2015-16 Exams (AP, IB, A-Level) and transfer credit information
Contact
Engineering Student Services
230 Bechtel Engineering Center # 1702
Berkeley, CA 94720-1702
(510) 642-7594
ess@berkeley.edu
Hours: Monday – Thursday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Friday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Some of the College and University requirements can be satisfied with Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate and Transfer Credit. Below are the tests and scores needed to fulfill UC Berkeley and/or College of Engineering requirements. For the Humanities/Social Science requirement, AP, IB or A-Level exams can satisfy no more than two of the required six courses. There is no limit on the number of AP exams that can be used to satisfy technical requirements.
Exam Name |
Score
|
UCB Units
|
Requirements Fulfilled
|
Art, Studio (2-D Design, 3-D Design, Drawing(1) |
3 or higher
|
5.3
|
One lower division Humanities/Social Science
|
Art History |
3 or higher
|
5.3
|
One lower division Humanities/Social Science
|
Biology |
4 or 5
|
5.3
|
Biology 1A/1AL and Biology 1B
|
Chemistry |
3 or higher
|
5.3
|
Chemistry 1A/1AL(2)
|
Chinese Language & Culture |
3 or higher
|
5.3
|
One lower division Humanities/Social Science
|
Computer Science A |
3 or higher
|
1.3
|
None
|
Economics (Macro or Micro) |
3 or higher
|
2.7(3)
|
One lower division Humanities/Social Science(3)
|
English |
3
|
5.3(1)
|
Entry Level Writing Requirement Only.
|
4 or 5
|
5.3(1)
|
Reading and Writing Composition “A”
|
|
Environmental Science |
3 or higher
|
2.7
|
None
|
French Language and Culture |
3 or higher
|
5.3
|
One lower division Humanities/Social Science
|
German Language and Culture |
3 or higher
|
5.3
|
One lower division Humanities/Social Science
|
Government and Politics (U.S. or Comparative) |
3 or higher
|
2.7(3)
|
One lower division Humanities/Social Science
|
History (U.S., European or World) |
3 or higher
|
5.3(3)
|
|
Human Geography |
3 or higher
|
2.7
|
One lower division Humanities/Social Science
|
Italian Language and Culture |
3 or higher
|
5.3
|
One lower division Humanities/Social Science
|
Japanese Language and Culture |
3 or higher
|
5.3
|
One lower division Humanities/Social Science
|
Latin |
3 or higher
|
5.3
|
One lower division Humanities/Social Science
|
Mathematics: Calculus AB |
3 or higher
|
2.7(1)
|
Math 1A(5)
|
Mathematics: Calculus BC |
3
|
5.3(1)
|
Math 1A
|
Mathematics (BC Exam) |
4 or 5
|
5.3(1)
|
Math 1A and Math 1B(6)
|
Music Theory |
3 or higher
|
5.3
|
One lower division Humanities/Social Science
|
Physics C Mechanics |
5
|
2.7(1)
|
Physics 7A
|
Physics C Mechanics |
3 or 4
|
5.3(1)
|
None
|
Physics B(7) |
3 or higher
|
5.3(1)
|
None
|
Physics 1(7) |
3 or higher
|
5.3(1)
|
None
|
Physics 2(7) |
3 or higher
|
5.3(8)
|
None
|
Political Science (American or Comp) |
3 or higher
|
2.7
|
One lower division Humanities/Social Science(9)
|
Psychology |
3 or higher
|
2.7
|
One lower division Humanities/Social Science
|
Spanish Literature and Culture |
3 or higher
|
5.3
|
One lower division Humanities/Social Science
|
Statistics |
3 or higher
|
2.7
|
None
|
Notes
AP credit will not be awarded if the test is taken after enrolling at UC Berkeley.
If a student takes a course at UC Berkeley (or another institution) for which AP credit has been awarded, this is considered a duplication of credit. The AP unit credit will be subject to partial or complete removal by the College of Engineering when duplication of credit is determined.
1The maximum units award for all exams in this area is 5.3.
2If your major requires Chemistry 1B, Chemistry 1A is strongly recommended before taking Chemistry 1B.
3For each exam.
4Up to the maximum allowable of two AP exams towards the Humanities/Social Sciences requirement.
5Students with a score of 3 should take Math 1A.
6Students with a score of 4 should complete Math 1B.
7Physics B is being replaced with Physics 1 and 2.
Exam Name | Requirement Fulfilled |
Art/Design | One lower division Humanities/Social Science |
Biology | Biology 1A/1AL and Biology 1B |
Chemistry | Chemistry 1A/1AL |
Computer Science | CompSci 61B, if student completes CS47B at UCB |
Economics | One lower division Humanities/Social Science |
English A1 | Entry Level Writing & Reading & Comp “A” |
English A2 | One lower division Humanities/Social Science |
English B | None |
French A1, A2 or B | One lower division Humanities/Social Science |
Geography | One lower division Humanities/Social Science |
German A1, A2 or B | One lower division Humanities/Social Science |
Classical Greek | One lower division Humanities/Social Science |
History of the Americas | One lower division Humanities/Social Science |
European History | One lower division Humanities/Social Science |
Latin | One lower division Humanities/Social Science |
Math | Math 1A and Math 1B |
Mandarin | One lower division Humanities/Social Science |
Music | One lower division Humanities/Social Science |
Philosophy | One lower division Humanities/Social Science |
Physics | None |
Portuguese A1, A2 or B | One lower division Humanities/Social Science |
Spanish A1, A2 or B | One lower division Humanities/Social Science |
Theater | One lower division Humanities/Social Science |
Notes
1. IB Higher Level exams completed with a grade of 5, 6 or 7 (except for Physics) are awarded 5.3 semester units of work, unless completed as part of the diploma whereby a maximum 20 units is awarded.
2. No credit is given for IB Subsidiary or Standard Level exams
3. No duplication of credit will be given for IB, AP, A-level and community college credit.
4. In order to receive subject credit for IB exams, students must give a copy of the exam scores to their Engineering Student Adviser in 230 Bechtel Engineering Center
A-Level Exams | Units | Requirement Fulfilled |
Accounting(1) | 8 | NONE |
Biology(2) | 8 | Biology 1A/1AL and Biology 1B |
Chemistry(1) | 8 | Chemistry 1A/1AL Score of A satisfies 1A/1AL & 1B |
Computer Science | 8 | 61B if programming language is C or C++(4) |
Economics(3) | 8 | One lower division Humanities/Social Science |
English Literature(1) | 8 | Reading and Composition “A” |
Math(1) | Maximum allowable units is 8 for Math exams | |
Math H1 | 8 | Satisfies Math 1A |
Math H2 | 8 | Satisfies Math 1A and Math 1B |
Math H3 | 8 | Satisfies Math 1A and Math 1B |
Pure Math | 8 | Satisfies Math 1A and Math 1B |
Further Math | 8 | Satisfies Math 1A and Math 1B |
Physics | 8 | None |
Religious Studies(1) | 8 | One lower division Humanities/Social Science |
Notes
1All Examining boards.
2Examining Boards: Singapore Cambridge, Hong Kong, U of London, Oxford-Cambridge
3Examining Boards: Hong Kong, U of London, Oxford-Cambridge, Singapore Cambridge.
4This exam does NOT exempt a student from completing CS 61A.
Transfer Credit
The Office of Undergraduate Admissions determines the units of credit to be allowed for work successfully completed at another institution. Students who have questions about transferability of units should visit the Office of Undergraduate Admissions in 103 Sproul Hall. The Engineering Student Services Office evaluates transfer work in terms of subject credit (which, if any, requirements the courses can fulfill).
Unit Credit
- The maximum number of units which a student can transfer to the University from a community college is 70 semester units. Students may receive subject credit for courses taken at a community college beyond the 70 unit maximum.
Subject Credit
- For courses taken at a California Community College, the Assist website defines which (if any) requirement each course can satisfy. Students should use the Assist website to determine equivalencies for courses taken at California Community Colleges. Courses taken at 4-year institutions (including other UC schools) and at community colleges outside California must be evaluated before subject credit can be awarded. To have a course evaluated students must provide a syllabus; evaluations cannot be done on the basis of course descriptions alone. Students bring a copy of the syllabus to their Engineering Student Services (ESS) Adviser in 230 Bechtel Hall. A faculty representative of the course in question will evaluate technical classes.
Attendance at Other Schools After Enrollment at UC Berkeley
Once a student begins their education in the College of Engineering, attendance at any institution other than UC Berkeley requires permission. Students who wish to take courses at another school in the summer (or in a semester they are not enrolled at UC Berkeley) must consult with their Engineering Student Services (ESS) Adviser before registering for courses at any school other than UC Berkeley. Students will not receive credit for courses taken at other colleges unless they receive approval prior to taking the non-UC Berkeley course. Permission to enroll elsewhere during summer is generally granted. Students who wish to attend a school other than UC Berkeley must complete the Courses at another School petition and meet with their Engineering Student Services (ESS) Adviser in a scheduled or drop-in appointment.
Students may not enroll during a Fall or Spring semester at another school while simultaneously enrolled at the University.
Education Abroad Program
Many College of Engineering undergraduates are interested in studying abroad and we strongly encourage participation as a means of broadening education and developing a global view of engineering. International study requires a good deal of planning, organization and self-motivation to be successful, but the benefits are well worth the effort. Students may choose to study abroad by participating in the UC Education Abroad Program (EAP) or in a non-UC sponsored program. Study Abroad Programs are offered for one semester, a full academic year or a summer session. Interested students should begin researching country and program options early in their academic career. With careful planning many students can complete a study abroad program without delaying their graduation, however, students who participate in a study abroad program will be granted one additional semester to complete their degree requirements if needed.
Students need the approval of their Engineering Student Services (ESS) Adviser to participate in a study abroad program. Advisers will verify that students are making normal progress toward their degree, and that the time abroad won’t prevent completion of the College of Engineering requirements in a timely manner. Visit the EAP section of our website for further information about College of Engineering policy and procedures for study abroad participation.
Correspondence and On-Line Courses
A limited number of engineering courses are available through correspondence study or online. In general, the policy of the College of Engineering is that required courses should be taken in residence (at UC Berkeley). In extenuating cases, the College will give consideration to requests of students to complete a required course through correspondence, or online. See your Engineering Student Services (ESS) Adviser regarding this requirement. Any such requests must be made prior to taking the course. Correspondence, on-line and extension courses may not be taken concurrently with regular class work.
Credit by Exam
Some requirements in the College of Engineering can be satisfied with Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB) and A-Level exams. To receive credit, exams must be taken prior to graduating from high school. See coesandbox.berkeley.edu/exams for details
In very limited situations, the College of Engineering allows students to petition for credit by examination for Math 1A and/or Math 1B. These are the only two subjects students may petition to satisfy by examination. At a minimum, approval of both the College of Engineering Dean and a Math department faculty person willing to administer an examination that covers the entire course is required. Students must be in good academic standing and registered during the term the exam will be offered. The Credit by Examination petition is available through meeting with an Engineering Student Services (ESS) Adviser.
Independent, Group and Field Studies Courses
Limitations to Special Studies Courses
- Courses numbered 97, 98, 99, 197, 198, and 199 must be taken on a Passed/Not Passed basis and may not ever be used to satisfy any technical requirements.
- There are limitations on the number of units a student may earn toward graduation, and in each semester, for Special Studies Courses (courses numbered 97, 98, 99, 197, 198 and 199). A maximum of 10 units of 199 is allowed toward the B.S. degree. Not more than a total of 16 units of 98, 99, 197, 198, and 199 courses combined can be counted toward the B.S. degree. Credit for 98, 99, 198, and 199 courses combined may not exceed 4 units in any single term. To enroll in a course numbered 198 or 199 students must have completed (and have posted to their record) at least 60 units of undergraduate work.
- The Office of the Registrar will automatically drop students from courses numbered 99,198, and 199 who do not meet the criteria for admission. They will block credit for students who enroll in more than four units of 98, 99, 197, 198, or 199 in any one semester. If you are unsure of your eligibility to take any of these courses, check with your Engineering Student Services (ESS) Adviser.
Approvals Required for Enrollment in Independent and Field Studies Courses
- Students interested in pursuing independent study or participating in research for academic credit should review the information on their major department’s website regarding procedures for obtaining credit for undergraduate research/independent study. Students begin the process by obtaining the support of a faculty person who will sponsor their work. Most departments require faculty sponsors to complete and sign paperwork acknowledging their support of your research/study and on the basis of that provide a course control number for registration.
Self-Paced and Independent Classes
Self-paced classes are offered as alternatives to regular classes in some lower-division computer science courses. These classes allow the student to work at his/her own pace (subject to some constraints determined by the course) with most of the learning done through study guides, workbooks, texts, and frequent quizzes.
Before taking one of the self-paced classes, the student should consider whether he/she is sufficiently motivated to do the work without having very specific deadlines and an instructor. Procrastination can end in a mad scramble at the end of the term. In addition, the student should check any constraints dictated by the course which may limit the amount of freedom for self-pacing.