EECS and Nuclear Engineering - Berkeley Engineering (2024)

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Find out more about these majors: and Nuclear Engineering

Degree worksheet:2023

Undergraduate programs and degree worksheets from previous years are available through theUndergraduate Guide archive.

2024-2025 Joint Major Program in Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences and Nuclear Engineering*
CourseFallSpring
Freshman Year
CHEM 1A+1AL – General Chemistry, or CHEM 4A – General Chemistry and Quantitative Analysis(1)

5

COMPSCI 61A – Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs, or ENGIN 7 – Introduction to Computer Programming for Scientists and Engineers

4

COMPSCI 61B – Data Structures, or 61BL – Data Structures and Programming Methodology

4

MATH 1A – Calculus

4

MATH 1B – Calculus

4

PHYSICS 7A – Physics for Scientists and Engineers, or PHYSICS 5A – Introductory Mechanics and Relativity(2)

3-4

Reading & Composition Part A Course(3)

4

Reading & Composition Part B Course(3)

4

Total

17

15-16

Sophom*ore Year
MATSCI 45 – Properties of Materials + MATSCI 45L – Properties of Materials Laboratory

4

EECS 16A – Designing Information Devices and Systems I

4

EECS 16B – Designing Information Devices and Systems II

4

MATH 53 – Multivariable Calculus

4

MATH 54 – Linear Algebra and Differential Equations

4

PHYSICS 7B – Physics for Scientists and Engineers, or PHYSICS 5B – Introductory Electromagnetism, Waves, and Optics + PHYSICS 5BL – Introduction to Experimental Physics(2)

4-5

PHYSICS 7C – Physics for Scientists and Engineers, or PHYSICS 5C – Introductory Thermodynamics and Quantum Mechanics + PHYSICS 5CL – Introduction to Experimental Physics II(2)

4-5

Humanities/Social Sciences Course(3)

3-4

Total

16-17

15-17

Junior Year
ENGIN 40 – Engineering Thermodynamics

4

ELENG 120 – Signals and Systems

4

EECS 126 – Probability and Random Processes, or STAT 134 – Concepts of Probability

4

NUCENG 100 – Introduction to Nuclear Engineering3
NUCENG 101-Nuclear Reactions and Radiation

4

NUCENG 104 – Radiation Detection and Nuclear Instrumentation Laboratory

4

NUCENG 150 – Introduction to Nuclear Reactor Theory

4

Humanities/Social Sciences Courses (one with Ethics content)(3)(4)

3-4

Total

15

15-16

Senior Year
ELENG 105 – Microelectronic Devices and Circuits

4

ELENG 117 – Electromagnetic Fields and Waves

4

NUCENG 170A – Nuclear Design: Design in Nuclear Power Technology and Instrumentation

3

Technical Electives(5)

9

8

Humanities/Social Sciences Courses(3)

3-4

3-4

Total

16-17

18-19

Notes

* A minimum of 120 units is required for graduation.

1CHEM 4A is intended for students majoring in chemistry or a closely related field.

2Students may choose to take the Physics 7 series or the Physics 5 series. Students who fulfill PHYSICS 7A with an AP exam score, transfer work, or at Berkeley may complete the physics requirement by taking either PHYSICS 7B and 7C, or PHYSICS 5B+5BL and 5C+5CL. Students who take PHYSICS 5A must take PHYSICS 5B+5BL and 5C+5CL to complete the physics requirement. Completion of PHYSICS 5A and PHYSICS 7B and PHYSICS 7Cwill not fulfill the physics requirement.

3The Humanities/Social Sciences (H/SS) requirement includes two approved Reading & Composition (R&C) courses and four additional approved courses, with which a number of specific conditions must be satisfied. R&C courses must be taken for a letter grade (C- or better required). The first half (R&C Part A) must be completed by the end of the freshman year; the second half (R&C Part B) must be completed by no later than the end of the sophom*ore year. The remaining courses may be taken at any time during the program. See engineering.berkeley.edu/hssfor complete details and a list of approved courses.

4Students must take one course with ethics content. This may be fulfilled within the Humanities/Social Studies requirement by taking one of the following courses: ANTHRO 156B; BIOENG 100; ENGIN 125, 157AC, 185; ESPM 161, 162; GEOG 31; IAS 157AC; ISF 100E; L&S 160B; PHILOS 2, 104, 107; SOCIOL 116.

5Technical electives must include:

At least 9 units of upper division nuclear engineering courses from the following groups.

The groups are presented to aid undergraduate students in focusing their choices on specific professional goals; however, the electives selected need not be from any single group. Courses listed from other departments in these groups may be taken to provide further depth but may not be used toward the 9 units.

  • Beam and Accelerator Applications: NUCENG 155, 180; PHYSICS 110A, 110B, 129, 139, 142
  • Bionuclear Engineering: BIOENG C165; ELENG 120; NUCENG 107, 162
  • Fission Power Engineering: MECENG 106, 109 (CHMENG 150A may be substituted for MECENG 106 or 109); NUCENG 120, 124, 155, 161, 167, 175
  • Fusion Power Engineering: NUCENG 120, 155, 180; PHYSICS 110A, 110B, 142
  • Homeland Security and Nonproliferation: CHEM 143; NUCENG 107, 130, 155, 175; PHYSICS 110A, 110B, 111A, 111B
  • Materials in Nuclear Technology: MATSCI 102, 104, 112, 113; NUCENG 120, 124, 155, 161
  • Nuclear Fuel Cycles and Waste Management: CHMENG 150A, 150B; ENGIN 120 or INDENG 120; MATSCI 112; NUCENG 120, 124, 155, 161, 175
  • Radiation and Health Physics: NUCENG 120, 155, 162, 180
  • Risk, Safety and Systems Analysis: CIVENG 193; CHMENG 150A; ENGIN 120; INDENG 166; NUCENG 120, 124, 155, 161, 167, 175

And, at least 8 units of upper division EECS courses from the following lists:

  • Electromagnetics and Plasmas: ELENG 118, C239
  • Electronics: ELENG 130,140, 143; EECS 151+151LA, 151+151LB
  • Power Systems and Control: ELENG 113, C128, 134, 137A, 137B

If you would like to receive these documents in an alternative, accessible format, please contacteng-ada@berkeley.edu.

EECS and Nuclear Engineering - Berkeley Engineering (2024)

FAQs

Does UC Berkeley have nuclear engineering? ›

Why choose Berkeley? Because our nuclear engineering department plays a leading role in advancing fusion technology, both toward advanced approaches to magnetic fusion, as well as in collaborations with the Lawrence Livermore and Lawrence Berkeley national laboratories.

Is UC Berkeley good for EECS? ›

Welcome to Berkeley EECS

It is one of the most prestigious, not only as an EECS department in a public university, but ranked globally among all EE and CS departments.

What engineering is closest to nuclear engineering? ›

Mechanical Engineers

What is the difference between computer engineering and EECS at Berkeley? ›

An essential difference between the two majors is that the EECS program requires a greater number of math and science courses than the CS program, which requires a greater number of non-technical, or breadth, courses. For further information on the BA program, please see the Computer Science program page in this Guide.

What is the hardest major to get into UC Berkeley? ›

Computer Science, Engineering, and Economics are the top three hardest majors to get into at Berkeley, followed by Biology and Political Science. The Computer Science program at Berkeley is one of the top-ranked CS programs in the world, so admission there is no small feat.

What is the best major for nuclear engineering? ›

Most entry-level positions in nuclear engineering require at least a BS in nuclear engineering, which heavily focuses on math and science. For some jobs, you may also need to apply for state-specific licensure and/or earn a graduate degree.

How hard is it to get into Berkeley EECS? ›

Q: What are my chances of being admitted? A: About 9% of applicants to Berkeley's computer science graduate program are admitted. We are eager to accept the best, most intellectually exciting students. If this is you, I encourage you to apply.

How many people get into EECS at Berkeley? ›

The EECS major had an acceptance rate of 4.5% for the Class of 2027, and will likely stay around its usual ~5% acceptance rate.

What are the top 5 majors in UC Berkeley? ›

UC—Berkeley offers students around 350 degree programs. Some of the most popular majors for Berkeley undergraduates have included electrical engineering and computer science; economics; political science; business administration; and psychology.

Which university is best for nuclear engineering? ›

  • Featured Colleges.
  • NHCE Bangalore - New Horizon College of Engineering.
  • Jain Deemed -to- be University, Faculty of Engineering and Technology.
  • Dev Bhoomi School of Engineering, Dev Bhoomi Uttarakhand University.

Is there a high demand for nuclear engineers? ›

Job Outlook

Employment of nuclear engineers is projected to show little or no change from 2022 to 2032. Despite limited employment growth, about 800 openings for nuclear engineers are projected each year, on average, over the decade.

Why is nuclear engineering declining? ›

A shrinking reactor market coupled with shrinking Department of Energy outlays for nuclear technology research and development inevitably led to a decline of nuclear engineering departments across the country. Some were shut down entirely and others absorbed into various fields of engineering.

How prestigious is Berkeley EECS? ›

The U.S. News & World Report ranked both the Electrical Engineering and Computer Science graduate programs at Berkeley EECS among the top three graduate programs in the nation for 2023. Computer Science is ranked #1, tied with MIT and Stanford.

Should I apply to EECS or CS at Berkeley? ›

There is no difference in the computer science course content between the EECS and CS Majors – the difference is what other subjects you'd like to study. If you prefer greater flexibility in your coursework or are interested in exploring additional majors, then the CS Major might be a good choice.

What is Berkeley EECS ranked? ›

Berkeley Engineering continues to rank No. 3 in the top undergraduate engineering schools nationwide, according to U.S. News & World Report's 2024 undergraduate program rankings. The college also remains the top public engineering program, tied with Georgia Tech.

What engineering is UC Berkeley known for? ›

#11
Latest U.S. News rankings by programUndergraduate 2024Graduate 2025
Computer engineeringNR1
Computer science21
Electrical engineering33
Environmental engineering11
9 more rows

What GPA do you need to be a nuclear engineer? ›

Here are some examples of typical admission requirements from actual nuclear engineering schools: Minimum high school cumulative GPA of 3.0. Successful completion of prerequisite courses such as chemistry, physics, algebra, trigonometry, and calculus.

Is nuclear engineering a difficult major? ›

Nuclear engineering is frequently pegged as one of the most challenging majors a student can pursue. It's a field that lies at the intersection of physics, mathematics, and engineering, requiring a deep understanding of complex scientific principles and their practical applications.

Is nuclear engineering a good field to go into? ›

Nuclear engineering is a well-compensated field, with the average nuclear engineer earning $87,910 per year . More experienced nuclear engineers, and those working at large, wealthy companies, can make even more.

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