Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences/Materials Science and Engineering Joint Major

University of California, Berkeley

About the Program

Bachelor of Science (BS)

The joint major programs are designed for students who wish to undertake study in two areas of engineering in order to qualify for employment in either field or for positions in which competence in two fields is required. These curricula include the core courses in each of the major fields. While they require slightly increased course loads, they can be completed in four years. Both majors are shown on the student's transcript of record.

For students interested in materials and devices, a joint major in Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences (EECS)/Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) can be valuable. The program combines the study of materials from a broad perspective, as taught in MSE, with the study of their applications in electronic devices and circuits, as taught in EECS.

Admission to the Joint Major

Admission directly to a joint major is closed to freshmen and junior transfer applicants. Students interested in a joint program may apply to change majors during specific times in their academic progress. Please see the College of Engineering joint majors website for complete details.

Visit Program Website

Major Requirements

In addition to the University, campus, and college requirements, students must fulfill the below requirements specific to their major program.

General Guidelines

  1. All courses taken in satisfaction of major requirements must be taken for a letter grade.

  2. No more than one upper division course may be used to simultaneously fulfill requirements for a student’s major and minor programs.

  3. A minimum overall grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 is required for all work undertaken at UC Berkeley.

  4. A minimum GPA of 2.0 is required for all technical courses taken in satisfaction of major requirements.

For information regarding residence requirements and unit requirements, please see the College Requirements tab.

For a detailed plan of study by year and semester, please see the Plan of Study tab.

Lower Division Requirements

MATH 51/1ACalculus I (MATH 51 as of Fall 2025)4
MATH 52/1BCalculus II (MATH 52 as of Fall 2025)4
MATH 53Multivariable Calculus4
MATH 54Linear Algebra and Differential Equations4
CHEM 1A
1AL
General Chemistry
and General Chemistry Laboratory 1
5
or CHEM 4A General Chemistry and Quantitative Analysis
PHYSICS 7A
PHYSICS 7B
PHYSICS 7C
Physics for Scientists and Engineers
and Physics for Scientists and Engineers
and Physics for Scientists and Engineers
12-13
or PHYSICS 5A
PHYSICS 5B
PHYSICS 5BL
PHYSICS 5C
PHYSICS 5CL
Introductory Mechanics and Relativity
and Introductory Electromagnetism, Waves, and Optics
and Introduction to Experimental Physics I
and Introductory Thermodynamics and Quantum Mechanics
and Introduction to Experimental Physics II
ENGIN 7Introduction to Computer Programming and Numerical Methods4
or COMPSCI 61A The Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs
ENGIN 40Engineering Thermodynamics4
or PHYSICS 112 Introduction to Statistical and Thermal Physics
MAT SCI 45Properties of Materials3
MAT SCI 45LProperties of Materials Laboratory1
EECS 16AFoundations of Signals, Dynamical Systems, and Information Processing4
COMPSCI 61BData Structures4
or COMPSCI 61BL Data Structures and Programming Methodology
COMPSCI 61CGreat Ideas of Computer Architecture (Machine Structures)4
or COMPSCI 61CL Course Not Available
or EECS 16B Introduction to Circuits & Devices
1

 CHEM 4A is intended for students majoring in chemistry or a closely-related field.

Upper Division Requirements

EL ENG 105Microelectronic Devices and Circuits4
EL ENG 117Electromagnetic Fields and Waves4
EL ENG 130Integrated-Circuit Devices4
or MAT SCI 111 Properties of Electronic Materials
EECS 151Introduction to Digital Design and Integrated Circuits (must also take EECS 151LA or EECS 151LB) 14-5
or EL ENG 140 Linear Integrated Circuits
MAT SCI 102Bonding, Crystallography, and Crystal Defects3
MAT SCI 103Phase Transformations and Kinetics3
MAT SCI 104
104L
Materials Characterization
and Materials Characterization Laboratory
4
MAT SCI 131Additive Manufacturing Processes and Systems for Advanced Materials3
PHYSICS 137AQuantum Mechanics4
PHYSICS 141ASolid State Physics4
STAT 134Concepts of Probability4
or EL ENG 126 Probability and Random Processes
Upper division technical electives: two courses6-8
Select at least 3 units from the MAT SCI 120 series
1

EECS 151 + EECS 151LA/EECS 151LB may be used to fulfill only one requirement.

Five-Year BS/MS

EECS Five-Year BS/MS

This program is geared toward students who would like to pursue an education beyond the BS/BA, allowing them to achieve greater breadth and depth of knowledge and do some research. It is not intended for students who have definitely decided to pursue a PhD immediately following graduation. Those students are advised to apply for a PhD program at Berkeley or elsewhere during their senior year. Students who have been accepted into the five-year BA/MS or BS/MS are free to change their minds later and apply to enter the PhD program or apply to a PhD program at another university. Their subsequent admission to the PhD program is competitive with our other PhD applicants.

The program is focused on interdisciplinary training at a graduate level; with at least 8 units of course work outside EECS required. Students will emerge as leaders in their technical and professional fields.

  • Program is focused on interdisciplinary study and more experience in aligned technical fields such as physics, materials science, statistics, biology, etc., and/or professional disciplines such as management of technology, business law, and public policy.
  • Participants, if admitted to the program,  must begin the graduate portion in the semester immediately following the conferral of their bachelor's degree.
  • Participation in the program is permitted for only one additional year (two semesters) beyond the bachelor's degree.
  • Participation is only available to Berkeley EECS and CDSS Computer Science undergraduates.
  • Participants in program are self-funded.
  • Participants in program may serve as Graduate Student Instructors with the approval of their faculty research advisor and the 5th Year MS Committee.

For further information regarding this program, please see the Department's website.

Materials Science and Engineering Five-Year BS/MS

The five-year combined Bachelor of Science/Master of Science program augments the existing four-year undergraduate program with a fifth year of graduate study that provides a professionally-oriented component, preparing students for careers in engineering or engineering management within the business, government, and/or industrial sectors. In this program, students earn a bachelor's degree and subsequently, a Master of Science degree under Plan II (without thesis) of the Academic Senate. This five-year program emphasizes interdisciplinary study through an independent project coupled to coursework. The program is open to undergraduate Materials Science and Engineering majors (both single or joint majors) only. 

Unit Requirements (minimum 24 units)

  • At least 12 units must be graduate units in major subject (200+ level)
  • Individual study or research
    • At least 1 unit/semester (2 units total)
    • No more than 2 units/semester (4 units total)
  • Remaining 12 units may be letter graded upper-division or graduate courses approve by major field advisor.
  • A grade of B or better in three of five core course categories (thermodynamics, structure or phase transformations, characterization, processing and properties) at the 200+ level
  • Minimum 3.0 GPA must be maintained
  • Each course may only satisfy one category
  • An independent project will be performed as part of a required two course sequence, MSE 296A&B, under the supervision of a faculty member. Students are encouraged to identify faculty supervisors as soon as possible, but by no later than the beginning of the ninth semester. Students will be required to complete both a project report and an oral presentation.

For further information regarding this program, please see the department's website.

College Requirements

Students in the College of Engineering must complete no fewer than 120 semester units with the following provisions: 

  1. Completion of the requirements of one engineering major program of study. 
  2. A minimum overall grade point average of 2.00 (C average) and a minimum 2.00 grade point average in upper division technical coursework required of the major.
  3. The final 30 units and two semesters must be completed in residence in the College of Engineering on the Berkeley campus.
  4. All technical courses (math, science, and engineering) that can fulfill requirements for the student's major must be taken on a letter graded basis (unless they are only offered P/NP). 
  5. Entering freshmen are allowed a maximum of eight semesters to complete their degree requirements. Entering junior transfers are allowed five semesters to complete their degree requirements. Summer terms are optional and do not count toward the maximum. Students are responsible for planning and satisfactorily completing all graduation requirements within the maximum allowable semesters. 
  6. Adhere to all college policies and procedures as they complete degree requirements.
  7. Complete lower division technical courses before enrolling in upper division technical courses. 

Humanities and Social Sciences (H/SS) Requirement

To promote a rich and varied educational experience outside of the technical requirements for each major, the College of Engineering has a six-course Humanities and Social Sciences breadth requirement, which must be completed to graduate. This requirement, built into all the engineering programs of study, includes two Reading and Composition courses (R&C), and four additional courses within which a number of specific conditions must be satisfied. See the humanities and social sciences section of our website for details.

Class Schedule Requirements

  • Minimum units per semester: 12.0
  • Maximum units per semester:  20.5
  • Minimum technical courses: College of Engineering undergraduates must include at least two letter graded technical courses (of at least 3 units each) in their semester program. Every semester students are expected to make normal progress in their declared major. Normal progress is determined by the student's Engineering Student Services Advisor. (Note: For most majors, normal progress will require enrolling in 3-4 technical courses required of your current major each semester.) Students who are not in compliance with this policy by the end of the fifth week of the semester are subject to a registration block that will delay enrollment for the following semester. 
  • All technical courses (math, science, engineering) that satisfy requirements for the major must be taken on a letter-graded basis (unless only offered as P/NP).

Minimum Academic Requirements

  • Students must have a minimum overall and semester grade point average of 2.00 (C average). Students will be subject to suspension or dismissal from the University if during any fall or spring semester their overall UC GPA falls below a 2.00, or their semester GPA is less than 2.00. 
  • Students must achieve a minimum grade point average of 2.00 (C average) in upper division technical courses required for the major curriculum each semester.
  • A minimum overall grade point average of 2.00 and a minimum 2.00 grade point average in upper division technical course work required for the major are required to earn a Bachelor of Science in the College of Engineering.
  • Students must make normal degree progress toward the Bachelor of Science degree and their officially declared major.

Unit Requirements

To earn a Bachelor of Science in Engineering, students must complete at least 120 semester units of courses subject to certain guidelines:

  • Completion of the requirements of one engineering major program of study. 
  • A maximum of 16 units of special studies coursework (courses numbered 97, 98, 99, 197, 198, or 199) is allowed to count towards the B.S. degree, and no more than 4 units in any single term can be counted.
  • A maximum of 4 units of physical education from any school attended will count towards the 120 units.
  • Passed (P) grades may account for no more than one third of the total units completed at UC Berkeley, Fall Program for First Semester (FPF), UC Education Abroad Program (UCEAP), or UC Berkeley Washington Program (UCDC) toward the 120 overall minimum unit requirement. Transfer credit is not factored into the limit. This includes transfer units from outside of the UC system, other UC campuses, credit-bearing exams, as well as UC Berkeley Extension XB units.

Normal Progress

Students in the College of Engineering must enroll in a full-time program and make normal progress each semester toward their declared major.  Students who fail to achieve normal academic progress shall be subject to suspension or dismissal. (Note: Students with official accommodations established by the Disabled Students' Program, with health or family issues, or with other reasons deemed appropriate by the dean may petition for an exception to normal progress rules.)

UC and Campus Requirements

University of California Requirements

Entry Level Writing

All students who will enter the University of California as freshmen must demonstrate their command of the English language by satisfying the Entry Level Writing Requirement (ELWR). The UC Entry Level Writing Requirement website provides information on how to satisfy the requirement.

American History and American Institutions

The American History and Institutions (AH&I) requirements are based on the principle that a US resident graduated from an American university should have an understanding of the history and governmental institutions of the United States.

Campus Requirement

American Cultures

The American Cultures requirement is a Berkeley campus requirement, one that all undergraduate students at Berkeley need to pass in order to graduate. You satisfy the requirement by passing, with a grade not lower than C- or P, an American Cultures course. You may take an American Cultures course any time during your undergraduate career at Berkeley. The requirement was instituted in 1991 to introduce students to the diverse cultures of the United States through a comparative framework. Courses are offered in more than fifty departments in many different disciplines at both the lower and upper division level.

 

Plan of Study

For more detailed information regarding the courses listed below (e.g., elective information, GPA requirements, etc.,), please see the College Requirements and Major Requirements tabs.

Freshman
FallUnitsSpringUnits
CHEM 1A & CHEM 1AL, or CHEM 4A65MATH 1B4
MATH 1A4PHYSICS 7A or 5A13-4
Humanities/Social Sciences course43-4ENGIN 7 or COMPSCI 61A4
Reading & Composition Part A Course44Reading & Composition Part B Course44
 16-17 15-16
Sophomore
FallUnitsSpringUnits
COMPSCI 61B or 61BL4EECS 16A4
MAT SCI 4553PHYSICS 7C or 5C and 5CL14-5
MAT SCI 45L51MATH 544
MATH 534Humanities/Social Sciences course43-4
PHYSICS 7B or 5B and 5BL14-5 
 16-17 15-17
Junior
FallUnitsSpringUnits
COMPSCI 61C, COMPSCI 61CL, or EECS 16B4EL ENG 1054
MAT SCI 1023EL ENG 126 or STAT 1344
PHYSICS 137A4MAT SCI 1033
ENGIN 40 or PHYSICS 1124MAT SCI 104
104L
4
 15 15
Senior
FallUnitsSpringUnits
EL ENG 1174MAT SCI 111 or EL ENG 1304
EL ENG 140 or EECS 151 + (EECS 151LA OR EECS 151LB)23-5Technical Electives2,36-8
MAT SCI 1313Humanities/Social Sciences course43-4
PHYSICS 141A4 
Humanities/Social Sciences course43-4 
 17-20 13-16
Total Units: 122-133
1

Students may choose to take the Physics 7 series or the Physics 5 series. Students who fulfill Physics 7A with an AP exam score, transfer work, or at Berkeley may complete the physics requirement by taking either Physics 7B and 7C, or Physics 5B/5BL and 5C/5CL. Students who take Physics 5A must take Physics 5B/5BL and 5C/5CL to complete the physics requirement. Completion of Physics 5A and Physics 7B  and 7C will not fulfill the physics requirement.

2

EECS 151 + EECS 151LA/EECS 151LB may be used to fulfill only one requirement.

3

Technical electives must include two courses:

4

The Humanities/Social Sciences (H/SS) requirement includes two approved Reading & Composition (R&C) courses and four additional approved courses, with which a number of specific conditions must be satisfied. R&C courses must be taken for a letter grade (C- or better required). The first half (R&C Part A) must be completed by the end of the freshman year; the second half (R&C Part B) must be completed by no later than the end of the sophomore year. The remaining courses may be taken at any time during the program. See engineering.berkeley.edu/hss for complete details and a list of approved courses.

5

MAT SCI 45/MAT SCI 45L can be taken in either the Fall or Spring semesters. Both offerings deliver the same fundamental content.  The Fall offering draws more examples from hard materials (e.g. semiconductors, metals and ceramics), whereas the Spring offering will draw more examples from soft materials (e.g. polymers and biomaterials).

6

CHEM 4A is intended for students majoring in chemistry or a closely related field.

Student Learning Goals

Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences

MISSION
  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
  1. An ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering.
  2. An ability to configure, apply test conditions, and evaluate outcomes of experimental systems.
  3. An ability to design systems, components, or processes that conform to given specifications and cost constraints.
  4. An ability to work cooperatively, respectfully, creatively, and responsibly as a member of a team.
  5. An ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems.
  6. An understanding of the norms of expected behavior in engineering practice and their underlying ethical foundations.
  7. An ability to communicate effectively by oral, written, and graphical means.
  8. An awareness of global and societal concerns and their importance in developing engineering solutions.
  9. An ability to independently acquire and apply required information, and an appreciation of the associated process of life-long learning.
  10. A knowledge of contemporary issues.
  11. An in-depth ability to use a combination of software, instrumentation, and experimental techniques practiced in circuits, physical electronics, communication, networks and systems, hardware, programming, and computer science theory.

Materials Science

Measured Curricular Outcomes

The program is designed around a set of curricular outcomes. 

  1. Be able to apply general math, science and engineering skills to the solution of engineering problems.
  2. Be aware of the social, safety and environmental consequences of their work, and be able to engage in public debate regarding these issues.
  3. Be able to apply core concepts in materials science to solve engineering problems.
  4. Be knowledgeable of contemporary issues relevant to materials science and engineering.
  5. Be able to select materials for design and construction.
  6. Understand the importance of life-long learning.
  7. Be able to design and conduct experiments, and to analyze data.
  8. Understand the professional and ethical responsibilities of a materials scientist and engineer.
  9. Be able to work both independently and as part of a team.
  10. Be able to communicate effectively while speaking, employing graphics, and writing.
  11. Possess the skills and techniques necessary for modern materials engineering practice.
Educational Objectives for Graduates

Stated succinctly, graduates from the program will have the following skills: 

  1. Know the fundamental science and engineering principles relevant to materials.
  2. Understand the relationship between nano/microstructure, characterization, properties and processing, and design of materials.
  3. Have the experimental and computational skills for a professional career or graduate study in materials.
  4. Possess a knowledge of the significance of research, the value of continued learning, and environmental/social issues surrounding materials.
  5. Be able to communicate effectively, to work in teams and to assume positions as leaders.

Courses

• Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences

• Materials Science and Engineering

Electrical Engineering Courses

Materials Science and Engineering Courses

Contact Information

Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences and Materials Science Engineering Program

Visit Program Website

Department Chair, EECS

Claire Tomlin, PhD

231 Cory Hall

Phone: 510-642-0253

eecs-chair@eecs.berkeley.edu.

Department Chair, MSE

Junqiao Wu, PhD

wuj@berkeley.edu

Undergraduate Student Services Advisor (MSE)

Medina Kohzad

210 HMMB

medinakohzad@berkeley.edu

Undergraduate Student Services Advisors (EECS)

EECS Undergrad Advising

205 Cory Hall

eecs-advising@eecs.berkeley.edu

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