How to declare major at uc berkeley

For students admitted to UC Berkeley prior to Fall 2023:

• All prerequisites to declare must be completed for a letter grade and passed with a 'C-' or higher. (See drop-down below for prerequisites.)
• Students must achieve a 2.0 Grade Point Average in Data 8, Linear Algebra, and Data Structures to be eligible to declare. The grades earned in Calculus I & II and Program Structures will not be factored into this GPA requirement.
• If a student chooses to take more than one upper-division course toward the major prior to declaring, they must have a minimum 2.0 Grade Point Average in all upper-division courses completed toward the major at the time of declaration.
• The Data Science major follows UC Berkeley policy on repeating courses; you may repeat a course only if you received a grade of D+, D, D-, F, or no pass (NP), and if you have taken the course only once before. You must repeat the course for a letter grade. Both grades will show on your transcript, but only your most recent grade will be calculated into your GPA for declaration of the major.

P/NP Exceptions

Based on changes to L&S policy, courses completed at UC Berkeley with a grade of Pass in Fall 2022 (due to the UAW strike), Spring 2020, Fall 2020, Spring 2021 and Summer 2021 (due to the Covid-19 instructional disruption) will count toward Data Science major requirements, including prerequisites to declare the major.

For students admitted to UC Berkeley Fall 2023 or Spring 2024:

• First-year students admitted in Fall 2023 or Spring 2024 who selected Data Science on their admissions application have a guaranteed spot in the major subject to completing the prerequisites (see drop-down below) and maintaining good academic standing.
• First-year students admitted in Fall 2023 or Spring 2024 who did not select Data Science on their admissions application may apply to the major via comprehensive review (see drop-down below).

Find answers to frequently asked questions at the official CDSS FAQ page and the Data Science FAQ doc for First-Year Admits.

Transfer students who were not admitted directly to Data Science can apply no later than the end of your second semester in attendance following this criteria:

• All prerequisites to declare must be completed for a letter grade and passed with a 'C-' or higher. (See drop-down below for prerequisites.)
• Students must achieve a 2.0 Grade Point Average in Data 8, Linear Algebra, and Data Structures to be eligible to declare. The grades earned in Calculus I & II and Program Structures will not be factored into this GPA requirement.
• If a student chooses to take more than one upper-division course toward the major prior to declaring, they must have a minimum 2.0 Grade Point Average in all upper-division courses completed toward the major at the time of declaration.
• The Data Science major follows UC Berkeley policy on repeating courses; you may repeat a course only if you received a grade of D+, D, D-, F, or no pass (NP), and if you have taken the course only once before. You must repeat the course for a letter grade. Both grades will show on your transcript, but only your most recent grade will be calculated into your GPA for declaration of the major.

Find answers to frequently asked questions on the Data Science FAQ doc for Fall 2023 Transfer Admits.

For students admitted to UC Berkeley Fall 2024 or later:

• Students admitted to CDSS in Fall 2024 or later will be automatically enrolled in their selected major and do not need to follow declaration procedures outlined on this page.
• Students admitted in Fall 2024 or later who did not select Data Science on their admission application may apply to the major via comprehensive review (see drop-down below).

Prerequisites and Comprehensive Review

Depending on when you were admitted to UC Berkeley and your intended major at the time of admission, some students will declare based on completion of prerequisites, and some students will apply through Comprehensive Review. Please use the "Eligibility to Declare by Semester of Admission" tabs above to determine which section is relevant to you.

Prerequisites

Not all students declaring Data Science will need to complete prerequisites prior to declaration. Please use the "Eligibility to Declare by Semester of Admission" tabs above to determine if this information is relevant to you.

Prerequisites to Declare

Transfer courses from other institutions will apply, if listed as equivalent on assist.org or approved as equivalent by UC Berkeley faculty, and if completed with a letter grade of C- or better.

*Foundations of Data Science

Data C8 (also listed as CompSci/Stat/Info C8)

Stat 20 (may not be combined with Engin 7 for the Program Structures requirement)

MATH 10A or MATH 16A

MATH 56 (offered as Math 91 in F22) or

MATH 54/W54/N54 or

EE/EECS 16A+16B (both required)

COMPSCI/DATA C88C (formerly COMPSCI 88) or

COMPSCI 61B or 61BL

*Data 8, Linear Algebra, and Data Structures must be completed with an average GPA of 2.0 to declare the major.

The Data Science BA accepts Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate and A-Level exam credit for the calculus requirements only, per the UC Berkeley Math department guidelines. Exam credit is not accepted for the Domain Emphasis or other major requirements.

Comprehensive Review

Not all students declaring will do so through comprehensive review. Please use the "Eligibility to Declare by Semester of Admission" tabs above to determine if this information is relevant to you.

What factors will be considered in the comprehensive review process?

Criteria will include your academic performance as well as your motivation to pursue the Data Science major. We support the University of California policy on the value of diverse viewpoints, including academic and intellectual breadth. If you listed a different field as your primary interest when you applied to UC Berkeley, then you should explain why your interest has changed.

Keep in mind that in a holistic review process no single criterion is of primary importance, nor do you have to be exceptional in every dimension. We urge you not to take on multiple activities in the hope of strengthening your application. Just tell us your background and goals simply and honestly. We will be listening for your own unique voice.

What are the minimum classes required to take before applying to the Data Science major?

Before submitting your application to the Data Science major, you must have completed Data C8 (or Stat 20), and at least 1 additional course in calculus (Math 1A, 16A, 10A or 1B) or program structures (Data/CompSci C88C, CompSci 61A, or Engin 7). Approved transfer courses and/or exam credit may be counted, as outlined on the Data Science website.

Additionally, applicants should be on track to complete the lower-division classes by the end of their 5th semester (1st semester as a transfer).

What are the minimum grades to apply for the Data Science major?

There is no minimum grade or GPA required to apply to the Data Science major, and all interested students are encouraged to apply.

If you do not pass a class on the first attempt, you may repeat a class one time for credit toward your UC GPA.

If admitted to the Data Science major, all students must have a minimum C- or better in each course toward the major in order to declare and graduate, and must have a minimum 2.0 GPA overall in the major and in the upper-division courses in the major.

When can I apply?

For students applying through comprehensive review, the application is expected to be available in January 2025.

For students eligible to apply under pre-Fall 2023 criteria, you should apply during the first open application window after you have completed all of the major prerequisites. Be sure to keep in mind any relevant campus or College deadlines.

Open Application Windows (pre-F23 criteria)

The application for the Data Science major is usually open from the 4th week of each term through the week after Finals, including during the Summer.

Please submit your application no earlier than the last 3 weeks of the term in which you will complete your prerequisites.

Major Declaration Form Availability

Fall 2024: Sept 16, 2024 - Jan 1, 2025

• Students with final prerequisites in progress during Fall 2024 may submit their application forms beginning Dec 2, 2024.

Spring 2025: Feb 10, 2025 - May 30, 2025

• Students with final prerequisites in progress during Fall 2024 may submit their application forms beginning April 28, 2025.

Deadline to Declare

Students Admitted Prior to Fall 2023

• Declaring major in L&S no later than Spring 2024: Per L&S policy, declared students adding Data Science as a double major, or changing to the Data Science major, must declare before the first day of their final term in attendance. There is no deadline to declare Data Science as a single major.
• After Summer 2024: If applying to declare the Data Science major after Spring 2024, you will be applying for a Change of College or Simultaneous Degree in the College of CDSS and should plan to submit your application at least 2 semesters before your final term (students graduating Summer 2024, Fall 2024 and Spring 2025 should consult with a Data Science or CDSS advisor about exceptions, as needed).

Students Admitted to UC Berkeley in Fall 2023 or Spring 2024:

• New first-year students admitted in Fall 2023, if not admitted directly in the Data Science major, may apply to declare Data Science (including changing colleges or adding a simultaneous degree) when the CDSS comprehensive review process is available in January 2025.
• New transfer students admitted in Fall 2023 or Spring 2024, if not admitted directly in the Data Science major, may change to or add Data Science no later than the end of their second semester in attendance.

Students Admitted to UC Berkeley Fall 2024 or later:

• New first-year and transfer students admitted in Fall 2024 or later, if not admitted directly in the Data Science major, may apply to declare Data Science (including changing colleges or adding a simultaneous degree) when the CDSS comprehensive review process is available.

How do I apply?

Use the "Eligibility to Apply by Semester of Admission" tabs above to determine if you will apply using comprehensive review or prerequisites.

Applying through Comprehensive Review

The comprehensive review application is planned to open once a year, starting January 2025. Check back in Fall 2024 for more information about this new process.

Applying with Prerequisites

Choose from the drop-downs below whether you are declaring a single major, adding a double major, or changing colleges.

Change Colleges and Declare a Single Major

For students who wish to change colleges into CDSS and declare Data Science as a single major:

1. Complete the Data Science BA worksheet and Program Planning Sheet (no signatures required).
2. Upload your completed forms during the open application window.
3. Once your application has been approved by both the Data Science major and the College of CDSS, the change will be reflected on CalCentral.

The application window is currently closed.

Applications are typically processed within 10-15 business days after submission OR after your final prerequisite grades are available.

You do not need to meet with an advisor or obtain any advisor signatures on your forms prior to submitting them.

*If you are declared in the Data Science minor, you will be dropped from the minor when you declare or add the Data Science major, as students may not earn a major and minor in the same field.

Add a Simultaneous Degree

​​​​​For students declared in a College outside CDSS who wish to add Data Science:

1. Complete the Data Science BA worksheetandSimultaneous Degree Application.
2. Obtain signatures from your home major and College on the Simultaneous Degree Application.
3. Upload your completed forms during the open application window. Once approved, a Data Science advisor will provide a signature and your request will be forwarded to the College of CDSS for final approval.

For students declared in Data Science who wish to add a major in a College outside CDSS

1. Complete the Data Science BA worksheetandSimultaneous Degree Application.
2. Upload your completed forms during the open application window. No signatures are required.
3. Once your application has been approved by both the major and the College of CDSS, an advisor will email your signed forms to you. You will need to obtain a signature from your new major advisor and submit your completed packet to your new College Advising office for final approval.

The application window is currently closed.

Applications are typically processed within 10 business days after submission OR after your final prerequisite grades are available.

*If you are declared in the Data Science minor, you will be dropped from the minor when you declare or add the Data Science major, as students may not earn a major and minor in the same field.

Add A Double Major in CDSS

For students who are declared in another CDSS major and wish to add Data Science:

1. Complete the CDSS Double Major Application. See an example of how to fill out the form correctly.
2. Upload your completed forms during the open application window.
3. Once your application has been approved, a Data Science Advisor will email you back with your signed forms. Obtain a signature from your other major advisor, and then submit your request to the CDSS College Advising office for final approval.

For students who are declared in Data Science and wish to add another CDSS major:

1. Complete the CDSS Double Major Application. See an example of how to fill out the form correctly.
2. Obtain a signature from your new major advisor.
3. Upload your completed and signed forms during the open application window. Once your application has been approved by both the Data Science major and the College of CDSS, the change will be reflected on CalCentral.

The application window is currently closed.

Applications are typically processed within 10 business days after submission.