Analytics

The Analytics major [formerly Operations Research and Management Science (ORMS)] is designed for students in the College of Letters & Science. In the Analytics major, students will develop solid quantitative and data-driven problem solving skills through core courses in computing, probability/statistics, optimization, and data analytics, and will learn how to apply these skills in solving problems in an area of their choice. It gives students the flexibility to learn more about a particular field of interest in which they can apply these skills.

The major is very math intensive and is appropriate for students who enjoy and are good at mathematics, computers, and solving practical, multidisciplinary problems. 

Declaring the Major

Analytics is a high-demand major in L&S.

First-year students applying to Berkeley Letters & Science will be guaranteed admission into the Analytics major if they selected Analytics as their primary major on their UC Berkeley admissions application. Students are guaranteed a spot in the Analytics major, subject to completing the major prerequisites, maintaining good academic standing in L&S, and filing a declaration form.

Newly admitted first year students who did not indicate Analytics as their first choice in their application should refer to the L&S High Demand major policy.

The opportunities for being admitted into the Analytics major after enrollment at UC Berkeley will be extremely limited, and applying to the Analytics major via the comprehensive review process does not guarantee a spot in the major. If you have an interest in the Analytics major, we strongly encourage you to select Analytics as your primary major during the UC application process. If you opt to change to the Analytics major after being admitted to Berkeley, you will be required to have an alternate plan to declare a non-high demand major as a back-up.

For more information on which majors are high-demand,  please visit the "Admissions" page for the College of Letters and Science on the Berkeley Academic Guide.

Prerequisite Coursework

All prerequisite courses must be completed prior to acceptance to the major and all must be taken for a letter grade. Students should declare the major during the semester in which they are enrolled in their final prerequisites but before their 5th semester.  

Many factors are considered in determining admission. The main criterion, however, is academic performance as measured by the Berkeley GPA in the prerequisite courses.  Since this major is capped, planning for an alternate major is recommended. There is an Operations Research concentration in the Math Department that might be a good choice if students are not admitted to the Analytics major.

Honors Program

Students with a grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.5 overall and 3.7 in the major upper division coursework should consider participating in the Analytics honors program. To graduate with honors, a student must find a faculty sponsor appropriate for an original research project that he or she wishes to do and enroll in two semesters (6 units) of the honors thesis courses IND ENG H196A and IND ENG H196B

Alternatively, a student may take two approved graduate courses in Operations Research or a related field, and achieve at least an A- in each course. Courses used for the honors program cannot be used to fulfill the requirements for the Analytics major or any IEOR graduate program. The student must also maintain a minimum 3.5 overall GPA and 3.7 in the major at the time of graduation.

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