Photo by Matt BeardsleyEngineering Physics
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If you’re fascinated by how the world works and want to apply that knowledge to solve real-world engineering challenges, a degree in engineering physics offers the best of both worlds. This flexible major, offered through the Engineering Science Program, combines a rigorous foundation in classical and modern physics, chemistry and mathematics with hands-on engineering applications, giving you the freedom to tailor your studies to your research interests and career goals. Whether you’re drawn to advanced technologies, cutting-edge research or designing innovative solutions, you’ll have developed the analytical and technical skills to work in national laboratories or in high-tech industries specializing in lasers, novel materials, biotechnology, computer design, microelectronics and micro devices, software development, communication technology and other areas focused on applied science and technology.
Why choose Berkeley?
Contact
Engineering Science Program
220 Grimes Engineering Center
Berkeley, CA 94720
(510) 642-7594
engineeringscience@
berkeley.edu
With world-renowned strengths across scientific disciplines, Berkeley is an ideal place to pursue study in interdisciplinary engineering sciences. Students and faculty explore the intersection of what is possible in energy engineering, engineering math and statistics, engineering physics and environmental engineering science. Most recently, our Engineering Science Program majors were ranked among the top in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.
Want to know more? Find details about the UC Berkeley Engineering Science Program and its four majors.
Degree worksheets
The easiest, most convenient way to track your progress toward your degree requirements is to use a degree worksheet, with guidelines specific to your year of admission. You should bring your worksheet with you whenever you meet with your Engineering Student Services or faculty adviser. From your ‘My Academics’ page on CalCentral, use the ‘Semesters’ section to help complete your worksheet. When available, you can also use the Academic Progress Report to help update your degree worksheet.
Current degree worksheet: 2026
Past worksheets: 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026
Engineering Student Services
120 Grimes Engineering Center
Berkeley, CA 94720
ess@berkeley.edu
(510) 642-7594
Degree requirements
Undergraduate programs and degree worksheets from previous years are available through the Undergraduate Guide archive.
| Course | Fall | Spring |
|---|---|---|
| Freshman Year | ||
| CHEM 1A+1AL – General Chemistry, or CHEM 4A – General Chemistry and Quantitative Analysis1 |
5
|
–
|
| Technical Elective2 |
–
|
3-5
|
| ENGIN 7 – Introduction to Computer Programming and Numerical Methods, or COMPSCI 61A – Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs, or COMPSCI 61B – Data Structures, or PHYSICS 77 – Introduction to Computational Techniques in Physics |
–
|
3-4
|
| MATH 51 – Calculus I |
4
|
–
|
| MATH 52 – Calculus II |
–
|
4
|
| PHYSICS 5A -Introductory Mechanics and Relativity, or PHYSICS 7A – Physics for Scientists and Engineers3 |
–
|
3-4
|
| Reading & Composition Part A Course4 |
4
|
–
|
| Humanities/Social Sciences Course4 |
3-4
|
–
|
| Optional Freshman Seminar or ENGIN 92 (Survey Course) |
1
|
–
|
| Total |
16-18
|
13-17
|
| Sophomore Year | ||
| MATH 53 – Multivariable Calculus |
4
|
–
|
| MATH 54 – Linear Algebra and Differential Equations, or PHYSICS 89 – Introduction to Mathematical Physics |
–
|
4
|
| PHYSICS 5B+5BL – Introductory Electromagnetism, Waves, and Optics, or PHYSICS 7B – Physics for Scientists and Engineers3 |
4-5
|
–
|
| PHYSICS 5C+5CL – Introductory Thermodynamics and Quantum Mechanics, or PHYSICS 7C – Physics for Scientists and Engineers3 |
–
|
4-5
|
| Technical Electives2 |
3-5
|
3-5
|
| Reading & Composition Part B Course4 |
4
|
–
|
| Humanities/Social Sciences Course4 |
–
|
3-4
|
| Total |
15-18
|
14-18
|
| Junior Year | ||
| ENGIN 40– Engineering Thermodynamics2 , or PHYSICS 112 – Introduction to Statistical and Thermal Physics |
–
|
4
|
| MATH 104 – Introduction to Analysis, or MATH 121A – Mathematical Tools for the Physical Sciences |
4
|
–
|
| MATH 185 – Introduction to Complex Analysis, or MATH 121B – Mathematical Tools for the Physical Sciences |
–
|
4
|
| MECENG 104 – Engineering Mechanics, or PHYSICS 105 – Analytic Mechanics |
3-4
|
–
|
| PHYSICS 137A – Quantum Mechanics |
4
|
–
|
| PHYSICS 137B – Quantum Mechanics |
–
|
4
|
| Technical Electives2 |
–
|
3-4
|
| Humanities/Social Sciences Course4 |
3-4
|
–
|
| Total |
14-16
|
15-16
|
| Senior Year | ||
| ELENG 143 – Microfabrication Technology, or NUCENG 104 – Radiation Detection and Nuclear Instrumentation Laboratory, or PHYSICS 111A – Instrumentation Laboratory5 |
4
|
–
|
| MECENG 185 – Introduction to Continuum Mechanics, or MECENG 106 – Fluid Mechanics |
–
|
3
|
| PHYSICS 110A – Electromagnetism and Optics, or ELENG 117 – Electromagnetic Fields and Waves |
4
|
–
|
| PHYSICS 110B – Electromagnetism and Optics, or ELENG 118 – Introduction to Optical Engineering |
–
|
4
|
| MATSCI 111 – Properties of Electronic Materials, or PHYSICS 141A – Solid State Physics |
4
|
–
|
| Technical Electives2 |
3-4
|
3-4
|
| Humanities/Social Sciences Course4 |
–
|
3-4
|
| Total |
15-16
|
12-15
|
Notes
* A minimum of 120 units is required for graduation.
Due to the interdisciplinary nature of this major, electives must be selected and approved in consultation with the faculty adviser.
1CHEM 4A is intended for students majoring in chemistry or a closely related field.
2Technical electives must include:
- Three courses from the following lower division technical electives: ASTRON 7A, 7B; BIOLOGY 1A and 1AL, 1B; CHEM 1B, 3A and 3AL, 4B; COMPSCI 70; EECS 16A, 16B; MATSCI 45 (MATSCI 45L recommended); MECENG C85/CIVENG C30.
- 15 units of upper division courses in engineering. The 15 units of upper division engineering do include all required upper division engineering units completed, in addition to ENGIN 40. If in selecting options to meet upper division requirements, the total does not come to 15 units of engineering, additional units (chosen in consultation with a faculty adviser) must be added. Upper division engineering units cannot include: any course taken on a P/NP basis; any course that counts as H/SS; BIOENG 100, 153; COMPSCI 194-100; DESINV courses (except DESINV 190E); ENGIN 125, 157AC, 170 series, 180, 183 series, 184, 185, 187, 188, 195 series; INDENG 172 185, 186, 190 series, 191, 192, 195; MECENG 190K, 191K, 193E.
- A minimum of 14 units of upper division physics. The 14 units of upper division physics do include all required upper division physics units completed. If in selecting options to meet upper division requirements, the total does not come to 14 units of physics, additional units (chosen in consultation with a faculty adviser) must be added.
- At least 40 units of approved upper division technical subjects (mathematics, statistics, science, and engineering). These 40 units do include all required upper division technical course work taken for the major. ENGIN 40 can also count toward these 40 units.
3In some cases, it is possible to switch from the PHYSICS 5 series to the PHYSICS 7 series and vice versa. However, doing so will require approval from your ESS adviser, and students who switch from PHYSICS 7A to PHYSICS 5B+5BL are strongly advised to complete the 1 unit special relativity class, PHYSICS 49. Students are required to consult with their ESS adviser before making the switch.
4The 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 sophomore year. The remaining courses may be taken at any time during the program. See Humanities and Social Science Requirements for complete details and a list of approved courses.
5Students planning to pursue graduate school in physics are advised to complete PHYSICS 111B (for 3 units) to satisfy the laboratory requirement. Note: Students will need to obtain consent of the PHYSICS 111B instructor if they have not completed the prerequisites of PHYSICS 111A and 137A.
| Course | Fall | Spring |
|---|---|---|
| Freshman Year | ||
| CHEM 1A+1AL – General Chemistry, or CHEM 4A – General Chemistry and Quantitative Analysis1 |
5
|
–
|
| Technical Elective2 |
–
|
3-5
|
| ENGIN 7 – Introduction to Computer Programming and Numerical Methods, or COMPSCI 61A – Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs, or COMPSCI 61B – Data Structures, or PHYSICS 77 – Introduction to Computational Techniques in Physics |
–
|
3-4
|
| MATH 51 – Calculus I |
4
|
–
|
| MATH 52 – Calculus II |
–
|
4
|
| PHYSICS 5A -Introductory Mechanics and Relativity, or PHYSICS 7A – Physics for Scientists and Engineers3 |
–
|
3-4
|
| Reading & Composition Part A Course4 |
4
|
–
|
| Humanities/Social Sciences Course4 |
3-4
|
–
|
| Optional Freshman Seminar or ENGIN 92 (Survey Course) |
1
|
–
|
| Total |
16-18
|
13-17
|
| Sophomore Year | ||
| MATH 53 – Multivariable Calculus |
4
|
–
|
| MATH 54 – Linear Algebra and Differential Equations, or PHYSICS 89 – Introduction to Mathematical Physics |
–
|
4
|
| PHYSICS 5B+5BL – Introductory Electromagnetism, Waves, and Optics, or PHYSICS 7B – Physics for Scientists and Engineers3 |
4-5
|
–
|
| PHYSICS 5C+5CL – Introductory Thermodynamics and Quantum Mechanics, or PHYSICS 7C – Physics for Scientists and Engineers3 |
–
|
4-5
|
| Technical Electives2 |
3-5
|
3-5
|
| Reading & Composition Part B Course4 |
4
|
–
|
| Humanities/Social Sciences Course4 |
–
|
3-4
|
| Total |
15-18
|
14-18
|
| Junior Year | ||
| ENGIN 40– Engineering Thermodynamics2 , or PHYSICS 112 – Introduction to Statistical and Thermal Physics |
–
|
4
|
| MATH 104 – Introduction to Analysis, or MATH 121A – Mathematical Tools for the Physical Sciences |
4
|
–
|
| MATH 185 – Introduction to Complex Analysis, or MATH 121B – Mathematical Tools for the Physical Sciences |
–
|
4
|
| MECENG 104 – Engineering Mechanics, or PHYSICS 105 – Analytic Mechanics |
3-4
|
–
|
| PHYSICS 137A – Quantum Mechanics |
4
|
–
|
| PHYSICS 137B – Quantum Mechanics |
–
|
4
|
| Technical Electives2 |
–
|
3-4
|
| Humanities/Social Sciences Course4 |
3-4
|
–
|
| Total |
14-16
|
15-16
|
| Senior Year | ||
| ELENG 143 – Microfabrication Technology, or NUCENG 104 – Radiation Detection and Nuclear Instrumentation Laboratory, or PHYSICS 111A – Instrumentation Laboratory5 |
4
|
–
|
| MECENG 185 – Introduction to Continuum Mechanics, or MECENG 106 – Fluid Mechanics |
–
|
3
|
| PHYSICS 110A – Electromagnetism and Optics, or ELENG 117 – Electromagnetic Fields and Waves |
4
|
–
|
| PHYSICS 110B – Electromagnetism and Optics, or ELENG 118 – Introduction to Optical Engineering |
–
|
4
|
| MATSCI 111 – Properties of Electronic Materials, or PHYSICS 141A – Solid State Physics |
4
|
–
|
| Technical Electives2 |
3-4
|
3-4
|
| Humanities/Social Sciences Course4 |
–
|
3-4
|
| Total |
15-16
|
12-15
|
Notes
* A minimum of 120 units is required for graduation.
Due to the interdisciplinary nature of this major, electives must be selected and approved in consultation with the faculty adviser.
1CHEM 4A is intended for students majoring in chemistry or a closely related field.
2Technical electives must include:
- Three courses from the following lower division technical electives: ASTRON 7A, 7B; BIOLOGY 1A and 1AL, 1B; CHEM 1B, 3A and 3AL, 4B; COMPSCI 70; EECS 16A, 16B; MATSCI 45 (MATSCI 45L recommended); MECENG C85/CIVENG C30.
- 15 units of upper division courses in engineering. The 15 units of upper division engineering do include all required upper division engineering units completed, in addition to ENGIN 40. If in selecting options to meet upper division requirements, the total does not come to 15 units of engineering, additional units (chosen in consultation with a faculty adviser) must be added. Upper division engineering units cannot include: any course taken on a P/NP basis; any course that counts as H/SS; BIOENG 100, 153; COMPSCI 194-100; DESINV courses (except DESINV 190E); ENGIN 125, 157AC, 170 series, 180, 183 series, 184, 185, 187, 188, 195 series; INDENG 172 185, 186, 190 series, 191, 192, 195; MECENG 190K, 191K, 193E.
- A minimum of 14 units of upper division physics. The 14 units of upper division physics do include all required upper division physics units completed. If in selecting options to meet upper division requirements, the total does not come to 14 units of physics, additional units (chosen in consultation with a faculty adviser) must be added.
- At least 40 units of approved upper division technical subjects (mathematics, statistics, science, and engineering). These 40 units do include all required upper division technical course work taken for the major. ENGIN 40 can also count toward these 40 units.
3In some cases, it is possible to switch from the PHYSICS 5 series to the PHYSICS 7 series and vice versa. However, doing so will require approval from your ESS adviser, and students who switch from PHYSICS 7A to PHYSICS 5B+5BL are strongly advised to complete the 1 unit special relativity class, PHYSICS 49. Students are required to consult with their ESS adviser before making the switch.
4The 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 sophomore year. The remaining courses may be taken at any time during the program. See Humanities and Social Science Requirements for complete details and a list of approved courses.
5Students planning to pursue graduate school in physics are advised to complete PHYSICS 111B (for 3 units) to satisfy the laboratory requirement. Note: Students will need to obtain consent of the PHYSICS 111B instructor if they have not completed the prerequisites of PHYSICS 111A and 137A.
If you would like to receive these documents in an alternative, accessible format, please contact eng-ada@berkeley.edu.