How is the AS&T graduate program in Berkeley?

[bboc]

Hi everyone!

I have recently been admitted to the AS&T graduate program in UC Berkeley. I heard that it's a cross-disciplinary program enjoying professors from various fields (EECS, BME, MSE, ME, etc.) It has been belittled by some of my classmates 'cause it's not pure EECS. Cross-disciplinary programs seems easier to get in. Before I made up my mind accepting it, I think it's safe to ask its reputation, enrolling difficulty and prospect in employment. I will also be appreciating it if any one who has been enrolled can tell me more about their feelings and the PhD degree they obtained (is it titled after AS&T or individual departments) Thanks so much!

[Leafytea]

I am a humanities person, so I really have no idea about your specific program. But Berkeley prides itself on being interdisciplinary. It's true in the humanities, and I've heard people claim it for the sciences, too: that cross-disciplinarity must be cultivated, and that it leads to better scholarship.

On the other hand, I am in a cross-disciplinary program at Berkeley right now (Asian Studies), and it's not without its problems. I would say what you need to worry about is whether your department has enough unity to have stable sources of funding, and to have cohesion as a program.

[bboc]

I am a humanities person, so I really have no idea about your specific program. But Berkeley prides itself on being interdisciplinary. It's true in the humanities, and I've heard people claim it for the sciences, too: that cross-disciplinarity must be cultivated, and that it leads to better scholarship.

On the other hand, I am in a cross-disciplinary program at Berkeley right now (Asian Studies), and it's not without its problems. I would say what you need to worry about is whether your department has enough unity to have stable sources of funding, and to have cohesion as a program.

Thanks so much ~

I thought only UCLA boasts Cross-Disciplinarity before. Then I have another question. Take me for the case, I was admitted into the AS&T program but I will be under a professor from EECS, then what degree will I get when I graduate? I mean will the degree be conferred by EECS(the individual department) or AS&T? And I also feel strange that since Berkeley put great emphasis on its cross-disciplinary programs, then shouldn't the funding for these programs be comparable to that of departments？

[glowinglake]

LZ I purse you from freecity all the way here...