(Photo by Adam Lau/UC Berkeley Engineering)Cal Day 2026
Congratulations and welcome to our newest Berkeley engineers! Cal Day is only for newly admitted students and their families. Which means we are looking forward to getting to know you and helping you get to know us.
Cal Day invites newly admitted undergraduate students and their families to discover campus, learn about our resources and meet members of the community in interactive ways in person. Cal Week provides students an opportunity to ask questions, dive virtually into the Berkeley adventure and share their excitement with the community from anywhere!
Can’t make it to Cal Day? Join us for an April Info Session offered in-person and online throughout the month of April.
College of Engineering events
Saturday, April 18, 2026
College of Engineering Welcome | 10:30–11:30 a.m. | Haas Pavilion
Admitted students and their families: Start your College of Engineering Cal Day journey with Engineering Student Services (ESS) and the College of Engineering. You’ll hear from the dean of engineering and current students. Plus, you’ll learn about the many resources that are available to students to support your success as a Berkeley Engineer.
Engineering Information Zone | 11:30 a.m.–3 p.m. | Grimes Engineering Center
Our Engineering Information Zone gives you the opportunity to talk with faculty, staff and students:
- Engineering Academic Advising Information Station: Did you know that as a Berkeley Engineer, you are automatically assigned an Engineering Academic Adviser who will work with you throughout your entire undergraduate journey? Come meet your future adviser and talk to our team of ESS advisers who are here to answer questions about how to optimize your undergraduate experience.
- Engineering Student Experience Station: Want to know what a day in the life of a Berkeley Engineer is like? This is your chance to talk directly with undergraduate students who will be on hand to answer your questions. Come and learn about ESS programs, such as the Engineering Mentor Program (EMP), the Pre-Engineering Program (PREP), and the Center for Access to Engineering Excellence (CAEE). Meet our professional staff and student representatives from these programs.
- Engineering Student Organizations: With dozens of engineering student organizations, you’ll see Berkeley Engineering’s mission statement in action. Whether it be competition teams, honor societies, or identity-based chapters of national engineering societies there’s truly a group to match every interest. Come visit our student leaders who will be tabling and providing demonstrations.
Download the map to see where each station is located in the Grimes Engineering Center for the Engineering Information Zone:
I’m a Berkeley Engineer Photo Booth | 11:30 a.m.–3 p.m. | McLaughlin Breezeway
Remember your Cal Day experience and celebrate your acceptance to the College of Engineering with a picture with your family, friends and future peers. Admits who have accepted their offer of admission will receive a Berkeley Engineering pennant, while supplies last.
College of Engineering departments, programs and center events
Each of the departments within the College of Engineering will be showcasing their faculty, student opportunities and resources throughout Cal Day. As details are finalized they will be added below.
Admitted Students
Learn more about how Berkeley Engineering could be the right place for you to earn your undergraduate degree.
SWE Orientation Host Program
Immerse yourself as a future
Learn more about how Berkeley Engineering could be the right place for you to earn your undergraduate degree.
Student organization highlights
Berkeley Engineering is home to dozens of student organizations and competition teams. Some of them have shared their highlights.
Favorite campus spots
Berkeley Engineering is home to dozens of student organizations and competition teams. Some of them have shared their highlights.
Aerospace Engineering
Welcome and Information Session | 12:45–2 p.m. | 310 Jacobs Hall | RSVP
Presented by Professor Panos Papadopoulos, Faculty Director, Aerospace Engineering Program. Learn about the Aerospace Engineering major and hear an overview of the aerospace program’s focus on emerging technologies, including sustainable aviation, autonomous flight and space exploration. Also, hear from a panel of current Aerospace Engineering students about their academic and student life experience in the major with Q&A session to follow.
Aerospace Engineering Lab Tour | 2–3 p.m. | Meet Tour Guides at the Aerospace Engineering Table in the Etcheverry Hall Breezeway
Bioengineering
Tabling with students and staff | 11:30 a.m.–3 p.m. | Grimes Engineering Center
Meet students and staff from bioengineering and ask questions about programs, courses and opportunities.
Bioengineering Info Session | 1:30–3 p.m. | Stanley 105
Curious about what it’s really like to be a Bioengineering major at Berkeley? Join our faculty and advising team to learn about the Bioengineering curriculum, research opportunities, and the interdisciplinary culture that defines our program. During this session, you’ll hear directly from faculty about their research areas, gain insight into the student experience in and out of the classroom, and explore how the major prepares students for careers and graduate study in engineering, medicine, and biotechnology. We’ll also cover academic pathways, student support resources, and time for Q&A to help you envision your future in Bioengineering at Cal.
Civil & Environmental Engineering
Tabling with students and staff | 11 a.m.–3 p.m. | Grimes Engineering Center
Meet students and staff from civil and environmental engineering and ask questions about programs, courses and opportunities.
Electrical Engineering & Computer Sciences (EECS)
Includes the majors: Electrical Engineering & Computer Sciences and Electrical and Computer Engineering
EECS Adviser Tabling | 11:30 a.m.–3 p.m. | Grimes Engineering Center
Engineering & Computer Science Advisers! They’re here to help you as you navigate your journey through this amazing degree program. Ask questions about requirements and how to get involved as a student. We look forward to seeing you there!
EECS Major Information Session | 2:30–3:30 p.m. | Dwinelle 155
Join us for an engaging presentation with the EECS Department, where you will learn about the department, academics, and exciting enrichment opportunities!
EECS Student Programming & Demonstrations can be found on the EECS Cal Day web page.
Engineering Science
Tabling with students and staff | 11 a.m.–3 p.m. | Grimes Engineering Center
Meet students and staff from engineering science and ask questions about programs, courses and opportunities.
Industrial Engineering & Operations Research
Information Table & Prize Giveaways | 11:30 a.m.–2 p.m. | Grimes Engineering Center
Join us for a lecture with Prof. Phillip Kerger to learn more about IEOR and analytics.
Jacobs Institute for Design Innovation
Timed tours @ 11:15 a.m., 12:15 p.m. and 1:15 p.m.
Management, Entrepreneurship, & Technology Program
Tabling with students and staff | 11 a.m.–3 p.m. | Grimes Engineering Center
Did you know that you can earn two distinct Bachelor of Science degrees (Engineering + Business) from Berkeley? The M.E.T. Program allows you to merge your technical engineering expertise with a world-class business education from the Haas School of Business. Whether you are a prospective high school applicant or a current Berkeley Engineering sophomore looking to pivot into the dual-degree track, we want to meet you! Stop by our information zone to chat with our team, discover what we look for in applicants, and learn how to position yourself for a career at the intersection of innovation and leadership.
Materials Science & Engineering
Materials Discovery | 11:30 a.m.–3 p.m. | Hearst Memorial Mining Building Lobby
Materials scientists demonstrate the wonders of their world. Learn about superballs, superconductors, super liquid nitrogen ice cream, and more! Stick around for our demonstrations.
Energy Conversion Materials by Professor Joel Ager | Noon–12:30 p.m. | Hearst Memorial Mining Building 290
Photosynthesis converts light into chemical energy and is responsible for life on Earth. Learn how new materials developed in UCB MSE use light and other renewable energy sources to convert carbon dioxide into chemicals and fuels as a means to sustainable chemical manufacturing.
Materials in Extreme Environments by Professor Scott McCormack | 12:30–1 p.m. | Hearst Memorial Mining Building 290
This work will detail how materials scientists can study material systems up to 4000 C using aerodynamic levitation, and how this system can be coupled with in-situ materials diagnostic to extract properties of relevance to spacecraft re-entry.
Building Life with Materials: How Engineers Heal the Body and Study Biology by Professor Kevin Healy | 1–1:30 p.m. | Hearst Memorial Mining Building 290
Biomaterials are transforming medicine by giving us new ways to repair the body and understand how living systems work. In this lecture, we’ll look at how materials scientists design medical devices, regenerative therapies, and bioprinted tissues that interact with cells and organs in powerful ways. From helping wounds heal to creating platforms that mimic human biology, biomaterials sit at the cutting edge of materials science, bioengineering, and healthcare. This talk will show how Berkeley students can be part of a field that is not only innovative, but deeply connected to improving human life.
Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Panel |1:30–2 p.m. | Hearst Memorial Mining Building 290
MSE faculty, Professors Junqiao Wu, Scott McCormack, Jiyun Kang, and Matthew Sherburne, will be available to answer all of your questions about the Materials Science and Engineering department here at UC Berkeley. Come with any and all questions you may have for this session!
Materials Science and Engineering Association Student Panel | 2–2:30 p.m. | Hearst Memorial Mining Building 290
MSE students from all years will be available to answer all your questions about Berkeley and the Materials Science and Engineering Department. What is materials science? What’s life like as a Berkeley MSE Student? What do materials scientists research? Where do materials scientists work? We’ll go through all of these common questions (and more) in this session.
Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering Welcome Session | 2:10–3:30 p.m. | 310 Jacobs Hall
Learn about exciting research in mechanical engineering, hear an overview of the undergraduate program, and discover why mechanical engineering is such a dynamic, versatile discipline.
CalSol Q&A panel | 3–3:30 p.m. | 310 Jacobs Hall
Learn about exciting research in mechanical engineering, hear an overview of the undergraduate program, and discover why mechanical engineering is such a dynamic, versatile discipline.
Lab Tours
Berkeley Fire Research Lab Fire Tornado! | 9 a.m.–3 p.m. | 60 Hesse Hall
The Berkeley Fire Research Lab will be open for visitors to see exciting fire research experiments including materials testing in space, wildfire spread, smoke generation, and a demonstration of the fire tornado!
Mechanical Engineering Student Access Machine Shop | 1–3 p.m. | 1166 Etcheverry Hall
The Department of Mechanical Engineering’s Student Access Machine Shop provides engineering students with a well-equipped, safe working environment where students can design and manufacture their projects for engineering classes, research, and several student-led competition teams through on-site technical guidance.
Design for Emerging & Nanoscale Manufacturing Lab | 1–4 p.m. | Etcheverry Hall 1176A
Come learn about our research involving precision mechanical design, optics, lasers, computer modeling/simulations, material science, and more, and learn how to get involved! First floor Etcheverry Hall, at the end of the hallway past the machine shop. Closed-toed shoes required.
Hybrid Robotics Lab Tour | 1–2 p.m. | 2116 Etcheverry Hall
Our lab focuses on control and learning for legged and aerial robotic systems. We will showcase how humanoid and quadruped robots execute a variety of tasks.
Mechanical Engineering Student Group Tabling Event | 10 a.m.–4 p.m. | Etcheverry Hall Breezeway
Mechanical Engineering student groups will be tabling in the breezeway between Etcheverry Hall and Soda Hall. Exhibits include equipment demonstrations and vehicles. Student groups include: American Institute of Aeronautics & Astronautics (AIAA), Berkeley Formula Racing (BFR), CalSol, Design Build Fly, Pi Tau Sigma, UAVs@Berkeley, Space Enterprise at Berkeley and Space Technologies and Rocketry (STAR).
Nuclear Engineering
Welcome to Nuclear Engineering! | 1–1:30 p.m. | Location TBD
Learn about the nuclear engineering program. What is nuclear engineering? What do nuclear engineers research? Where do nuclear engineers work? We’ll go through all of these common questions (and more) in this session. Led by Professor Daniel Siefman.
Etcheverry Hall Lab Tour | 1:45–2:30 p.m. | Meet at NE tables on the Etcheverry/Soda Hall breezeway
Tour Nuclear Engineering labs in Etcheverry Hall. NOTE: Visitors are required to wear flat, closed-toed shoes and long pants or skirts; no shorts or high heels are allowed. No exceptions. Also, please be mindful and careful of tripping hazards.
Tabling with Students, Staff & Faculty | 1–4 p.m. | Etcheverry/Soda Hall Breezeway
Department information from faculty and staff; students will also be available to answer questions.
Tabling with American Nuclear Society | 2–4 p.m. | Etcheverry/Soda Hall Breezeway
ANS students will be available to answer questions about life as an engineering student at UC Berkeley.
Undeclared Engineering (Not on Cal Day)
Info Session with adviser | Thursday, April 23, 5–6 p.m. | Zoom
An opportunity to connect with your ESS adviser, learn the policies and procedures of being an undeclared student and get your questions answered as you consider your next steps.
Sutardja Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology (SCET)
SCET Open House | 11 a.m.–2 p.m. | GRIMES 304
Whether you’ve already launched a startup or are just curious about what entrepreneurship even means, join us at the SCET Open House! Open to all majors, this is your chance to learn about our classes, study abroad program certificates and meet our students and staff to discover why we are considered the campus gateway to innovation. Stop by to explore our unique classes and see how you can build the future, regardless of your field of study. We can’t wait to help you find your path in the ecosystem!