Majors and Minors

Engineering Majors

The College of Engineering offers the following majors.

For more information about current undergraduate enrollment and graduation data by major in the college, click here. To learn about ABET accreditation, click here.

Aerospace Science and Engineering
Aerospace science is the study of newer and better ways to fulfill one of humanity’s oldest dreams: the dream of flight. As an aerospace science and engineering major, you will help create faster, more efficient and more economical forms of aircraft. You will work with some of the foremost scientists in the field today, and you will benefit from access to unparalleled research opportunities. Your studies will prepare you not only for work in the aerospace industry, but in any branch of engineering dealing with bodies and vehicles whose applied loads are influenced by aerodynamic forces. Learn more about Aerospace Science and Engineering.
Biochemical Engineering
Biochemical engineers apply the principles of biology, chemistry, and engineering to produce useful commodities through biotechnology. Biochemical engineering includes such areas of interest as cell culture processes and separation processes for pharmaceutical production, food processing and biological waste treatment. As a biochemical engineering major at UC Davis, you’ll learn to grow plant, animal, and microbial cells in bioreactors and to separate their products from solutions using the most up-to-date processes and equipment available. You’ll also have the opportunity to participate in independent research projects under the supervision of some of the most highly regarded researchers in the nation. Learn more about Biochemical Engineering.
Biological Systems Engineering
As biological sciences and biotechnology become ever more important sectors of our economy, engineers will be needed to work side by side with life scientists to bring laboratory developments into commercial production. Such industries as plant and animal production, tissue culture, biotechnology, food processing, aquaculture and forest production will all need engineers with strong backgrounds in biology. Learn more about Biological Systems Engineering.
Biomedical Engineering
Biomedical engineers work in research areas ranging from medical imaging to the design of artificial organs. Some major research advances in biomedical engineering include, for example, the left ventricular assist device, artificial joints, kidney dialysis, bioengineered skin, coronary stents, medical imaging systems, and flexible endoscopes. Students who choose biomedical engineering are interested in serving human health through interdisciplinary study in both engineering and the biomedical sciences. Learn more about Biomedical Engineering.
Chemical Engineering
Chemical engineers apply the principles of chemistry and engineering to produce useful commodities ranging from antibiotics to zirconium. Contemporary areas of interest to chemical engineers include environmental processes and preservation, food and pharmaceutical production and medicine. As a chemical engineering major at UC Davis, you’ll have access to resources like scanning electron microscopes and X-ray diffractometers to enhance your study, and you may participate in research projects along with some of the most highly regarded researchers in the nation. Learn more about Chemical Engineering.
Civil Engineering
Civil engineers are responsible for the structures that form the transportation, resource distribution and environmental systems of contemporary society. From bay-spanning bridges to earthquake-safe buildings, civil engineers design and build solutions to an enormous variety of problems. Increasingly, civil engineers are called upon to safeguard the health of our environment by managing and improving air, land and water quality with air, water and waste treatment systems. As a civil engineering student at UC Davis, you will gain skills that will enable you to serve society while indulging your love of design and construction. Learn more about Civil Engineering.
Computer Engineering
Computer engineers analyze, design, develop and program all types of information processing systems, commonly called “computers.” Yet the application of these systems goes far beyond simple computation. Computer applications are central to modern communications, health care, education, entertainment and industry. As a computer engineering major at UC Davis, you’ll get the fundamental skills you need to ensure your long-term employability in a rapidly changing field. You’ll also work with cutting-edge technologies in electronics, digital systems, circuits fabrication and other areas. Learn more about Computer Engineering.
Computer Science
Designed to prepare students for careers involving the design of computer systems and their application to science, industry and management, students taking this major receive solid grounding in fundamentals of computer languages, operating systems, and the formal mathematical tools required to use the computer in solving complex tasks. Emphasis in this major is on software, although introductory architecture is included. Learn more about Computer Science.
Computer Science and Engineering
From home video game systems to hospital monitoring equipment, computer systems are part of every aspect of contemporary culture. Computer scientists and engineers design, build and improve these systems, finding new applications for sophisticated technology. As a computer science and engineering major at UC Davis, you’ll receive a solid background in engineering fundamentals that will allow you to adapt to newly introduced systems and methods; you’ll also have the chance to work with well-respected researchers on projects that represent the cutting edge of computer science today. Learn more about Computer Science and Engineering.
Electrical Engineering
Electrical systems and computers form the backbone of many of the structures central to contemporary life. Communication, medicine, education, space exploration, defense and other critical sectors of our society and economy depend on electrical engineers for their design, analysis and effective use. As an electrical engineering major, you will work closely with top-ranked faculty to gain an understanding of the fundamental knowledge and theories that underpin modern engineering. You will also put your learning into practice with innovative hands-on projects that will challenge and inspire you. Learn more about Electrical Engineering.
Environmental Engineering
Environmental engineers are responsible for designing processes and infrastructure to ensure society has access to safe water, clean air and healthy ecosystems. They apply knowledge from physics, chemistry, biology and the social sciences to problems in a variety of areas including water and wastewater treatment and ecosystem remediation, analysis of chemical fate and transport in the natural environment, and modeling of hydrologic and atmospheric flows. As climate change creates new challenges, such as in the form of droughts and intense weather events, the field of environmental engineering evolves to meet society’s needs. As an environmental engineering student at UC Davis, you will gain skills that enable you to design sustainable solutions for society. Learn more about Environmental Engineering.
Materials Science and Engineering
From plastics used in surgical implants to high-performance ceramics used in the international space station, newly engineered materials play vital roles in modern technology and economy. Materials science and engineering majors study the structure, properties and behavior of materials in order to improve their qualities and adapt them for new uses. Our program provides the background you’ll need to work in research, processing and material design. Learn more about Materials Science and Engineering.
Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical engineers want to know what makes things work. Whether you’re talking about automobiles, artificial hearts, industrial turbines or machinery manufacturing, mechanical engineers are involved with the design and continual refinement of them all. UC Davis offers mechanical engineering majors a nearly unparalleled variety of opportunities for hands-on projects that will satisfy your curiosity and drive to create as they help reinforce the fundamental engineering principles you’ve studied in lecture classes. Learn more about Mechanical Engineering.

Engineering Minors

Many students choose to complement their education with a minor program of study. The campus offers more than 120 different minor programs. A minor consists of 18—24 units of upper division coursework specified by the department offering the minor. Completion and certification of a minor program of study leads to a transcript and diploma notation.

If you want to have the completion of a minor certified on your transcript, you must complete the Minor Declaration webform and file it no later than the deadline for filing for graduation. Requirements for the minor must be met by the time of graduation.

The following minors are offered by departments in the College of Engineering:

Also of interest to engineering students, the Technology Management Minor offers the opportunity to complement your studies with courses in business and management.