major throughout the semester. We are now only allowing students to submit their application to declare the CS major after all grades are posted from CS 61A (CS 47A), CS 61B,61BL (CS 47B), and CS 70 (Math 55 for students double majoring in CS and Math/Applied Math). To receive the announcements about the opening of our application, please self subscribe to our CS-intended mailing list by emailing sympa@lists.eecs.berkeley.edu with the text “subscribe cs-intended” in the body or the subject.
Please read:
- The application period to declare the CS major is from once grades are posted (approx. 1 week after the end of the semester) to the 30th of the last month of the semester in which you are completing your technical prerequisites: Dec 30, May 30, and Aug 30.
- You will be notified of the decision via email (approximately 3-4 weeks after the deadline)
- Students who are looking to declare the CS major outside of the application period – please contact CS advisors at cs-advising@cs.berkeley.edu
- For double or triple majors within the College of Letters & Science: complete the Double Major Application Packet, upload it to the CS major app linked above, a CS advisor will sign your forms after we process the application. You do not need a signature from us before uploading the double-major form.
- For students double majoring with a major outside of the College of Letters & Science: complete the Simultaneous Degree Application Packet instead of the Double Major Application Packet
- For students change majors and/or changing colleges, please review the respective web pages and complete the appropriate forms.
- CS advisors will sign the aforementioned forms when your online application is reviewed.
Major Application Form (status – closed)
Alternatives to the CS Major
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Basic Programming Skills for Entry Level Employment
Computer science skills are in high demand, and you do not need to major in CS for a career in CS. If you are planning a CS career, you should take at least CS 61A/AS and 61B/BL. Additionally, taking CS 61C ensures you understand the full stack. CS 10 and/or CS 8 is useful as preparation for CS61A if you have little or no previous programming background. Mathematical skills are also important; one crucial requirement is discrete math and probability, CS 70. Other math courses are helpful for specific areas within CS; for example, computer graphics uses a lot of linear algebra and multivariable calculus is useful for machine learning. Completion of CS61ABC and CS70 combined with a background in biology or chemistry gives you good a foundation for upper division work in bioinformatics and computational biology. You can even go on to graduate school in CS after completing the CS, EECS or EIS minor program here!
Another Major
Cal is a great university with many wonderful majors, some of which may offer better experience and preparation for a career in industry than pure CS.
The following majors in L&S share lower division technical prerequisites and/or some of the upper division CS courses toward major requirements: