BS Electrical Engineering at University of California, Santa Barbara

Programme overview

As a student in Electrical Engineering, you’ll be introduced to computing methods and foundational knowledge for building and designing circuits. You’ll learn about both theory and practice, and you’ll be encouraged to pursue technical electives in signal processing, control systems, computer engineering, and electronics and photonics. Electrical engineers develop computer processors, work in optical communications, and study signal processing.

Faculty: College of Engineering | Department: Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering | Study mode: full-time | Location: Santa Barbara, CA, United States

What you will study

Major requirements are organised as Preparation For The Major: CHEM 1A, CHEM 2A, ECE 6, CMPSC 9, CMPSC 16, ECE 3, ECE 5, ECE 10A, ECE 10AL, ECE 10B, ECE 10BL, ECE 10C, ECE 10CL, ECE 15A; Upper Division Major: ECE 134, ECE 152A, ECE 153A, ECE 153B, ECE 188A, ECE 188B, ECE 188C, ENGR 101, ECE 120A, ECE 120B, ECE 122A, ECE 122B, ECE 123, ECE 125.

Career pathways

Graduate and professional pathways include Technology; Government; Start-up companies; Electrical and Computer Engineering; Materials Science; Mechanical Engineering. Top employers include Apple, Qualcomm, Facebook.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Admission to UCSB is to the university and a college (College of Letters and Science, College of Engineering, College of Creative Studies), not to the individual major; applicants must meet the University of California subject requirements for first-year or transfer applicants and apply through the UC Application. Selective-major and second-choice-major rules are described by UCSB Undergraduate Admissions.

Entry term: fall. First-year and transfer applicants apply for fall 2027 through the UC Application.

First-year and transfer applications for fall 2027: UC Application filing period October 1 - November 30, 2026 (opens August 1). Application fee: $80 per campus for U.S. residents, $95 per campus for international students. Transfer applicants also submit the UCSB TAG Application September 1-30. First-year decisions mid-March; transfer decisions mid-April; Statement of Intent to Register May 1 (first-year) and June 1 (transfer).

SAT and ACT scores are not used in admission selection or scholarships; submission is optional and may be used for course placement. Students applying to College of Creative Studies majors submit a supplemental application; Dance and Music B.M. applicants complete an audition.

Graduate applicants apply through the UCSB online graduate application; the deadline is set by each department. Application fee: $135 for US citizens and permanent residents, $155 for all others, payable by credit card, check or money order. GRE required only by some programmes.

Apply through the official page: https://admissions.sa.ucsb.edu/

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