So I just got Regents for Engineering Undeclared at Berkeley, but I didn’t really do my research as to what this entails. I am aware that I am technically allowed to choose any major in the department within four semesters, but I also want to know the advantages and disadvantages of Engineering Undeclared. What priority do I have in choosing classes? How easy is it really to choose my major (even for the competitive BIOE or EECS), and if so, how far behind will I be compared to those who get accepted there first? Is it better to declare early or later? Are there any really big “required classes” for Undeclared that don’t count towards a major? I’m actually going in with a “intended major” that I really want to study, so I have no clue why I put undeclared, so what I really want to know is what undeclared really encompasses and if I will have an uphill battle.
You just need to be in good academic standing to declare any CoE major by your fourth semester.
http://engineering.berkeley.edu/academics/undergraduate-programs/undeclared
http://engineering.berkeley.edu/academics/undergraduate-guide/academic-departments-programs/engineering-undeclared
Engineering 92, a 1 unit seminar on the various kinds of engineering appears to be the only uniquely required course for CoE undeclared students.
If you know of one or more CoE majors that are of the strongest interest to you, then you can tailor your frosh schedule to those majors so that you will not be “behind”. What major(s) are you considering, and what AP and/or college credit will you be entering with?
I can place out of Math 1-A 1-B and Physics 7A I think. Also, intended EECS. What would I choose in place of the classes I place out of? Can I choose major related classes?
You may want to try the old final exams for Math 1A and 1B and Physics 7A before deciding to place out of them. See https://tbp.berkeley.edu/courses/ and https://math.berkeley.edu/courses/archives/exams . Note that Math 1B includes some introductory differential equations material that you not have had. In this case, if you skip Math 1B, you should self-study that material, since it may be assumed in other courses like Math 54, Physics 7B, EE 40, EE 20, and/or Economics 101A.
Note that lower division math and physics courses have honors sections.
If you do place out of them, consider Math 53, Physics 7B (Math 53 is a co-requisite for Physics 7B), and CS 61A. For the fourth course (or in substitution of one of the previous three if the schedule does not work out), consider an H/SS breadth course, CS 70, EE 40, or EE 20 (though the latter two may be better taken after Math 54).
EECS requires 30 units of math and science including Math 1A, 1B, 53, 54, CS 70, and Physics 7A, 7B – note that AP credit gives fewer units than the actual courses, so you may have to take additional science or math courses later.