Requirements for a Bachelor’s Degree

There are four groups of requirements that must be met to earn a baccalaureate degree from UCI: general UC requirements; UCI requirements, including the General Education (GE) requirement; school or program requirements; and degree-specific requirements.

School or program and major-specific requirements are described in full in the academic unit sections.

Students with identified learning and/or physical disabilities, including language-acquisition problems, are eligible to receive support through the Disability Services Center; telephone 949-824-7494 (voice), email: dsc@uci.edu. Staff can assist students from the time they are admitted to UCI until they graduate.

Catalogue Rights

Students enrolled at UCI from their freshman year may elect to meet as graduation requirements (UC, UCI, school, and major): (1) those in effect at the time of entrance, or (2) those subsequently established after entrance.

A readmitted student who has not been enrolled at UCI for three or more consecutive quarters (excluding summer sessions) must adhere to the graduation requirements: (1) in effect for the quarter in which the student is readmitted; or (2) those subsequently established.

Students transferring from other collegiate institutions may elect to meet as graduation requirements either: (1) those in effect at the time of enrollment at UCI; (2) those subsequently established; or (3) those in effect at UCI when the student first entered a previous, accredited collegiate institution, provided that the student has been continuously enrolled in a collegiate institution and that entry was not more than four years prior to the time of enrollment at UCI.

A transfer student who has had a break of enrollment of two consecutive semesters or three consecutive quarters (excluding summer sessions) may follow the requirements in effect at UCI: (1) at the time of enrollment at UCI; (2) those subsequently established; or (3) those in effect at the time of reentry into a previous, accredited collegiate institution, provided that reentry was not more than four years prior to enrollment at UCI.

A transfer student who has been continuously enrolled in college for more than four years prior to transfer may use: (1) the requirements in effect at the time of enrollment at UCI; (2) those subsequently established; or (3) those in effect at UCI four years prior to enrollment at UCI.

All students, whether enrolled at UCI from their freshman year, readmitted, or transfer, may elect to fulfill general education requirements as specified above, independent of how they choose to meet all other graduation requirements (UC, UCI [with the exception of general education], school, and major).

Students choosing to complete a minor, whether enrolled at UCI from their freshman year, readmitted, or transfer, may elect to fulfill minor requirements as specified above, independent of how they choose to meet all other graduation requirements (UC, UCI, school, and major).

Transfer students who complete one of the following options will be considered to have met the total UCI general education requirement except the upper-division writing requirement: (1) students who transfer from a four-year institution and who have completed the general education requirements of that college, upon approval of petition; (2) students who transfer from another UC campus and provide official documentation that they have met the general education requirements of that campus; (3) students who transfer from another UC campus and are in the process of completing the general education requirements of that campus, upon approval of petition, and who subsequently complete the remaining requirements of that campus at UCI; or (4) California Community College transfer students who have completed the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum. Transfer students may also elect to complete the UCI general education requirement.

Minor Programs

For certification in a minor, a student must obtain a minimum overall grade point average of at least C (2.0) in all courses required for the minor program. No more than two courses applied to a minor may be taken Pass/Not Pass. Completion of the minor is noted on a student’s transcript. (Students are not required to minor in a program in order to graduate from UCI.)

Application for Graduation

In order to receive a degree, an undergraduate student must submit an online Application for Graduation via the Student Access link at the University Registrar's Office website no later than the published deadline. Specific deadline dates for filing are established quarterly so that candidates’ academic records can be reviewed to verify that all graduation requirements have been met. These dates vary among academic units. Students should contact their academic counseling office for deadline and degree audit information.

General Education (GE) Requirement

UCI is committed to the values of a liberal education. One component of that commitment is the requirement that all undergraduates complete a set of general education (GE) requirements. General education courses introduce students to a range of ideas and intellectual activities that engage UCI scholars, providing both scope and balance to a University degree beyond the study of a specific major.

The general education requirements are intended to help undergraduates place the specialized study undertaken in the major within a broader context. They are designed to cultivate the skills, knowledge, and understanding that will make students effective contributors to society and the world. The general education requirements should enable UCI undergraduates to apply the abilities developed in their studies to identify significant issues, gather and evaluate available evidence, analyze alternatives, reach conclusions, communicate the results effectively, and take considered actions.

The general education requirement is a graduation requirement and, with the exception of the lower-division writing requirement, need not be satisfied during only the lower-division years. To satisfy the general education requirement, courses are required in each of the following categories:

I. Writing (two lower-division plus one upper-division course)

II. Science and Technology (three courses)

IV. Arts and Humanities (three courses)

V. Quantitative, Symbolic, and Computational Reasoning, with subcategories Va and Vb (three courses that may also satisfy another GE category)

VII. Multicultural Studies (one course that may also satisfy another GE category)

VIII. International/Global Issues (one course that may also satisfy another GE category)

The specific courses in each area that students may use to satisfy the requirements are listed below. When a general education course is cross-listed with another course, that course also is available for fulfillment of the requirement. Students should refer to the Catalogue descriptions of the courses to determine which are cross-listed.

A course qualifies for a particular GE category based on its content rather than on the academic unit that offers it. However, to increase students’ exposure to a variety of disciplinary approaches, students are encouraged to choose GE courses from a wide range of schools and departments outside of the student’s major.

NOTE: The following list of courses approved for GE is effective for the published academic year only. Because changes occur each year, students should consult the GE list annually to ensure that the courses they enroll in are on the list. GE credit is awarded for a course only if it appears on the list during the academic year when it is taken. To check the GE course offerings in a particular quarter, consult the Schedule of Classes on the University Registrar’s website.

General Education Categories

I. Writing

Because of the importance of visual, oral, electronic, and written communication in every academic discipline, in the professions, and in public life, the University is committed to developing a variety of communication abilities in students at all levels and in all areas. The Writing Requirement expresses this broad commitment, but the concern for and attention to rhetorically effective, accurate writing is expected in all courses.

The Writing Requirement consists of two courses at the lower-division level beyond the UC Entry Level Writing requirement and one upper-division course in a discipline.

Except where otherwise noted below, students must satisfy the UC Entry Level Writing requirement prior to fulfilling the UCI writing requirement.

Students who have not completed the lower-division writing requirement before the beginning of their seventh quarter at UCI will be subject to academic notice. Students transferring to UCI normally should have satisfied the lower-division writing requirement before entering UCI; if, however, they have not, they must complete it within their first three quarters of enrollment or they will be subject to academic notice. Academic English students must complete the lower-division writing requirement before the beginning of the seventh quarter following the completion of their AE courses or they will be subject to academic notice.

The third course must be an upper-division writing course, and it must be taken only after the successful completion of the lower-division requirement.

Students enrolled at UCI may take only UCI courses in satisfaction of the lower-division and upper-division writing requirements. Continuing UCI students may not take summer courses at another institution to satisfy lower-division or upper-division writing requirements.

After completing this GE requirement, successful students should be able to do the following:

Lower-division writing

• demonstrate rhetorically effective, accurate academic writing and communication across a variety of contexts, purposes, audiences, and media using appropriate stance, genre, style, and organization;
• develop flexible strategies for generating, revising, editing, and proofreading texts;
• develop abilities in critical reading across a variety of genres and media;
• and demonstrate information literacy skills by locating, evaluating, and integrating information gathered from multiple sources into a research project.

Upper-division writing

• demonstrate rhetorically effective, discipline-specific writing for appropriate academic, professional, and public audiences;
• demonstrate, at an advanced level of competence, use of discipline-specific research methods, genres, modes of development, and formal conventions;
• and demonstrate advanced information literacy skills by locating, evaluating, and integrating information gathered from multiple sources into discipline-specific writing.

Ia. Lower-Division Requirement

The two courses taken to fulfill the lower-division requirement must be completed with a minimum grade of C- (or a Pass or Credit grade equivalent to C-). Students may select from the courses specified below:

1. WRITING 50 and WRITING 60 .
2. WRITING 45 and WRITING 60 . Recommended students only.
3. Completion of the writing component of Humanities Core with a grade of C- or better in ( HUMAN 1AS or HUMAN H1AS or HUMAN H1AES or HUMAN 1BS or HUMAN H1BS or HUMAN 1BES ), and in HUMAN 1CS or HUMAN H1CS .
4. Students who complete WRITING 45 or WRITING 50 with a grade of B (3.0) or better may substitute as the second course of the lower-division writing requirement one of the following courses in creative writing: WRITING 30 or WRITING 31 .

Ib. Upper-Division Requirement

The course taken to fulfill the upper-division requirement must be completed with a minimum grade of C- (or a Pass or Credit grade equivalent to C-). The requirement may be satisfied by completing one of the following options:

1. An upper-division course designated on a list of approved courses in the quarterly Schedule of Classes on the University Registrar’s website. NOTE: All courses approved to fulfill the upper-division writing requirement should have a “W” suffix. Students are encouraged to consult the Schedule of Classes or their advisor to determine the current upper-division writing requirement course offerings. If a course on the approved list is offered without the “W” suffix, it does not satisfy the upper-division writing requirement.
2. Majors in the School of Biological Sciences, Physics majors, and Pharmaceutical Sciences majors satisfy the upper-division writing requirement in the manner specified in those academic unit sections of the Catalogue.

Students who fail to attain the required grades in the courses taken in fulfillment of the writing requirement should refer to the Academic Regulations and Procedures section for further information.

Courses with an asterisk (*) can meet one or more GE requirement. Click on the course for more information.

Ib. Upper-Division Requirement

II. Science and Technology

Understanding the nature of scientific inquiry and the operation of the biological, physical, and technological world is essential for making personal and public policy decisions in a technological society.

After completing this GE requirement, successful students should be able to do the following:

• demonstrate a broad understanding of the fundamental laws of science, the principles underlying the design and operation of technology, and the interrelations among science and technology disciplines;
• demonstrate a broad understanding of various natural phenomena that surround and influence our lives;
• describe how scientists approach and solve problems;
• solve problems and draw conclusions based on scientific information and models, using critical thinking and qualitative and quantitative analysis of data and concepts;
• and explain the scope and limitations of scientific inquiry and the scientific method.

Courses with an asterisk (*) can meet one or more GE requirement. Click on the course for more information.

Students must complete three courses from the following list:

II. Science and Technology

III. Social and Behavioral Sciences

Courses will focus on principles, sources, and interpretations of human behavior and on how people organize, govern, understand, and explain social life. This category includes the analysis of human behavior at all levels, from the individual to collective social, economic, and political life, and on the scientific methods used in the acquisition of knowledge and the testing of competing theories.

After completing this GE requirement, successful students should be able to do the following:

• demonstrate knowledge and understanding of principles, sources, and interpretations of human behavior and how people organize, govern, understand, and explain social life;
• demonstrate an understanding of contemporary and historical perspectives on human behavior;
• understand and explain the scientific methods used in the acquisition of knowledge and the testing of competing theories in the social and behavioral sciences;
• and critically evaluate methods, findings, and conclusions in the research literature on human behavior.

Courses with an asterisk (*) can meet one or more GE requirement. Click on the course for more information.

Students must complete three courses from the following list:

III. Social and Behavioral Sciences

IV. Arts and Humanities

Study of the Arts and Humanities expands the student’s sense of diverse forms of cultural expression, past and present. Students develop their critical capacity as they discover how meaning is created and experience variously interpreted.

After completing this GE requirement, successful students should be able to do the following:

• demonstrate knowledge and understanding of how visual and verbal communication is used in literature and film, art and music, and philosophy and history;
• communicate an understanding and appreciation of diverse forms of cultural expression, past and present;
• understand and explain the research methods used in the acquisition of knowledge and the testing of competing theories in the arts and humanities;
• and think critically about how meaning is created and how experience is variously interpreted.

Courses with an asterisk (*) can meet one or more GE requirement. Click on the course for more information.

Students must complete three courses from the following list:

IV. Arts and Humanities

V. Quantitative, Symbolic, and Computational Reasoning

This category consists of two subcategories. Students are required to take one course in each of the subcategories and an additional course from either subcategory, for a total of three courses. A course approved for the GE requirement in category V and also approved for the GE requirement in a category other than V may be used to satisfy the requirements of both categories simultaneously. However, courses approved for both subcategories in category V may only be used once to satisfy one of the subcategories. The two subcategories are indicated as Va and Vb.

Va. Quantitative Literacy

Courses in this category focus on the quantitative description, evaluation, and assessment of events occurring in nature or in human social and political systems. This includes quantitative measurements made or data collected to study such events, analysis of the data, and implications of the analysis for our understanding of the events.

After taking a course in category Va, successful students will be able to do all of the following:

• identify appropriate tools for quantitative analysis of processes or events;
• have a basic familiarity with fundamental principles underlying quantitative descriptions of natural or social processes;
• and be able to do one or more of the following:
  • evaluate studies and reports that assess risk and probability in everyday life;
  • use models of natural phenomena to make quantitative predictions of future behavior or events;
  • use models of economic and social structures to make quantitative predictions of future behavior or events.

  Courses with an asterisk (*) can meet one or more GE requirement. Click on the course for more information.

  Va. Quantitative Literacy

  Anthropology (ANTHRO)
  ANTHRO 10A	Probability and Statistics
  ANTHRO 10B	Probability and Statistics
  Biomedical Engineering (BME)
  BME 3	Engineering Innovations in Treating Diabetes *
  Chemistry (CHEM)
  CHEM 1A	General Chemistry *
  CHEM 1B	General Chemistry *
  CHEM 1C	General Chemistry *
  CHEM H2A	Honors General Chemistry *
  CHEM H2B	Honors General Chemistry *
  CHEM H2C	Honors General Chemistry *
  CHEM M2A	Majors General Chemistry Lecture *
  CHEM M2B	Majors General Chemistry Lecture *
  CHEM M2C	Majors General Chemistry Lecture *
  CHEM M3C	Majors Quantitative Analytical Chemistry *
  CHEM 14	Sense and Sensibility in Science *
  CHEM H90	The Idiom and Practice of Science *
  Cognitive Sciences (COGS)
  COGS 10A	Exploratory Data Analysis
  COGS 10B	Probability and Inference
  Earth System Science (EARTHSS)
  EARTHSS 1	Introduction to Earth System Science *
  EARTHSS 3	Oceanography *
  EARTHSS 5	The Atmosphere *
  EARTHSS 7	Physical Geology *
  EARTHSS 15	Introduction to Global Climate Change *
  EARTHSS 17	Hurricanes, Tsunamis, and Other Catastrophes *
  EARTHSS 21	On Thin Ice: Climate Change and the Cryosphere *
  EARTHSS 23	Air Pollution: From Urban Smog to Global Change *
  EARTHSS 40A	Earth System Chemistry *
  EARTHSS 40C	Earth System Physics *
  Economics (ECON)
  ECON 15A	Probability and Statistics in Economics I
  ECON 15B	Probability and Statistics in Economics II
  School of Education (EDUC)
  EDUC 15	Statistics for Education Research
  Game Design and Interactive Media (GDIM)
  GDIM 31	Introduction to Programming for Games
  GDIM 32	Intermediate Programming for Games
  Information and Computer Sci (I&C SCI)
  I&C SCI 7	Spreadsheets for Problem-Solving
  I&C SCI 9	Introduction to Computation for Scientists and Engineers *
  I&C SCI 32	Programming with Software Libraries *
  I&C SCI H32	Python Programming and Libraries (Accelerated) *
  Logic and Philosophy of Science (LPS)
  LPS 31	Introduction to Inductive Logic *
  Management (MGMT)
  MGMT 7	Statistics for Business Decision Making
  Philosophy (PHILOS)
  PHILOS 31	Introduction to Inductive Logic *
  Physical Sciences (PHY SCI)
  PHY SCI 9	Introduction to Computation for Scientists and Engineers *
  Physics and Astronomy (PHYSICS)
  PHYSICS 3A	Basic Physics I *
  PHYSICS 3B	Basic Physics II *
  PHYSICS 3C	Basic Physics III *
  PHYSICS 7C	Classical Physics *
  PHYSICS 7D	Classical Physics *
  PHYSICS 7E	Classical Physics *
  PHYSICS 14	Energy and the Environment *
  PHYSICS 20A	Introduction to Astronomy *
  PHYSICS 20B	Cosmology: Humanity's Place in the Universe *
  PHYSICS 20D	Space Science *
  PHYSICS 20E	Life in the Universe *
  PHYSICS H90	The Idiom and Practice of Science *
  Psychology (PSYCH)
  PSYCH 10A	Exploratory Data Analysis
  PSYCH 10B	Probability and Inference
  Public Health (PUBHLTH)
  PUBHLTH 7A	Public Health Statistics I
  PUBHLTH 7B	Public Health Statistics II
  Social Sciences (SOC SCI)
  SOC SCI 10A	Probability and Statistics in Social Sciences I
  SOC SCI 10B	Probability and Statistics in Social Sciences II
  Social Ecology (SOCECOL)
  SOCECOL 13	Statistical Analysis in Social Ecology
  Sociology (SOCIOL)
  SOCIOL 10A	Probability and Statistics
  SOCIOL 10B	Probability and Statistics
  Statistics (STATS)
  STATS 7	Basic Statistics
  STATS 8	Introduction to Biological Statistics
  STATS 67	Introduction to Probability and Statistics for Computer Science
  University Studies (UNI STU)
  UNI STU H30A	Critical Analysis of Health Science Literature *

  Vb. Formal Reasoning

  Courses in this category focus on aspects of formal reasoning including symbolic logic, mathematical modeling, and algorithmic reasoning.

  After taking a course in category Vb, successful students will be able to do all of the following:

  • understand the concept and purpose of formal languages such as propositional and first-order logic, simple programming languages, mathematical models or linguistic formalisms;
  • possess an elementary grasp of the power and limits of formal methods; and be able to do one or both of the following:
    • apply formal tools of logic or mathematics to the analysis and evaluation of everyday and/or scientific arguments, texts, and communicative situations;
    • apply basic algorithms for the generation of logical deductions, linguistic structures, or computational processes.

    Courses with an asterisk (*) can meet one or more GE requirement. Click on the course for more information.

    Vb. Formal Reasoning

    Anthropology (ANTHRO)
    ANTHRO 10C	Probability and Statistics
    Cognitive Sciences (COGS)
    COGS 10C	Statistical Models
    Earth System Science (EARTHSS)
    EARTHSS 19	Introduction to Modeling the Earth System *
    European Languages and Studies (EURO ST)
    EURO ST 12	What is the Origin of Language? *
    Information and Computer Sci (I&C SCI)
    I&C SCI 6B	Boolean Logic and Discrete Structures
    I&C SCI 6D	Discrete Mathematics for Computer Science
    I&C SCI 6N	Computational Linear Algebra *
    I&C SCI 9	Introduction to Computation for Scientists and Engineers *
    I&C SCI 31	Introduction to Programming *
    I&C SCI 32	Programming with Software Libraries *
    I&C SCI H32	Python Programming and Libraries (Accelerated) *
    I&C SCI 33	Intermediate Programming *
    I&C SCI 46	Data Structure Implementation and Analysis
    Logic and Philosophy of Science (LPS)
    LPS 29	Critical Reasoning *
    LPS 30	Introduction to Symbolic Logic
    Language Science (LSCI)
    LSCI 3	Introduction to Linguistics *
    LSCI 10	Introduction to Phonology *
    LSCI 20	Introduction to Syntax *
    LSCI 43	Introduction to Symbolic Logic
    Mathematics (MATH)
    MATH 2A	Single-Variable Calculus I
    MATH 2B	Single-Variable Calculus II
    MATH 2D	Multivariable Calculus I
    MATH H2D	Honors Multivariable Calculus I
    MATH 3A	Introduction to Linear Algebra
    MATH 5A	Calculus for Life Sciences I
    MATH 5B	Calculus for Life Sciences II
    MATH 9	Introduction to Programming for Numerical Analysis *
    MATH 10	Introduction to Programming for Data Science *
    Philosophy (PHILOS)
    PHILOS 2	Puzzles and Paradoxes *
    PHILOS 29	Critical Reasoning *
    PHILOS 30	Introduction to Symbolic Logic
    Physical Sciences (PHY SCI)
    PHY SCI 9	Introduction to Computation for Scientists and Engineers *
    Psychology (PSYCH)
    PSYCH 10C	Statistical Models
    Social Sciences (SOC SCI)
    SOC SCI 10C	Probability and Statistics in Social Sciences III
    Sociology (SOCIOL)
    SOCIOL 10C	Probability and Statistics
    Statistics (STATS)
    STATS 6	Introduction to Data Science
    University Studies (UNI STU)
    UNI STU H30B	Environmental Issues Affecting the Sustainability of Societies I *

    VI. Language Other Than English

    Study of a language other than English expands students’ horizons by encouraging understanding of another culture through its language and heightens awareness of one’s own language through the investigation of another linguistic system.

    After completing this GE requirement, successful students should be able to do the following:

    • demonstrate competency in reading, writing, speaking, and listening in a non-English language;
    • demonstrate an understanding of another (non-English speaking) culture through its language;
    • and demonstrate an understanding of one’s own language through the investigation of another, non-English linguistic system.

    Students must demonstrate competency in a language other than English (includes American Sign Language) by completing one of the following six options:

    • College-level course work equivalent to UCI’s third quarter of study in a language other than English. UCI courses approved to satisfy this requirement are:

    Courses with an asterisk (*) can meet one or more GE requirement. Click on the course for more information.

    VI. Language Other Than English

    Arabic (ARABIC)
    ARABIC 1C	Fundamentals of Arabic
    Armenian (ARMN)
    ARMN 1C	Elementary Armenian
    Chinese (CHINESE)
    CHINESE 1C	Fundamental Mandarin Chinese
    CHINESE 1MC	Fundamentals of Mandarin Chinese - Mandarin Background Track
    CHINESE S1BC	Fundamentals of Mandarin Chinese
    French (FRENCH)
    FRENCH 1BC	Intensive Fundamentals of French
    FRENCH 1BCSP	Accelerated Fundamentals of French for Spanish Speakers
    FRENCH 1C	Fundamentals of French
    FRENCH S1BC	Intensive Fundamentals of French
    German (GERMAN)
    GERMAN 1BC	Intensive German Fundamentals
    GERMAN 1C	Fundamentals of German
    GERMAN S1BC	Fundamentals of German
    Greek (GREEK)
    GREEK 1C	Classical and Biblical Greek
    Italian (ITALIAN)
    ITALIAN 1BC	Intensive Fundamentals of Italian
    ITALIAN 1BCSP	Accelerated Fundamentals of Italian for Spanish Speakers
    ITALIAN 1C	Fundamentals of Italian
    Japanese (JAPANSE)
    JAPANSE 1C	Fundamental Japanese
    JAPANSE S1BC	Fundamentals of Japanese
    Korean (KOREAN)
    KOREAN 1C	Fundamental Korean
    KOREAN S1BC	Fundamentals of Korean
    Latin (LATIN)
    LATIN 1C	Fundamentals of Latin
    Persian (PERSIAN)
    PERSIAN 1C	Fundamentals in Persian
    Russian (RUSSIAN)
    RUSSIAN 1BC	Intensive Russian Fundamentals
    RUSSIAN 1C	Fundamentals of Russian
    Spanish (SPANISH)
    SPANISH 1C	Fundamentals of Spanish
    SPANISH S1BC	Fundamentals of Spanish
    Vietnamese (VIETMSE)
    VIETMSE 1C	Fundamentals of Vietnamese

    For information on UCI’s prerequisites, course placement policies, and the grade required to advance to the next level of instruction, consult the School of Humanities (Language Other Than English Placement and Progression) section in this Catalogue.

    • Credit for three years of high school study or its equivalent in a single language other than English with a C average or better in the third year.
    • A score of 3, 4, or 5 on a College Board Advanced Placement Examination in a language other than English. NOTE: Students who earn a 3, 4, or 5 on the AP Chinese Examination must take the UCI Chinese placement examination to determine course credit.
    • A score of 570 or better on a College Board SAT Subject Test in a language other than English, with the exception of the test in Modern Hebrew for which a score of 500 or better is required.
    • Completion of an approved course of study through the UC Education Abroad Program (EAP). Careful planning is required to ensure that this requirement is fulfilled. Check with an EAP counselor at the Study Abroad Center to determine the programs in countries that fulfill this requirement.
    • The equivalent as determined by an appropriate and available means of evaluation. For information on availability of such examinations and testing schedules, consult the Academic Testing Center, 949-824-6207. If an appropriate means of evaluating competence in a non-English language of instruction does not exist, satisfactory completion, with a C average or better, of one year of formal schooling at the sixth grade level or higher in an institution where the language of instruction is not English will meet the requirement. Appropriate documentation must be presented to substantiate that the course work was completed.

    VII. Multicultural Studies

    This requirement develops student's awareness and interdisciplinary analysis of the history, society, and/or culture of one or more historically underrepresented groups in California and/or United States.

    After completing this GE requirement, students should be able to successfully do the following:

    • Demonstrate knowledge of the culture, history, and development of one or more historically underrepresented or marginalized group in California and/or the United States.

    And do at least one of the following:

    • Critically analyze differences in experience, perspective, and inequities encountered by historically underrepresented communities or marginalized groups in California and/or the United States.
    • Demonstrate the ability to recognize and critically analyze structural forms of power and intersecting systems of oppression in California and/or the United States.
    • Demonstrate understanding of how historically underrepresented or marginalized groups in California and/or the United States challenge ideologies, institutions, and the conditions of domination.

    Students must complete one course from the following list. In fulfilling category VII, students are encouraged to use courses that are also being used in fulfillment of other GE categories. For example, HUMAN 1C simultaneously satisfies category VII and a portion of category IV.

    Courses with an asterisk (*) can meet one or more GE requirement. Click on the course for more information.

    VII. Multicultural Studies

    African American Studies (AFAM)
    AFAM 40A	African American Studies I *
    AFAM 40B	African American Studies II *
    AFAM 40C	African American Studies III *
    Anthropology (ANTHRO)
    ANTHRO 25A	Environmental Injustice *
    ANTHRO 60	Global Themes in Sikh Studies *
    ANTHRO 121D	Cross-Cultural Studies of Gender
    ANTHRO 128B	Race, Gender, and Science
    ANTHRO 136K	The Woman and the Body
    ANTHRO 162B	Indian North America
    Art History (ART HIS)
    ART HIS 44	Image Collision: A Multicultural Approach to Images and Their Users *
    Asian American Studies (ASIANAM)
    ASIANAM 50	Asian American Histories *
    ASIANAM 52	Asian American Communities *
    ASIANAM 53	Asian Americans and Race *
    ASIANAM 54	Asian American Stories *
    ASIANAM 55	Asian Americans and the Media *
    ASIANAM 130	Undocumented Immigrant Experiences *
    ASIANAM 144	The Politics of Protest
    Chicano/Latino Studies (CHC/LAT)
    CHC/LAT 61	Introduction to Chicano/Latino Studies I *
    CHC/LAT 62	Introduction to Chicano/Latino Studies II *
    CHC/LAT 63	Introduction to Chicano/Latino Studies III *
    CHC/LAT 64	Introduction to Race and Ethnicity in Political Science *
    CHC/LAT 65	Ethnic and Immigrant America
    CHC/LAT 151	Latinos in U.S. Politics
    CHC/LAT 154	Latino Metropolis
    CHC/LAT 158B	Gender and Ethnicity: Chicana/Latina Feminisms in the US
    CHC/LAT 163	U.S. Immigration Policy
    CHC/LAT 164A	Undocumented Immigrant Experiences *
    CHC/LAT 168	Chicano/Latino Social Psychology
    CHC/LAT 176	Race, Gender, and Science
    CHC/LAT 178	Health and the Latino Paradox
    CHC/LAT 183	Multicultural Education in K-12 Schools
    Comparative Literature (COM LIT)
    COM LIT 9	Introduction to Multiculturalism *
    Criminology, Law and Society (CRM/LAW)
    CRM/LAW C187	Undocumented Immigrant Experiences *
    Drama (DRAMA)
    DRAMA 13	Food, Film, Power *
    School of Education (EDUC)
    EDUC 124	Multicultural Education in K-12 Schools
    EDUC 143BW	Classroom Interactions II *
    English (ENGLISH)
    ENGLISH 8	Multicultural American Literature *
    Film and Media Studies (FLM&MDA)
    FLM&MDA H80	Honors Seminar: Race Sport Media *
    Gender and Sexuality Studies (GEN&SEX)
    GEN&SEX 20	Introduction to Queer Studies *
    GEN&SEX 50A	Gender and Feminism in Everyday Life *
    GEN&SEX 50B	Gender and Power *
    GEN&SEX 50C	Gender and Popular Culture *
    GEN&SEX 172	Gender and Ethnicity: Chicana/Latina Feminisms in the US
    History (HISTORY)
    HISTORY 15A	Native American History *
    HISTORY 15C	Asian American Histories *
    HISTORY 15D	History of Sexuality in the US *
    HISTORY 15F	What to Eat? Immigrants and the Development of American Cuisines *
    HISTORY 15G	Racial Segregation in Modern U.S.
    Humanities (HUMAN)
    HUMAN 1C	Humanities Core Lecture *
    Language Science (LSCI)
    LSCI 2	Discovering Language
    Music (MUSIC)
    MUSIC 78	History of Jazz *
    Political Science (POL SCI)
    POL SCI 32A	Dilemmas of Diversity
    POL SCI 61A	Introduction to Race and Ethnicity in Political Science *
    POL SCI 124A	The Politics of Protest
    POL SCI 124B	Latinos in U.S. Politics
    POL SCI 126C	U.S. Immigration Policy
    POL SCI 154K	Antisemitism *
    Psychological Science (PSCI)
    PSCI 192Q	Chicano/Latino Social Psychology
    PSCI 192S	Health and the Latino Paradox
    Religious Studies (REL STD)
    REL STD 60	Global Themes in Sikh Studies *
    Social Sciences (SOC SCI)
    SOC SCI 70C	Comparing Cultures *
    SOC SCI 78A	Asian American Histories *
    SOC SCI 78B	Asian American Communities *
    SOC SCI 78C	Asian Americans and Race *
    SOC SCI 132	Veterans in History and Society
    Sociology (SOCIOL)
    SOCIOL 1	Introduction to Sociology *
    SOCIOL 3	Social Problems *
    SOCIOL 51	Asian American Family & Community
    SOCIOL 63	Race and Ethnicity
    SOCIOL 64	Sociology of Sexuality
    SOCIOL 68A	Ethnic and Immigrant America
    SOCIOL 163	Gender and Ethnicity: Chicana/Latina Feminisms in the US
    SOCIOL 177C	Undocumented Immigrant Experiences *
    Spanish (SPANISH)
    SPANISH 3H	Heritage Spanish: Latinidades en California
    SPANISH 62	Latinx, Multilingualism, and Social Justice
    Social Pol and Public Service (SPPS)
    SPPS 70A	Race and Ethnicity
    Urban Planning and Public Policy (UPPP)
    UPPP 172	Latino Metropolis

    VIII. International/Global Issues

    Courses in this category focus on significant cultural, economic, geographical, historical, political, and/or sociological aspects of one or more countries other than the United States.

    After completing this GE requirement, successful students should be able to do the following:

    • demonstrate specific knowledge of the cultural, historical, social, economic, scientific, and political aspects of one or more foreign countries, and the connections among these aspects;
    • develop a broader understanding of the formation of different cultures and countries through the world;
    • and be prepared to engage in positive interaction with peoples of different cultures and nationalities.

    Students must complete one course from the following list. In fulfilling category VIII, students are encouraged to use courses that are also being used in fulfillment of other GE categories. In addition, category VIII may be satisfied by one quarter’s participation in the UC Education Abroad Program (EAP) or one quarter’s participation in an International Opportunities Program (IOP) with an approved IOP Credit Contract. Summer study abroad on an EAP or IOP (with approved IOP Credit Contract) satisfies this requirement when the program is at least five weeks long and the student completes at least one course worth at least four quarter units.

    Courses with an asterisk (*) can meet one or more GE requirement. Click on the course for more information.

    VIII. International/Global Issues

    Anthropology (ANTHRO)
    ANTHRO 2A	Introduction to Sociocultural Anthropology *
    ANTHRO 20A	People, Cultures, and Environmental Sustainability
    ANTHRO 30A	Global Issues in Anthropological Perspective
    ANTHRO 41A	Global Cultures and Society *
    ANTHRO 48	Archaeology or Aliens?: Conspiracy, Pseudoscience, and the Emergence of Civilizations *
    ANTHRO 60	Global Themes in Sikh Studies *
    ANTHRO 125X	Transnational Migration
    ANTHRO 134A	Medical Anthropology
    ANTHRO 136A	Nationalism and Ethnicity in the Contemporary World
    ANTHRO 136D	Conflict Resolution in Cross-Cultural Perspective
    ANTHRO 162A	Peoples and Cultures of Latin America
    ANTHRO 163A	Peoples of the Pacific
    ANTHRO 164P	Peoples and Cultures of Post-Soviet Eurasia
    Arabic (ARABIC)
    ARABIC 2A	Intermediate Arabic Language and Culture
    ARABIC 2B	Intermediate Arabic Language and Culture
    ARABIC 2C	Intermediate Arabic Language and Culture
    ARABIC 51	Introduction to the Koran *
    Armenian (ARMN)
    ARMN 2A	Intermediate Armenian
    ARMN 2B	Intermediate Armenian
    ARMN 2C	Intermediate Armenian
    Art History (ART HIS)
    ART HIS 30	Latin American Art and Architecture: 1492 to the Present *
    ART HIS 40A	Ancient Greek and Roman Art, and Architecture *
    ART HIS 40B	Arts of Europe: Medieval and Renaissance *
    ART HIS 40C	Early Modern and Modern Art in Europe and America *
    ART HIS 42A	History of Asian Art: Arts of India *
    ART HIS 42B	History of Asian Art: Arts of China *
    ART HIS 42C	History of Asian Art: Arts of Japan *
    ART HIS 42D	History of Asian Art: Arts of Islam *
    ART HIS 42F	Arts of Korea *
    ART HIS 46	Introduction to Ancient Egyptian Archaeology and Art *
    Asian American Studies (ASIANAM)
    ASIANAM 51	The U.S. and Asia *
    Chicano/Latino Studies (CHC/LAT)
    CHC/LAT 120	Peoples and Cultures of Latin America
    CHC/LAT 161	Transnational Migration
    CHC/LAT 178A	Medical Anthropology
    Chinese (CHINESE)
    CHINESE 2A	Intermediate Mandarin Chinese
    CHINESE 2B	Intermediate Mandarin Chinese
    CHINESE 2C	Intermediate Mandarin Chinese
    CHINESE 40	Topics in Professional Chinese
    CHINESE 103A	Advanced Mandarin Chinese
    CHINESE 103B	Advanced Mandarin Chinese
    CHINESE 103C	Advanced Mandarin Chinese
    Comparative Literature (COM LIT)
    COM LIT 3	Just Reading: Developing the Reading Experience *
    COM LIT 10	Topics in World Literature *
    COM LIT 60A	World Literature *
    COM LIT 60B	Reading with Theory *
    COM LIT 60C	Cultural Studies *
    Dance (DANCE)
    DANCE 80	Introduction to Ballet and Modern Dance *
    DANCE 90A	Dance History I *
    DANCE 90B	Dance History II *
    Drama (DRAMA)
    DRAMA 13	Food, Film, Power *
    DRAMA 40A	Development of Drama *
    DRAMA 40B	Development of Drama *
    DRAMA 40C	Development of Drama *
    Earth System Science (EARTHSS)
    EARTHSS 15	Introduction to Global Climate Change *
    EARTHSS 17	Hurricanes, Tsunamis, and Other Catastrophes *
    EARTHSS 21	On Thin Ice: Climate Change and the Cryosphere *
    EARTHSS 23	Air Pollution: From Urban Smog to Global Change *
    East Asian Studies (EAS)
    EAS 20	Topics in Asian Religions *
    EAS 40	Topics in East Asian Popular Culture *
    EAS 55	Introduction to East Asian Cultures *
    Economics (ECON)
    ECON 13	Global Economy *
    European Languages and Studies (EURO ST)
    EURO ST 9	Topics in Europe in the Middle Ages *
    EURO ST 10	Topics in Historical Foundations (1500-1800) *
    EURO ST S10	Historical Foundations: Europe and the Foundations of the Modern World *
    EURO ST 11	Issues and Institutions in Modern Europe (1789-1945) *
    EURO ST S11	Europe's Futures: 1755-Present *
    EURO ST 13	Topics in Contemporary Europe (1945 – Today) *
    French (FRENCH)
    FRENCH 2A	Intermediate French
    FRENCH 2AB	Intensive Intermediate French
    FRENCH 2B	Intermediate French
    FRENCH 2BC	Intensive Intermediate French
    FRENCH 2C	Intermediate French
    FRENCH S2AB	Intermediate French
    FRENCH S2BC	Intermediate French
    FRENCH 50	Topics in French Culture and the Modern World *
    Gender and Sexuality Studies (GEN&SEX)
    GEN&SEX 60C	Gender and Religion *
    German (GERMAN)
    GERMAN 2A	Intermediate German
    GERMAN 2B	Intermediate German
    GERMAN 2C	Intermediate German
    Global Middle East Studies (GLBL ME)
    GLBL ME 60A	Humanities and Arts: Problems and Methods for Global Middle East Studies *
    GLBL ME 60B	Social Sciences: Problems and Methods for Global Middle East Studies *
    GLBL ME 60C	Social Ecology and Sciences: Problems and Methods for Global Middle East Studies *
    History (HISTORY)
    HISTORY 10	The Holocaust *
    HISTORY 11	Genocide and Crimes Against Humanity Since WWII *
    HISTORY 16A	World Religions I *
    HISTORY 16B	World Religions II *
    HISTORY 16C	Religious Dialogue *
    HISTORY 18A	Major Jewish Texts *
    HISTORY 21A	World: Innovations *
    HISTORY 21B	World: Empires and Revolutions *
    HISTORY 21C	World: Nation, War, and Rights *
    HISTORY 50	Crises and Revolutions *
    HISTORY 70A	Problems in History: Asia *
    HISTORY 70B	Problems in History: Europe *
    HISTORY 70D	Problems in History: Latin America *
    HISTORY 70E	Problems in History: Middle East and Africa *
    HISTORY 70F	Problems in History: Transregional History *
    Humanities (HUMAN)
    HUMAN 1C	Humanities Core Lecture *
    HUMAN 10	Masterpieces of Literature *
    International Studies (INTL ST)
    INTL ST 1	Introduction to Global Studies *
    INTL ST 11	Global Cultures and Society *
    INTL ST 12	Global Political Ideologies *
    INTL ST 13	Global Economy *
    INTL ST 14	Introduction to International Relations *
    INTL ST 15	Global Political Economy *
    INTL ST 16	Human Rights and Global Governance *
    INTL ST 17	Global Environmental Issues *
    INTL ST 122	Nuclear Environments
    INTL ST 145A	International Law
    INTL ST 158B	Peoples of the Pacific
    INTL ST 162B	Peoples and Cultures of Post-Soviet Eurasia
    INTL ST 183E	Conflict Resolution in Cross-Cultural Perspective
    Italian (ITALIAN)
    ITALIAN 2A	Intermediate Italian
    ITALIAN 2B	Intermediate Italian
    ITALIAN 2C	Intermediate Italian
    ITALIAN 50	Topics in Italian Culture *
    Japanese (JAPANSE)
    JAPANSE 2A	Intermediate Japanese
    JAPANSE 2B	Intermediate Japanese
    JAPANSE 2C	Intermediate Japanese
    JAPANSE S2AB	Intermediate Japanese
    JAPANSE S2BC	Intermediate Japanese
    JAPANSE 103A	Advanced Japanese
    JAPANSE 103B	Advanced Japanese
    JAPANSE 103C	Advanced Japanese
    Korean (KOREAN)
    KOREAN 2A	Intermediate Korean
    KOREAN 2B	Intermediate Korean
    KOREAN 2C	Intermediate Korean
    KOREAN 103A	Advanced Korean
    KOREAN 103B	Advanced Korean
    KOREAN 103C	Advanced Korean
    Language Science (LSCI)
    LSCI 1	Languages of the World
    Management (MGMT)
    MGMT 128	International Management
    Music (MUSIC)
    MUSIC 40B	History of European Music: From the Renaissance through the Baroque *
    MUSIC 40C	History of European Music: Hasse to Mahler *
    MUSIC 40D	20th Century Music *
    Persian (PERSIAN)
    PERSIAN 2A	Intermediate Persian
    PERSIAN 2B	Intermediate Persian
    PERSIAN 2C	Intermediate Persian
    PERSIAN 50	Topics in Persian Culture *
    Political Science (POL SCI)
    POL SCI 11A	Introduction to Political Science: Political Analysis *
    POL SCI 41A	Introduction to International Relations *
    POL SCI 44B	Global Political Ideologies *
    POL SCI 45A	Human Rights and Global Governance *
    POL SCI 51A	Introduction to Politics Around the World *
    POL SCI 141B	International Political Economy
    POL SCI 141C	International Political Economy of East Asia
    POL SCI 147E	Critical Investigations into Humanitarianism in Africa
    POL SCI 154F	Peoples and Cultures of Post-Soviet Eurasia
    POL SCI 154G	Conflict Resolution in Cross-Cultural Perspective
    POL SCI 154K	Antisemitism *
    POL SCI 172A	International Law
    Public Health (PUBHLTH)
    PUBHLTH 168	Nuclear Environments
    PUBHLTH 170	Introduction to Global Health
    PUBHLTH 174	Global Health Ethics
    Religious Studies (REL STD)
    REL STD 5A	World Religions I *
    REL STD 5B	World Religions II *
    REL STD 5C	Religious Dialogue *
    REL STD 60	Global Themes in Sikh Studies *
    REL STD 61	Gender and Religion *
    Russian (RUSSIAN)
    RUSSIAN 2A	Intermediate Russian
    RUSSIAN 2B	Intermediate Russian
    RUSSIAN 2C	Intermediate Russian
    RUSSIAN 50	Topics in Russian Culture *
    Social Sciences (SOC SCI)
    SOC SCI 4A	Introduction to Global Studies *
    SOC SCI 5D	US and World Geography *
    SOC SCI 12	Global Political Ideologies *
    SOC SCI 15	Global Political Economy *
    SOC SCI 16	Human Rights and Global Governance *
    SOC SCI 17	Global Environmental Issues *
    SOC SCI 183E	Conflict Resolution in Cross-Cultural Perspective
    Social Ecology (SOCECOL)
    SOCECOL E127	Nuclear Environments
    Sociology (SOCIOL)
    SOCIOL 2	Globalization *
    SOCIOL 44	Births, Deaths, and Migration
    Spanish (SPANISH)
    SPANISH 2A	Intermediate Spanish
    SPANISH 2B	Intermediate Spanish
    SPANISH 2C	Intermediate Spanish
    SPANISH S2AB	Intermediate Spanish
    SPANISH S2BC	Intermediate Spanish
    SPANISH 3	US Latino Communities
    SPANISH 50	Latin America, U.S. Latino, and Iberian Cultures *
    SPANISH 60E	Mexico and Central America: A Survey *
    SPANISH 60S	Mexico and Central America: A Survey *
    SPANISH 61	The Culture of the Visual Image in Latin America *
    Social Pol and Public Service (SPPS)
    SPPS 102	Critical Investigations into Humanitarianism in Africa
    Vietnamese (VIETMSE)
    VIETMSE 2A	Intermediate Vietnamese
    VIETMSE 2B	Intermediate Vietnamese
    VIETMSE 2C	Intermediate Vietnamese

    Or, students may complete one of the following fourth-quarter language options:

    1. Credit for four years of high school study or its equivalent in a single language other than English with a C average or better in the fourth year.
    2. A score of 4 or 5 on a College Board Advanced Placement Examination in a language other than English. NOTE: Students who earn a 3, 4, or 5 on the AP Chinese Examination must take the UCI Chinese placement examination to determine course credit.
    3. A score of 620 or better on a College Board SAT Subject Test in a language other than English, with the exception of the test in Modern Hebrew for which a score of 540 or better is required.
    4. The equivalent as determined by an appropriate and available means of evaluation. For information on availability of such examinations and testing schedules, consult the Academic Testing Center, 949-824-6207. If an appropriate means of evaluating competence in a non-English language of instruction does not exist, satisfactory completion, with a C average or better, of two years of formal schooling at the sixth grade level or higher in an institution where the language of instruction is not English will meet the requirement. Appropriate documentation must be presented to substantiate that the course work was completed.

    University Requirements

    English (UC Entry Level Writing)

    The Entry Level Writing Requirement (ELWR) is a graduation requirement for the University of California. Every undergraduate must demonstrate proficiency in writing. The Entry Level Writing requirement may be satisfied prior to enrollment in any of the following ways:

    1. Score 3 or higher on the College Board Advanced Placement (AP) Examination in English (Language or Literature) or Research or Seminar; or
    2. Score 5 or higher on the International Baccalaureate (IB) Higher Level Examination or score 6 or higher on the IB Standard Level Examination in English A: Literature, Language and Literature, or Literature and Performance exam; or
    3. Score 680 or higher on the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing section of the new SAT exam (effective for students enrolling in fall 2018/students applying to UC in November 2017); or
    4. Score 680 or higher on the Writing Section of the SAT Reasoning Test (last administered January 2016); or
    5. Score 30 or higher on ACT English Language Arts; or
    6. Score 63 or higher on the ACT, English Plus Reading; or
    7. Score 30 or higher on ACT Combined English/Writing (last administered June 2015); or
    8. Complete with a grade of C or better a transferable college course in English composition worth four quarter or three semester units.

    The UC Entry Level Writing requirement may be met after admission by one of the following options:

    1. Prior to enrolling in the University, complete with a grade of C or better a transferable college course in English composition worth four quarter or three semester units. (Once a student enrolls at a UC campus, courses from institutions other than UC may not be used to satisfy the Entry Level Writing Requirement.) Students who meet the University’s basic requirements for minimal transfer eligibility, which include two transferable college courses in English composition, satisfy the Entry Level Writing Requirement.
    2. Receiving a placement results beyond Entry Level Writing through the UCI Writing Placement Process. The UCI Writing Placement Process uses relevant information including writing samples, test scores, as well as other student information to guide writing course placements. Freshman admitted to UCI will receive detailed information in May about the placement process.

    NOTE: Students who have not met the requirement before entrance must satisfy the requirement before the beginning of their fourth quarter at UCI. Students who have not satisfied the requirement by that time will be ineligible to enroll for a fourth quarter.

    The UC Entry Level Writing requirement may be met after enrollment by one of the following options:

    1. Enrolling in Humanities Core writing courses designated “ES.” (NOTE: Students held for UC Entry Level Writing and enrolled in the Humanities Core must enroll in an ES section of the Humanities Core during their first quarter. Successful completion of these writing courses with a grade of C or better will satisfy the requirement. Students who do not receive a grade of C or better in HUMAN 1AES in the fall quarter and who continue to be held for UC Entry Level Writing must enroll in HUMAN 1BES during the winter quarter and satisfy the requirement by earning a grade of C or better.)
    2. Taking either WRITING 45 , WRITING 40 , or WRITING 40A and receiving a grade of C or better in the course.

    The Pass/Not Pass grade option may not be used to satisfy the UC Entry Level Writing requirement.

    Students enrolled in Essentials of Academic Writing ( AC ENG 20A , AC ENG 20B , AC ENG 20C ) may enroll in WRITING 40 or WRITING 45 immediately after they successfully complete AC ENG 20C and AC ENG 22A (if required by the Program in Global Languages and Communication).

    Students enrolled at UCI may take only UCI courses to satisfy the UC Entry Level Writing requirement. Continuing UCI students may not take summer courses at another institution to satisfy this requirement.

    American History and Institutions

    This requirement may be met by one of the following options:

    1. Completion in an accredited high school of a one-year course in United States history with a grade of C- or better, or a half-year course in United States history and a half-year course in American government with grades of C- or better; or
    2. Achieving a score of 3, 4, or 5 on the College Board Advanced Placement Examination in United States History; or
    3. Achieving a score of 550 or better on the SAT Subject Test United States History; or
    4. Achieving a score of 5, 6, or 7 on the IB History of the Americas examination; or
    5. Presentation of a certificate of completion of the requirement at another California institution; or
    6. Completion at UCI or another U.S. institution of one year of college-level United States history with grades of C- or better or Pass, or one course in United States history and one in United States government with grades of C- or better or Pass. Acceptable UCI courses: United States history— HISTORY 40A , HISTORY 40B , HISTORY 40C ; United States government— AP U.S. Government and Politics exam with a score of 4 or 5 or POL SCI 21A .

    UCI Requirements

    Unit Requirement

    Credit for a minimum of 180 quarter units, earned by examination, by other evaluation, or course work is required. A course normally offers four quarter units of credit.

    Grade Requirement

    A minimum grade average of at least C (2.0) is required (1) overall, (2) in all of the courses required for the major program, and (3) in the upper-division courses required for the major program. Higher averages than this may be required only in honors programs. Students who fail to attain a C (2.0) average in courses required in the major program may, at the option of the major unit, be denied the privilege of pursuing a major program in that unit. In this context, “the courses required in the major program” are defined as the courses required for the major and offered by the program of the student’s major (or programs, in the case of an interdisciplinary or interdepartmental major). A major can include additional courses required for the major in this set, with the approval of the Council on Education Policy. In this case, the list of additional courses is published in the Catalogue with the requirements for the major.

    Residence Requirement

    At least 36 of the final 45 units completed by a student for the bachelor’s degree must be earned in residence at the UCI campus. Exceptions to this rule may be allowed, with prior departmental approval, to students enrolled in the Education Abroad Program, the UCDC Academic Internship Program, the UC Center Sacramento Scholar Intern Program, or the International Opportunities Program with International Study Advance Contract.

    Students must complete 50 percent or more of the total quarter units earned at UCI before graduation through courses that are not designated as online or mixed modality by the University Registrar, unless exceptions have been granted to a degree program.

    On This Page:

    • Transfer Students: Completion of the UCI General Education Requirement
    • Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum
    • Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum for STEM
    • Transferability of Credit
      • Limitations on Transfer Credit

      This section provides a guide for transfer students in understanding how their coursework from another collegiate institution applies to fulfilling UCI degree requirements. Transfer students should use this information in conjunction with the Requirements for a Bachelor’s Degree. Transfer students are required to meet University, general education, school, department, and major requirements described in the Catalogue. The courses and descriptions in this Catalogue may be used by prospective transfer students as a guide for selecting courses of similar content and purpose in their own institutions. No student who has taken a course which is accepted for credit by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions and has been mutually determined with a community college as being acceptable toward completion of the UCI general education requirement shall incur any loss of credit in satisfaction of the requirement.

      Transfer students are strongly advised to check with the academic counselor in their prospective major or the UCI Office of Undergraduate Admissions about courses that may be used to satisfy UCI requirements.

      Transfer Students: Completion of the UCI General Education Requirement

      The general education requirements specify the courses students must take or units they must accumulate in each area. However, each student should consider the general education recommendation for their major, as it may be more important to concentrate on completing the many prerequisites for the major that are screened for in the selection process. Students transferring to UCI must satisfy the UCI general education (GE) requirement by completing either:

      1. The current UCI GE requirement;
      2. one of the options listed in the Catalogue Rights section; or
      3. the California Community College Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC); or
      4. the California Community College Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum for STEM.

      Transfer students do not need to complete the UCI GE requirement prior to matriculating to UCI. The GE requirement, which must be completed prior to graduation, may be satisfied by college-level courses appropriate to UCI offerings and may be met at any time during the undergraduate years, except in the case of the lower-division writing requirement, which must be completed within the first three quarters of residency at UCI.

      NOTE: UCI operates on the quarter system. For the purpose of counting courses for the UCI GE requirement, one semester course is equivalent to one quarter course, and two semester courses are equivalent to three quarter courses.

      Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum

      California Community College transfer students may satisfy the UCI GE requirement by completing the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC). The IGETC is a series of courses that California Community College students may complete to satisfy the freshman/sophomore level general education requirements before transferring to UCI. Fulfillment of the IGETC does not satisfy the UCI upper-division writing requirement.

      Students who do not complete IGETC prior to transfer may be eligible for partial certification from their community college. Partial certification is defined as completing all but two (2) courses on the IGETC pattern. Warning: Students need to meet minimum UC transfer admission requirements. Therefore, partial certification that acknowledges a deficiency in Area 1 and/or Area 2 may also indicate a student does not meet minimum transfer requirements.

      1. IGETC must be completed in total or partial IGETC certification must be completed prior to enrolling at UCI;
      2. students are responsible for requesting IGETC certification from their community college; and
      3. the IGETC certification should be submitted to the UCI Office of Undergraduate Admissions no later than the end of the first quarter of UCI enrollment.

      Courses used to fulfill the IGETC must be completed with a grade of C or better. (Courses may also be taken on a Pass/No Pass basis provided Pass is equal to a letter grade of C or better.)

      Lists of specific approved courses which may be taken in fulfillment of the IGETC are available from California Community Colleges and at the ASSIST website.

      Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum

      Area 1. English Communication: One course in English composition and one course in critical thinking/English composition.

      Area 2. Mathematical Concepts and Quantitative Reasoning: One course.

      Area 3. Arts and Humanities: Three courses with at least one from the arts and one from the humanities.

      Area 4. Social and Behavioral Sciences: Two courses from at least two disciplines, or in an interdisciplinary sequence.

      Area 5. Physical and Biological Sciences: One physical science course and one biological science course, at least one of which includes a laboratory.

      Area 6. Language Other Than English: Proficiency equivalent to two years of high school courses in the same language.

      Area 7. Ethnic Studies: One course.

      Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum for STEM

      IGETC for STEM is a pattern of courses that California Community College students may complete to satisfy the lower-division GE requirements before transfer to UCI. IGETC for STEM is a separate IGETC track available for students planning to major in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics. UC will accept IGETC for STEM only if:

      • The earned associate degree for transfer (ADT) is at a California Community College that offers IGETC for STEM as an option for those degrees AND
      • the UC major program or college accepts partial IGETC certification.

      Note: IGETC and IGETC for STEM are not an admission requirement. Completing it does not guarantee admission to UCI. Effective Fall 2025, a new transfer curriculum aligned with the California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC) will replace the current IGETC curriculum.

      Transferability of Credit

      The University of California awards unit credit for college courses completed at United States regionally accredited colleges and universities; or at a university recognized by the Ministry of Education (or higher-education authority/appropriate government agency) in another country that offers university-level academic degree program courses comparable to a U.S. associate's or bachelor's degree. To be accepted for credit, the courses must be comparable to those offered at any UC campus. All courses that meet the criteria are used in determining eligibility for admission.The transferability of coursework taken at other institutions for both newly admitted transfer students and for current UCI students who attend other institutions during summer sessions is determined by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.

      Although the Office of Undergraduate Admissions may award unit or subject credit for courses completed at another institution, the courses may not necessarily apply to specific UCI degree requirements (i.e., general education or major requirements). Contact a College, school or department advisor regarding specific credit applications and limitations. Also, be aware of the residence requirements, UCI Requirements section, which are specific to the College or School.

      Courses for transfer must be reported on an official transcript from the original college/university and provided in a sealed envelope, or electronically submitted by a campus-acceptable vendor. UCI only accepts electronic transcripts from the following third party vendors: Parchment, Credentials eScrip-Safe.

      The UCI Office of Undergraduate Admissions mailing address is:
      UCI Office of Undergraduate Admissions
      Attention Official Documents
      Irvine, CA 92697-1075

      An official transcript must bear the institution’s official seal and registrar’s signature.

      Duplicate Credit is Prohibited. Students may not receive unit credit or earn grade points for college courses in which the content duplicates material of a previously completed course or examination for which credit has already been granted, with the exception of the repeat of deficient (C-/D/F) course grades. Students should be advised that college courses taken before or while attending UC may duplicate AP, IB, and/or A-Level examinations. Additionally, exams may duplicate each other (for example AP and IB in the same subject area). If a student does duplicate an exam of the same subject content and/or a college course, we will award credit only once. Exceptions related to Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate credit and repeat of deficient grades can be found in their respective sections.

      Limitations on Transfer Credit

      Students will be granted up to 70 semester/105 quarter units of credit for lower-division coursework completed at any institution or combination of institutions. For units beyond the maximum, subject credit for appropriate coursework taken in excess of this unit limitation will be granted and may be used to satisfy requirements.

      1. Units earned through Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, and/or A-Level examinations are not included in the limitation and do not put applicants at risk of being denied admission.

      2. Units earned at any University of California campus (summer, extension/continuing education, cross/concurrent, and regular academic year enrollment) are not included in the limitation but are added to the maximum transfer credit allowed and may put applicants at risk of being denied admission due to excessive units.

      In addition, there is a limit to the number of units for which UC grants credit in the following areas:

      • English as a Second Language courses: a maximum of 8 semester (12 quarter) units
      • Physical education activity courses: a maximum of 4 semester (6 quarter) units

      UCI Division of Continuing Education

      UCI Division of Continuing Education (Extension) courses prefixed by XB, XD, XI, XR, XSB, and XSD are granted unit credit on the same basis as courses taken in residence at any accredited collegiate institution.

      Students intending to transfer UCI Division of Continuing Education course credit for a degree at another college or university should verify acceptance of the course with that institution. Resident students of the University of California must obtain the consent of the dean of their school or college prior to enrolling for credit in a UCI Division of Continuing Education course. UCI Division of Continuing Education courses are not accepted as part of the residence requirements of the University. Grades earned at UCI Division of Continuing Education may, though not in all instances, be calculated as part of the University GPA.

      Note: Decisions regarding the acceptability of extension courses taken in institutions other than the University of California rest with the UCI Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Decisions regarding the applicability of such courses toward specific degrees and majors rest with the student’s academic dean.

      Important Resources for California Community College Students

      Students anticipating transfer to UCI from a California Community College are urged to consult with their community college counselors. The counselors, with the aid of that college’s UC Transfer Course Agreement (UCTCA), can advise students about California Community College courses and units which will transfer to the University. In addition, staff in the UCI Office of Undergraduate Admissions can advise students about the transferability of courses. The ASSIST site provides information regarding:

      • University of California Transfer Course Agreements.
      • Selected Major Preparation Articulation Agreements for all California Community Colleges.
        • The agreements list all lower division course requirements for select majors at UCI and the courses students can complete at their community colleges that satisfy these requirements.
        • IGETC enables students at California Community Colleges to complete UCI General Education requirements before transfer.

        School, Departmental, and Major Requirements

        In addition to the University and UCI requirements listed above, each undergraduate student must satisfy the degree requirements for the major and, if applicable, the minor or concentration selected. UCI, school, and departmental or major and minor requirements may overlap; courses taken to fulfill a school or departmental requirement may also help fulfill the UCI general education requirement. Students are urged to make sure that they understand how many courses are permitted to satisfy more than one requirement. Information on specific degree requirements and courses is available in the academic unit sections of this Catalogue.

        Students must declare a major by the time they reach junior status (90 units excluding college work completed prior to high school graduation), and should make certain that the background and the preparation prerequisite to junior and senior work in the major have been accomplished. Transfer students should read the section on Information for Transfer Students: Fulfilling Requirements for a Bachelor’s Degree.

        Students should note that with the exception of courses designated Pass/Not Pass Only, courses taken Pass/Not Pass may not be used to satisfy specific course requirements of the student’s school and major, unless authorized by the appropriate dean. Additional information on grading is located in the Academic Regulations and Procedures section.

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