Selective Major Application

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. 

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 and ECE 45 must be taken at UC San Diego or another UC campus.
- Students applying to switch to the Engineering Physics major will need to apply after their second year due to the scheduling of PHYS4A and PHYS4C. PHYS4A is offered in winter quarter while PHYS4C is offered the following fall quarter. 
- Screening courses that are not from AP credit must be taken for a letter grade and passed with a C- or better.

 

Capped Major

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 below demonstrating special aptitude for the ECE curriculum.

The Capped Major 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, 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, 45

Engineering Physics
MATH 20A, 20B, 20C
PHYS 4A (offered in winter quarter only) and PHYS 4C (offered in fall quarter only)
ECE* 35, 45 

*EFFECTIVE SUMMER 2023, ECE 35 and 45 must be completed at UC San Diego or another UC campus.

2. Apply using the JSOE Major Change Application.
  • Students may apply in any quarter after they have completed the screening courses above, but should take into consideration time to graduation. 
  • 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. 
  • 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:

    Status Future Future
    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

    Keep in mind that the Capped Major Application process will be changing to the Selective Major Application process and students can only apply once per year (between Summer and Fall quarters). Note that space will be limited, and acceptance to our majors is not guaranteed.

    How many times can I apply?

    Students can apply more than once but should consider time to degree if they are not accepted. Students who have 150 or more units are required to submit a Quarter by Quarter plan and get college approval to switch majors.

    Beginning with the Summer 2025 application cycle, students will be able to apply to one of our majors once per year (between Summer and Fall quarters).

    Can I apply to two engineering majors at a time?

    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. 

    I was accepted as an undeclared or non-ECE major for fall 2024. How can I declare or switch to the CE (EC26) major?

    See information above regarding "Selective Major". For questions about the selective major application process, students should contact selective-majors@ucsd.edu.

    I was accepted as an EE, EP or EE & Society major for fall 2024. How can I switch to the CE (EC26) major?

    See information above regarding "Selective Major". For questions about the selective major application process, students should contact selective-majors@ucsd.edu.

    ECE NUMBERS

    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.