THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA Life whilst studying at the University of California 1
The UC System Founded in 1868 • First campus in Berkeley in 1873 • Over 250,000 students over ten • campuses
UC Berkeley • Located in the San Francisco Bay area • History of student activism and social engagement • Berkeley was the first UC Campus
Academic Highlights Engineering Letters and Business Environmental Science Design • 7,000+ courses • 170 departments and programs • Home to top scholars, star athletes and groundbreaking scientists • Opportunities for creativity and innovation • L&S includes more than 60 departments in biological sciences, arts, and humanities, physical sciences, and social sciences. UCB
ACADEMIC LIFE • Berkeley uses a semester system: 2 x 15 week semesters • Assessments take place during ‘finals’ and during 1 week midterms • Graded via A-F – with a cumulative GPA • DeCals • Attendance & contributions part of your grading • Structured examinations • Emphasis on teaching and learning in class, not on independent learning.
ACADEMIC LIFE • More class time: 2-3 lectures per week • Larger class sizes • Class sign-ups • US Students undertake mixture of GE, Major and Minor classes – upper division and lower division • Reading from ‘course’ readers, not reading lists • Emphasis on study groups • TA’s and Professors – more integrated student/teacher relationship
Courses • Lower division (1-99): Introductory level • Upper division (100-199): Higher level • Check for completion of pre-requisite courses. • Contact your home advisor to confirm credit for enrollment at UC. • Keep copies of your UC work. UCB
Clubs, Activities & Sports • 1,200+ student clubs and organizations • 80+ student publications, from science and creative writing to television and radio • 27 men’s and women’s sports teams, from co -ed flag football to martial arts • Wear your blue and gold to Cal Bears games UCB
Student Groups
Campus Services • Tang Center on-campus student health services and Counseling and Psychological Services (CPS) • Career Center – learn skills for your future, internship placement resources • Disabled Students’ Program (DSP) – provides access to all students • Cal1 Card for access to events and using public transportation UCB
Traditions Meet Cal’s mascot Oski the Bear or hike to the big C. UCB
STUDENT LIFE • Caltopia (free stuff) • Tilden Park • Calapalooza (societies) • Four Pools • Concerts at the Greek • Cheepstake Hill • Berkeley Art Museum • Shattuck
HOUSING • You are not guaranteed housing as an exchange student. • Some options include: • On campus – shared dorm, meal plan, resident advisors • Off campus – private accommodation, apartments and ‘community housing’ • Co-ops
HOUSING • International House • Residence Halls • University Apartments (Channing Bowditch Apartments) • Student Housing Cooperatives (UCEAP students have priority on waitlist) • Off campus housing – Cal rentals • Further info here
The Bears – ‘Go Bears’
TRANSPORTATION • AC Transit Sticker • Bus ride away from marina • BART system • 30 minute ride to San Francisco • Stops running at midnight • Clipper card (like Oyster) • Biking – be careful • The Bay Area is a walking area
STUDY SPACES • Café Strada • Philz Coffee • Westside – north and south • Libraries (41 total) • East Asian • Engineering
ACTIVITIES • Visit the redwoods, Big Sur • Visit Los Angeles • Megabus/Greyhound • Loads of beach towns to visit along the coast. • The 5 Highway • The 1-Pacific Coast Highway • Baseball Games
CLASSIC BERKELEY ATTRACTIONS • C.R.E.A.M • Telegraph Avenue • TopDog • Campanile • Ici • Big C • Cheeseboard • Football • Silver • Durant Food Court
Time line • Apply online and submit required documents • May: Begin housing application/search • June: Enrollment begins (through the start of term) • June/July: Visa application • Mid-August to mid-December: Fall term • Mid-January to mid-May: Spring term UCB
How to apply • Visit the UCEAP website for application resources and instructions • Discover UC- UC Berkeley • Study Plan tutorial 11/4/2019 21
Financial Matters • Financial resources form • Estimated living expenses ($18,900 for academic year) • Mandatory Campus Health Insurance (approximately $1300 per semester in 2015-16) • Document management fee – unlimited transcripts (approximately $55) 11/4/2019 22
USEFUL WEBSITES • Your UC campus experience • Student Life • Planning your studies
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