Materials science at UC Berkeley
What UC Berkeley expects materials science and engineering transfers to finish before fall 2027. Below are Berkeley’s own preparation and selection rules, UC’s shared course list, the programs that give priority and your odds.
Checked against official UC and campus sources in November 2026.
At a glance
- Fall 2025 campus admit rate
- 27.8%
- Screens applicants
- Yes
- TAG at Berkeley
- No TAG
- Admits transfers
- Yes
UC Berkeley admitted 27.8% of community college applicants for fall 2025, and it doesn’t publish admit rates by major. The middle half of admitted transfers had GPAs from 3.65 to 4.00 for fall 2025.
What Berkeley expects
Materials Science and Engineering B.S.
- Courses to finish
The 2026-27 program lists lower-division Chem 1A/1AL (or 4A), Chem 1B (or 4B), Math 51, 52, 53, Physics 7A, 7B, 7C and 89, Engineering 7, MatSci 45/45L and R&C A and B. Source
The 2026-27 transfer plan schedules Engineering 7, Engineering 40, MatSci 45/45L, 151 and 111 in the first two semesters at Berkeley. Source
- Selection
MSE says competitiveness depends on the strength of the applicant pool in any given year. Source
- Campus rule
A 3.5 minimum GPA by the end of the fall you apply. IGETC won’t prepare you for the major. Source
- Also note
The College of Engineering does not admit undeclared transfers, does not consider an alternate major, does not let transfers change majors after admission, and allows five semesters to graduate. Source
- Every Berkeley major
Every Berkeley college requires at least 60 semester (90 quarter) UC-transferable units by the end of the spring term before fall enrollment, and major preparation is listed on ASSIST and in the Berkeley Catalog. Source
UC’s shared course list
UC’s Materials science & engineering Transfer Pathway lists the courses that prepare you for this major at every campus, UC Berkeley included. Where Berkeley’s own list above asks for more, follow the campus.
| Course | Status |
|---|---|
| Calculus-based physics (full sequence with lab) | Required |
| Single variable calculus (full sequence) | Required |
| Multivariable calculus (one semester) | Required |
| Differential equations (one course) | Required |
| General chemistry (full sequence with lab) | Required |
| Linear algebra (one course) | Required |
| Programming (one course) | Required |
| Materials (one course) | Required |
| Statics (one course) | Required |
Paste your course titles to see which items they cover.
No TAG at UC Berkeley
UC Berkeley doesn’t offer TAG, and no program guarantees transfer admission there. Every applicant goes through regular review, and each college sets its own GPA floor.
Your odds
Move the GPA to see a regular-review range at UC Berkeley for materials science and engineering.
The same major at other campuses
| Campus | Screens applicants | TAG |
|---|---|---|
| UCLA | Yes | No TAG |
| UC San Diego | Yes | No TAG |
| UC Irvine | Yes | 3.40 |
| UC Davis | Yes | 3.50 |
| UC Riverside | Yes | 3.00 |
| UC Merced | Yes | 3.00 |
Other majors at UC Berkeley
- Aerospace Engineering
- Anthropology
- Bioengineering
- Biological Sciences
- Business Administration
- Chemical Engineering
- Chemistry
- Civil Engineering
- Cognitive Science
- Communication
- Computer Engineering
- Computer Science
- Data Science
- Earth Science / Geology
- Economics
- Electrical Engineering
- English
- Environmental Engineering
- Environmental Science
- Film and Media Studies
- Global and International Studies
- History
- Linguistics
- Mathematics
- Mechanical Engineering
- Neuroscience
- Philosophy
- Physics
- Political Science
- Psychology
- Public Health
- Sociology
- Statistics
Official links
- UC Berkeley transfer admissionsadmissions.berkeley.edu
- ASSIST: course agreements to UC Berkeleyassist.org
Questions
What GPA do you need to transfer to UC Berkeley for materials science and engineering?
UC Berkeley doesn’t publish a GPA for this major. The middle half of admitted transfers had GPAs from 3.65 to 4.00 for fall 2025.
What classes do I need to transfer to UC Berkeley for materials science and engineering?
The 2026-27 program lists lower-division Chem 1A/1AL (or 4A), Chem 1B (or 4B), Math 51, 52, 53, Physics 7A, 7B, 7C and 89, Engineering 7, MatSci 45/45L and R&C A and B. Check each course on ASSIST for your college.
Is materials science and engineering selective or screened at UC Berkeley?
Yes. UC Berkeley screens transfer applicants for it. MSE says competitiveness depends on the strength of the applicant pool in any given year.
Can I get a TAG for materials science and engineering at UC Berkeley?
UC Berkeley doesn’t offer TAG, and no program guarantees transfer admission there. Every applicant goes through regular review, and each college sets its own GPA floor.
Sources
- UCOP fall 2025 admissions, Table 1a
- Berkeley: Materials Science and Engineering preparation
- Berkeley: Materials Science and Engineering selection criteria
- Berkeley: Materials Science and Engineering rule
- Berkeley: Materials Science and Engineering notes
- Berkeley: transfer rules for every major
- UC Transfer Pathways: Materials science & engineering
- ASSIST