Here are 10 popular majors for UC Berkeley premeds.
- Anthropology
- Bioengineering
- Bioengineering / Material Science Engineering
- Genetics and Plant Biology
- Global Studies
- Molecular Environmental Biology
- Molecular and Cell Biology
- Public Health
- Science Technology and Society
- Languages, Literatures, and Cultures of the Spanish Speaking World
There is no best pre med major at UC Berkeley for premeds. You should choose what major interests you and where you will succeed. Keep scrolling below for more details about each pre med major.
UC Berkeley Pre Med Majors – Anthropology
About the Program
Bachelor of Arts (BA)
The Anthropology major is designed to serve two purposes: to provide a general education in anthropology for students who are pursuing a liberal arts education and to provide preparation for graduate work for students who wish to become professional anthropologists. For both groups of students, anthropology provides communication skills, analytic approaches to human lifeways, and understanding of diversity. Students should select a combination of courses to form a unified plan of study that meets their intellectual interests and fulfills the requirements below.
Declaring the Major
Before you are eligible to declare the major, you must have completed or be in the progress of completing two of the three prerequisite courses and enrolled in the third, with a grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or higher in all courses intended for the major. For more details regarding the prerequisites, please see the Major Requirements tab on this page.
To declare the major, you will need to complete these three steps:
- Reach out to the Anthropology Academic Undergraduate Advisor in 215 Kroeber Hall, during office hours or by email at: anthropology@berkeley.edu and address it to the Undergrad Advisor.
- Bring or attach to your email, photocopies of transcripts, (unofficial will suffice), showing courses satisfying the major prerequisites that you took anywhere other than Berkeley along with the grades you earned.
- To prepare, review the description of the program, and the requirements for the major to be prepared to identify how you might fulfill them. And please acquaint yourself with the faculty pages.
Declare the major as soon as you are eligible. You should declare the major no later than the end of your first semester of junior year. If you are a transfer student, this means you should declare the major during your first semester at UC Berkeley.
Honors Program
The honors thesis in Anthropology is the result of an independently-pursued course of research undertaken by qualified students under the mentorship of a faculty thesis advisor. An overall GPA of 3.5 and a GPA of 3.65 in the major in courses completed at UC Berkeley is required to qualify for the program. The program requires the sponsorship of an anthropology professor as an adviser. This advisor should be identified by the end of the junior year. A second reader must also be identified, in consultation with the thesis advisor. If students want to apply for research funding for summer between junior and senior years, they will benefit by having secured an advisor by January of the junior year. The year-long senior thesis course normally begins in the fall of senior year, but can begin in spring of senior year if justified. The honors courses, ANTHRO H195A and ANTHRO H195B, count as two of the five elective requirements for the major and are four unit courses each.
Minor Program
The Department of Anthropology offers an undergraduate minor in anthropology. In order to declare the minor, you will need to complete these three steps:
- Consult the Undergraduate Advisor in 215 Kroeber about your intentions and interests. The advisor will assist you in identifying courses that fulfill the minor requirements. Send email to anthropology@berkeley.edu and request the Undergrad Advisor.
- Bring or attach to your email the photocopies of any transcripts showing any lower division Intro to Anthropology, Anthro 1, 2, or 3 courses, that satisfy lower division minor requirements taken anywhere other than Berkeley, with the grades you earned. Two of the three courses and five Anthro Upper Division courses satisfy the Anthropology Minor.
- Submit the L&S “Completion of the L&S Minor” form by the end of the semester prior to graduation. See L&S Advising website for details.
UC Berkeley Pre Med Majors -Bioengineering
About the Program
Bachelor of Science (BS)
Rated one of the top 10 Bioengineering undergraduate programs in the country, Bioengineering at Berkeley is a multidisciplinary major intended for academically strong students who excel in the physical sciences, mathematics, and biology. Coursework provides a strong foundation in engineering and the biological sciences, with the freedom to explore a variety of topics and specialize in advanced areas of research. All students benefit from intensive group design work, either through a senior capstone project or through independent research in faculty laboratories. The major features small, specialized upper division courses, and direct interaction with faculty.
The stimulating environment of Berkeley offers a wealth of opportunity for learning, research, service, community involvement, and provides dedicated students the knowledge and skills to become the next leaders in bioengineering.
Course of Study Overview
The department offers one Bioengineering major, with several concentrations. For detailed descriptions of these concentrations, please see the department’s website.
Admission to the Major
Prospective undergraduates of the College of Engineering will apply for admission to a specific program in the college. For further information, please see the College of Engineering’s website.
Admission to engineering via a Change of College application for current UC Berkeley students is not guaranteed. For further information regarding a Change of College to Engineering, please see the college’s website.
Minor Program
The department offers a minor in Bioengineering that is open to all students who are not majoring in bioengineering and who have completed the necessary prerequisites for the minor. For further information regarding the prerequisites, please see the Minor Requirements tab on this page.
Joint Major
The Department of Bioengineering also offers a joint major with the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, for students who have an interest in the field of biomaterials. For further information regarding this program, please see the Bioengineering/Materials Science and Engineering joint major page.
UC Berkeley Pre Med Majors – Bioengineering/Materials Science and Engineering Joint Major
About the Program
Bachelor of Science (BS)
The joint major programs are designed for students who wish to undertake study in two areas of engineering in order to qualify for employment in either field or for positions in which competence in two fields is required. These curricula include the core courses in each of the major fields. While they require slightly increased course loads, they can be completed in four years. Both majors are shown on the student’s transcript of record.
The Bioengineering/Materials Science and Engineering Joint Major is for students who have a keen interest in the field of biomaterials. Students will study the design and synthesis of novel materials that will define new paradigms in biomaterials from the molecular through macroscopic levels, and will also receive a broad-based learning experience that will include exposure to fundamental courses in engineering and life sciences. This joint major aims to allow the student to understand the interface between the two major fields. Students taking this double major will successfully compete for jobs in the field of biomaterials in the academe, industry, and government.
Admission to the Joint Major
Admission directly to a joint major is closed to freshmen and junior transfer applicants. Students interested in a joint program may apply to change majors during specific times in their academic progress. Please see the College of Engineering joint majors website for complete details.
UC Berkeley Pre Med Majors – Genetics and Plant Biology
About the Program
Bachelor of Science (BS)
The Department of Plant and Microbial Biology’s (PMB) undergraduate major program in Genetics and Plant Biology has been developed as a broadly based program emphasizing the study of plants from the molecular and genetic to organismal levels. Lower division courses are intended to produce a foundation in biological and physical sciences as preparation for advanced study at the upper division level. Coursework from the Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, which can be used as a foundation for medical school application, is interesting and varied. The small department provides a rich and supportive environment for learning.
Plant biology emphasizes the study of plants from genetics to the organism. From oxygen to food to shelter to energy to shade, plants provide humans with virtually everything needed to survive and thrive. There is important work for those who want to unravel the mystery of genes, teach the next generation of biologists to devise ways to feed the world.
Admission to the Major
Advice on admission for freshmen and transfer students can be found on the Rausser College of Natural Resources Admissions Guide page or the college’s Prospective Student website. Freshman students may apply directly to the major, or they may select the Rausser College of Natural Resource’s undeclared option and declare the major by the end of their fourth semester. Transfer students may apply directly to the major through the UC application.
Information for current Berkeley students who would like to declare the major after admission, including information on a change of major or change of college, please see chapter 6 of the Rausser College of Natural Resources Undergraduate Student Handbook.
Research Opportunities
In addition to the Berkeley campus Undergraduate Research Apprenticeship Program (URAP), Rausser College students can also apply for the college’s Sponsored Projects for Undergraduate Research (SPUR) program. For more information, please see the college’s website.
Honors Program
Students with a GPA of 3.6 or higher may enroll in the Rausser College of Natural Resources honors program (H196) once they have reached upper division standing. To fulfill the program requirements, students design, conduct, and report on an individual research project working with a faculty sponsor. For further information about registration for the honors symposium and the honors requirements, please see the college’s website.
UC Berkeley Pre Med Majors – Global Studies
About the Program
As interactions between states, societies, and cultures increase, so do the responses to these interactions multiply. The Global Studies major allows students to explore such interactions and their outcomes. By bringing in both historical and contemporary material, the major provides students with the tools that they need in order to make sense of the world in which they live—as well as understanding how it got to be that way. Students pursuing an undergraduate degree in global studies will engage in thinking critically about how global change has (and can) come about during their lifetimes. The major aims to have students focus on relevant issues to them in a way that provides intellectual flexibility. The major will offer solid training in how to use acquired knowledge to become agents of positive change on the global issues that matter most to people here, and elsewhere around the world.
Global Studies Major
The Global Studies major requires students to choose a concentration and a geographic region in which to become an expert. It connects this regional specialization to language training. Global Studies majors will choose one of three concentrations: (1) Global Development, (2) Global Peace and Conflict, or (3) Global Societies and Cultures. This will allow students to focus their studies on a specific aspect of the “global.” At the same time, those pursuing this major will choose one of five regions (Asia, Africa, Europe/Russia, The Americas or the Middle East) in which to specialize, both in terms of content and language. In doing so, students have an opportunity to become an expert in a specific region, especially as it relates to larger questions that arise from global interaction. In addition, the major requires training in critical thinking—that is how to study a particular problem in a consistent and rigorous way. Students will work with faculty and the Global Studies advisors to devise a program that best captures their interests and allows them to reach their intellectual and professional potentials.
Global Studies Minor
The minor in Global Studies provides an opportunity to study one of five regions of the world within the context of Globalization: (1) Europe and Russia; (2) Africa, North and Sub-Saharan; (3) The Americas; (4) The Middle East and North Africa; (5) Asia.
UC Berkeley Pre Med Majors – Molecular Environmental Biology
About the Program
Bachelor of Science (BS)
The Molecular Environmental Biology (MEB) major is designed to expose students to the organization and function of biological organisms. Molecular approaches are expected to play an increasing role in environmental problem-solving in the near future, and their success will depend upon a sound understanding of biological principles from molecular through ecological levels. The program trains students in the organization and function of biological organisms and their integration into the environment.
Declaring the Major
- There is a 3.0 GPA requirement to transfer into the Rausser College of Natural Resources from other colleges on campus.
- Required pre-requisite courses to declare the Molecular Environmental Biology major are: Reading & Composition Part A and Part B, Chemistry 1A/1AL and 3A/3AL, one semester of Biology (1A/1AL or 1B), Math 1A or 16A or 10A, and a second quantitative course in either Math (1B, 16B, 10B) or Statistics (STAT 2, C8, 20, 131A, PB HLTH 141, 142, W142).
- It is recommended that students complete the ESPM lower-division core courses prior to declaring.
- Undeclared students in Rausser College must declare a major by the end of their fourth semester. Failure to declare a major by junior standing will result in a registration block on further enrollment.
- Current UC Berkeley students who entered as freshmen are expected to be able to graduate in a total of 8 semesters (summers excluded). Exceptions are rarely granted. Students should be progressing in major requirements each semester.
- All major requirements must be taken for a letter grade and passed with a C- or better (including breadth). Please see the College Requirements page for any exceptions to this policy.
- Both halves of the Reading and Composition requirement must be completed by the end of the fourth semester.
Honors Program
Students with a grade point average (GPA) of 3.6 or higher may enroll in the Rausser College of Natural Resources Honors Program (ESPM H196) once they have reached upper-division standing. To fulfill the program requirements, students design, conduct, and report on an individual research project working with a faculty sponsor. For further information on registering for the Honors Symposium and on Honors requirements, please see the Rausser College of Natural Resources website.
Minor Program
There is no minor program in Molecular Environmental Biology.
Other Majors and Minors Offered by the Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management
Conservation and Resource Studies (Major and Minor)
Environmental Sciences (Major only)
Food Systems (Minor only)
Ecosystem Management and Forestry (Major and Minor)
Geospatial Information Science and Technology (Minor only)
Society and Environment (Major only)
UC Berkeley Pre Med Majors – Molecular and Cell Biology
About the Program
Bachelor of Arts (BA)
The undergraduate major in Molecular and Cell Biology (MCB) focuses on the study of molecular structures and processes of cellular life and their roles in the function, reproduction, and development of living organisms. This covers a broad range of specialized disciplines, such as biochemistry, microbiology, biophysics, molecular biology, genetics, cell physiology, cell anatomy, immunology, and neurobiology. The types of living organisms from which the departmental faculty draws its working materials are as diverse as its disciplinary concentrations, ranging from viruses and microbes through plants, roundworms, annelids, arthropods, and mollusks, to fish, amphibia, and mammals.
There are five emphases (concentrations) in MCB:
- Biochemistry, Biophysics & Structural Biology
- Cell Biology, Development & Physiology
- Genetics, Genomics, Evolution & Development
- Immunology & Molecular Medicine
- Neurobiology
All of the emphases except Neurobiology have two tracks to choose from. Some tracks only differ slightly and some give a whole different perspective on the emphasis. For help deciding your emphasis please see a staff or peer advisor in MCB!
Declaring the Major
Students can receive pre-major advising at any time from staff or peer advisors. MCB is not an impacted major. Therefore, the major will accept any interested student who meets the minimum course and GPA requirements and is realistically able to complete the major requirements during the student’s time at UC Berkeley. Any student intending to major in MCB must finish declaring or complete MCB conditions to declare by the end of their 6th semester, or during the semester before their graduating term (if this semester is before their 6th semester).
In order to declare the MCB major, students must have completed or be enrolled in BIOLOGY 1A/BIOLOGY 1AL (C or better on first Bio 1A midterm) and CHEM 3B (past the early drop deadline), have at least a 2.0 overall GPA, a 2.0 GPA in the courses taken for the major, a 2.0 GPA in any upper division courses taken for the major, and know which emphasis they will declare. Intended MCB students are not required to have completed the math, physics, or Bio 1B requirements at the time of declaration (though these requirements must be met in order to graduate).
UC Berkeley Pre Med Majors – Public Health
About the Program
Bachelor of Arts (BA)
The School of Public Health (a graduate school) offers an undergraduate major through the College of Letters & Science. The goal of the major is to provide students with an understanding of epidemiology, biostatistics, environmental health, health behavior, and health policy. These areas of emphasis range across the spectrum of natural science to social science. Public health is the interdisciplinary science of preventing disease and injury to improve the health of communities and populations. Public health professionals work to identify solutions to address complex issues as wide ranging as air pollution, chronic disease, gun violence, infectious diseases, tobacco control and mental health.
The School of Public Health offers a major and summer minor. The curriculum prepares students to become changemakers in public health, for a more equitable and just world.
Declaring the Major
Although the major remains capped (impacted), the department encourages all qualified students to apply. To qualify, students must have completed the prerequisites in math, biology, and the social sciences. For further information regarding these prerequisites, please see the Major Requirements tab on this page.
Students should apply to the Public Health major after completion of the lower division requirements. Non-transfer students must apply to the major by the end of their fifth semester in attendance at UC Berkeley. Transfer students must apply by the end of their first semester in attendance at UC Berkeley.
After completing the prerequisites, students should submit an application, which includes the following:
- A review of an applicant’s academic preparation (Coursework and GPA)
- Two essays (Statement of Purpose and Personal History Statement)
- Resume or CV
For more information, please see the School of Public Health website.
While completing the prerequisites for Public Health, students should also take the necessary steps to prepare themselves to declare an alternate major. While the department will do its best to bring in all qualified students, there is no guarantee that any one particular student will be admitted into the major. Therefore, students interested in the Public Health major should prepare an alternate major in case they are not admitted into the major. Public health demands everyone’s attention — there are myriad undergraduate majors at UC Berkeley that will help students prepare to work in this field. All students interested in the major, or the field of public health in general, are encouraged to consult with an academic adviser.
Summer Minor or Certificate Program
Public health seeks to improve human health through the development and application of knowledge that prevents disease, protects the public from harm, and promotes health throughout the state, the nation, and the world. Under the global public health summer minor or certificate, students will develop and apply knowledge from multiple disciplines for the promotion and protection of the health of the human population, giving due consideration to principles of human rights and many cultural perspectives in our multicultural country and world. The summer minor or certificate can serve as a precursor to further study in public health, other health professions, or any fields in which the health of persons and populations is a relevant concern. The summer minor can augment and enhance many different undergraduate bachelor degree programs and prepare students for professional and academic careers. In addition, public health is of interest for its own sake, as a component of a rigorous liberal arts education. Please note: the Summer Minor is only available to Berkeley students, and the Summer Certificate is only available to non-Berkeley students.
UC Berkeley Pre Med Majors – Science Technology and Society
About the Program
As our students enter into a world of accelerating change, it has become ever more important that these future scientists, engineers, computer and data scientists, health care practitioners, social scientists, teachers, policymakers, and more be able to reason about the social and ethical implications of science and technology in their fields and in public life. The Undergraduate Minor in Science, Technology and Society (STS) brings Berkeley undergraduates to the forefront of understanding the global impact of science, technology and medicine-related challenges.
The STS Minor provides students critical thinking skills to effectively contribute to a world shaped by computing and artificial intelligence, environmental change, new medical technologies, and genetic engineering. Students engage with current technoscientific issues in historical context, develop capacities to examine scientific and technical processes, and practice speaking about them effectively to multidisciplinary audiences.
Declaring the Minor
To declare the minor:
- Complete the core course with a C (2.0) or better. In Spring 2022, the core course is HISTORY 182A. After Spring 2022, the core course is STS C100.
- Complete the STS Minor Application, listing your proposed (or any already-taken) elective courses, to declare the minor by the deadline listed above.
The STS Minor advisor will notify the student whether their proposal satisfies the requirements for the minor, and will advise the student on their proposed self-designed pathway, if applicable.
UC Berkeley Pre Med Majors – Languages, Literatures, and Cultures of the Spanish Speaking World
About the Program
The Department of Spanish and Portuguese offers a minor in The Languages, Literatures, and Cultures of the Spanish-Speaking World. For further information on minor requirements, please see the Minor Requirements tab on this page.
After completion of at least one upper-division course you can email the Undergraduate Advisor to declare a Spanish Minor. Please include your name, SID, and which minor you intend to complete. Your intended minor will then appear on your CalCentral dashboard below your major. For further information on declaring and confirming completion of the minor, please see the department website.