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UCI Breadth Requirement Last Updated:  Aug 02, 2007, 2:56 PM PDT

For information on which courses are being offered this quarter visit WebSOC.

Candidates for the bachelor’s degree must satisfy the UCI breadth requirement.

To plan your courses, you should be aware of the rationale upon which the breadth requirement is based:
  1. There are fundamental modes of inquiry important in our civilization with which every graduate of UCI ought to be acquainted.
  2. There are basic intellectual and cultural tools in which UCI graduates ought to have some skill, in order to deal adequately with one or another of the salient features of the present-day world.
To satisfy the breadth requirement, courses are required in each of the following categories:
  1. Writing
  2. Natural Sciences
  3. Social and Behavioral Sciences
  4. Humanistic Inquiry
  5. Mathematics and Symbolic Systems
  6. Language Other Than English
  7. Multicultural Studies and International/Global Issues

Courses approved for the 2007-08 academic year for satisfaction of the breadth requirement are listed in the next section. When a course satisfying a breadth category is cross-listed with another course, the latter course also satisfies the breadth category. A number of courses are available in more than one academic unit. Students should refer to the UCI General Catalogue to determine which breadth courses are cross-listed.

With the exception of category I (Writing) and category VII (Multicultural Studies and International/Global Issues), you may count toward breadth no more than one year of work taken within the discipline of your major. For example, a student majoring in Philosophy may count no more than three quarter courses in Philosophy toward completion of breadth categories II, III, IV, V, or VI.

Before enrolling in classes you are strongly encouraged to consult the UCI General Catalogue for specific requirements and to obtain academic counseling from the school or program counselors that are responsible for certifying your degree requirements.


First-Year Integrated Program

University Studies 11-14 are three-quarter multidisciplinary sequences for freshmen only. These integrated courses are designed to introduce students to the ways different disciplines approach similar problems and to provide a freshman learning community experience. Successful completion of all three quarters will satisfy four courses toward partial fulfillment of different breadth requirement categories. These courses are designed to have a capstone research writing component in the third quarter which will satisfy the second quarter of the lower-division writing requirement-one of the four courses toward partial fulfillment of breadth categories. Students must concurrently enroll in Writing 39B either the fall or winter quarter and pass it with a grade of C or better

NOTE: Undecided/Undecided students enrolling in an FIP sequence are not required to take University Studies 2.

University Studies 11A-B-C Persuasion and Social Change I, II, III (5-5-5). Breadth: One course toward category I-equivalent of Writing 39C, one course toward category III, and two courses toward category IV.

University Studies 12A-B-C Computer Games as Art, Culture, and Technology I, II, III (5-5-5). Breadth: One course toward category I-equivalent of Writing 39C, one course toward category III, one course toward category IV, and one course toward category V.

University Studies 13A-B-C Environmental Studies I, II, III (5-5-5). Breadth: One course toward category I-equivalent of Writing 39C, two courses toward category II, and one course toward category III.

University Studies 14A-B-C Natural, Cultural, and Social Conditions of Music I, II, III (5-5-5). Breadth: One course toward category I-equivalent of Writing 39C, one course toward category II, one course toward category III, and one course toward category VII-A.

Please read the additional information on Breadth fulfillment options through the First-Year Integrated Program (FIP) at their web site.

Before you attempt to register for any of the following breadth requirement courses, be sure to check the course listings in both WebSOC and the UCI General Catalogue for any enrollment restrictions or prerequisites that may be attached to the courses.

 I. Writing Requirement

Because of the importance of writing in every academic discipline, the University is committed to developing the writing skills of its students at all levels and in all areas. The Writing Requirement expresses this commitment, but the concern for and attention to clear, accurate writing is expected in all courses.

The UCI Writing Requirement consists of three courses beyond the UC Entry Level Writing requirement. Except where otherwise noted below, students must satisfy the UC requirement prior to fulfilling the UCI Writing Requirement

Two of the three courses required must be lower-division courses. Students who have not completed the lower-division writing requirement before the beginning of their seventh quarter at UCI will be subject to probation. 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 probation. Academic English/English as a Second Language students must complete the lower-division writing requirement before the beginning of the seventh quarter following the completion of their AE/ESL courses or they will be subject to probation

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..

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 39B (Critical Reading and Rhetoric) and 39C (Argument and Research).
  2. Writing 37 (Intensive Writing) and 39C (Argument and Research). Recommended students only.
  3. Two quarters of the writing component of the Humanities Core Course (Humanities 1A-B-C) beyond satisfaction of the UC Entry Level Writing requirement. NOTE: Students held for the UC Entry Level Writing requirement and enrolled in the Humanities Core must enroll in a section of the Core Course designated S/A during their first quarter. Successful completion of the writing component of these sections of this course with a letter grade of C or better will satisfy the UC Entry Level Writing requirement. (The Pass/Not Pass grade option may not be used to satisfy it.) For these students, the UCI lower-division writing requirement may be satisfied only in the second and third quarters of the Humanities Core Course. Students who do not receive a C or better in Humanities 1A S/A in fall quarter and continue to be held for the UC Entry Level Writing requirement must enroll in Humanities 1B S/A during the winter quarter and satisfy the requirement by earning a letter grade of C or better. The lower-division writing requirement will be satisfied in the second and third quarters of the Humanities Core Course for these students.
  4. Students who complete Writing 37 or 39B 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 or nonfiction and journalism: Writing 30, 31, or 38.
  5. Writing 39B and completion of a First-Year Integrated Program (FIP) sequence, with a grade of C (or Pass) or better in the third quarter of the sequence.
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 any one of the following:

  1. An upper-division course designated on a list of approved courses in the quarterly Schedule of Classes as approved for satisfaction of the requirement. NOTE: All courses approved to fulfill the upper-division writing requirement should have a "W" suffix. Students are encouraged to consult the Searchable 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. Writing 139W.
  3. Writing 109, 110, 111, or 113. Consent of instructor is required. Students may not use such a course to satisfy the requirement unless they have attained a B or better in both courses taken to satisfy the lower-division writing requirement.

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.



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II. Natural Sciences
Students must select a three-course combination from one of the following areas:

Biological Sciences:
Any three courses from Biological Sciences 1A, 1B, 5, 6, 8A, 9A, 9B, 9C, 9D, 9E, 9F, 9G, 9J, 9K, 9M, 9N, 10, 11, 12A, 12C, 12D, 15, 16, 20, 35, 36, 37, 38, 45, 55, 65, 75, 93, 94 (NOTE: the prerequisite for 1B is 1A.)

Chemistry:
Chemistry 1A-B-C and 1LB-LC or 1LA-LB or 1LE; 1A-B-C and M2LA-LB-LC; H2A-B-C and H2LA-LB-LC

Earth System Science:
Any three courses from Earth System Science 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, Physics 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D, 21, Engineering 5

Interdisciplinary:
Any three courses from Biological Sciences H90, Chemistry H90, Earth System Science H90, Physics H90

Physics:
Physics 3A-B-C and 3LB-LC; Physics 7A-B and 7LA-LB plus either Physics 7D and 7LD or Physics 7E; any three courses from Physics 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D, 21, Earth System Science 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, Engineering 5

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III. Social and Behavioral Sciences

Students must complete three courses from the list below. At least two courses must be in the same area (indicated by italics). At least one course must be an introductory course (indicated by an asterisk).

Anthropology:
Anthropology 2A*, 2B*, 2C*, 2D*

Economics:
Economics 1*, 17, 20A*-B*

Geography:
Social Science 5A*, 5B*, 5C*, 5D*, 18A, 18D

Interdisciplinary:
Asian American Studies 60A*, 60B*, 60C*
Chicano/Latino Studies 61*, 62*, 63*, 64
Social Science 1A*, H1E*-F*-G*, 70A*, 70B*, 70C*
Women's Studies 60A*, 60B*, 60C*

Linguistics:
Linguistics 3*, 10, 20, 51, 68, 80 (NOTE: Linguistics 3, 10, 20 may be counted toward either category III or V but not both.)

Logic and Philosophy of Science:
Logic and Philosophy of Science 4A*, 4B*

Political Science:
Political Science 6A*, 6B*, 6C*, 21A, 31A, 41A, 51A, 61A, 71A

Psychology:
Psychology 7A*, 9A*, 9B*, 9C*, 13T, 21A, 46A, 56L, 78A
Psychology and Social Behavior P9*

Social Ecology:
Criminology, Law and Society C7*
Environmental Analysis and Design E8*
Psychology and Social Behavior P9*, P11A*, P11B*, P11C*
Social Ecology H20A*-B*-C*

Sociology:
Sociology 1*, 2*, 3*, 23, 31, 62, 66, 78

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IV. Humanistic Inquiry
You must select a three-course series or group from one of the following areas:

Arts:
Arts Interdisciplinary 1A-B, C
Dance 90A-B-C
Drama 40A, 40B, 40C
Music 14A-B-C; 40B-C-D
Studio Art 1A-B-C; 9A, 9B, 9C or 11A

Humanities:
Art History 40A, 40B, 40C; 42A, 42B, 42C
Classics 36A, 36B, 36C; 37A, 37B, 37C; 45A-B-C
East Asian Languages and Literatures 55 (three different topics)
Film and Media Studies 85A-B-C
French 50 (three different topics)
German 50 (three different topics)
History 21A, 21B, 21C; 36A, 36B, 36C; 37A, 37B, 37C; 40A, 40B, 40C; any three courses from 70A, 70B, 70C, 70D, 70E, 70F
Humanities 1A-B-C; 3A, 3B, 3C; H3A, H3B, H3C
Philosophy 1, 4, and either 5 or 9; 10, 12, and either 11 or 13; any three courses from 20, 21, 22, 23
Religious Studies 5A, 5B, 5C
Russian 50 (three different topics)
Spanish 50 (three different topics)

Interdisciplinary:
African American Studies 40A, 40B, 40C
Women's Studies 50A, 50B, 50C

Literature:
Any three courses from Comparative Literature 60A, 60B, 60C, English 28A or 28D, 28B, 28C or 28E; any three courses from Comparative Literature 8, 9, 10, English 6, 7, 8; Comparative Literature 40A, 40B, 40C

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V. Mathematics and Symbolic Systems
Students must select one of the following three-course combinations:

Anthropology 10A-B-C
Computer Science and Engineering 21, 22, 23
ICS 10A-B-C; ICS 21 or H21, 22 or H22, plus one course from 23, H23, or Informatics 45
Informatics 41, 42, plus one course from ICS 23, ICS H23, or Informatics 45
Linguistics 3, 10, 20 (NOTE: Linguistics 3, 10, 20 may be counted toward either category V or III but not both.)
Logic and Philosophy of Science 29, 30, 31
Mathematics 2A-B plus one course from 2D, H2D, 2J, 4, 6D, 7/Statistics 7, Biological Sciences 7, or Management 7; 2A, 6D, 7/Statistics 7; 6B, 6D, plus one course from 2A, 6G, or 7/Statistics 7
Philosophy 29, 30, 31
Psychology 10A-B-C
Social Ecology 166A-B-C
Social Science 9A-B-C; 10A-B-C; 100A-B-C
Sociology 10A-B-C
Statistics 100A-B-C

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VI. Language Other Than English

Students must demonstrate competency in a language other than English by completing one of the following options:

  1. 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:

    Arabic 1C; Chinese 1C, S1BC; French 1C, S1BC; German 1C, S1BC; Greek 1C, S1BC; Hebrew 1C; Italian 1C, S1BC; Japanese 1C, S1BC; Korean 1C, S1BC; Latin 1C, S1BC; Persian 1C, S1BC; Portuguese 1C; Russian 1C; Spanish 1C, S1BC; Tagalog 1C; Vietnamese 1C, S1BC

    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 (Foreign Language Placement and Progression) section in this Catalogue.
  2. 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.
  3. A score of 3, 4, or 5 on a College Board Advanced Placement Examination in a language other than English.
  4. 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.
  5. Completion of an approved course of study through the Education Abroad Program (EAP). Careful planning is required to ensure that this requirement is fulfilled. Check with an EAP counselor at the Center for International Education to determine the programs in countries that fulfill this requirement.
  6. The equivalent as determined by an appropriate and available means of evaluation. For information on availability of such examinations and testing schedules, consult the Testing Center. 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.
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VII. Multicultural Studies and International/Global Issues

Students must complete three courses; one course must be from the Multicultural Studies (VII-A) list, and two courses must be from the International/Global Issues (VII-B) list. In fulfilling category VII, students may use courses which are also being used in fulfillment of other breadth categories. For example, Anthropology 2A simultaneously satisfies category VII-B and a portion of category III. In addition, one course toward category VII-B may be satisfied by one quarter's participation in the Education Abroad Program (EAP), and two courses toward category VII-B may be satisfied by two quarters' participation in EAP.

Multicultural Studies (VII-A):
African American Studies 40A, 40B, 40C, 111A, 111B, 138, 151, 153
Anthropology 85A, 125X, 125Z, 128B, 133A, 136K, 138R, 161T, 162B
Art History 163, 164A, 164B
Asian American Studies 60A, 60B, 60C, 101, 110, 111, 132, 133, 135, 141, 142, 150, 151, 151C, 151D, 151E, 151H, 151J, 151K, 161, 162, 164, 165
Chicano/Latino Studies 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 102, 103, 104, 110A, 110B, 111A, 111B, 113, 114, 117, 119, 132A, 132B, 134, 135, 141, 143, 147, 151, 152, 154, 155, 158, 160, 161, 163, 170, 171, 173, 174, 175, 176, 180, 182
Classics 175
Comparative Literature 9, 105
Criminology, Law and Society C172
Education 104E, 124, 155, 160
Environmental Analysis and Design E15
Film and Media Studies 130
History 15A, 15C, 146D, 146E, 146F, 146G, 146H, 148B, 150, 151A, 151B, 151C, 152, 155
Humanities 1C
Linguistics 2
Music 78A, 78B
Planning, Policy, and Design 172
Political Science 61A, 124A, 124B, 124C, 124D, 126A, 126C
Psychology 174A, 174E, 174F, 174G
Social Science 70A, 70B, 70C, 70T, 78A, 78B, 78C, 165, 167, 170E, 171F, 172B, 172C, 172E, 173G, 173H, 173I, 173J, 173K, 173L, 175A, 175B, 177A, 177B, 177C, 177D, 178C, 178D, 178E, 178H, 178J, 178K, 179
Sociology 63, 65, 68A, 161
Spanish 100E, 110C, 140A, 140B, 142
Studio Art 149
Women's Studies 20, 50A, 50B, 50C, 120B, 139, 156A, 156B, 157A, 158A, 158B, 168A, 197

International/Global Issues (VII-B):
Anthropology 2A, 41A, 121A, 121D, 121E, 121H, 121J, 125A, 125B, 125F, 125P-Q, 127A, 134A, 134G, 135A, 135H, 136D, 138O, 138P, 138Q, 138S, 162A, 163A, 163I, 163K, 164P, 174A
Arabic S2BC
Art History 40A, 40B, 40C, 42A, 42B, 42C, 162A, 162B, 162C, 167
Asian American Studies 171A
Chicano/Latino Studies 115A, 115B, 115C, 133A, 133B, 164, 165
Chinese 2B-C, 3A-B-C, 100A-B-C, 101A, 101B, 101C, 115, 180
Classics 176
Comparative Literature 10, 40A, 40B, 40C, 100A, 107, 108
Criminology, Law and Society C191
Dance 80, 81, 82, 90A-B-C
Drama 40A, 40B, 40C, 120A, 120B, 120C
East Asian Languages and Literatures 20, 55, 110, 116, 117, 120, 130, 140, 150, 155, 160, 170, 190, 192
Economics 13, 152A, 152P-Q
Environmental Analysis and Design E113, E127
Film and Media Studies 160, 161
French 2B-C, S2BC, 50, 101A-B-C, 110, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120, 125, 127, 139, 150, 160
German 2B-C, S2BC, 50, 100A, 100B, 100C, 101, 102A, 102B, 117, 118, 119, 120, 160
Global Cultures 103A-B
Greek 103, 104
History 11, 21A, 21B, 21C, 50, 70A, 70B, 70D, 70E, 70F, 100A, 100C, 101, 102A, 102B, 103A, 110A, 110B, 110C, 112C, 112D, 114, 115A, 115B, 115C, 116A, 116B, 117A, 117B, 118A, 118B, 118C, 120A, 120B, 120C, 120D, 120E, 122A, 122B, 122C, 123B, 123C, 123D, 124A, 124B, 126A, 126B, 126C, 127A, 127B, 127C, 128A, 128B, 128C, 130A, 130B, 130C, 131, 132, 133A, 133B, 134A, 134B, 134C, 134D, 158A, 158B, 158C, 161A, 161B, 161C, 163, 168A, 168B, 168C, 169, 170D, 170E, 170F, 170G, 171D, 171E, 171F, 171G, 172D, 172E, 172F, 172G, 173D, 173E, 173F, 173G, 174E, 174G, 175D, 175E, 175F, 175G
Humanities 100, 183B
International Studies 11, 12, 13, 111A, 121, 122, 130, 135, 152A, 160, 161, 164, 165, 166, 179, 189
Italian 2B-C, 100A-B, 101A, 101B
Japanese 2B-C, S2BC, 3A-B-C, 100A-B, 101A, 101B, 101C, 115, 180
Korean 2B-C, 3A-B-C, 101A, 101B, 101C, 115, 180
Latin 103, 104
Linguistics 1
Music 40B-C-D
Persian S2BC
Philosophy 117
Planning, Policy, and Design 140
Political Science 6A, 41A, 42A, 43D, 44A, 141B, 141C, 141D, 141E, 143E, 145B, 146A, 147A, 147B, 148B, 151A, 151B, 151C, 151D, 151F, 152B, 152C, 152D, 152F, 153A, 153B, 153E, 153F, 154C, 154F, 154G, 155F, 155G, 156A, 157A, 172A, 173A
Portuguese 120B, 120C, 121, 122
Religious Studies 5A, 5B, 5C
Russian 2B-C, 50, 140, 150
Social Ecology 183B
Social Science 120, 151, 152A, 153, 170P, 172F, 176A, 183B
Sociology 2, 44, 77, 165A, 175A, 175B, 175D
Spanish 2B-C, S2BC, 3A, 3B, 44, 50, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 101A, 101B, 110A, 110B, 116, 119, 121, 130A, 130B, 130C, 150, 151, 160, 185
Vietnamese 2B-C, 3A-B-C, 115
Women's Studies 110A, 110C, 120C, 165B, 165D, 166A, 167A, 167B

One of the following fourth-quarter language options:
  1. Arabic 2A, S2AB; Chinese 2A; French 2A, S2AB; German 2A, S2AB; Greek 100A, 100B; Italian 2A; Japanese 2A, S2AB; Korean 2A; Latin 100A, 100B; Persian 2A, S2AB; Portuguese 2A, 120A; Russian 2A; Spanish 2A, 2AB, 2BZ, 2MD, 2NS, S2AB; Vietnamese 2A
  2. 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.
  3. A score of 4 or 5 on a College Board Advanced Placement Examination in a language other than English. NOTE: This fulfills the two-course category VII-B requirement.
  4. 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.
  5. The equivalent as determined by an appropriate and available mean of evaluation. For information on availability of such examinations and testing schedules, consult the Testing Center, Student Services II, (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.


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