Splash Fall 2025
Course Catalog

Speed running the basics of Psychology through means of arts and crafts + etc.! We will be using Play Doh, marshmellows, and more..
Activities relating to parts of the brain, important concepts/ideas in psych., and communication.

This course is for all students interested in picking up a new hobby, learning how to fold origami! No prior experience is required.

A zine is a like a mini magazine you make yourself with crafts and pictures. Learn more about what a Zine is and a bit about its history and influences. Then, using magazines and crafts that will be provided, make one yourself!

Want to spend some time drawing local wildlife?

We'll go over some basic animal drawing techniques, as well as some fun facts! We will cover both land-dwelling, marine animals. Perhaps even some prehistoric critters will join our list!

No experience required and supplies will be provided!

Book banning and censorship is a very currently relevant topic, but it has also been an issue for hundreds of years. We will briefly cover the history of book banning (including John Milton's Areopagitica) as well as the history of erasure/blackout poetry. Then, we will create blackout poetry collages! (Materials provided)

Want to learn some cool dance moves for your next party? Join a studio session with an officer from Berkeley's collegiate ballroom dance team. Dances taught will be dependent on space + student interest


Prerequisites
Athletic clothing. NO SHOES OR PARTNER NEEDED

Learn the basics of the Philippine folk dance "Pangalay," an indigenous dance style from the southern islands of the Philippines. Students will try out authentic indigenous instruments, observe traditional cultural attire, and learn the basic movements and cultural context of Pangalay dance movements.

This crash course is for students who want to learn the basics of music theory, including how to read sheet music and its notes, rhythms, chords, and intervals, as well as identify chord progressions! No prior music knowledge is required.

Have you ever seen a really cool fight sequence in a film? Have you ever wanted to learn the secret to convincing fake combat? NOW'S YOUR CHANCE!

Come learn how to throw a punch, take a hit, and more in this intro to stage combat class. No experience needed, just come ready to move!

South Indian cinema has, for many years, been a way to represent both political and cultural ideas of the region, and many successful films like Pushpa, KGF, Kantara, and Ponniyin Selvan in the last few years alone have become immensely popular. Come learn about the history and basics of the main film industries of South India. No previous knowledge required!

In this class, you’ll learn the basics of UI (User Interface) and UX (User Experience) design, the principles behind creating apps, websites, and digital tools that are easy to use and visually appealing. We’ll explore how designers make choices about layout, color, typography, and navigation to guide users and improve their experience. Through hands-on activities, you’ll analyze real apps and try redesigning screens yourself, discovering how even small design changes can make a big difference in how people interact with technology.

Improv is a life skill, and during this workshop we'll teach you how to apply it to your day-to-day life!

Over the course of this workshop we'll give a brief introduction to improv and improvisation as a performance medium. Then, we'll dive into an array of fun exercises and games designed to strengthen improv skills!

Overall, this workshop is designed for a fun time filled with laughs.

An introduction to the fundamental principles of modern dance. The course emphasizes listening to inner bodily impulses and learning how to use these impulses to help guide movement choices; physical, mental, and creative exploration.


Prerequisites
None.

This class is a beginner-friendly introduction to Computer-Aided Design (CAD), where you’ll learn the essential skills engineers use to transform ideas into real-world designs. No prior experience is necessary, we’ll start from the basics and build up together.

During the first part of the class, we’ll walk through clear, step-by-step examples in Onshape, a free, browser-based CAD platform. You’ll gain hands-on experience with key tools and techniques that form the foundation of digital modeling.

After a short break, we’ll wrap up by applying what you’ve learned in a fun, creative mini-project that you can design yourself. By the end, you’ll not only understand the fundamentals of CAD but also have a finished design to show for it!

To get the most out of the session, please bring a laptop and, if possible, a mouse for easier modeling.

Join us as we explore the realm of disability engineering, learning what it means to be
accessible/disability friendly, as well as why accessible engineering is necessary. We aim to put
the students in the shoes of biomedical engineers in order to inspire inclusive thought whilst undermining negative stereotypes or stigma surrounding disability.

Electronics surround us in our daily lives, but how do they work? Join us as we, HKN, hold hands-on activities where you can learn how your electronics function while building your very own circuit! We'll learn some of the basics of electrical engineering, from LEDs to microcontrollers to working with breadboards, as we create a speed-controlled binary counter. This event is held by HKN (Eta Kappa Nu), the EECS Honor's Society at UC Berkeley.


Prerequisites
No prior experience is needed!

Learn how to build a professional grade printed circuit board from scratch, we will go over the general basics of pcbs and how to get started as well as a soldering workshop to build your very own pcb.

We will be building mini circuits and models of solar power systems. We will also share a bit about the work that Engineers Without Borders does!


Prerequisites
None!

This course provides an introduction to the field of chemical engineering and offers a glimpse into what students can expect to learn as a Chemical Engineering undergraduate at UC Berkeley. Participants will explore the fundamentals of process design and its applications in designing everyday products. Through hands-on activities, students will apply key chemistry principles to design a take-home product. Join us for an exciting overview of this dynamic field!

Ever wonder how engineers design the materials around us all the way down to the microscopic level? Material scientists and engineers use the power of X-Rays to reveal the atomic structure of materials and analyze crystals in unknown substances. This class will cover the fundamentals of X-Ray technology, an overview of common X-Ray characterization techniques for materials, and real applications to how they are used in different fields of engineering.

What is it that keeps massive skyscrapers towering above us or allows bridges to withstand the weight of hundreds of cars every day? The answer is concrete, the most used manmade material in the world! In this hands-on class, we’ll be cracking open the science and physics behind concrete, as well as how to design real concrete mixes and apply them in real structural engineering applications!

Underneath every building, every structure, every monument on the planet, there’s soil. In this class, we’ll be exploring the field of geotechnical engineering and how professional engineers use the mechanics of rocks and soils to design safe foundations for buildings, roads, and bridges. Topics will include the basics of soil mechanics, landslides, liquefaction, earthquakes, and the design of geotechnical structures.

How do we predict the failure and fracture of materials in the real world? Engineers use a technique called Finite Element Analysis (FEA) - a powerful simulation tool that engineers use to virtually model and test the performance of materials and structures. This class will be going over the theory behind the method as well as real-world applications to simulating the collapse of beams and bridges.

Considered to be the last of the so-called metal age after bronze and copper, the iron age indicates the time where humans were finally able to mass produce many feats of engineering that had never been done before without the manipulation of iron. Iron was not a new element at the time of the iron age, but it was not correctly used. The key to this monumental period was the fact that we finally understood the importance of processing and materials selection towards specific applications.

In this course, we aim to briefly explore the engineering accomplishments of materials discovery and engineering, and dive into a small demonstration of how the treatment of materials changes its properties.


Prerequisites
Some understanding of chemistry and physics can be helpful, but we don't test so there is no reason not to join!

Curious about how biology meets engineering? Discover what bioengineering is and where it can take you! We will explore major areas, concentrations and career paths in the field of BioE. Through an interactive “Doctor’s Office” case study workshop, we will work together to tackle real-world biomedical scenarios and learn to think like bioengineers! You will gain valuable advice for preparing for, thriving in, and applying your BioE skills into and beyond college.

Are you an aspiring appreciator of poetry but feeling unsure where to start? This class will cover the basics of poetic analysis as we walk through the essential elements of the form along with understanding the function of a couple common poetic devices. Although this class is intended for beginners, everybody is welcome regardless of familiarity!

"Brevity is the soul of wit". Embodying this quote, the flash fiction is a story that never exceeds 1000 words. This particular form of literature manages to leave the deepest impressions with minimum writing. In this class, we will attempt to dissect flash fiction, taking its components apart, seeing how they work together to convey meaning. If you are interested in literature, creative writing, and reading in slow motion, this course serves as a digestible introduction to all the above. Blink and you'll miss it!

How do you sound smart while speaking, even during a mid-panic when your mind goes blank? The secret strategy is: inserting nonsense - phrases that sound smart and insightful (although not necessarily) - to fill the gaps. So yes, yapping is a useful skill.

Confidence is everything after all. People don't pay that much attention to the exact wording, but rather to how you say things. What really matters is how smoothly you speak or how knowledgeable you sound.

In this course, you will learn about underrated factors that are more important than the actual content of your speech. You will practice delivering nonsense text with confidence (cause confidence is everything!) By the end, you will learn how to apply these techniques during presentations.


Prerequisites
All are welcome, especially those interested in public speaking

Interested in poetry? Old literature? Shakespeare? This class will be a quick deep dive into some of Shakespeare's most famous sonnets. Learn how Shakespeare created his sonnets and the complexities behind what they mean.

Come learn about Ohlone history and culture through language, songs, and games! Taught by an Ohlone descendant and community member.

In this course, you will learn how to write one of the oldest languages in history! The class will consist of a fun lecture about the history and usage of hieroglyphs in ancient Egypt, followed by a workshop/tutorial on how to write your name and a basic sentence using ancient grammar.

If possible please try to bring your own marker and paper, in case I do not have enough for everyone!

Most people find non-fiction difficult and boring (I will prove this wrong シ ). In our discussion of Ralph Waldo Emerson's essay, "Nature", we will introduce reading strategies, cover the historical context behind transcendentalist themes and writers, and analyze portions of the text.

The trolley problem as we know it was created by Philippa Foot in an essay qualifying the debate on abortion. But what exactly is the trolley problem, and more importantly, is there an answer?

This class discusses Deontology (Kant), Utilitarianism (Mill), and some modern applications in moral and political theories of justice. We will explore the Original Position and Veil of Ignorance (Rawls), Entitlement Theory (Nozick), Communism (Marx, Hegel), the Rescue Principle (Singer), and maybe even more—and develop our own trolley problems which prompt us to question the nature of law and justice.

There will be an introduction to these concepts, for those of us unfamiliar—and as we discuss their various implications, you might just discover a true answer to the unsolved trolley problem.


Prerequisites
No strict prerequisites, all levels of moral & political thinkers are encouraged to join! If you'd like, watch a YouTube video about Kant / deontology to help guide you :)

This course is designed for students who find calculus challenging and want to build a stronger foundation. We'll break down core concepts like limits, derivatives, integrals into clear, manageable parts. Ill have many concepts ready, but we'll vote on the topics you find most difficult, allowing the us to focus on what matters most for everyone in attendance. We'll do large lecture formats and group work develop the confidence and understanding needed to tackle any calculus problem. Whether you're preparing for exams or just want calculus to finally make sense, this course will help you get there.


Prerequisites
Trigonometry Pre-Calc

Curious about what proof based math feels like? I will introduce sets, unions/intersections, and sizes in this class. We will also explore some classic paradoxes. If we have time, we'll go into partitions and divisibility classes. Great for students who want to learn how to reason rigorously.


Prerequisites
Understanding of what the integers, rational numbers, and real numbers are. Experience with functions and algebra

It's a familiar shape. Perhaps the most familiar. But what $$is$$ a circle? In this course, we'll answer this seemingly simple question, and see the magic behind this fundamental object.


Prerequisites
None!

Get conceptual insight into modern ML in two hours: see how convolutional filters reveal hidden features, observe data structure emerge through dimensionality reduction, harness multilayer perceptrons for pattern interpretation, and learn how transformers predict the next word. A high-level overview into core Deep Learning and ML concepts!


Prerequisites
A laptop and an interest in AI/ML!

Explore real-life applications of commonly used ML techniques and overarching data analysis paradigms in the physical sciences. This class is designed to introduce and build on the fundamentals of industry and publication-worthy data analysis, going from traditional ML and data analysis examples to applications in scientific research and industry. Ideal for those with an interest in computer science, statistics and physics, this class provides valuable insights into the evolving landscape of STEM disciplines

Note: This class is for advanced students only - familiarity with mathematics and statistics will significantly enhance your experience.


Prerequisites
At least one of the following, or equivalent: AP Statistics AP Calculus BC AP Physics C: Mechanics AP Physics C: E&M Some knowledge of python is preferable, but not required. Machine Learning experience optional

In the first place, if you find math dreadful, then your opinion is on tenable grounds. Even if you appreciate math, the good stuff is often missing from traditional curricula. But with a mathematical curiosity, you live and think a better life.

Any subject changes your perspective on the world. This is an attempt to demonstrate why there are those who subject themselves to studying mathematics and how, taking after their perspective, you might abuse mathematics beyond calculating areas and finances. This is the good stuff.

Want to learn about the foundations of public health? In this class, we will cover a broad range of topics in this field, including epidemiology, to environmental health. We will tie these themes together to discuss social determinants of health. We'll end with an overview of potential careers in public health, as well as current events.

Why do we make moral choices? Where do our values come from, and what drives us to do what we believe is right?

In this interactive course, we’ll explore these big questions using insights from psychology and philosophy. Through thought experiments, experimental data, and engaging discussions, we’ll examine how people form values, make decisions, and act based on their morals. We'll apply these ideas to ever relevant issues like political polarization and social media discourse, helping us understand not just our differences but also how to communicate across them.

Expect to analyze moral dilemmas, evaluate wild social media posts, and even test your own moral instincts with psychological experiments!

Come ready to have a discussion!

This class will delve into the process behind writing policies regarding the environment, as well the process by which these bills are passed. Students will have a chance to learn about the different parties involved in passing a bill as well as get a chance to practice making their own hypothetical policies.


Prerequisites
none

Where does democracy come from? What does it mean to be democratic? And most importantly--what is democracy?

Whether you’ve spent hours thinking about political philosophy or have simply wondered how democracy really works, this course offers a fresh way to think about one of the most important ideas in politics.

Through the lens of political theory, we’ll explore the foundations of democracy, how thinkers from ancient to modern times have defined it, and what it truly means to live in a democratic society.

This one-hour session is accessible, discussion-based, and designed for everyone--no prior background required. Just bring your curiosity and an open mind.

We are the United Nations Association at Berkeley, a student-led organization dedicated to promoting awareness of international issues and the mission of the United Nations, through educational programs, community outreach, and advocacy. This course introduces high school students to the mission, structure, and impact of the United Nations, with a focus on global issues and youth engagement. Through interactive lecture, students will explore topics pertaining to the Sustainable Development Goals. The class emphasizes critical thinking, and collaborative problem-solving, preparing students to better understand global challenges and to become informed, active participants in their communities and beyond, as a Global Citizen.

This workshop will create a space of comfort and belonging as students explore what mental health means to them and within their communities. Through storytelling, activities, and reflection, students will be able to learn that mental health is more than having an illness, but how it is about resilience and vulnerability. As a class, we will discuss different ways our communities and ourselves define the ways we talk about mental health, while making space for others to be authentic and feel safe.

This course will introduce the scientific study of language, with a focus on language use in society. We will explore how this approach allows us to identify and reject some common misconceptions about language, including views that are expressed in the media and things we were taught in school. We will discuss real-world examples of how language can be used to create and express, social identities, centering on questions of race, ethnicity, immigration status, and socioeconomic class.


Prerequisites
None

Oel ngati kameie! Between 2050 and 2077, an extrasolar moon was detected orbiting the planet Polyphemus, located in the Alpha Centauri system. This moon, known as Pandora, has become one of the most celebrated discoveries in all of human history. Why? It was the first time humanity became aware of the existence of intelligent, extraterrestrial species--the Na'vi. In this immersive and interactive class, you will act as a xenoanthropology student in the 22nd century who is enrolled in an introductory course on the Na'vi (the humanoid aliens featured in James Cameron's 'Avatar' film series). We will explore Na'vi culture, customs, and language, as well as the greater environment of Pandora, through an anthropological, biological, and sociological lens.

Please note that NO prior knowledge of the Avatar film series or the Na'vi is needed for this class. Whether you're a fan of the original film series or completely new to it, this course is for you! Anyone interested in anthropology, biology, sociology, ecology, xenology, science-fiction, fantasy, aliens, or speculative fiction will have a great time!

California isn’t just beaches and sunshine — it’s the world’s 4th largest economy, and its Treasury is the engine keeping it running. In this course, students will explore how the Golden State manages, invests, and safeguards its public funds to power schools, build infrastructure, and support innovation. From taxes to treasury bonds, this is where economics meets real-world impact.

When you think of the most influential American activists, who comes to your mind? Maybe it’s Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, Rosa Parks, Sylvia Rivera, Marsha P. Johnson, Cesar Chavez, or Dolores Huerta. And all of these are correct answers, but they’re also individuals.

When we learn about movements, we often learn about individuals who advocated, organized, and mobilized. But who did they advocate for, who did they organize with, and who did they mobilize? This course seeks to address a key aspect of that very question by discussing student activist groups and organizations who embodied visionary change and revolutionary optimism.

In this course, we will study the strategies and tactics of a few crucial student activist groups, such as the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and the Third World Liberation Front (TWLF) at San Francisco State University and UC Berkeley.

Together, let’s study these grassroots activists and see what we can learn from them today. Let’s be reminded of our own power to make change.

32,098 hours. That's how long the average American will spend eating in their lifetime. Eating is a huge part of our lives, culturally, socially, economically, and within our community. In this class we will dive into the tremendous impact meals have on our lives and how food may be the future.


Prerequisites
N/A

Have you ever wondered where atmospheric oxygen comes from?

This is an introductory course to a concept in Earth and Planetary Science of the mechanisms for how Earth attained its oxygen. We will be walking forward through time to discuss the proposed processes, looking at the geological evidence and discussing the reasoning for why it is evidence.

The year is 2050. You are awakened in the middle of the night by your holographic iPhone 52 Pro as it floats over to your bedside. The country code flashes as +46. Stockholm is calling. You've just won the Nobel Prize.

Rewind 25 years and you're at UC Berkeley mashing up a bunch of fresh strawberries to ask questions about the fundamental nature of life. Every one of us is a true scientist at heart. We observe the world since we've been born and relentlessly ask questions to seek clarity in our surroundings. In this Splash course, you get to extract the genetic code from strawberries – the letters that make up their DNA – to probe their secrets and bring that knowledge to improve human health. The odds that you ask a question that leads straight to a future Nobel Prize? Pretty high!

Course title inspired by Chapter 21, Lefkowitz, Robert, and Randy Hall. A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Stockholm: The Adrenaline Fueled Adventures of an Accidental Scientist. Simon and Schuster, 2021.


Prerequisites
Basic chemistry and cell biology

The gold in jewelry, the uranium in a nuclear power plant, the iodine with table salt, the caesium in atomic clocks: what do these all have in common? It turns out they were likely forged in the fires of a cosmic explosion known as a kilonova! This course will dive into astronomer's journey to understand the origins of the heaviest elements of the periodic table.

What can computers do to advance physics? Researchers at Berkeley use computational tools to study the properties of exotic materials, to aid us in the discovery of new particles in nature, and to simulate experimental results before devoting large amounts of resources to it. With the power of our computers, we can solve equations more efficiently than pen and paper and visualize things not in front of our eyes. We will introduce you to graphing and simulations in Python and give you more examples to try at home.


Prerequisites
Having taken a physics class or coding class may add to your experience, but all you’ll need is curiosity. We will use a laptop for this course, so PLEASE BRING A PERSONAL COMPUTER IF POSSIBLE.

Have you wondered about how life runs on chemical reactions, especially the most essential process for life: respiration? Biology is interesting, but it gets even more fun when the chemistry kicks in.

In this course, you will learn about the chemical reactions and pathways involved in respiration through a board game activity. You will be able to understand and identify key processes along your journey of the board game.


Prerequisites
Basic concepts of respiration

I will give a understandable and intuitive introduction to quantum mechanics and the phenomena of quantum tunneling, wherein a particle can mysteriously travel through a wall. We will then examine the probability of us spontaneously falling through the floor due to such effects.


Prerequisites
A good understanding of high school-level calculus may be helpful but is not required.

In this course, students will learn about the basics of sports medicine including common injuries, preventative measures, treatments, and much more. Using this knowledge, students will participate in a Jeopardy game, where they will be able to interact with their peers!

During this course, students will learn about the musculoskeletal system, nutrition, bone anatomy, and physiology. We will also teach about the orthopedics and sports medicine fields. There will also be information on some therapies, surgeries, and healthy lifestyle tips. We will have a fun game at the end!

What do financial markets, the spread of infectious diseases, and quantum waves have in common? It turns out that they can all be described by the same foundational equation of diffusion.

In this class, we will introduce the diffusion equation and demonstrate why it is a good approximation for many real-world scenarios. We will begin with random walks to motivate the notion of a probability distribution, show some interesting simulations to build intuition, and extend our discussion to include more complex models, such as reaction-diffusion equations.

We hope that by the end of this class, we will have diffused all our knowledge to you!


Prerequisites
It may be helpful to know some calculus, but not required.

This introductory course explores the science and impact of autoimmune diseases, conditions in which the immune system attacks the body’s own cells. Students will learn about key features of these disorders, including common symptoms, underlying biological mechanisms, and risk factors, while also discussing real world examples.

This course will be about the basics of psychology and neuroscience and how the disciplines relate to one another - from an applicability standpoint. Students will learn how these disciplines relate to each other and why it matters to them - from a double major at UC Berkeley. Application-based and discussion-based approaches will be emphasized. Students are also encouraged to engage, ask questions, and seek advice related to varied interest.

Much of research in fields like zoology, integrative biology, and animal science focuses on conservation (humans helping animals), with not as much working the other way (how animals help humans). This survey course helps to examine how animals are currently influencing research in human medicine and the importance of studying the natural world. From using venom as a morphine substitute to uncovering insomnia, the animal kingdom has pharmacological wonders for us to unpack. **Note: if you took this class with Ajay Krishnan in a different semester, it is recommended to take a different course as much of the content will overlap

Mental health issues are a relevant topic, with almost a quarter of Americans suffering from a mental disorder. This course will act as a survey course of the biology and causes of various psychiatric disorders, as well as tips for dealing with a mental health crisis from a licensed crisis counselor. This is an open class for anyone with the interest.

Note: If you took this course with Ajay Krishnan in a previous semester, it is advised to take a different course as much of the content overlaps.

Trigger warning: upsetting materials related to mental illness may be discussed, student discretion is advised

We've got it all- lasers, plasma, ML, oh my! In this course, we'll be going over the results from Kuramitsu et. al. 2024 ("optimization of laser-driven quantum beam generation and the applications with artificial intelligence"), and more broadly looking at the field of laser plasma accelerators (including the BELLA Center at LBNL). We'll also discuss the rise of primitive machine learning techniques in distant fields, and what makes a good paper topic.


Prerequisites
Will need very basic understanding of machine learning (a good litmus test is having heard of a Convolutional Neural Network). Preference for some knowledge of electromagnetism.

Stars come in a variety of colors but for some reason, green is not one of them. In order to have complete explanation for this phenomenon, this class will explore the way in which the human eye perceives colors and the physics behind why stars do (and don't!) appear as said colors. The class is designed to be taught to anyone without any prior knowledge necessary, but some understanding of electromagnetic physics may make it easier to follow along.

The field of radio astronomy is one of the most powerful ways to probe into the mysteries of the cosmos. From learning about the earliest stages after the Big Bang of the universe to the modern search for extraterrestrial life, we'll go over the fundamentals of how light carries information and how we detect it. Get excited to see a demo of radios in action!

Did you know that tiny algae can help power our world? In this course, we will begin with an overview of the effects of greenhouse emissions on the global biosphere and the increasing need for sustainable energy. Then, we’ll dive into the science of biofuels—metrics of algae growth, how scientists extract their lipids for oil, and how that oil is processed into biodiesel. Through interactive activities, students will learn real-world techniques for algal culturing and extractions. Join us to learn about how algae biofuel research is shaping the future of clean energy!

Taught by pre-dental undergrads, this workshop maps the route from high school to dental school- what classes to take, how to line up shadowing and service, when to prep for the DAT, and how to build a standout application. Students leave with a personalized four-year plan, a starter activity log, and mock interview practice.

What is the nature of dark matter? What is dark energy? How can we use the cosmic microwave background to learn about some of the earliest moments in the history of this universe? These are some of the most compelling questions in cosmology today. In this course, we will motivate why people care about these questions. In doing so, we will also highlight past and present contributions made particularly by scientists in the gender minority community.

This course introduces students to the fundamental concepts of nutrition and its role in sports medicine. Topics will include the principles of basic nutrition, the concept of food as medicine, and key biological processes that influence energy, performance, and recovery. Students will explore how nutrition supports athletes in training, competition, and injury prevention, while also considering broader applications to health and wellness. Special attention will be given to current events such as the World Cup, using global sports as a lens to examine how nutrition and sports intersect.

In addition, the course will conclude with a student-led workshop where we reflect on our experiences as first-generation college students pursuing STEM, pre-med, and pre-health pathways. This closing session will provide space to share insights, challenges, and strategies for success while building community and support among peers.


Prerequisites
NA

What really makes your heart beat? Beyond biology lies a world of physics where fluids, pressure, and electricity all work in sync. The Physics of the Heart will show how biology and physics come together to power this vital organ in a fun and interactive way.


Prerequisites
Basics of electric circuits (concepts related to voltage, current and potential).

Einstein predicted them. A hundred years or so later, we finally heard them. This class will dive into the exciting, mysterious, and triumphant story of gravitational waves, whose detection is one of the greatest and most recent scientific achievements of the 21st century.

We’ll give an overview of the theory of gravitational waves (GW) from principles of General Relativity, how they arise in astrophysical environments, and the various strategies ultimately used to detect them, for example the ideas behind the LIGO search which first detected these waves in 2015. This will trace the history of the hunt for GWs and lead us to exciting new prospects that current GW physicists are working on today. Topics include black holes, compact objects, early universe cosmology, pulsar timing arrays, and extensions to hypothetical particles and new physics.


Prerequisites
There are no strict prerequisites for this class, although any amount of knowledge of physics (e.g. mechanics) and/or calculus would probably enrich your experience. The biggest prerequisite however is always just curiosity!

Notice how we don't prepare an exact sentence in our brain before speaking? Or how we sometimes say something unintentionally? This tells us something about our brain: our thinking is not that straightforward.

In this course, you will explore nature's life hack, heuristics. It gives us the ability to anticipate what others might say and formulate an answer as soon as the question is asked. We will also cover techniques to strengthen memory.

Interested in pursuing medicine? Learn more about what it is like to be pre-med, pre-PA, pre-nursing, etc. from students at UC Berkeley. In this course, we will go over the pre-requisite courses and extracurricular activities you can do while being pre-health.

Interested in human anatomy and physiology? Join us to learn more about the human body and test your knowledge in a fun trivia!

This course will delve into mechanisms and history of antibiotics and antibiotic resistance. we will explore causative factors of antibiotic resistance and how to combat it, discussing questions like: how does horizontal gene transfer in bacteria work? how are recent outbreaks related to resistance? can we win this microbial arms race?

This course examines the major human body systems and the physiological mechanisms that maintain health. Students will explore how the body responds to disruptions in these systems that can lead to disease. The class includes discussion of diseases, their causes, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment; and public health perspective.

We are living in an exciting time where scientists can edit the DNA of humans and other organisms with incredible precision, something that once seemed impossible. This breakthrough became possible thanks to CRISPR, a tool adapted from a natural defense system found in bacteria. About a decade ago, scientists Jennifer Doudna and Emmanuelle Charpentier discovered that CRISPR-Cas9 could be used as a programmable pair of “molecular scissors” to edit genes. In this lecture, we’ll explore how CRISPR was discovered, how it’s being used to treat diseases, and the ethical questions that come with editing the human genome.

In this class, we will be looking in depth into J. Robert Oppenheimer’s background and legacy with the development of nukes, as well as learning about the science behind nuclear warfare. We will also explore the historical and international impact that nuclear warfare and proliferation had on the world.

This is a is designed for beginners but more experienced players are encouraged to come as well, This class will consist of an introductory period explaining the basic rules than immediately lead into play using welcome decks allowing students to pick from a variety of themes and pick a combination that seems interesting. Experienced players can either bring decks and play during the time period or join in on playing with welcome decks aswell.

Try out California's official state dance: West Coast Swing!

West Coast Swing is a partner dance comprised of a leader and a follower.
In this class we will cover the key elements of the dance as well as 3 essential patterns. By the end of the hour you'll have a beginning understanding of the dance and will be able to dance socially!

Anyone can dance any role!

Are you sick and tired of taking practice exam after practice exam just for your score to remain stagnant? Are you an underclassman trying to decide if you should even take the SAT? Whoever you are, you are welcome to join! In this crash course, I'll break down the structure of English SAT questions, share tips & resources, and answer any questions you might have. :D

This course is a hands-on experience for students who want to be entrepreneurs. It walks through ideation, validation, building an MVP, launching, and achieving Product-Market Fit. Students will also develop an entrepreneurial mindset—learning resilience, adaptability, and problem-solving—while mastering how to overcome challenges, iterate quickly, and persist through failure.

Going all the way back to the days of Nikola Tesla, there has never been a more exciting time to be working in the world of energy. In the coming decades, we are faced with the monumental task of building a sustainable, secure, and equitable energy system. This will require an all-hands-on-deck approach. We will need contributors from across all disciplines - including engineering, natural science, social science, and public policy. Come to this class to learn about current energy engineering, economics, and policy issues - and how we are going to solve them.

Have you ever tried to solve a Rubik’s cube, but couldn't figure it out? Well, so have we! Rubik’s cubes are hard to solve, after all. In this course, we will discuss why that is, using math and probability theory. We also aim for everyone in the class to learn how to solve a 2x2x2 Rubik's cube. Come join us for an enlightening experience!

Self Defense is a useful skill for everyone. In this class, we will be learning some basic self defense moves and getting some exercise.


Prerequisites
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In this course, participants will be taught how to recognize life-threatening bleeding and act quickly to control it with 3 different techniques. After a brief lecture, BMRC instructors will teach participants these hands-on skills in small groups, using manikins and special materials. You will practice (1) applying direct pressure, (2) packing a wound, and (3) applying a tourniquet.

Additionally, participants will be taught how to recognize a large range of medical emergencies and how to provide initial care before healthcare professionals arrive on the scene. The goal of this lecture-style training is to empower the bystander to perform life-saving measures that boost patient outcomes. Therefore, the training will be largely lecture-based with some hands-on components.

“Traffic Stops: Law Enforcement Processes, Citations, Rights, & Realities - What Every Driver Should Know” explores what really happens during a Traffic Stop, why they occur, and what happens afterward!
Traffic Stops are one of the most common interactions between citizens and law enforcement, yet also one of the most misunderstood! Therefore, as a high school student, learning the reasoning and procedures behind traffic stops can not only enhance the safety for everyone involved but also prepare you to navigate future Traffic Stop encounters with clarity and confidence!

This course takes a deep dive into the entire Traffic Stop process, from the moment an officer signals for you to pull over, to how and why an officer approaches a vehicle. We will explore many topics such as: common reasons for stops, how citations work by examining real tickets, when and why searches may occur, the differences and criteria of detainment vs. arrest, and the potential long-term consequences of a citation or arrest on insurance, background checks, and future employment.
Traffic Stops are one of the most potentially dangerous, often-overlooked by the public, and technical scenarios that law enforcement officers undertake. By taking this course, you will gain the knowledge to protect your own safety as well as support officer safety, while also learning what to expect if you are pulled over and how to handle the situation and possible citation afterward!

This class will be taught by Josef Rager, a UC Berkeley Transfer Student with extensive law enforcement training:
- With over 3 years of training experience with local agencies (including leadership of a volunteer unit within an agency),
- Nearly 2 years of county-level training and on-the-job experience,
- And has placed as a top performer in a national law enforcement competition for his Traffic Stop knowledge and performance.
While not a sworn officer, Josef Rager offers students a unique perspective by combining classroom clarity with real-world insight gained through extensive training and fieldwork, in order to help students fully understand the ins and outs of Traffic Stops!

Together, we’ll dive deeper as we study: real citations, case examples, body-cam footage, radio dispatch codes and communications (as well as how dispatch operates behind the scenes), the legal standards of Traffic Stops, and of course, the human dynamics of these roadside encounters.
Along the way, we’ll discuss your rights, responsibilities, and best practices to uplift you as a driver for safe, respectful interactions!
And hopefully we’ll have enough time to conclude the lesson with a Q&A to answer any questions that you may have!

If you are driving, or planning to, this is essential knowledge! That I’m sure your parents would appreciate you knowing more about!
My hope is that you will walk away with practical skills and knowledge that will support you for the rest of your lives! I look forward to meeting each and every one of you!

Are you getting ready to apply for or are in the process of applying to college? Learn about the college application process from students at UC Berkeley. In this course, we will provide information, tips, and advice about how to apply to college.