Declaring a Major in the Rausser College of Natural Resources (NON-RCNR)

If you are not currently a declared Rausser student, you must meet the requirements below to change colleges & declare a new major. If you are already within Rausser College see this page for your requirements to declare a major. To declare or change majors in any other colleges, please consult with the appropriate college.

To see how AP, IB, or A-Level Scores can be used to meet major requirements, you can find our college’s Exam Equivalency Chart here.

Please note, these are just the declaration requirements. We have linked the major snapshots in the left hand columns below, which break down the full list of classes needed to complete the degree.


Requirements to Declare an RCNR Major for non-RCNR students

  • All major courses must be taken for a letter grade, with exception of breadth courses in EEP major*.
    (* Breadth Courses for the EEP major may be taken for P/NP unless they are also being used to satisfy other EEP major requirements, in which case they would need to be taken for a letter grade.)

  • Students must have a cumulative GPA above a 3.0

    • Students with a GPA between 2.90-2.99 may receive exceptional approval for declaration. For exceptional approval, the following criteria must be met:

      • Students must be in good academic standing (not on “term probation” from the previous term).

      • Cumulative GPA shows an increase over the most recent two semesters with particular success in major requirements with grades of C- or better in those classes.

      • No outstanding Incomplete grades.

      • Must be enrolled full-time or have an approved reduced course load from their home college and/or Disabled Students Program.

    • All major required courses must be completed with a C-or better to be accepted for the major, including breadth requirements

  • Students must be able to complete the major within the semester limit. Students who entered as freshmen are expected to graduate in a total of 8 semesters (summers excluded). Participation in the Fall Program for First Semester (FPF) is considered a Berkeley semester under College policy. Transfer students are expected to graduate in a total of 4 semesters (summers excluded). Exceptions to this policy are rarely granted.

  • Once you have completed these requirements and are ready to declare, please meet with your intended major advisorbefore you complete this Change of College form.

Important Notes:

  • New first year students are not eligible to change colleges in their first semester. Additionally, students must change colleges in time to complete at least two semesters in residence in Rausser College. A semester can count in residence if the student changes into RCNR before grades post in their current term. A summer can also count as one of two terms in residence if the student completes at least 6 units in the summer (considered full time for summer). 

  • Transfer students outside of RCNR are not able to change colleges in their first semester at Berkeley.

  • Current UC Berkeley students who enter as freshmen are expected to graduate in a total of 8 semesters.

  • Transfer must meet all lower-division requirements, have a cumulative GPA above 3.0, and be on track to graduate in a total of 4 semesters at UC Berkeley. 

  • If you are maintaining your current major (in a college outside of RCNR) and wish to pursue a Simultaneous Degree, read information about that process on our Policies Doc here

Major

Both halves of R&C

MATH 

16A, 1A (51), or 10A

MATH 

16B, 1B (52), or 10B

STAT

ECON

CHEM 1A/1AL

CHEM 3A/3AL

ESPM Social Science Core

ESPM Env. Science Core

BIO 1A/1AL or BIO 1B

Other

Conservation & Resource Studies

Yes

One Math OR Stats Course Required

no no no

Yes

Yes

Yes

Required: ESPM 90

Preferred: Physical Science Breadth 

Environmental Economics & Policy

Students cannot complete a simultaneous degree with EEP and Economics.

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

no no no no no

Required: ENVECON 100 or equivalent

Ecosystem Management & Forestry 

Yes

Yes

Yes

no no

Yes

no

Yes

Yes

Yes

Preferred: ESPM 72, ECON

Society & Environment

Yes

One Math OR Stats Course Required

Yes

no no

Yes

Yes

no no

Environmental Science

Yes

Yes

Yes

no no

Yes

Yes*

no no

Yes

Required: PHYSICS 7A is required for the Physical Science Concentration

*Social Science Concentration: Chem 1B is accepted in place of Chem 3A+L

Preferred: ESPM 15

Genetics & Plant Biology

Yes

Yes

Yes

no no

Yes

Yes

no no

Yes

Preferred: CHEM 3B/3BL

Microbial Biology

Yes

Yes

Yes

no no

Yes

Yes

no no

Yes

Preferred: CHEM 3B/3BL

Molecular Environmental Biology

Yes

Yes

Second semester of calculus OR Stats course required

no

Yes

Yes

no no

Yes

Preferred: CHEM 3B/3BL

Nutrition & Metabolic Biology
Nutritional Science - Physiology & Metabolism

Students can only complete a degree in one Nutritional Science specialization.

Yes

Yes

Yes

no no

Yes

Yes

no no no

Required: NUSCTX 10, NUSCTX 10S

(NUSCTX 11 was req. for Toxicology) 

Preferred: MCELLBI 32 & 32L, CHEM 3B/3BL

Additional Questions?

For additional questions, or to connect with our Peer Advisors & Advising Staff, see our Undergraduate Advising Homepage here!