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Curriculum

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SHS Core Curriculum

There are 14 requirements in the SHS General Education Program. The program is designed to expose students to a variety of subjects and methodologies, and thereby broaden their range of possible subsequent major choices.

NOTE: All courses are 9 units unless otherwise listed.

Mathematical Sciences (29 units)

  1. 21-120 Differential & Integral Calculus (10 units)
    or
    21-131 Analysis I (10 units)


  2. 21-122 Integration, Differential Equations, & Approximation (10 units)
    or
    21-132 Analysis II (10 units)


  3. 36-247 Statistics for Lab Sciences (or appropriate substitute)


English (9 units)

NOTE: This course must be taken during the first year.

  1. 76-101 Interpretation & Argument

World Culture (9 units)

NOTE: This course must be taken during the first year.

  1. 79-104 Introduction to World History

Freshman Seminar (9 units)

NOTE: This course must be taken during the first year.

  1. Choose from MCS or H&SS selections; either one full-semester seminar, or two half-semester seminars

Computational Reasoning (9-10 units)

  1. Complete one of the following courses:
    15-100 Introductory/Intermediate Programming (10 units)
    15-111 Intermediate/Advanced Programming (10 units)
    21-127 Concepts of Mathematics (9 units)
    80-210 Introduction to Formal Logic (9 units)
    80-211 Logic & Mathematical Inquiry (9 units)
    80-212 Arguments & Logical Analysis (9 units)

The following courses or combinations of courses are no longer being offered. However they satisfy the Computational Reasoning Requirement if they have been completed in a previous semester:

    10 units from:

  • 15-111 Mini Course Introduction to Programming (5 units)
  • 15-112 Mini Course Object Based Programming I (5 units)
  • 15-113 Mini Course Object Based Programming II (5 units)

Science Core (28 units)

Choose three of the following courses. Science majors must take at least two that are outside their major and in different departments. One science core course must be taken in fall of the first year.
(requirements 7 through 10)

  • 03-121 Modern Biology
  • 03-130 Introduction to Mammalian Physiology
  • 09-105 Introduction to Modern Chemistry
    or
    09-107 Honors Chemistry
  • 09-106 Modern Chemistry II
  • 33-111 Physics for Science Students I
    or
    33-131 Matter & Interactions I
  • 33-112 Physics for Science Students II
    or
    33-132 Mater & Interactions II


Distribution Requirements (36 units)

Choose a minimum of four courses, minimum 9 units per category, totaling at least 36 units.

  1. Distribution Category I: Cognition, Choice, and Behavior
    This category uses model-based analysis to broaden an understanding of human thinking, choices, and behavior on an individual basis across a variety of settings.

  • 80-130 Introduction to Ethics
  • 80-150 The Nature of Reason
  • 80-180 The Nature of Language
  • 80-181 Language & Thought
  • 80-221 Philosophy of Social Science
  • 80-230 Ethical Theory
  • 80-241 Ethical Judgments in Professional Life
  • 80-242 Conflict & Dispute Resolution
  • 80-270 Philosophy of Mind
  • 80-271 Philosophy & Psychology
  • 85-100 Introduction to Intelligence in Humans, Animals & Machines
  • 85-102 Introduction to Psychology
  • 85-211 Cognitive Psychology
  • 85-221 Principles of Child Development
  • 85-241 Social Psychology
  • 85-251 Personality
  • 85-261 Abnormal Psychology
  • 88-120 Reason, Passion & Cognition


  1. Distribution Category II: Economic, Political, and Social Institutions
    This category examines the ways in which institutions organize individual preferences and actions into collective outcomes using model-based reasoning.
  • 36-203 Sampling, Surveys, and Society
  • 70-332 Business & Society
  • 73-100 Principles of Economics
  • 73/88-110 Experiments with Economic Principles
  • 73-150 Microeconomics
  • 79-223 Protest & Dissent in American History
  • 79-266 Times of Feast/Famine: Population & Family in History
  • 79-331 Crime & Punishment
  • 79-335 Drug Use & Drug Policy
  • 79-340 History of Modern Warfare
  • 79-345 American Environmental History: Critical Issues
  • 79-350 Theories of International Relations
  • 80-150 The Nature of Reason
  • 80-135 Introduction to Political Philosophy
  • 80-136 Social Structure, Public Policy, & Ethical Dilemmas
  • 80-235 Political Philosophy
  • 80-236 Philosophy & The Law
  • 80-243 Environment Management & Ethics
  • 80-341 Computers, Society, & Ethics
  • 88-104 Decision Processes in American Political Institutions
  • 88-184 Topics of Law: The Bill of Rights
  • 88-205 Comparitive Politics


  1. Distribution Category III: Creative Production and Reflection
    This category is designed to encourage exploration of the artistic and intellectual creation of others while allowing for personal expression, and reflection upon the creative process. Courses listed vary in units. If taking a language course to fulfill this requirement, remember to take the appropriate language placement test. If the placement test prohibits credit for an elementary language course (in French, Spanish, and German), choose another course (or courses) to fulfill this requirement.
  • 48-095/096 Architecture for Non-Majors I
  • 51-261 Communication Design Fundamentals
  • 51-263 Industrial Design Fundamentals
  • 54-187/188 Introduction to Playwriting
  • 54-191/192 Acting for Non-Majors
  • 54-251/252 Introduction to Lighting Design
  • 54-309/310 Theatre Lab
  • 54-351/352 Lighting Design I
  • 57-117 Choral Ensemble for Non-Majors
  • 57-118 Instrumental Ensemble for Non-Majors (audition required)
  • 57-328 Jazz Chamber Music
  • 57-417 Major Choral Ensemble (audition required)
  • 57-418 Major Instrumental Ensemble (audition required)
  • 57-453/454 Jazz Improvisation
  • 60-101 Concept Studio I
  • 60-110 Electronic Media Studio
  • 60-130 Three-Dimensional Media Studio I
  • 62-102/103 Modern Dance Workshop
  • 76-206 Introduction to Creative Writing
  • 76-260 Survey of Forms: Fiction
  • 76-262 Survey of Forms: Nonfiction
  • 76-265 Survey of Forms: Poetry
  • 76-269 Survey of Forms: Screenwriting
  • 80-120 Reflections on Science
  • 80-220 Philosophy of Science
  • 80-241 Ethical Judgments in Professional Life
  • 88-260 Philosophy of Art
  • 82-101 Elementary French I
  • 82-102 Elementary French II
  • 82-121 Elementary German I
  • 82-122 Elementary German II
  • 82-131 Elementary Mandarin Chinese I
  • 82-132 Elementary Mandarin Chinese II
  • 82-141 Elementary Spanish I
  • 82-142 Elementary Spanish II
  • 82-161 Elementary Italian I
  • 82-162 Elementary Italian II
  • 82-171 Elementary Japanese I
  • 82-172 Elementary Japanese II
  • 82-191 Elementary Russian I
  • 82-192 Elementary Russian II
  • 99-241 Revolutions of Circularity


  1. Distribution Category IV: Cultural Analysis
    This category explores definitions of culture and the role culture plays in producing different actions and institutions as well as the roles of institutions, systems, and human actions in shaping cultural contexts.
  • 55-173 Survey of Western Music History
  • 66-250 Introduction to Religion
  • 70-342 Meaning Across Cultures
  • 76-227 Comedy
  • 76-232 African-American Studies
  • 76-241 Introduction to Gender Sudies
  • 76-493/79-434/82-491 Literature, Politics, & Film in Russia & East Europe Today (in English)
  • 79-113 Culture and Identity in American Society
  • 79-201 Introduction to Anthropology
  • 79-206 Development of American Culture
  • 79-207 The Development of European Culture
  • 79-209 Theory and Practice in Anthropology
  • 79-218 The Roots of Rock & Roll
  • 79-241 African-American History I
  • 79-242 African-American History II
  • 79-260 Mayan America
  • 79-270 Chinese Culture and Society
  • 79-312 Medical Anthropology
  • 79-368 Poverty, Charity, and Welfare
  • 79-384 Medicine and Society
  • 80-100 What Philosophy Is
  • 80-151 God in the West
  • 80-250 Ancient Philosophy
  • 80-251 Modern Philosophy
  • 80-253 Continental Philosophy
  • 80-254 Analytical Philosophy
  • 80-255 Pragmatism
  • 80-261 Aesthetics of Mass Art
  • 82-273 Introduction to Japanese Language & Culture
  • 82-294 Topics in Russian Language & Culture
  • 82-303 French Culture
  • 82-304 Francophone World
  • 82-325 Introduction to German Studies
  • 82-333 Introduction to Chinese Language & Culture
  • 82-342 Spain: Language & Culture
  • 82-343 Latin America: Language & Culture
  • 82-344 US Latinos: Language & Culture
  • 82-345 Hispanic Literary & Cultural Studies
  • 82-396 The Faust Legend
  • 82-415/416 Studies in French Literature
  • 82-426 Studies in German Literature/LI>
  • 82-451 Introduction to Latin American Literature and Culture
  • 82-452 The Latin American Fin De Siglo
  • 82-454 Floating Continents/Whispering Voices
  • 82-455/456 Studies in Spanish and Latin American Literature
  • 82-491 Literature, Politics, and Film in Russia and East Europe Today

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Comparison of H&SS, MCS, and SHS Curricula


HSS Core


SHS Core


MCS Core

Mathematical Sciences

Mathematical Reasoning requirement. Complete one course from a list of approved courses.

21-120 Differential & Integral Calculus1

21-122 Integration, Diff Eq, & Approximation1

21-120 Differential & Integral Calculus1

21-122 Integration, Diff Eq, & Approximation1

Statistics

36-201 Statistical Reasoning

36-247 Statistics for Lab Sciences1

Not Required

Freshman Seminar

Complete one H&SS Seminar

Complete one seminar from either H&SS or MCS

Optional

English

76-101 Interpretation & Argument

76-101 Interpretation & Argument

76-101 Interpretation & Argument

World Culture

79-104 Introduction to World History

79-104 Introduction to World History

Not Required

Computational Reasoning

Not Required

Complete one of the following courses:

  • 15-100 Intro./Intermed. Prog.
  • 15-111 Intermed./Advanced Prog.
  • 21-127 Concepts of Mathematics
  • 80-210 Introduction to Formal Logic
  • 80-211 Argument & Inquiry

Complete one of the following courses:

  • 15-100 Intro./Intermed. Prog.
  • 15-111 Intermed./Advanced Prog.

Physical Sciences

Complete one course from a list of approved courses.

Complete three of the following courses. Science majors must take at least two that are outside the major and in different departments.

  • 03-121 Modern Biology
  • 03-130 Introduction to Mammalian Physiology
  • 09-105 Modern Chemistry 1
  • 09-106 Modern Chemistry II
  • 33-111 Physics for Sci. Students I1
  • 33-112 Physics for Sci. Students II1

Complete the following four courses:

  • 03-121 Modern Biology
  • 09-105 Modern Chemistry1
  • 33-111 Physics for Sci. Students I1
  • 33-112 Physics for Sci. Students II1

Distribution Requirements

Complete six courses. Choose one from each category, plus one additional course chosen from the Designs and Productions category.

Complete four courses. Choose one from each category.

Complete three courses. Choose one from each category.

Language and Interpretations1
Societies and Cultures1
Mathematics and Expeirment1
Social Sciences and Values1
Designs and Productions1

Cognition, Choice, and Behavior1
Economic, Political, and Social
Institutions1
Cultural Analysis1
Creative Production & Reflection1

Cognition, Choice, and Behavior1
Economic, Political, and Social
Institutions1
Cultural Analysis1

Additional Course Requirements

Complete two additional courses from any of the GenEd sections.

Not Required

Complete 36 units (typically 4 courses) from H&SS or the College of Fine Arts.

Total Course Requirements

14

14

15

1 or appropriate substitute

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Examples of Freshman Seminars

Click on the course numbers below to view detailed descriptions.

SHS Seminars

The following SHS freshman seminar is a full semester, 9-unit courses. This seminar was offered during the 2009 spring semester.

99-242 Meaning across the Millenia

HSS Seminars

The following HSS freshman seminars are full semester, 9-unit courses. These seminars were offered during the 2009 spring semester.

36-149 FAIR GAME? Standardized testing in America
67-170 Puzzles, Games, and Problem Solving
73-101 Capitalism, Poverty and Labor Capitalism, Poverty and Labor
79-157 Feast and Famine
82-179 The Faust Legend at Home and Abroad
82-186 Introduction to Russian Culture
88-117 Social Dilemmas, from Overpopulation to Global Warming

MCS Seminars

The following MCS freshman seminars are 3-unit mini courses. Sections ending in "1" or "3" are first half minis and sections ending in "2" or "4" are second half minis. These seminars were offered during the 2009 spring semester.

03-101 B3 Genes and Diseases
03-101 C4 Medical Applications & Ethical Issues in Cell and Organ Research
03-101 E4 ABC – The alphabet (synonym basics) of some hazardous hepatitis viruses and the diseases they cause
21-126 {A, B, C} Intro to Math Software
38-101 {A3, A4} EUREKA

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