<p>Does anyone know of someone who's gotten approved by the dean to get an extra semester extension beyond the unit cap (L&S)? If so, what was their reasoning? I'm just curious because I really wish I could stay an extra semester to finish a second major, but I'll be over the unit cap before then (even the 136 unit cap). I'm guessing this isn't a good enough reason to get approved for another semester though. I'm settling on trying to finish a minor but I would like a major much much more.</p>
<p>You cannot manage to arrange your schedule to finish a semester with 135 units and the first major complete, then take 20 more units the following semester to complete the second major?</p>
<p>Unfortunately not. I’ve explored all the possibilities of fitting within the unit cap. I’ve considered every possible schedule arrangement but the fact is I started on my CS quest too late. Needing to finish courses in the 61 series prevented me from loading up on courses to finish within 5 semesters without having to worry about the unit cap. Also, since I started with my CS courses late, I have about 8 units of courses that don’t count for either my major or CS, which is why I’m going to be over the unit cap.</p>
<p>In spring 2012 even before I took 61A (I took it in the summer 2012, right after my first year at cal after transferring), I was trying to come up with a double major schedule and met with L&S advisors and the CS advisor. Unfortunately both of them concluded the same thing I did; it wasn’t possible without going over the unit cap, which is why I settled for just completing a minor. But now that I’m nearing my last semester (Fall 2013 would be my last if I can’t get an extension) and have taken more CS classes, I’m regretting even more that I can’t double major in it. It sucks that the only way for me to have double majored legitimately would have been if I started right when I transferred here. Being a transfer student, we basically get no time to explore classes that we might want to double major in. </p>
<p>When I talked to L&S advisors, although they knew my situation, none of them alluded that I should try to get an extra semester approved. That’s reasonable, they don’t want students to be here forever after all so they can’t just recommend it to everyone. I’m planning to see the counselors next week again though and specifically bring up the idea of getting an extra semester approved. Probably going to try and set up an appointment with the dean if I can to talk to them about it too. I already have a schedule plan that shows I only need one extra semester (assuming I can get into my courses, but if I’m a declared major I don’t think that should be a problem as a graduating senior, right?) to complete the double major so I think it’s reasonable. I was just curious if anyone had any information about it to ease my stress in the time being.</p>
<p>Given that a CS minor has 3 UD CS courses, and a CS major has 6 UD CS courses and 1 CS or other technical elective, how many courses would you actually be short of a CS major if you did not have the extra semester (i.e. just one course, or four courses?)?</p>
<p>Also, would UD courses for your other major be eligible to fulfill the [technical</a> elective](<a href=“http://www.eecs.berkeley.edu/csugrad/tech_electives.shtml]technical”>CS Major Upper Division Degree Requirements | EECS at UC Berkeley)?</p>
<p>If you want help figuring out the schedule puzzle, you may want to list:
- How many units you will have by the end of this semester (not including [deductible</a> units](<a href=“http://ls-advise.berkeley.edu/registration/deductible.html]deductible”>http://ls-advise.berkeley.edu/registration/deductible.html)).
- What major requirements you have left for your other major (which is?).
- What major requirements you have left for the CS major.</p>
<p>No idea on your chances of success in getting the extra semester. The only way to find out is to try, if you cannot make the schedule puzzle work.</p>
<p>There are some lower divisions that the major requires that the minor does not (Math54 and EE42). I would take these in the summer if I were to major though. So if I tried to get as close as I could to the major without actually getting it, I’d be short 3 upper divs after fall 2013. This is with me taking 2 CS UD and 1 MCB UD in the fall. I don’t think I will realistically get into any CS UD that I don’t phase I (since I’m a minor and have less priority), so that’s why I’m only taking 2 in the fall as opposed to 3. I suppose I may be able to get into something people avoid like 164 during phase II but I think that would be a ridiculous schedule. So in short, 3 UDs short of the major if I tried to get as close as I could.</p>
<p>Yea I took MCB C100A which satisfies the technical elective.</p>
<p>Thanks for the suggestions. I’ve looked at my schedule extensively for a while now so what I stated above is the optimal plan but here’s the gist of it. If I wanted to double major in CS and MCB, after this semester I will still need:</p>
<p>Math 54
EECS 42
5x CS UDs
1x MCB UD</p>
<p>Total units: 128 not including deductible units</p>
<p>If I go the route I am currently taking, to just get a minor, in the fall I’d take </p>
<p>2x CS UD
MCB UD</p>
<p>and be done. If I got an extra semester to complete a double major my schedule would look like this:</p>
<p>Summer 2013: Math 54, EECS42 or MCB UD (136 units total)
Fall 2013: 2x CS UD, EECS42 or MCB UD (~149 units total)
Spring 2014: 3x CS UD (~162 units total)</p>
<p>So it’s totally possible if I get that extra semester. Without, I’m stuck with only a minor. I’ve talked to about 3 advisers about my schedule as well as thought about possible loop holes on my own but that’s the best I can do what with the unit cap.</p>
<p>Yes, if you already have 128 units by the end of this spring, that makes it difficult. You need at least [13</a> units](<a href=“http://ls-advise.berkeley.edu/registration/schedule.html#minimum]13”>http://ls-advise.berkeley.edu/registration/schedule.html#minimum) in the fall unless you are graduating. This will put you over the unit ceiling.</p>
<p>If you cannot get past the unit ceiling, you might as well try to take 3 or 4 UD CS in the fall to get as many of the CS courses you want before you graduate (but the “extra” ones would have to be the less popular ones).</p>
<p>Another possibility if you just want to take more UD CS courses: continue to take UD CS courses after fall 2013 using [UCB</a> Extension Concurrent Enrollment](<a href=“http://extension.berkeley.edu/info/ConcurrentOverview.html]UCB”>http://extension.berkeley.edu/info/ConcurrentOverview.html). But only less popular UD CS courses would have space available.</p>
<p>Is it possible to get a degree if I finish the requirements through extension? That is, if I take math54 and ee42 this summer, then am able to finish the UD CS courses through extension after I graduate, will they grant me a CS degree? Also, extension students get priorty after all UCB students, correct? Are there really any classes open after that? I would suck it up and take 3 hellish classes through extension if it meant they’d grant me a degree.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>No idea how that works if you complete a second major through UCB Extension Concurrent Enrollment after graduating with your first major. You may have to ask around.</p>
<p>Currently, 150, 152, 164, 188, 194-8, 194-23, 195, H195 have more than 10% space available, according to the schedule. Last fall, 161, 162, 170, 174, 184, 186, 194-15, 194-25 had more than 10% space available. Note, however, that some courses with more than 10% space available one semester were packed full the other semester, possibly due to instructor popularity.</p>
<p>Math 54 and EE 42 can be taken at CCs, though offerings may be sparse in the summer. But if you already have 70+ CC units, taking them at CCs would not count additionally against the unit limit (but you may need to get permission from your major to do so).</p>
<p>If I remember correctly, 150, 152 and 164 are suppose to be pretty rigorous classes. I’m in 188 right now and I believe 194’s are Decals. Not sure what the 195s are. I can only hope there’s space if I do decide to go through extension later. Btw, what is/was your major? Just curious if you know anything about if 4 UD CS classes would be overkill or not. I’m thinking yes. I know I can handle 3 but 4…I’m not so sure about that.</p>
<p>Even without math54 and ee42 I’d be over the unit cap, so it makes no difference really if I get unit credit for them or not so I’d probably take them at Cal if I do.</p>
<p>EDIT: I don’t really trust the amount of open space shown on the schedule considering it’s pretty well into the semester. I know of plenty of people who couldn’t get into 170 and had to find alternative courses. I think the 10% space we see if from people dropping most likely. I looked at enrollment during the beginning of the semester and pretty much all the class I had any interest in (170, 161, 162, 160, 169) has a long wait list.</p>
<p>194 are special topics. 198 are DeCals. 195/H195 are social implications of computing (195 is a 1-unit lecture; H195 is 3 units and requires additional class time and discussion and a term paper – workload is probably like an H/SS course).</p>
<p>150, 152, 164, 184 are generally considered high workload courses, as they have large projects (programming or hardware design) in addition to the usual amount of class work. The theory courses are less workload, if you are good at math. 3-4 UD CS courses should be doable if only 2 at most have substantial programming or hardware design assignments (you can check the course home pages to see what kind of assignments and projects are typical in each course).</p>
<p>Thanks for the info. If I pushed it and took maybe math54 and my mcb ud in the summer, then 4 cs ud in the fall, I’d be two classes short of the major. Do you think that’d be a good choice considering I’d only get a minor? I feel like software companies will not realize that I would basically have completed the same reqs as cs majors minus two courses and all they will see is that I have a minor. I guess I’ll feel sort of cheated in a way knowing I got so close without recognition even though I would have learned more.</p>
<p>You could list your CS courses on your resume when you apply for jobs. In the software industry, there are people who majored in non-CS subjects like physics, math, and various social studies majors, but have self-educated enough CS (possibly starting from introductory level CS courses in college) to be employable. Having a CS minor is an even better starting point.</p>
<p>It is likely that CS 170, 162, 186, 161, 169, and EE 122 contain the concepts most heavily used in industry software jobs.</p>
<p>If your summer plan includes an UD MCB course and either EE 42 or Math 54, consider the following:</p>
<ul>
<li>EE 42 is a prerequisite for CS 150.</li>
<li>Math 54 is a prerequisite for CS 184, 189, C191.</li>
<li>Math 54 is more available in community colleges than EE 42.</li>
<li>Although not explicitly listed as a prerequisite, Math 54 knowledge is probably useful in EE 42.</li>
</ul>
<p>Thanks for all the information. I’m glad to hear that 161 is heavily used in the industry because I was thinking of taking that course out of self interest. Initially I was thinking of taking 170 and 162 in the fall as my two UD courses for practicality reasons. After your suggestions, I’m thinking of going for summer school so I can take at least 3 UDs in the fall. The unfortunate part, again, is that my priority as a minor will be limited. I’ll still have to hope I get into the courses I add in phase I. Phase II I will probably have to settle. Unfortunately none of the more useful classes you listed don’t seem phase II-able. I guess the best I can hope for is that the professors next semester are the less sought after ones so I’ll be more likely to get in.</p>