CHASS and CNAS students MUST contact your college Transition Advisor for change of major information BEFORE contacting BCOE.
See these links for details:
- CHASS: https://chassstudentaffairs.ucr.edu/majors-outside-chass
- CNAS: https://cnasstudent.ucr.edu/transition-advising
Students who have the support of their current college to pursue a change of major should read and follow the instructions below.
Incoming students (pre-matriculation) can apply to change their major through the MyUCR portal until mid-June. No major changes into or within BCOE are accepted over summer nor at orientation. Any incoming student who wishes to change their major into or within BCOE will be held to the same criteria as a continuing student.
Upcoming change of major workshops
How to Change Your Major to a BCOE Major
Please follow the below four-step process to change your major.
- Step 1: Read this entire page.
- Step 2: Watch this video to see a walkthrough of this process by an advisor!
- Step 3: Make sure you are in contact with an advisor (in your college e.g. CHASS/CNAS/BCOE) to discuss your major change goals
- Step 4: Review the Major Change criteria by choosing the major of interest below.
- Step 5: Once you meet the Major Change criteria submit the online Major Change Request form here: https://bcoe.wufoo.com/forms/bcoe-change-of-major-petition/.
- Step 6: Below is the review period for change of major requests. Students who do not submit an inquiry form by the date below will need to wait until the next review period.
Application Submission Period
Form Opens |
Form Closes |
Notification |
9/13/24 12:00AM (PST) |
10/9/24 11:59PM (PST) |
11/1/24 |
12/13/24 12:00AM (PST) |
1/8/25 11:59PM (PST) |
1/31/25 |
3/8/25 12:00AM (PST) |
4/9/25 11:59PM (PST) |
4/30/25 |
Please note, do not fill out the Online Major Change Request form until you have met the Major Change criteria.
Watch this video to see a walkthrough of this process by an advisor!
Major Change Criteria
All students who request a change of major must meet the following requirements:
- Be in good academic standing<
- Have no less than a C- in any Math, Science and Engineering coursework
- Have a minimum 2.0 GPA in all Math, Science and Engineering required coursework
- Be able to complete major within maximum allowable units
- Complete all the courses listed below, based on the total number of units earned, prior to submitting the major change request
- UCR transfer students interested in changing to a BCOE major must have been admissible to the major at point of entry, or must satisfy transfer admission and change of major requirements before earning 120 units
- If changing in the 90-119 units category student must have the ability to complete major within 5 years of entry as a Freshmen or 3 years after entry as a Transfer student
- Students who have earned 120 or more units are not eligible for a change of major in BCOE. NOTE: AP/IB units are excluded from the maximum unit calculation
As the Data Science major is housed in both BCOE and CNAS, when students declare the major, they choose from which college they wish to have their degree awarded. If you would like to pursue the Data Science degree in BCOE you’ll be held to the breadth requirements in our college for the Bachelor of Science degree. The only difference in the degree based on college is which college you’d like to work with while pursuing the degree and which breadth requirements you’ll fulfill.
Please click on the major below to see the major change criteria.
Major Change Criteria
-
Bioengineering
Completed 0-45 units
Completed 46-89 units
Completed 90-119 units
Completion of ENGL 001A with C or better and completion of the following with at least 2.500 GPA:-
CHEM 001A or CHEM 01HA
-
CHEM 01LA or CHEM 01HLA
-
CHEM 001B or CHEM 01HB
-
CHEM 01LB or CHEM 01HLB
-
MATH 009A or MATH 09HA
Completion of ENGL 001A with C or better and completion of the following with at least 2.500:
- BIOL 005A or BIOL 05HA
- BIOL 05LA or BIOL 05HLA
- CHEM 001A or CHEM 01HA
- CHEM 01LA or CHEM 01HLA
- CHEM 001B or CHEM 01HB
- CHEM 01LB or CHEM 01HLB
- MATH 009A or MATH 09HA
- MATH 009B or MATH 09HB
- MATH 009C or MATH 09HC
Completion of ENGL 001A and ENGL 001B with C or better and completion of the following with at least 2.500
- BIOL 005A or BIOL 05HA
- BIOL 05LA or BIOL 05HLA
- CHEM 001A or CHEM 01HA
- CHEM 01LA or CHEM 01HLA
- CHEM 001B or CHEM 01HB
- CHEM 01LB or CHEM 01HLB
- MATH 009A or MATH 09HA
- MATH 009B or MATH 09HB
- MATH 009C or MATH 09HC
- PHYS 040A or PHYS 40HA
-
-
Chemical Engineering
Completed 0-45 units
Completed 46-89 units
Completed 90-119 units
Completion of ENGL 001A with C or better and completion of the following with at least 2.500 GPA:
- CHEM 001A or CHEM 01HA
- CHEM 01LA or CHEM 01HLA
- MATH 009A or MATH 09HA
- PHYS 040A or PHYS 040HA
Completion of ENGL 001A with C or better and completion of the following with at least 2.500 GPA:
- CHEM 001A or CHEM 01HA
- CHEM 01LA or CHEM 01HLA
- CHEM 001B or CHEM 01HB
- CHEM 01LB or CHEM 01HLB
- MATH 009A or MATH 09HA
- MATH 009B or MATH 09HB
- MATH 009C or MATH 09HC
- PHYS 040A or PHYS 040HA
Completion of ENGL 001A and ENGL 001B with C or better and completion of the following with at least 2.500 GPA:
- CHEM 001A or CHEM 01HA
- CHEM 01LA or CHEM 01HLA
- CHEM 001B or CHEM 01HB
- CHEM 01LB or CHEM 01HLB
- CHEM 001C or CHEM 01HC
- CHEM 01LC or CHEM 01HLC
- MATH 009A or MATH 09HA
- MATH 009B or MATH 09HB
- MATH 009C or MATH 09HC
- PHYS 040A or PHYS 040HA
- PHYS 040B or PHYS 040HB
-
Computer Engineering
Completed 0-45 units
Completed 46-89 units
Completed 90-119 units
Completion of ENGL 001A with C or better, a C or better in CS 009A, and completion of the following with at least 2.700 GPA:
- CS 009A
- MATH 009A or MATH 09HA preferred
- PHYS 040A or PHYS 040HA
- Any additional Math/Science/ Engineering/CS courses
Completion of ENGL 001A with C or better, a C or better in CS 009A/CS 009B/CS 009C, and completion of the following with at least 2.700 GPA:
- CS 009A
- CS 009B
- CS 009C (Take concurrently with CS 009B)
- MATH 009A or MATH 09HA preferred
- MATH 009B or MATH 09HB preferred
- MATH 009C or MATH 09HC
- PHYS 040A or PHYS 040HA
- Any additional Math/Science/ Engineering/CS courses
Completion of ENGL 001A and ENGL 001B with C or better, a C or better in CS 009A/CS 009B/CS 009C, and completion of the following with at least 2.700 GPA:
- CS 009A
- CS 009B
- CS 009C (Take concurrently with CS 009B)
- CS 061
- MATH 009A or MATH 09HA preferred
- MATH 009B or MATH 09HB preferred
- MATH 009C or MATH 09HC
- PHYS 040A or PHYS 040HA
- PHYS 040B or PHYS 040HB
- Any additional Math/Science/ Engineering/CS courses
-
Computer Science
Completed 0-45 units
Completed 46-89 units
Completed 90-119 units
Completion of ENGL 001A with C or better, a C or better in CS 009A/CS 009B/CS 009C, and completion of the following with at least 3.00 GPA:
- CS 009A
- CS 009B
- CS 009C (Take concurrently with CS 009B)
- MATH 009A or MATH 09HA
- And any additional Math/ Science/Engineering/CS courses (if taken)
Completion of ENGL 001A with C or better, a C or better in CS 009A/CS 009B/CS 009C, and completion of the following with at least 3.00 GPA:
- CS 009A
- CS 009B
- CS 009C (Take concurrently with CS 009B)
- MATH/CS 011
- MATH 009A or MATH 09HA
- MATH 009B or MATH 09HB
- MATH 009C or MATH 09HC
- And any additional Math/ Science/Engineering/CS courses (if taken)
Completion of ENGL 001A and ENGL 001B with C or better, a C or better in CS 009A/CS 009B/CS 009C, and completion of the following with at least 3.00 GPA:
- CS 009A
- CS 009B
- CS 009C (Take concurrently with CS 009B)
- CS 010C
- CS 061
- MATH/CS 011
- MATH 009A or MATH 09HA
- MATH 009B or MATH 09HB
- MATH 009C or MATH 09HC
- And any additional Math/ Science/Engineering/CS courses (if taken)
-
Computer Science with Business Applications
Completed 0-45 units
Completed 46-89 units
Completed 90-119 units
Completion of ENGL 001A with C or better, C or better in CS 009A, and completion of the following with at least 2.700 GPA:
- BUS 020
- CS 009A
- MATH 009A or MATH 09HA
- Any additional Math/Science /Engineering/CS courses (if taken)
Completion of ENGL 001A with C or better, a C or better in CS 009A/CS 009B/CS 009C, and completion of the following with at least 2.700 GPA:
- BUS 020
- CS 009A
- CS 009B
- CS 009C (Take concurrently with CS 009B)
- MATH 009A or MATH 09HA
- MATH 009B or MATH 09HB
- MATH 009C or MATH 09HC
- Any additional Math/Science /Engineering/CS courses (if taken)
Completion of ENGL 001A and ENGL 001B with C or better, a C or better in CS 009A/CS 009B/CS 009C, and completion of the following with at least 2.700 GPA:
- BUS 020
- CS 009A
- CS 009B
- CS 009C (Take concurrently with CS 009B)
- MATH/CS 011
- MATH 009A or MATH 09HA
- MATH 009B or MATH 09HB
- MATH 009C or MATH 09HC
- Any additional Math/Science /Engineering/CS courses (if taken)
-
Data Science
As the Data Science major is housed in both BCOE and CNAS, when students declare the major, they choose from which college they wish to have their degree awarded. If you would like to pursue the Data Science degree in BCOE you’ll be held to the breadth requirements in our college for the Bachelor of Science degree. The only difference in the degree based on college is which college you’d like to work with while pursuing the degree and which breadth requirements you’ll fulfill.
Completed 0-45 units
Completed 46-89 units
Completed 90-119 units
Completion of ENGL 001A with C or better, a C or better in CS 009A/CS 009B/CS 009C, and completion of the following with at least 2.70 GPA:
- CS 009A
- CS 009B
- CS 009C (Take concurrently with CS 009B)
- MATH 009A or MATH 09HA
Completion of ENGL 001A with C or better, a C or better in CS 009A/CS 009B/CS 009C, and completion of the following with at least 2.70 GPA:
- CS 009A
- CS 009B
- CS 009C (Take concurrently with CS 009B)
- MATH 009A or MATH 09HA
- MATH 009B or MATH 09HB
- MATH 009C or MATH 09HC
An introductory statistics course (STAT 010 or equivalent) is recommended.
Completion of ENGL 001A and ENGL 001B with C or better, a C or better in CS 009A/CS 009B/CS 009C, and completion of the following with at least 2.70 GPA:
- CS 009A
- CS 009B
- CS 009C (Take concurrently with CS 009B)
- CS 010C (previously CS 014)
- MATH/CS 011
- MATH 009A or MATH 09HA
- MATH 009B or MATH 09HB
- MATH 009C or MATH 09HC
- One of MATH 031 or MATH 010A
An introductory statistics course (STAT 010 or equivalent) is recommended.
-
Electrical Engineering
Completed 0-45 units
Completed 46-89 units
Completed 90-119 units
Completion of ENGL 001A with C or better and completion of the following with at least 2.7 GPA in:
- MATH 009A or MATH 09HA
- MATH 009B or MATH 09HB
- PHYS 040A or PHYS 040HA
Completion of ENGL 001A with C or better, C or better in CS 010A, and completion of the following with at least 2.7 GPA in:
- CS 010A
- MATH 009A or MATH 09HA
- MATH 009B or MATH 09HB
- MATH 009C or MATH 09HC
- PHYS 040A or PHYS 040HA
Completion of ENGL 001A and ENGL 001B with C or better, C or better in CS 010A and completion of the following with at least 2.7 GPA in:
- CS 010A
- EE 030A
- EE 030LA
- MATH 009A or MATH 09HA
- MATH 009B or MATH 09HB
- MATH 009C or MATH 09HC
- PHYS 040A or PHYS 040HA
- PHYS 040B or PHYS 040HB
-
Environmental Engineering
Completed 0-45 units
Completed 46-89 units
Completed 90-119 units
Completion of ENGL 001A with C or better and completion of the following with at least 2.500 GPA:
- CHEM 001A or CHEM 01HA
- CHEM 01LA or CHEM 01LHA
- MATH 009A or MATH 09HA
- PHYS 040A or PHYS 040HA
Completion of ENGL 001A with C or better and completion of the following with at least 2.500 GPA:
- CHEM 001A or CHEM 01HA
- CHEM 01LA or CHEM 01HLA
- CHEM 001Bor CHEM 01HB
- CHEM 01LB or CHEM 01HLB
- MATH 009A or MATH 09HA
- MATH 009B or MATH 09HB
- MATH 009C or MATH 09HC
- PHYS 040A or PHYS 040HA
Completion of ENGL 001A and ENGL 001B with C or better and completion of the following with at least 2.500 GPA:
- CHEM 001A or CHEM 01HA
- CHEM 01LA or CHEM 01HLA
- CHEM 001B or CHEM 01HB
- CHEM 01LB or CHEM 01HLB
- CHEM 001C or CHEM 01HC
- CHEM 01LC or CHEM 01HLC
- MATH 009A or MATH 09HA
- MATH 009B or MATH 09HB
- MATH 009C or MATH 09HC
- PHYS 040A or PHYS 040HA
- PHYS 040B or PHYS 040HB
-
Materials Science and Engineering
Completed 0-45 units
Completed 46-89 units
Completed 90-119 units
Completion of ENGL 001A with C or better and completion of the following with at least 2.500 GPA:
- CHEM 001A or CHEM 01HA
- CHEM 01LA or CHEM 01HLA
- CHEM 001B or CHEM 01HB
- CHEM 01LB or CHEM 01HLB
- MATH 009A or MATH 09HA
- MATH 009B or MATH 09HB
- PHYS 040A or PHYS 040HA
Completion of ENGL 001A with C or better and completion of the following with at least 2.500 GPA:
- BIOL 005A or BIOL 05HA
- BIOL 05LA or BIOL 05HLA
- CHEM 001A or CHEM 01HA
- CHEM 01LA or CHEM 01HLA
- CHEM 001B or CHEM 01HB
- CHEM 01LB or CHEM/01HLB
- MATH 009A or MATH 09HA
- MATH 009B or MATH 09HB
- MATH 009C or MATH 09HC
- PHYS 040A or PHYS 040HA
Completion of ENGL 001A and ENGL 001B with C or better and completion of the following with at least 2.500:
- BIOL 005A or BIOL 05HA
- BIOL 05LA or BIOL 05HLA
- CHEM 001A or CHEM 01HA
- CHEM 01LA or CHEM 01HLA
- CHEM 001B or CHEM 01HB
- CHEM 01LB or CHEM 01HLB
- CHEM 001C or CHEM 01HC
- CHEM 01LC or CHEM 01HLC
- MATH 009A or MATH 09HA
- MATH 009B or MATH 09HB
- MATH 009C or MATH 09HC
- PHYS 040A or PHYS 040HA
-
Mechanical Engineering
Completed 0-45 units
Completed 46-89 units
Completed 90-119 units
Completion of ENGL 001A with C or better and completion of the following with at least 2.500 GPA:
- MATH 009A or MATH 09HA
- MATH 009B or MATH 09HB
- PHYS 040A
Completion of ENGL 001A with C or better and completion of the following with at least 2.500 GPA:
- ME 002
- ME 018A
- MATH 009A or MATH 09HA
- MATH 009B or MATH 09HB
- MATH 009C or MATH 09HC
- PHYS 040A
Completion of ENGL 001A and ENGL 001B with C or better and completion of the following with at least 2.500 GPA:
- ME 002
- ME 010
- ME 018A
- ME 018B
- MATH 009A or MATH 09HA
- MATH 009B or MATH 09HB
- MATH 009C or MATH 09HC
- PHYS 040A
- PHYS 040B
-
Robotics Engineering
All students who request a change of major to Robotics Engineering must meet the following requirements:
- Be in good academic standing
- Have no less than a C- in any Math, Science and Engineering coursework
- Be able to complete major within maximum allowable units.
- Complete all the courses listed below, based on the total number of units earned, prior to submitting the major change request
- UCR transfer students interested in changing to a BCOE major must have been admissible to the major at point of entry, or must satisfy transfer admission and change of major requirements before earning 120 units.
- If changing in the 90-119 units category, student must have the ability to complete major within 5 years of entry as a Freshmen or 3 years after entry as a Transfer student.
- Students who have earned 120 or more units are not eligible for a change of major in BCOE. NOTE: AP/IB units are excluded from maximum unit calculation.
- Any deviations will require approval of the Robotics Program Chair.
Completed 0-45 units
Completed 46-89 units
Completed 90-119 units
Completion of ENGL 001A with C or better and completion of the following with at least a 2.7 GPA:
- MATH 009A or MATH 09HA
- MATH 009B or MATH 09HB
- CS 009A
- PHYS 040A or PHYS 40HA
- Any additional Math/Science/Engineering/CS courses
Completion of ENGL 001A with C or better and completion of the following with at least a 2.7 GPA:
- MATH 009A or MATH 09HA
- MATH 009B or MATH 09HB
- MATH 009C or MATH 09HC
- CS 009A
- PHYS 040A or PHYS 40HA
- Any additional Math/Science/Engineering/CS courses
Completion of ENGL 001A and ENGL 001B with C or better, a C or better in CS 009A/CS 009B/CS 009C, and completion of the following with at least a 2.7 GPA:
- MATH 009A or MATH 09HA
- MATH 009B or MATH 09HB
- MATH 009C or MATH 09HC
- MATH/CS 011
- CS 009A
- CS 009B
- CS 009C (Take concurrently with CS 009B)
- PHYS 040A or PHYS 04HA
- PHYS 040B or PHYS 040HB
- ME 010
- Any additional Math/Science/Engineering/CS courses
Deadlines
Major changes are reviewed and processed within the first two weeks of every quarter. Upon review, you will be notified via your UCR email account whether your major change request was approved by week five of the quarter. Refer to the application submission period chart.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
What classes should I take next quarter if I am trying to change my major?
You should try to take courses that help meet the major change criteria for your desired major. The Suggested Course Plans list all courses required to complete each major and serves as a guide to navigating the program. Additionally, you can use the Catalog to learn about prerequisites and help plan your time here.
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I'm registered for MATH 9C and I'm taking it for an S/NC grade. Is this allowed in BCOE?
No, all math, science and engineering and English composition courses must be taken for a letter grade basis. See your current college rules for petitioning for retro active changes to grading basis.
-
I have more than 120 units, will I be eligible to change my major to BCOE if I meet all other criteria?
No, students who have 120 or more units are not eligible for a change of major to BCOE.
-
I have transferred to UCR from another institution or a community college, can I change my major to a BCOE major?
Transfers are expected to earn the degree for the major to which they were accepted. Transfer students will be subject to both admissions criteria and change of major criteria. A petition would need to be filed for an evaluation.
-
Can I take an engineering class even though I am not an engineering major?
You can take any class for which you meet the prerequisites. If a class has a restriction that gives priority to engineering majors, you will not be able to enroll. You may need to wait until seats are released during the make-up registration periods or until the class is offered in a subsequent term.
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What are maximum units?
A student must be able to complete a major within the maximum number of units allowed for the degree. The number of maximum units varies by major and are listed here. To estimate if you can complete a major within the maximum units allowed, use the suggested course plan. Begin by crossing off the courses you have completed, then sum the units of all of the courses you have remaining. Add this to the number of units you have earned. Compare your total with the maximum units allowed for the major.
-
Is there a deadline to declare a major?
Major changes are reviewed and processed within the first two weeks of every quarter. In general, BCOE does not allow students to major change once they have earned 120 units.
-
Do I need to meet with an Academic Advisor to change my major?
No. Academic Advisors are not available to meet with you. If you believe you meet major change criteria, you are welcome to submit an online major change request via the link above. You will receive notification when your major change is reviewed.
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How do I know if engineering will be a good major for me? Are there courses that I can take to explore the major?
To be successful in the College of Engineering, students need to have strong math and science skills. To learn more about a particular major, you are encouraged to review the department websites, talk to students in the major and/or talk with faculty in the department. You are encouraged to visit engineering courses during the school year, talk with the instructor, let him/her know that you are considering changing your major and politely request if you can sit in on the lecture, although you will not be formerly enrolled.
-
How many times can I take a course needed to major change?
Generally, a student may repeat only courses in which a grade of “D,” “F” or “NC” was earned. Some lower division CS courses may be repeated if a grade of C- was earned. BCOE allows a single course to be repeated only once.
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I’m working on major changing to BCOE. Can I S/NC a class?
The College of Engineering requires that courses required for the major must be taken for a letter grade. If you choose to take a required major course Satisfactory/No Credit, you will be required to revert the grading basis back to a letter grade prior to being able to major change to BCOE.
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I have placed into a non-BCOE required math course. What do I do?
See your current academic advisor and ask for a math placement adjustment.
-
I have credit for a non-BCOE required math course. How do I enroll in the appropriate BCOE required math course?
See the CNAS Enrollment Management Center.
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I'm currently enrolled in PHYS 2A (or I took PHYS 2A or I have AP credit for PHYS 2A), can I take PHYS 40B?
If you complete PHYS 2LA with a grade of at least C- you are eligible to take PHYS 40B. See the CNAS Enrollment Management Center.
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I failed ARC-035 Intermediate Algebra Workshop (formerly LNCR-035), can I major change to BCOE?
No.
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Is the M.S. in Engineering program available online?
Yes, for more information on the online program visit the website.
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What if I still have questions?
Send an email to bcoeadvising@engr.ucr.edu with your full name and the phrase "CHANGE OF MAJOR" in the subject line. Make sure to include your student ID number in the body of the message along with your questions.