UC Berkeley Transfer - Changing Majors from Philosophy to Physics after admission, is it possible?

Transfer Students
1

Hi guys,

I’ve read posts here and there but finally had a question I couldn’t find a direct answer too (hopefully I didn’t fail to look hard enough).

My GF just got accepted to UC Berkeley for Philosophy this Fall. Her plan was to major is Physics and Philosophy while at Cal, but is having second thoughts about the school allowing her to double major as a transfer. She has some math backround, however, not enough to have been able to transfer into their physics program directly if you go by Assist.org standards. She has been secretary of the physics club at her CC, she has gone to a ‘Women’s Physics Conference’ and just finished NASA’s NCAS rover competition. She has a 3.7 GPA from CC with a few math and physics classes sprinkled in (again, not a whole lot). She decided she wanted to do physics last summer, and because of that doesn’t have the strongest physics background, but since summer has focused all her energy into it. She is aware that transfers cannot switch majors for their first semester, so the switch/change (if possible) would begin after her first semester.

This is my question. Is it possible for her to enter as a philosophy major at UC Berkeley, add physics and have a double major and then after some time either drop philosophy completely or turn it into a minor?? Will Cal let her do a 180 and switch majors??

Thanks in advance!!
-LEGO :slight_smile:

2

Both philosophy and physics are in L&S, and neither is an impacted major. She will enter undeclared, but will be expected to complete the remaining prerequisites and declare a major as soon as possible.

What math and physics courses will she have by the time she transfers? That will determine whether it is realistic to complete a physics degree in four semesters after transfer.

The expected completed courses for a first semester junior are:

Math 1A and 1B - single variable calculus
Math 53 - multivariable calculus
Math 54 - linear algebra and differential equations
Physics 7A, 7B, 7C or 5A, 5B, 5C (and labs) - calculus-based physics for physics majors

If she can finish any missing courses from the above in the first semester, she may be able to finish the (eight) upper division physics courses in three remaining semesters, though it may require a heavier load of physics courses than usual (the usual is two upper division physics courses per semester).

3

I will ask her and find out asap. She will probably make an account and be able to answer herself for efficiency. Thank you, will update with more details as I receive them.