Declaring IB as a Major
The College of Letters & Science expects that all students declare by the time they earn or have in progress 90 units. Students who remain undeclared will have a registration block against enrollment in the next semester.
To declare IB as a major, students:
- Must have earned at least 70 grade points in the lower division requirements for IB, posted to the transcript, at the time of declaration. Click here for an explanation of grade points and/or come visit us in 3060 VLSB for details. (Note: For easy reference, most students will have earned 70 grade points by the time they've completed 6 of the 8 lower division requirements. This is a general guideline, and NOT a rule.)
- See steps for declaring below.
- If you are still working on the requirements and have questions, your eligibility will be evaluated by the IB Undergraduate Student Services Office.
Transfer Students:
It is recommended that lower division courses be completed before arriving at Berkeley. This is recommended for three (3) main reasons:
- The College of Letters & Science sets a limit to the number of semesters or units you may accrue after transferring.
- You MUST declare a major by the time you have completed 90 units (including those in progress). This means that transfers, by definition, must declare during their second semester. If the lower division is not completed, it is unlikely you'll be eligible to declare and meet this deadline.
- Perhaps most importantly, coming to Cal ill-prepared for the major will severely detract from your experience here! Having to complete numerous lower division courses, which are diffcult to enroll in, detracts from the reason you’re here: the amazing upper division classes, as well as opportunities for research and other extracurricular activities. You will only get two years at Cal—make them count!
Transfers should also:
- Attend a CALSO orientation during the summer before enrolling at Cal.
- Communicate with the Undergraduate Student Services Office before the start of their first semester or soon after for advising and planning.
- REQUIRED: Complete a successful semester at Berkeley prior to declaration, which means earning a 2.0 or above courses taken for the IB major.
Steps for Declaring:
NOTE: We will restrict major declarations during the summer and will resume once faculty members are back in late August..- Create a plan:
- Decide on an emphasis.
- Review all of the major requirements.
- Complete the IB Major Planning Checksheet.
- We will add the link to declare in mid-August
- Come by the Undergraduate Student Services Office (USSO), no earlier than the next day.
- We need time to review your plan.
- We recommend you complete this during weeks 1-8 of any semester.
- Discuss your past coursework and future academic plan with a staff advisor in the USSO.
You will be assigned a faculty advisor and will be directed to him/her. - Meet your Faculty Advisor, review the completed paperwork, obtain advice, and signature.
- Return the signed form to the Intake Advisor in 3060 VLSB, who will then send your Petition to Declare the Major to L & S for processing.
- You will appear officially declared approximately a week subsequent to that submission.
IB Info
Thank you for your interest!
Integrative Biology
UC Berkeley
1005 Valley Life Sciences
Berkeley CA
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