<p>I want to double major in History and Political Science, but having all the breadth requirements in the way is kinda frustrating me by eating up all my units. </p>
<p>What's the best course of action towards balancing major prereqs and breadth reqs?</p>
<p>Also, when is the earliest possible time I can get academic advising? CalSO? I already registered for the earliest possible date - the may 31st CalSO.</p>
<p>Thanks for any help you can give.</p>
<p>Hmm, assuming you are coming in with nothing…you need a total of 24 classes to satisfy the major requirements. Then you need 7 breadth classes and 1 AC course and 2 R&C classes to satisfy the college requirements. But, there is a good amount of overlap. </p>
<p>Note that one history course can be used toward the political science major. So, now you need 23 + 10 = 33 courses total. A maximum of 2 history and 2 political science courses count toward the breadth. So, now you need 29 classes. </p>
<p>Most AC courses also cover some sort of breadth requirement. So, that knocks off another class you have to take. Now you only need 28 classes. 8 semesters, 28 classes => 4 classes a semester for 4 semesters and 3 classes a semester for 4 semesters. But, the catch is you have to take at least 13 units a semester (which generally implies at least 4 classes per semester, with some exceptions). So, if you actually stay at Berkeley for 4 years, you will most likely take around 32 classes (assuming you’re doing the minimum) so you actually have room to play around with your schedule.</p>
<p>Now, let’s assume you got a 5 on AP Lit. 26 classes. 8 semesters, 26 classes => 3 classes a semester for 6 semesters & 4 classes a semester for 2 semesters.</p>
<p>Point is, I don’t think breadth requirements will hold you back at all if you follow some sort of plan.</p>
<p>It’s definitely doable without too much work. Also a lot of breath can also count towards the major as well. I’m a Political Science Major myself and I used Poli Sci 5 to fulfill the International Studies breath, Poli Sci 4 to fulfill the Philosophy and Values breath, and History 7A for the Historical Studies. That’s 3/7 right there. So its actually really doable.</p>
<p>Number of courses:</p>
<p>12 = history major
12 = political science major
-1 = overlap between the majors (one history course)
2 = reading and composition (if you have no AP English credit)
7 = L&S 7 course breadth</p>
<h2>-4 = history and political science courses in L&S 7 course breadth (HS, IS, PV, SBS categories)</h2>
<p>28 courses</p>
<p>Since a typical course load is about 4 courses per semester, or about 32 courses over 8 semesters, that should easily fit.</p>
<p>Note that the history major requires History 7A or 7B, either of which fulfills the American Cultures requirement, so you do not have to worry about that.</p>
<p>Very doable in Berkeley. DS is doing it and loving it, and his majors have less overlap than the ones you are after. I must commend you on your complementary double disciplines.
I see you got some fine practical advise above. I’ll only add that once you have advisors (you’ll need one in each of your majors) enlist their help with this. You’ll be directed to classes you didn’t even realize existed. Berkeley is a candy store for the genuinely ambitious and interested students.</p>
<p>Hi everyone,</p>
<p>Thank you for all the help! (: I am hoping to graduate in three years, and with perhaps a summer class or two, this should definitely be achievable. You all assayed my fears very well.</p>
<p>Well, I guess now that I know I can pull the double major off, I guess it’s time to start looking into what to take. Like a kid in a candy store is the right metaphor indeed, 205mom.</p>
<p>7 semesters would be 28 courses at normal course loads, so you can make it work without summer courses or overloading if you pick courses carefully (but you will have no free electives).</p>
<p>6 semesters would be 24 courses at normal course loads. To do that, you would need to do some combination of:</p>
<ul>
<li>Summer courses: up to 2 per summer</li>
<li>Overloading: more than 4 courses or 15-16 units in some semesters</li>
<li>AP English credit: R&C A for a score of 4, R&C A&B for a score of 5 on literature</li>
</ul>