I applied to UC Irvine and was accepted into the major Biomedical Engineering. I did this because it seemed like this major would be the best way to get a background it intellectual property, which is useful for patent law, the field I am interested in going into. After doing some research though, I am beginning to think that computer science would be better to prepare me for patent law. How hard would it be to switch from BME into computer science. I figure it might not be that hard because I am already in the engineering college.
CS is not in the Engineering college but in the College of Information and Computer Science so you would be changing colleges.
**» Changing From a Major in Another School to ICS
ICS accepts applications for change of major after requirements are met and grades are posted on your transcript.
Change of major is not automatic. It is a carefully thought out process that takes early planning, a good work ethic, academic strength, and a clear graduation plan toward your new major.
Please watch this short video: How to Change Majors (requires a WebEx download to view)
Then, take these next steps:
Visit the UCI Change of Major Criteria website for a listing of specific change of major guidelines for our majors.
Note: we do not make exceptions to policy.
Most majors have a unit cap.
BIM is a capacity restricted major. Change of majors will only be admitted if space is available.
Change of major criteria applies to students with 120 units or less. Please see UCI’s change of major guidelines for additional information.
Meeting with an academic counselor or peer academic advisor is recommended. They will help you determine the most efficient way for you to meet the degree requirements of your new intended major.
If you are eligible to change, submit a Change of Major Application online through your Student Access page.
Applications are processed after grades are posted. Allow for 2-3 weeks’ processing time.
Please be aware that submitting an application does not guarantee that you will be admitted. Should your application be denied, you will be contacted by an ICS academic counselor.
Cumulative UC GPA: Minimum of 2.7 GPA overall
Minimum GPA of 2.7 in the quarter immediately preceding the change of major
Course grades:
A minimum GPA of 3.0 and no grade less than a C in ALL courses taken from those listed below. Completion of the following:
ICS 31 and ICS 32, or
ICS 32A and ICS 33, and
One or more of Math 2A, Math 2B, ICS 6B, ICS 6D, ICS 6N
Other
90 units of less. Students with more than 90 units may not be admitted to the major; they will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis provided they have made substantial progress in courses required for the major.
Students must be in good academic standing.
Students must complete all change of major requirements at the time of application.
Student performance in coursework taken toward intended major’s degree requirements will be factored into consideration during change of major review and may result in denial of admission into the major.**
When you attend orientation, also mention to the academic advisor of your plan to change majors and figure out a schedule to help with the major switch.
@Gumbymom Thanks for the reply. I didn’t realize that Computer Science is in a separate school. from engineering. Do you think it would be easier for me to switch into the major Computer Science and Engineering? I know that is in the engineering school, so I would not be switching schools.
Probably easier to switch within Colleges but Computer Science and Engineering is a joint program between the College of Engineering and College of Information and Computer Science
Change of Major criteria:::
Cumulative UC GPA: 2.7 overall and 2.7 quarterly GPA in the quarter immediately preceding the change of major request.
Course grades: Minimum 3.0 GPA in prerequisite courses:
Math 2A-B-D.
Physics 7C-7D, 7LC-7LD.
ICS 21-22 or CSE 31-32 or ICS 31-32 or CSE 41-42.
@Gumbymom Oh ok. Something I am considering doing is switching out of my current major and into undeclared, since UC Irvine let’s you change your admitted major before you begin the term, as long as it is a non-impacted major. I don’t think I want to study BME, but I would be interested in computer science. At least if I switched into undeclared, it will be easier to take the prerequisite classes. I could also study something like Applied Mathematics as a back-up. The only reason I have been reluctant to do this is because I thought maybe being in the engineering school would make it easier to switch into Computer Science and Engineering. But since it is offered jointly with the School of Information, this might not be the case. It certainly didn’t seem that way on the UCI website. I know this is similar to the last question, but do you think switching to undeclared would make it considerably harder to then switch into Computer Science and engineering?
I would stay in Bioengineering since some of the Bioengineering pre-req’s would overlap with either CS or CSE so you would have an advantage in getting your classes so can fulfill the major change course requirements easier.
@Gumbymom Ok, thanks for the information