The computer science, data science and statistics undergraduate majors leading to Bachelor of Arts degrees are now administered by UC Berkeley’s first new college in more than 50 years.
Following university approval in December, the College of Letters & Science transferred these majors and a statistics minor to the College of Computing, Data Science, and Society. The new college will oversee these programs as part of its mission to help develop tomorrow’s diverse, knowledgeable and ethical data leaders.
"Students demanded the creation of this college," said Deborah Nolan, the college’s associate dean of students. “The transfer of the major programs is a natural next step, bringing students into the CDSS home.”
The UC Board of Regents voted to establish the College of Computing, Data Science, and Society in May 2023. The Committee on Budget and Interdepartmental Relations, Undergraduate Council and the Divisional Council of Berkeley’s Academic Senate reviewed and endorsed the transfer of the statistics, data science and computer science programs to the college this fall. Vice Provost for Academic Planning Lisa Alvarez-Cohen provided the final approval last month.
The new college now oversees the instruction and welfare of students in the computer science, data science and statistics programs. It aims to create a shared community and identity for the students, staff and faculty and to improve coordination across these majors for academic support, advising, co-curricular programs, career advising and internship placement.
Berkeley is in the process of updating student information systems to reflect this transfer. Students in these majors will receive their degree from the College of Computing, Data Science, and Society starting this spring at its inaugural undergraduate commencement ceremony.
Undergraduate students can learn more about what the transfer of these majors means for them and what to expect moving forward from this Frequently Asked Questions resource.
