Prospective EECS Women Students
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Dean's
Message |
Faculty
Messages |
Students'
Messages |
Student
Organizations |
WiSE Residence
Theme Program |
Extracurricular
Activities |
Women
Faculty |
More
Info |
A Message from the Acting Dean: Fiona Doyle
Electrical engineering and computer sciences (EECS) is one of the most exciting and most rapidly developing technical disciplines of the day. The University of California, Berkeley is generally acknowledged as the best school for graduate study in the country, and Northern California is the electronics and computing technology capital of the world. If you want to be a student of electrical engineering and computer science in a first-rate undergraduate department, at the best school, in the best region in the world to be, then our program is for you! We cherish how Berkeley's research developments have had direct and positive impact on people's lives, from the surface acoustic wave (SAW) filters found in every television, radio, and cellular phone, to the standard algorithms for floating point calculations found in every modern microprocessor chip. Berkeley as a campus and as a community is world renowned for its progressive sensibilities. We believe that our department has an environment friendly to women. Berkeley is the place for you to come to grow as an engineer, as a professional, and as a person. Just find out more about us, and I am sure you will want to join us!
Messages from our Faculty
Tsu-Jae King, Professor of Electrical Engineering
Engineering involves the creation and development of scientific knowledge for practical application. Because of the ever-increasing complexity of electronic devices and systems, research in this exciting field has come to involve a lot of interdisciplinary team work. It is a rewarding field, because your inventions and innovations are ultimately used to build new products.
The best part of being a professor is interacting with the students, teaching them as well as learning from them, challenging them and, in turn, having them challenge me. They are an invigorating source of enthusiasm and creativity.
Kathy Yelick, Professor of Computer Sciences
I was hooked on computer science with my first programming course as a freshman. Now I get to relive that experience with each new crop of students. For me, the best part of being a professor is working with the students. They have so much energy and enthusiasm and are a constant source of new ideas.
People don't always realize how broad engineering is. My research, for example, has included simulation of a human heart to improve the design of artificial heart valves. Although most people associate engineering with math and science, it also involves a lot of creative design and team work. There's a great feeling of satisfaction in seeing other people use something that you built.
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Messages from our Students
Ellen Liu, Third year
Before I came to Berkeley, I was concerned about being a female student in a male dominated area. Having no prior knowledge of engineering, I was somewhat intimidated. Yet, once I set my feet in, I laughed at myself for worrying over nothing. I find tremendous support for women students from the Center for Student Affairs office and AUWiCSEE. All of my male friends treat me equally, and we help each other with classes. The best thing about Berkeley is the cooperation among students even though it is a highly competitive institute.
Another great thing about being a Cal student is the opportunities to meet great people outside of classes. I am involved in HKN (EECS honor society), Taiwanese Student Association, and AUWiCSEE. Through these organizations, I have formed lifelong friendships and a balanced social life. Berkeley gives me the best of both academic and social environments.
Jana Van Greunen, First year graduate student at Berkeley, CS
As a freshman, I did not fit the stereotypical "computer geek" persona, in fact I had never really used a computer until I came to Berkeley in 1998. The foundation for my love of science (that would later turn to electrical engineering) was firmly established in high school. Here at Berkeley, I have continually been exposed to an environment that promotes disciplined, cutting-edge research. This past semester I became a member of the Berkeley Pico Radio project. As an undergraduate member of the team, I am charged with the task of profiling network protocols across a set of embedded processors. My experience with the Pico Radio project has continually excited me with the prospects of graduate research, and I am grateful for the opportunities that I have had thus far.
Jesse Eileen Saveriano, Fourth year
Being a part of the Cal EECS department has been one of the highlights of my life. I have had the opportunity to learn from top-notch professors, work with some of the nation's brightest students, and receive guidance from administrators who truly care about and take a personal stake in my success. The care and attention I've felt from the
EECS Center for Student Affairs
staff has been instrumental in helping me attain a full scholarship from the Intel Foundation as part of their
Women in
Science and Engineering Program,
as well as take advantage of Intel's summer internship opportunities.
As a woman or an underrepresented minority in the EECS major, there can be times when you might feel like you don't fit in. But our department and college have an impressive amount of student groups that provide academic and social support, including the Society of Women Engineers, the Association of Undergraduate Women in CS and EE, the Women in Science and Engineering residence theme program, Black Engineering and Science Students Association, Hispanic Engineers and Scientists, and others. I still feel constantly challenged and occasionally intimidated by the major I have chosen to pursue, but I always know that if I hit rough spots I have a wonderfully supportive department whose goal is to help me through it and do my best.
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Organizations for Women EECS Students
Student organizations in EECS play a vital role in providing academic and social support at Berkeley. The largest EECS women's organization is the Association of Undergraduate Women in Computer Science and Engineering (AUWiCSEE). All EECS women are automatic members of AUWiCSEE upon admission. Activities organized include hiking trips, musical events in San Francisco, and other social events around the bay area. AUWiCSEE is dedicated to recruiting women undergraduates in CS and EE, facilitating support through weekly "Breaktime" meetings, and fostering academic and professional careers.
The Society of Women Engineers (SWE) offers peer advising, social activities, and a chance for women leaders to work together. Berkeley SWE is a group of women and men who work to support women in engineering. SWE provides an outlet to have fun, meet other people, and learn how to prepare yourself for the real world once you graduate.
The EECS Center for Student Affairs organizes several events throughout the year to help orient new women to the EECS department, as well as assist student organizations with forming community among students. The Big/Little Sister Mentoring Program provides new women students a "big sister" with whom she can write, e-mail, or talk on the phone about any questions concerning starting college. The Center also organizes a New Women Open House at the beginning of each year, as well as many lunches, dinners and guest speakers throughout the year.
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Women in Science & Engineering (WiSE) Residence Theme Program
The
Women in
Science & Engineering Theme Program
located in the
Foothill complex
aims to provide a living and learning environment for women students with a strong interest in math, science and engineering. Its goal is to maximize WiSE students' awareness and understanding of their potential fields. In the classroom, WiSE students will likely be taking common, basic courses in mathematics, chemistry, computer science, and physics together. Outside the classroom, WiSE students will continue to learn from their peers, and receive specialized advising and mentoring that will assist them in their transition to Cal. Continuing WiSE students serve as peer mentors for incoming freshmen and transfer students.
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Extracurricular Activities
Many EECS students have broad interests and participate in extracurricular activities. There are over 350 student organizations (over 30 EECS-related) registered on campus, leaving something for everyone. EECS women are involved in all kinds of activities ranging from Cal Marching Band, Indian dance, and a cappella singing groups, to volunteer community work, Model United Nations, intramural sports, and campus sororities.
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The UC Berkeley Virtual Development Center (VDC)
(http://www.eecs.berkeley.edu/Programs/VDC.html), in collaboration with the Anita Borg Institute for Women in Technology (http://www.anitaborg.org/) engages undergraduate women in the design of technology for women. For more information on spring semester projects please refer to the User Interface (CS 160) projects webpage: http://guir.berkeley.edu/courses/cs160/spring2002/projects.htm
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