Declaring The Major

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. 

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 should 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.

Review additional FAQs about the comprehensive review process.

The application for the Data Science major is 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

Spring 2024: February 5, 2024 - June 2, 2024* (deadline extended) 

• First day to apply with prerequisites in progress in Spring 2024: April 22, 2024. Applications will be reviewed after final grades are available, so students should expect a reply in late May or in June. 

Summer 2024: Exact dates TBD - Due to the impending transfer of majors from L&S to CDSS which will take place during summer 2024, we expect the Data Science major application to be closed in June and July, and to re-open in August 2024.

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.

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 Data Science major application form is currently closed and is expected to re-open in August 2024.

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.

For students who are already declared in a major and wish to add Data Science:

1.  Complete the Data Science BA worksheet and either the CDSS Double Major Application or Simultaneous Degree Application.
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. You will need to obtain a signature from your home/current major advisor and submit your completed packet to your home/current College Advising office for final approval.

The Data Science major application form is currently closed and is expected to re-open in August 2024.

Applications are typically processed within 10 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.

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

1.  Complete either the CDSS Double Major Application or Simultaneous Degree Application, and obtain a signature from the advisor of the major you wish to add.
2.  Upload your completed forms during the open application window, including your Data Science BA worksheet (you may need to update it if your plans have changed since you declared Data Science).
3.  Once your application has been approved, a Data Science Advisor will email you back with your signed forms. You will need to submit your completed packet to your home/current College Advising office for final approval.

The Data Science major application form is currently closed and is expected to re-open in August 2024.

Applications are typically processed within 10 business days after submission.