2 Pathways to Apply to Data Science

Comprehensive Review

  • First-year students admitted to UC Berkeley in Fall 2023 or later who did not select Data Science on their admissions application
  • All students admitted to UC Berkeley Fall 2024 or later who were not admitted directly into the major

See the Comprehensive Review page for details.

 

Prerequisite Pathway

  • All students admitted to UC Berkeley prior to Fall 2023
  • First-year students admitted to UC Berkeley in Fall 2023 with Data Science as your intended major on your admission application (currently listed as "HD Data Science" in CalCentral)
  • Transfer students admitted to UC Berkeley in Fall 2023 or Spring 2024 who have not completed 2 semesters or more at UC Berkeley

See details below about applying through the Prerequisite Pathway.

What is the Prerequisite Pathway for declaring Data Science?

The Prerequisite Pathway describes the process and criteria to declare the Data Science major for students admitted before the inception of Comprehensive Review. These students will be eligible to declare by completing the required prerequisite courses and meeting all criteria and deadlines listed below.

Need Advising?

Data Science advisors are available to help! Email us at ds-advising@berkeley.edu, or find out about our other advising services.

Eligibility to Declare: Prerequisite Pathway

All prerequisites to declare must be completed for a letter grade and passed with a 'C-' or higher. (See below for prerequisites.)

  • Required GPA: 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.
  • Upper-division Courses: 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.
  • Repeating Courses: For the purpose of declaring the Data Science major, we follow 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.
    • We will not consider a grade in a second attempt in a course you have previously passed, and we will not consider a grade in a second repeat (third attempt) of the same course. 
    • Repeating a requirement outside of UC Berkeley counts toward the repeat limit, for the purpose of declaring the Data Science major.
    • Repeating a course that restricts earning credit due to overlap of course content (e.g. taking Math 56 after Math 54, or taking Data C88C after CS 61A) counts toward the repeat limit, for the purpose of declaring the Data Science 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. 

Other Exceptions: If you are concerned about your ability to meet the declaration criteria for the prerequisite pathway, and/or have extenuating circumstances that have affected your progress, please consult with a Data Science advisor about your options.

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. 

Requirement Preferred Course Alternate Course Options

*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)

Calculus I

MATH 1A or N1A or approved high school exam credit

MATH 10A or MATH 16A

Calculus II

MATH 1B or N1B or approved high school exam credit

 

*Linear Algebra

MATH 56 (offered as Math 91 in F22) or

MATH 54/W54/N54 or

STAT 89A

PHYSICS 89 or

EE/EECS 16A+16B (both required)

Program Structures

COMPSCI/DATA C88C (formerly COMPSCI 88) or 

COMPSCI 61A

ENGIN 7

*Data Structures

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.

When can I apply?

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.

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.

All Students Admitted Prior to Fall 2023 

  • 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; please consult with a CDSS College Advisor with any questions about this deadline.

Transfer Students Admitted in Fall 2023 or Spring 2024

  • Declare major no later than the end of your 2nd semester in attendance at UC Berkeley.

How do I apply?

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

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 is currently closed and will re-open Feb 10, 2025.

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

  1.  Complete the Data Science BA worksheet and Simultaneous 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 worksheet and Simultaneous 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 is currently closed and will re-open Feb 10, 2025.

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.

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 is currently closed and will re-open Feb 10, 2025.

Applications are typically processed within 10 business days after submission.