Selective Major
Beginning with the Summer 2025 continuing student application cycle, students will be able to apply to one of our majors once per year (between Summer and Fall quarters). Note that space will be limited and acceptance to our majors is not guaranteed. For more information about the admission process and criteria please see the UC San Diego Selective Majors Page.
Students must have completed the required screening courses below with a C- or higher in each course.
| Screening Courses | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Engineering | ECE 35* and ECE 45 | MATH 20A-20B-20C |
PHYS 2A or 2AR and PHYS 2B OR PHYS 4A and PHYS 4C |
CSE 8A+8B or CSE 11 |
| Electrical Engineering | ECE 35* and ECE 45 | MATH 20A-20B-20C |
PHYS 2A or 2AR and PHYS 2B OR PHYS 4A and PHYS 4C |
|
| EE & Society | ECE 35* and ECE 45 | MATH 20A-20B-20C |
PHYS 2A or 2AR and PHYS 2B OR PHYS 4A and PHYS 4C |
|
| Engineering Physics | ECE 35* and ECE 45 | MATH 20A-20B-20C | PHYS 4A and PHYS 4C |
- ECE 35 prerequisites (MATH 18, 20A-B and PHYS 2A) are strictly enforced. Please plan accordingly.
- ECE 35 and ECE 45 must be taken at UC San Diego or another UC campus.
Until spring 2025, the ECE Department may grant admission to UC San Diego undergraduate students who were not admitted to the department as entering students. Admission will be considered for students who have completed the screening courses demonstrating special aptitude for the ECE curriculum.
The merit based admissions process for the Computer Engineering (EC26) major is closed as of spring 2024. Students will have an opportunity to apply to the Computer Engineering (EC26) major through the Selective Major process starting in summer 2025. Note that space will be limited and acceptance to the CE major is not guaranteed.
In order to be considered for EE, EP or EE & Society before summer 2025, you must take the following steps:
- 1. Take the ECE screening courses.
-
Students who want to switch or declare EE, EE & Society or EP must complete the following screening courses before they can apply through the JSOE Major Change Application.
Screening Courses that are not from AP credit must be taken for a letter grade and passed with a C- or better:
Electrical Engineering and Electrical Engineering & Society Majors:
MATH 20A, 20B, 20C
PHYS 2A or 2AR, 2B (PHYS 4A and 4C are acceptable)
ECE 35, 45Engineering Physics
MATH 20A, 20B, 20C
PHYS 4A (offered in winter quarter only) and PHYS 4C (offered in fall quarter only)
ECE 35, 45 - 2. Apply using the JSOE Major Change Application.
-
There are only 2 application cycles for the EE, EP and EE &Society majors before the new Selective Major Application opens in summer:
Term WI25 SP25 Open to students to apply 03/27/2025 06/02/2025 Student's deadline to apply or make changes 04/10/2025 06/20/2025 Department message applicants decisions (Approved / Denied) 04/11/2025-04/25/2025 06/21/2025-06/30/2025 Student first day to accept or decline offer 04/11/2025 06/21/2025 Student's deadline to accept or decline offer. Missing the deadline is considered a decline. 04/28/2025 07/03/2025 - You are required to submit a Quarter by Quarter plan and get College approval if you have 150 or more units.
- ECE will rank applicants according to grades received in the courses from the screening list.
- All courses will be weighed equally. This applies to the EE, EP and EE & Society majors only.
- A 3.5 GPA in the screening courses is considered competitive.
- Results are sent through the VAC.
Please note:
- Current EE, EP and EE & Society majors can switch to another major within the ECE Department EXCEPT Computer Engineering by using the Major/Minor Tool on Tritonlink.
- EE, CE and EE & Society majors who wish to switch to Engineering Physics should keep in mind that the PHYS 4 series is required for the EP major.
- Current Computer Engineering majors in the ECE Department can switch to EE, EP, or EE & Society through the Major/Minor Tool in Tritonlink.
- Screening courses that are not from AP credit must be taken for a letter grade and passed with a C- or better.
- AP scores and screening courses taken outside of UC San Diego must be posted on a student's academic history by the time the application closes. Transcripts submitted to the department will not be accepted.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- When should I apply?
-
There are only 2 application cycles left before the new Selective Major Application opens in summer:
Term WI25 SP25 Open to students to apply 03/27/2025 06/02/2025 Student's deadline to apply or make changes 04/10/2025 06/20/2025 Department message applicants decisions (Approved / Denied) 04/11/2025-04/25/2025 06/21/2025-06/30/2025 Student first day to accept or decline offer 04/11/2025 06/21/2025 Student's deadline to accept or decline offer. Missing the deadline is considered a decline. 04/28/2025 07/03/2025 - Can I apply to two engineering majors at a time?
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No, the Selective Major Application allows students to apply to only one engineering major at a time.
- I'm an EE/EP/EE&Society major, can I switch to the CE (EC26) major without taking screening courses?
-
No, all non-CE (EC26) majors must take screening courses and apply through the Selective Major process starting in summer 2025. Note that space will be limited and acceptance to the CE major is not guaranteed.
What to do if you are not accepted into one of the ECE majors? See the Computing Paths website
QUESTIONS?
For questions about the selective major application process, students should contact selective-majors@ucsd.edu
Continuing students, please contact us via the "Ask A Question" feature on the VAC.
Prospective students, please email us at ece-ugadvising@ucsd.edu if you have any questions.