Getting Started

Welcome and First-Steps

Welcome to the MSSE program! We are incredibly excited to have you. This Student Portal will serve as an important point of reference for you throughout your journey with us - please bookmark it for easy access. The "Student Handbook" section of the Portal contains information about courses and grading, campus resources, funding, career services, events and clubs, policy, and ways to connect as alumni; it will serve you well to skim through these pages now to gain a basic understanding of the resources that are available to you. If at any time you have any questions or concerns about the content on the Portal, available resources, the MSSE program, or your specific circumstances, use the "Advising" page to make an appointment with your Advisor.

First-Semester Checklist

Read through the Graduate Divison's "Resources & Services for Graduate Students" and "Getting Started" pages and familiarize yourself with the available resources. This is where you'll find information about your @berkeley.edu email address and the New Graduate Student Orientation (optional), among other things.
Put the following important dates on your calendar
- MSSE Orientation: Summer Cohort: Thursday, April 3rd, 2025, from 6-7:30pm PST, Zoom

Fall Cohort: Tuesday, June 17th, 2025, from 6-7:30pm PST, Zoom

Mandatory for all incoming MSSE students. We will go through available campus resources, talk about enrollment, and more. A link will be sent to your @berkeley.edu and personal email addresses.

- 2025 Cohort Meet and Greet (Zoom Event): Thursday, July 31st, 2025 from 6-7pm PT, Zoom
  Optional. Join us for some informal get-to-know-you games and conversation on Zoom and meet your cohort.
- 2025 Cohort Meet and Greet (In-Person Event): Thursday, August 7th, 2025 from 6-7pm PT
  Optional. If you live close to Berkeley, join us at Sather Gate for an informal campus tour and hang out at Raleigh's Pub.
- CHEM 280, Programming Bootcamp: August 4th-15th, 2025, Zoom. 9am-4pm PST
- Semester Instruction Begins: Wednesday, August 27th, 2025
Complete any necessary Academic Preparation
Look into SHIP and the process for waiving it - the deadline to waive without a late fee for Summer is May 16th, and Fall is July 15th.
Look into the Fee Payment Plan and determine if it may be a good option for you
Sign up for relevant newsletters
Follow MSSE on social media (links below)
Look through the resources available on the remainder of the MSSE Student Portal
Ensure that your computer meets the minimum requirements outlined below

Computer System Requirements

A 1- to 3-year-old mid-to-high-range laptop or desktop should meet the needs of the MSSE student provided it meets the minimum requirements. You do not need both a laptop and a desktop. If you are buying a new computer we recommend you purchase hardware that has a fast processor and as much memory as your budget will allow. If you are buying a Windows desktop or laptop we strongly recommend you purchase one with a dedicated GPU.

Laptop

Desktop

Internet Connectivity

Recommended: 3.8Mbps/3.0Mbps (up/down)

Minimum: 1.0Mbps/600kbps (up/down)

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