University of California, Berkeley (UCB)

Berkeley, California, United States

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Bioengineering

The Bioengineering Department is a part of the College of Engineering and offers Bachelor’s, Master and Ph.D. programs. It offers courses in Bioengineering Design, Instrumentation, Biomechanics, Protein Informatics, etc. to undergraduate students from allied disciplines. The department aims to combine biology with Electrical and Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science to help students produce solutions for a healthier society and an equitable and sustainable world.

It offers Master’s in Bioengineering and Translational Medicine in a cross-campus collaboration with the Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences at UCSF. The research focus of the department lies in cellular engineering and development of solutions for precision medicine. Synthetic biology, stem-cell engineering, and computational biology are other key areas of research. The department prides itself on being ranked consistently amongst the top 10 across the globe.

Areas of Expertise:

  • Systems and Synthetic Biology
  • Bioinstrumentation
  • Computational Biology
  • Biomaterials and Nanotechnology
  • Cell & Tissue Engineering
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Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering

The Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (under the College of Chemistry) has played a leading role in making Berkeley one of the top 5 places for study and research in Chemistry over the past decade. BS in Chemical Engineering and MS in Chemical Engineering, besides MS in Product Development and Master of Bioprocess Engineering, have been the most sought after courses. The department has a world-renowned faculty to harness young talent and drive research. Besides the prestigious Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, students can work in the world’s leading biofuels and artificial photosynthesis labs.

Areas of Expertise:

  • Polymers and Soft Materials
  • Heterogeneous Catalysis and Reaction Engineering
  • Electrochemical and Environmental Engineering
  • Theory, Multiscale Modeling, and Computer Simulation
  • Microelectronics Processing and MEMS
  • Biochemical Engineering
  • Biomedical Engineering

List of Labs: Berkeley Stem Cell Center

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Civil and Environmental

Ranked amongst the top 5 globally by US News, the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) at Berkeley is known to produce the most talented graduates in the university. The BS in CEE focuses on design, hands-on experience and problem-solving. Hazard management, sustainability, and infrastructural improvements are the hallmarks of the program.

The department offers

  • Master of Science
    • Energy
    • Civil Infrastructure and Climate
    • Engineering & Project Management
    • Environmental Engineering
    • GeoSystems Engineering
    • Structural Engineering, Mechanics and Materials
    • Systems Engineering
    • Transportation Engineering
  • Master of Engineering (Systems Engineering and Transportation Engineering)
  • Doctoral level programs.

Students enjoy ample practical and professional outings at the San Francisco Bay area. Besides, the department also boasts of a dedicated structures lab and state-of-the-art testing equipment.           

Areas of Expertise:

  • Environmental Engineering
  • Civil Systems
  • Structural Engineering, Mechanics & Materials
  • Earthquake Engineering
  • Eco-Systems
  • Engineering and Project Management
  • Energy
  • Civil Infrastructure and Climate
  • Transportation Engineering

List of Labs: Environmental Fluid Mechanics and Hydrology Laboratory; CREST: Center for Research in Energy Systems Transformation; JBEI: Joint BioEnergy Institute; Berkeley Energy and Climate Institute; Pacific Earthquake Engineering Research Center (PEER); Berkeley Water Center; Cool Climate Network

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Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

The Computer Science division of the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) has the distinction of preparing leaders in an unparalleled industry environment, thanks to its proximity to Silicon Valley. It offers BA with CS majors (applications via College of Letters and Science) and BS in Electrical Engineering & Computer Science. The breadth of course options and cutting-edge laboratories have placed the department amongst the top 5 places for CS learning and research across the globe. Undergraduates can continue till the 5th year for combined BS/MS.

The department also offers an industry-oriented one-year M.Eng along with an MS in Computer Science. Students of Public Policy can pursue a concurrent degree to broaden the scope of their graduate learning. The focus areas of research include Artificial Intelligence and Robotics.   

The department also offers a Master of Science program in Electrical Engineering. The department transcends itself by providing the widest range of research labs to break new frontiers in the discipline. An array of fellowships makes it the most attractive spot for young talent.

Areas of Expertise:

  • Biosystems & Computational Biology
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Human-Computer Interaction
  • Control, Intelligent Systems, & Robotics
  • Design
  • Modeling, and Analysis
  • Physical Electronics
  • Energy
  • Integrated Circuits
  • Micro/Nano Electro-Mechanical Systems

List of Labs:

  • Team for Research in Ubiquitous Secure Technology (TRUST)
  • Berkeley Wireless Research Center (BWRC)
  • Berkeley Institute for Data Science (BIDS)
  • Center for Intelligent Systems (CIS)
  • Berkeley Sensor and Actuator Center
  • Berkeley Initiative in Soft Computing
  • Center for Energy Efficient Electronics Science (E3S)
  • Center for Hybrid and Embedded Software Systems (CHESS)
  • Par Lab: Parallel Computing Laboratory
  • Berkeley Laboratory for Information and System Sciences;
  • Wireless Foundations
  • Simons Institute for the Theory of Computing
  • Berkeley Quantum Information
  • Computation Center
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Industrial Engineering & Operations Research

Industrial Engineering and Operations Research Department (IEOR) is focused on creating, innovating, and analyzing tools and techniques for the analysis and management of complex systems. Undergraduates, graduates, and researchers are trained through hands-on industry-specific projects to handle supply chain, financial, healthcare, energy systems, etc.

The undergraduate programs include BS in IEOR, BA in IEOR (through College of Letters and Science), integrated 4-year BS in IEOR with Management from Haas School of Business, besides a professional Certificate in Entrepreneurship and Technology. Graduates can pursue M.Eng. in IEOR or research centered MS. Doctoral students concentrate on theoretical models, mathematical tools, and methodologies to make industries more efficient and profitable. Stochastic Modeling, algorithms, robotics, etc. are the focus research areas of the department.

Areas of Expertise:

  • Production
  • Logistics
  • Service, and Supply Chain Systems;
  • Automation and Robotics
  • Energy Systems and Markets
  • Market and Financial Engineering
  • Stochastic Modeling
  • Control
  • Simulation
  • Optimization 
  • Algorithm Design
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Material Science

The Department of Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) offers 5 joint majors at the undergraduate level besides a BS with majors in MSE. It collaborates with departments of Bioengineering, Nuclear Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, and Mechanical Engineering, besides the College of Chemistry. Undergraduate students can choose an extra year of instruction leading to a combined BS/MS in MSE. The professional M.Eng in MSE is coordinated by the Fung Institute. Graduate students may choose to concentrate on Nanoscale Science, Energy Science, Computational Science, Genomic Biology, or Communication, Computation and Statistics.

The department also offers an MS program. The department ensures latest on-campus and collaborative laboratories to Ph.D. candidates for research on biomaterials, electro-chemicals, optical and electrical materials, magnetic materials and structural materials.

Areas of Expertise:

  • Materials for Electronic
  • Optical
  • Magnetic and Thermal Applications
  • Materials for Energy Storage and Generation
  • Biomaterials
  • Materials Computation and Theory
  • Polymers and Soft Materials
  • Nanomaterials
  • Materials Characterization
  • Chemical and Electrochemical Materials
  • Materials for Structural Applications
  • Materials Design 
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Mechanical

The UC Berkeley Department of Mechanical Engineering (ME) prepares young minds through industry-based design experience. Undergraduate students may opt for BS in ME, 4-year integrated BS with business, and joint majors with Materials Science or Nuclear Science. Undergraduates who have majored in mechanical engineering can opt for a one-year extension leading to an integrated BS/MS. The department offers full-time and part-time M.Eng besides a thesis-based MS.

The in-vogue tracks of specialization include Fluid and Ocean Engineering and Nanotechnology.

MEng programs are available in the following concentrations:

  • Advanced Energy Technology
  • Biomechanics, Experimental
  • Advanced Control Systems Design
  • Fluids and Ocean Engineering
  • MEMS/Nano
  • Modeling and Simulation of Advanced Manufacturing Processes
  • Product Design

The department offers special graduate programs such as Engineering and Business sustainability and designated emphasis programs in energy science and technology, development engineering and computational and data science engineering. Research at the department is propelled by over three dozen concentrated laboratories and a dozen specialist research centers. Ph.D. researchers can find supervisors for a vast array of fields ranging from biomechanics and robotics to ocean engineering and nanotechnology.

Areas of Expertise:

  • Biomaterials
  • Biomechanics & Biomedical Devices
  • Fluids
  • Solids
  • Materials
  • Computation, & Ocean
  • MEMS
  • Microsystems & Nanosystems
  • Combustion
  • Energy & Environment
  • Thermal Sciences
  • Design & Manufacturing; Controls,
  • Dynamics & Mechatronics

List of Labs: Jacobs Institute for Design Innovation

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Pure Sciences

Considered as one of the top 10 destinations across the globe for science education and research, UC Berkeley offers the latest industry and research-oriented courses leading to degrees in pure sciences which open up a wide range of opportunities. The Department of Chemistry (under the College of Chemistry), the Biological Science division of the College of Letters and Science (L&S), the Mathematical and Physical Sciences division (L&S) offer undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs in pure sciences.

The university has separate departments for Integrative Biology, Molecular and Cell Biology, Mathematics, Physics, Statistics, and Planetary Sciences. UC Berkeley offers some of the best labs and dedicated centers for research in the Sciences. More than half a dozen Nobel Laureates from the university are current faculty members.      

  • List of Labs: Berkeley Nuclear Research Center
Is it true that financial aid is only available to students from extremely low-income families?

Gift aid and work-study or part-time employment, along with the parent and student loans, are available to enable families with a range of incomes to fulfill their expected contribution. Whether or not they believe they qualify, all students should apply for financial help.

Does UC offer precedence to students whose relatives have attended the university?

No, as a public institution, and in accordance with long-standing UC admissions policy, UC does not provide children of alumni or contributors priority entry.

For admission reasons, a student has deemed a resident if he or she can respond yes to any of the following questions:

 

  • Have you attended or will graduate from a California high school for at least three years, from grades 9 to 12, and will or have graduated?
  • Have you spent the last 12 months in California?
  • Is your parent or legal guardian a California resident if you're under the age of 18?
  • Is a UC employee or a UC-affiliated national laboratory employee your parent, legal guardian, spouse, or registered domestic partner?