2013-14 Exams, scores & transfer credit

Some of the College and University requirements can be satisfied with Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate and Transfer Credit. Below are the tests and scores needed to fulfill UC Berkeley and/or College of Engineering requirements. Below are the tests and scores needed to fulfill UC Berkeley and/or College of Engineering requirements.  For the Humanities/Social Science requirement, AP, IB or A-Level exams can satisfy no more than two of the required six courses. There is no limit on the number of AP exams that can be used to satisfy technical requirements.

 

Advanced Placement Credit *

Exam Name	Score	UCB Units	Requirements Fulfilled
Art History	3 or higher	5.3	One lower division Humanities/Social Science
Art Studio (2-D or 3-D)	3 or higher	5.3	One lower division Humanities/Social Science
Biology	4 or 5	5.3	Biology 1A/1AL and Biology 1B
Chemistry	3 or higher	5.3	Chemistry 1A/1AL(1)
Chinese Language & Culture	3 or higher	5.3	One lower division Humanities/Social Science
Computer Science	4 or 5 on the “AB” test	2.7	CS 61B(2)
	3 on the “AB” test	2.7	None
	4 or 5 on the “A” test	1.3	None
Economics (Macro or Micro)	3 or higher	2.7	One lower division Humanities/Social Science(9)
English	3	5.3(3)	Entry Level Writing Requirement Only.
	4 or 5	5.3(3)	Reading and Writing Composition “A”
French Language and Culture	3 or higher	5.3	One lower division Humanities/Social Science
German Language and Culture	3 or higher	5.3	One lower division Humanities/Social Science
History (American, European or World)	3 or higher	5.3	One lower division Humanities/Social Science(4) (9)
Human Geography	3 or higher	5.3	One lower division Humanities/Social Science
Italian Language and Culture	3 or higher	5.3	One lower division Humanities/Social Science
Japanese Language and Culture	3 or higher	5.3	One lower division Humanities/Social Science
Latin	3 or higher	2.7	One lower division Humanities/Social Science
Mathematics  (AB Exam)	3 or higher	2.7	Math 1A(5)
Mathematics  (BC Exam)	3	5.3(6)	Math 1A
Mathematics  (BC Exam)	4 or 5	5.3	Math 1A and Math 1B(7)
Music Theory	3 or higher	5.3	One lower division Humanities/Social Science
Physics Mechanics C Exam	5	2.7	Physics 7A
Physics B	3 or higher	2.7(8)	None
Physics Elec & Magntsm	3 or higher	2.7(8)	None
Political Science  (American or Comp)	3 or higher	2.7	One lower division Humanities/Social Science(9)
Psychology	3 or higher	2.7	One lower division Humanities/Social Science
Spanish Language or Literature	3 or higher	5.3(9)	One lower division Humanities/Social Science(9)
Statistics	3 or higher	2.7	None

 

Notes

*AP credit will not be awarded if the test is taken after enrolling at UC Berkeley.

*If a student takes a course at UC Berkeley (or another institution) for which AP credit has been awarded, this is considered a duplication of credit. The AP unit credit will be subject to partial or complete removal by the College of Engineering when duplication of credit is determined.

1If your major requires Chemistry 1B, Chem 1A is strongly recommended before taking Chem 1B.

2A score of 4 or 5 on this exam does NOT ever exempt a student from completing CS 61A; the only requirement that the AP exam satisfies is CS 61B. Students with a major that requires CS 61A must complete CS 61A.

3Units will be awarded for one test.

4Up to the maximum allowable of two AP exams.

5Students with a score of 3 should take Math 1A.

6The maximum units awarded for Math AP exams is 5.3. Students who pass both the AB and BC exams will receive 5.3 units total.

7Students with a score of 4 should complete Math 1B.

8The maximum units awarded for all Physics AP exams is 5.3.

9For each exam

 

International Baccalaureate Exams *

Exam Name	Requirement Fulfilled
Art/Design	One lower division Humanities/Social Science
Biology	Biology 1A/1AL and Biology 1B
Chemistry	Chemistry 1A/1AL
Computer Science	CompSci 61B, if student completes CS47B at UCB
Economics	One lower division Humanities/Social Science
English A1	Entry Level Writing & Reading & Comp “A”
English A2	One lower division Humanities/Social Science
English B	None
French A1, A2 or B	One lower division Humanities/Social Science
Geography	One lower division Humanities/Social Science
German A1, A2 or B	One lower division Humanities/Social Science
Classical Greek	One lower division Humanities/Social Science
History of the Americas	One lower division Humanities/Social Science
European History	One lower division Humanities/Social Science
Latin	One lower division Humanities/Social Science
Math	Math 1A and Math 1B
Music	One lower division Humanities/Social Science
Philosophy	One lower division Humanities/Social Science
Physics	None
Portuguese A1, A2 or B	One lower division Humanities/Social Science
Spanish A1, A2 or B	One lower division Humanities/Social Science
Theater	One lower division Humanities/Social Science
Notes 1. IB Higher Level exams completed with a grade of 5, 6 or 7 (except for Physics) are awarded 5.3 semester units of work, unless completed as part of the diploma whereby a maximum 20 units is awarded. 2. No credit is given for IB Subsidiary or Standard Level exams 3. No duplication of credit will be given for IB, AP, A-level and community college credit. 4. In order to receive subject credit for IB exams, students must give a copy of the exam scores to their Engineering Student Adviser in 230 Bechtel Engineering Center.

 

A-Level Exams *

A-Level Exams	Units	Requirement Fulfilled
Accounting(1)	8	NONE
Biology(2)	8	Biology 1A/1AL and Biology 1B
Chemistry(1)	8	Chemistry 1A/1AL Score of A satisfies 1A/1AL & 1B
Computer Science	8	61B if programming language is C or C++(4)
Economics(3)	8	One lower division Humanities/Social Science
English Literature(1)	8	Reading and Composition “A”
Geography	4	One lower division Humanities/Social Science
Math(1)	Maximum allowable units is 8 for Math exams
Math H1	8	Satisfies Math 1A
Math H2	8	Satisfies Math 1A and Math 1B
Math H3	8	Satisfies Math 1A and Math 1B
Pure Math	8	Satisfies Math 1A and Math 1B
Further Math	8	Satisfies Math 1A and Math 1B
Physics	8	None
Religious Studies(1)	8	One lower division Humanities/Social Science
Notes 1All Examining boards. 2Examining Boards: Singapore Cambridge, Hong Kong, U of London, Oxford-Cambridge 3Examining Boards: Hong Kong, U of London, Oxford-Cambridge, Singapore Cambridge. 4This exam does NOT exempt a student from completing CS 61A.

 

Transfer Credit

The Office of Undergraduate Admissions determines the units of credit to be allowed for work successfully completed at another institution. Students who have questions about transferability of units should visit the Office of Undergraduate Admissions in 103 Sproul Hall. The Engineering Student Services Office evaluates transfer work in terms of subject credit (which, if any, requirements the courses can fulfill).

Unit Credit

• The maximum number of units which a student can transfer to the University from a community college is 70 semester units. Students may receive subject credit for courses taken at a community college beyond the 70 unit maximum.

Subject Credit

• For courses taken at a California Community College, the Assist website defines which (if any) requirement each course can satisfy. Students should use the Assist website to determine equivalencies for courses taken at California Community Colleges. Courses taken at 4-year institutions (including other UC schools) and at community colleges outside California must be evaluated before subject credit can be awarded. To have a course evaluated students must provide a syllabus; evaluations cannot be done on the basis of course descriptions alone. Students bring a copy of the syllabus to their Engineering Student Services (ESS) Adviser in 230 Bechtel Hall. A faculty representative of the course in question will evaluate technical classes.

Attendance at Other Schools After Enrollment at UC Berkeley

Once a student begins their education in the College of Engineering, attendance at any institution other than UC Berkeley requires permission. Students who wish to take courses at another school in the summer (or in a semester they are not enrolled at UC Berkeley) must consult with their Engineering Student Services (ESS) Adviser before registering for courses at any school other than UC Berkeley. Students will not receive credit for courses taken at other colleges unless they receive approval prior to taking the non-UC Berkeley course. Permission to enroll elsewhere during summer is generally granted. Students who wish to attend a school other than UC Berkeley must complete the Courses at another School petition and meet with their Engineering Student Services (ESS) Adviser in a scheduled or drop-in appointment.

Students may not enroll during a Fall or Spring semester at another school while simultaneously enrolled at the University.

Education Abroad Program

Many College of Engineering undergraduates are interested in studying abroad and we strongly encourage participation as a means of broadening education and developing a global view of engineering. International study requires a good deal of planning, organization and self-motivation to be successful, but the benefits are well worth the effort. Students may choose to study abroad by participating in the UC Education Abroad Program (EAP) or in a non-UC sponsored program. Study Abroad Programs are offered for one semester, a full academic year or a summer session. Interested students should begin researching country and program options early in their academic career. With careful planning many students can complete a study abroad program without delaying their graduation, however, students who participate in a study abroad program will be granted one additional semester to complete their degree requirements if needed.

Students need the approval of their Engineering Student Services (ESS) Adviser to participate in a study abroad program. Advisers will verify that students are making normal progress toward their degree, and that the time abroad won’t prevent completion of the College of Engineering requirements in a timely manner. Visit the EAP section of our website for further information about College of Engineering policy and procedures for study abroad participation.

Correspondence and On-Line Courses

A limited number of engineering courses are available through correspondence study or online. In general, the policy of the College of Engineering is that required courses should be taken in residence (at UC Berkeley). In extenuating cases, the College will give consideration to requests of students to complete a required course through correspondence, or online. See your Engineering Student Services (ESS) Adviser regarding this requirement. Any such requests must be made prior to taking the course. Correspondence, on-line and extension courses may not be taken concurrently with regular class work.

Credit by Exam

Some requirements in the College of Engineering can be satisfied with Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB) and A-Level exams.  For a list of exams, minimum scores needed and the requirement(s) they can fulfill, visit http://coe.berkeley.edu/exams.

The College of Engineering does not allow for credit by exam in any situation other than those listed in the previous paragraph.

Independent, Group and Field Studies Courses

Limitations to Special Studies Courses

• Courses numbered 97, 98, 99, 197, 198, and 199 must be taken on a Passed/Not Passed basis and may not ever be used to satisfy any technical requirements.
• There are limitations on the number of units a student may earn toward graduation, and in each semester, for Special Studies Courses (courses numbered 97, 98, 99, 197, 198 and 199). 
A maximum of 10 units of 199 is allowed toward the B.S. degree. 
Not more than a total of 16 units of 98, 99, 197, 198, and 199 courses combined can be counted toward the B.S. degree. 
Credit for 98, 99, 198, and 199 courses combined may not exceed 4 units in any single term. 
To enroll in a course numbered 198 or 199 students must have completed (and have posted to their record) at least 60 units of undergraduate work.
• The Office of the Registrar will automatically drop students from courses numbered 99,198, and 199 who do not meet the criteria for admission. They will block credit for students who enroll in more than four units of 98, 99, 197, 198, or 199 in any one semester. If you are unsure of your eligibility to take any of these courses, check with your Engineering Student Services (ESS) Adviser.

Approvals Required for Enrollment in Independent and Field Studies Courses

• Students interested in pursuing independent study or participating in research for academic credit should review the information on their major department’s website regarding procedures for obtaining credit for undergraduate research/independent study. Students begin the process by obtaining the support of a faculty person who will sponsor their work. Most departments require faculty sponsors to complete and sign paperwork acknowledging their support of your research/study and on the basis of that provide a course control number for registration.

Self-Paced and Independent Classes

Self-paced classes are offered as alternatives to regular classes in some lower-division computer science courses. These classes allow the student to work at his/her own pace (subject to some constraints determined by the course) with most of the learning done through study guides, workbooks, texts, and frequent quizzes.

Before taking one of the self-paced classes, the student should consider whether he/she is sufficiently motivated to do the work without having very specific deadlines and an instructor. Procrastination can end in a mad scramble at the end of the term. In addition, the student should check any constraints dictated by the course which may limit the amount of freedom for self-pacing.