Current UCSB students in a non-engineering major, as well as students wishing to change from one engineering major to another, are welcome to apply after the satisfactory completion of a pre-defined set of coursework (see below). However, due to the current demand for engineering majors, students are cautioned that it is a very competitive process and not all applicants will be able to change their majors due to limited space availability.
Students who enter UCSB as transfer students will not be able to change to or add an engineering major, if not initially accepted into one. Students who began as freshmen who plan to enter an engineering major or to change from one engineering major to another will be expected to complete at least 30 units at UCSB before petitioning for a change of major and usually must satisfy the prerequisites of the prospective major. Students who have completed more than 105 units will not be considered for a change of major/change of college in engineering or computer science.
Chemical Engineering. Admission to the Chemical Engineering major is determined by a number of factors, including each student's academic performance and trajectory, as well as current enrollments in Chemical Engineering classes. Freshman should apply during the Spring term of their Freshman year, and may reapply during their Sophomore year. Sophomores may only apply one time during the Spring term of their Sophomore year. Applicants must have a 3.0 GPA or above, and satisfactorily complete the following courses or their equivalents: Math 3A, 3B, 4A; Chem 1A-1AL or 2A-2AC, 1B-1BL or 2B-2BC, and 1C-1CL or 2C-2CC. Recommended courses include: ENGR 3; Physics 1-2; ChE 5, 10, 110AB (110AB may be taken concurrently at time of application).
Computer Engineering. Students may petition to enter the Computer Engineering major at any time both of the following requirements are met:
- An overall UCSB grade point average of at least 3.0.
- Satisfactory completion at UCSB, with a grade point average of 3.0 or better, of any five classes, including at least two Electrical & Computer Engineering (ECE) classes and two Computer Science (CMPSC) classes, from the following: Mathematics 4B, ECE 10A &AL, ECE 10B & BL, ECE 10C & CL, ECE 15A, CMPSC 16, 24, 32, 40.
Acceptance into the major will be based on UC grade point averages, applicable courses completed, and space availability. All students considering changing into Computer Engineering are required to meet with the ECE Academic Advisor during their first year.
- Please note that in the count of classes, the lectures and its lab (ECE 10A & 10AL) of the ECE 10 series are considered 1 class.
Computer Science. Students may petition to enter the Computer Science major when the following requirements are met:
- An overall UCSB grade point average of at least 3.0;
- Satisfactory completion of Computer Science 16, 24, and 40 with a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher; First takes only
- Satisfactory completion of Math 3A, 3B, 4A, and 4B with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher; First takes only
The selection process is highly competitive and these milestones are minimum requirements for consideration, achieving them does not guarantee admission to the Computer Science major. More information can be found at cs.ucsb.edu/education/undergrad/admissions.
Electrical Engineering. Students may petition to enter the Electrical Engineering major at any time both of the following requirements are met:
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An overall UCSB grade point average of at least 3.0.
- Satisfactory completion at UCSB, with a grade point average of 3.0 or better, of at least five classes, including at least two Electrical & Computer Engineering (ECE) classes and two Computer Science (CMPSC) classes, from the following: Mathematics 4B, Math 6A, Math 6B, ECE 10A &AL, ECE 10B & BL, ECE 10C & CL, and ECE 15A. The calculation of minimum GPA will be based on all classes completed from this list at the time of petitioning.
Acceptance into the major will be based on UC grade point averages, applicable courses completed, and space availability. All students considering changing into Electrical Engineering are required to meet with the ECE Academic Advisor during their first year.
- Please note that in the count of classes, the lectures and its lab (ECE 10A & 10AL) of the ECE 10 series are considered 1 class.
Mechanical Engineering. Students admitted for Fall 2022: Before petitioning for a change of major to mechanical engineering, a minimum of eight (8) core courses from the following list must be completed: Chem 1A-1B; ENGR 3; Math 3A-B; Math 4A-B; Math 6A-B; PHYS 1, 2, 3, 3L; ME 10; ME 14; ME 15; ME 17 (three of the eight courses must include PHYS 3/3L, ME 14, and ME 17). Acceptance into the major will be based on UC grade point averages, applicable courses completed, and space availability. The calculation of the minimum GPA will be based on all classes from this list completed at the time of petitioning. All students considering changing into Mechanical Engineering are required to meet with the ME Academic Advisor during their first year. Admission by change of major into Mechanical Engineering is both limited and competitive. Petitions are required once students have been admitted through the change of major process. Please visit the ME Department website for more information.