General
What is the Robinson Life Science, Business, and Entrepreneurship (LSBE) Program?
The Robinson Life Science, Business, and Entrepreneurship Program is an integrated, jointly-administered partnership between the Haas School of Business and the College of Letters and Science. Students take rigorous courses designed to help bridge scientific inquiry and research with entrepreneurship and commercial application. In the program, students earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Molecular and Cell Biology or Integrative Biology or Neuroscience. You’ll be part of a small cohort with specialized mentoring, career development, and internship opportunities.
How are Biology and Business integrated in this program?
The Robinson Life Science, Business, and Entrepreneurship Program is staffed with designated program staff guiding students through the program. The program integrates the MCB/IB/Neuroscience and Business curriculum plans, providing students with professional development opportunities and other experiences that allow for practical, real-world application of concepts learned in the classroom.
I'm pre-med. Will I meet the requirements to apply to medical school in this program?
Yes, several Robinson Life Science, Business, and Entrepreneurship students are pre-med, and the program’s coursework meets the prerequisites to apply to medical school without taking additional classes.
How can I learn more? Who should I contact for more questions?
To learn more, email lsbe@berkeley.edu to schedule an appointment with an LSBE advisor.
Academic
What kinds of courses will I take? What is the workload like?
The coursework is designed for you to complete two full bachelor’s degrees in four years, and students must meet all degree requirements for both Molecular and Cell Biology/Integrative Biology/Neuroscience and Business. In addition, students must take the Intro to Biotech course in their first year and a program-specific capstone course in their senior year. You can complete degree requirements without taking double the course load, but this is a very rigorous program, to be sure. See the sample Program Plans
Are there different breadth requirements for Haas and L&S?
No, the 7-course breadth requirements(opens in a new tab) are the same for Haas and L&S with a few exceptions
What if I receive a C in a class? Should I retake it?
No. The admissions committee will always review the first attempt at a course, especially if it’s a prerequisite for Molecular and Cell Biology, Integrative Biology, Neuroscience, or Haas. Per university policy(opens in a new tab), you may repeat a course only if you receive a D+ or lower, or a NP.
What AP/IB credits do you accept?
For information about AP/IB credits, review the Exam Credit page
According to my AP/IB scores, I can waive Chem 1A/1AL and/or Bio 1A/1AL. Should I do that?
Molecular and Cell Biology will accept your scores to waive prerequisite coursework, but we do not recommend doing so. Most high school AP programs do not include the in-depth labs that our courses at Cal do and they do not delve into the details of the material in the way our courses do. So, while AP and IB courses provide a good foundation and allow you some review at the beginning of the semester as you acclimate to college life, they do not prepare you for upper-division coursework to the same degree that Cal courses do.
Who is my advisor? Who can answer my questions?
To speak with an advisor, feel free to navigate the Contact Us page, or email lsbe@berkeley.edu
Do I have to take summer classes to graduate in 4 years?
No, the program is designed to be completed in 4 years without requiring summer classes, although taking summer classes to alleviate the course load during the semester is an option for students.
Can I have a minor?
Maybe. The Robinson Life Science, Business, and Entrepreneurship Program is very rigorous, but where minor courses overlap with major requirements, it might be possible.
Can I study abroad?
Given the fast-paced and challenging curriculum with many courses unique to UC Berkeley, studying abroad during the semester will be difficult – but possible, as several LSBE students did! There are also many summer programs that might be possible for LSBE students to pursue.
Admissions
Will LSBE applications be open to Neuroscience an Integrative Biology students in the 2024-2025 application cycle?
Yes, in addition to Molecular and Cell Biology, we will start accepting students from the Neuroscience and Integrative Biology programs in our upcoming admissions cycle.
LSBE Admissions Vs. Haas Admissions
- You have to apply to LSBE in order to participate in it. In other words, you cannot apply to the Haas Undergraduate Program and transfer into LSBE.
- If accepted to LSBE, you cannot decline admission to LSBE and accept admission to the business major only.
- If you are not admitted to LSBE, you will not be considered for admission to the business major.
Please think critically about what program you would like to be a part of. You cannot apply to both LSBE and the standard Haas application. You may apply either to LSBE or the business major. After submitting your application to LSBE, your application will only be eligible for LSBE consideration. You will not be able to apply to the Haas Undergraduate Program if you are not accepted into the LSBE Program.
What are prerequisites to apply to the program?
Life Science, Business, and Entrepreneurship (LSBE) students must meet the prerequisites for both Haas and Molecular and Cell Biology/Integrative Biology/Neuroscience. You can review the prerequisite requirements for the Program on our Academics page
What is the declaration process and timeline?
Students interested in pursuing LSBE must meet the requirements for both Haas and Molecular and Cell Biology/Integrative Biology/Neuroscience. Students apply for admission to LSBE in the fall of sophomore year. Read more about the admissions process and timeline here.
Do I still need to apply to Haas?
No, your application to the LSBE program includes an application to Haas.
What if I am not admitted to the program?
Unfortunately the Robinson Life Science, Business, and Entrepreneurship (LSBE) Program is very competitive and we cannot accommodate every student who wants to join the program. You should meet with LSBE advisors during your first year and sophomore year to form an alternate plan. Students cannot reapply to the program.
I'm a junior, senior, or transfer UC Berkeley student. Can I apply to the program?
No, the program is only open to UC Berkeley first-years who apply to the program in the fall of their sophomore year.
I am a high school student looking to apply to UC Berkeley, and I’m interested in the LSBE Program. On the UC Berkeley application, I marked “Intended LSBE.” Does that guarantee my admission into the program?
No, the UC Berkeley admission form is only for admission into the university. The LSBE Program has a separate application process at the beginning of the fall semester of sophomore year.
I see that Haas is permitting R&C and Calculus courses to be taken via concurrent enrollment. Does this mean I can take R&C and Calculus at a community college?
I want to apply for admission to the business program during my first year. If I am admitted, can I transfer into LSBE later?
No. Prospective LSBE students should not apply for admission to the business major during their first year as transferring into LSBE is not possible. Students who wish to pursue LSBE should apply during sophomore year.
I see that Haas is permitting first-years to apply. Can I apply for admission to LSBE during my first year?
No, LSBE applications will be available for second-years during the 2024-2025 academic years. While the Haas School of Business is expanding their admissions pathways, the LSBE admissions process will not be impacted by these changes.
I see that Haas School of Business is moving to a direct admissions model. As a prospective LSBE student (current second-year or incoming first-year), how will these changes affect me?
The short answer is that they won’t! You should still apply on the same timeline that you understood when you accepted admission to UC Berkeley. LSBE students will continue applying as sophomores through 2024. Your chances of admission remain unchanged, and the smaller pool of spots for continuing students will not impact LSBE admissions. LSBE will continue to admit cohorts of 25 students per year.