Information for Current UCB Students
Interested in Transferring into Civil & Environmental Engineering

We welcome students who are interested in declaring or switching their major to Civil & Environmental Engineering. A good starting point for learning more about the major is our web site (See the CEE Undergraduate Admission page). You may also find our 1-unit freshman seminars (CE 24) and Introduction to Civil Engineering (CE 92) provide good opportunities to learn more about the major and to meet faculty and other students.

What classes should I take?

Before you switch majors, you can get more information about Engineering by taking required sophomore-level classes such as CE 11 (Environmental Engineering), CE C30 (Mechanics), E 7 (Computing), CE 60 (Civil Engineering Materials), CE 70 (Geo-Engineering), and CE 93 (Data Analysis). In terms of lower division math and science courses, we require Math 1A, 1B, 53, and 54; Chemistry 1A or 4A; Physics 7A and 7B; and either Chemistry 1B, Chemistry 4B or Physics 7C (take whichever is more interesting to you).

As a Berkeley Engineering student, how do I change majors?

If you are already an Engineering student (either Engineering Undeclared or any other Engineering major), you should discuss your plans to switch with a faculty member (undergraduate adviser) in Civil & Environmental Engineering, and your student affairs adviser in 308 McLaughlin. The freshman year is quite similar for all engineering majors. The list of required courses starts to diverge in sophomore year.  While math and science requirements are still mostly the same, engineering course requirements differ by major. You need to be on a path so that you complete your degree requirements within 4 years from the time you arrived at Berkeley.

As a current UCB student in Letters & Science or another college, how do I transfer to Engineering?

The College of Engineering reviews change of college petitions once a year in February. We review your academic record (UC GPA), written statement of why you want to become a Civil Engineering major, and the extent to which you have completed required lower division coursework. It is necessary that you be able to complete your Bachelor's degree within 4 years total time at UCB. Students who transfer into CEE usually have a B average or better, have already taken some CEE courses, and write persuasively about coursework, interests, and other experience that are relevant to the intended CEE major. Applications will be available in early January 2010 for admission in Fall 2010.

To be eligible to apply for a transfer you must attend a transfer workshop, offered by the College. You will need to register in 308 McLaughlin (College of Engineering Student Affairs Office) prior to attending a workshop.

Can I minor in Civil Engineering?

Yes. CEE offers two minors: a minor in Environmental Engineering and a minor in Structural Engineering. For full information on the requirements for the minors and how to apply go to CEE Undergraduate Minors.

As a student at another university or a junior college, how do I transfer to UCB?

We normally accept transfer applications from students who will be completing their sophomore year before they transfer to Berkeley. Preference is given to top-performing students from California community colleges, as specified by the state's master plan for higher education. For more information, visit Transfer Students to CEE.