Chemistry in L&S vs. College of Chemistry

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of California - Berkeley
1

I was recently admitted to UC Berkeley College of Letters and Science for applied math, but I realized that I am actually more interested in chemistry than in math. I know that it is super hard to to transfer into other colleges such as COC or COE, but I noticed that there’s also a chemistry major in L&S. How different is it from the chemistry major in COC? Is it worth it to take it if I want to go into chemistry-related fields in the future?

2

It depends on what you mean by “chemistry-related fields”.

If you want to be a high school chemistry teacher, or a medical lab technician, or a pharmaceutical sales rep, then the BA in Chemistry through L&S would be appropriate.

If you want a career that requires graduate level study in chemistry, then you will want to be in the BS program in the CoC.

It is possible to change colleges after two semesters (assuming that you are an entering freshman, not a transfer student). Chemistry is not an overcrowded major.

The general education requirements are quite different between L&S and CoC. If you intend to eventually change colleges to CoC, then you should work with an advisor there to make sure you pursue the right sequence of courses. There is not a huge amount of wiggle room if you want to graduate in four years.

3

CoC chemistry (BS):
http://chemistry.berkeley.edu/ugrad/degrees/chem

L&S chemistry (BA):
http://chemistry.berkeley.edu/ugrad/degrees/chem/ba

Differences:

  • L&S may substitute 103, 135 for 104A, 104B
  • CoC requires 125 or C182 and one of 105, 108, 115, 146, while L&S requires one of 105, 108, 115, 125, C170L, C182.
  • CoC requires 15 additional units in chemistry and allied subjects (including at least one chemistry course).
  • CoC and L&S breadth requirements are different.

http://chemistry.berkeley.edu/ugrad/degrees recommends the CoC version for those going on to graduate study in chemistry. It does look possible to do L&S version but add additional chemistry and allied subject courses so that you take a similar selection of courses as one in the CoC version of the major.

The career survey combines the chemistry majors from CoC and L&S, so it is not obvious if their post-graduation destinations are any different.
https://career.berkeley.edu/Survey/2015Majors