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College of Letters and Science

College of Letters and Science, Cheadle Hall

Faculty and Administrative Affairs, Cheadle Hall 2217;

Telephone: (805) 893-2145
Student Academic Affairs, Cheadle Hall 1117;

Telephone: (805) 893-2038

Website: www.advising.ltsc.ucsb.edu (will open in a new browser)

Executive Dean: David Marshall

Dean, Division of Humanities and Fine Arts: David Marshall

Dean, Division of Mathematical, Life, and Physical Sciences: Martin Moskovits

Dean, Division of Social Sciences: Melvin Oliver

Dean, Undergraduate Studies: Alan J. Wyner

Contents:

The College of Letters and Science is an innovative and diverse academic unit that offers some 80 majors and 38 minors to more than 17,000 undergraduates. Building on the great strength of its traditional disciplines, the college’s departments and programs provide exciting opportunities for faculty and students at the cutting edge of interdisciplinary inquiry.

As the largest center of teaching, learning, and research on the UCSB campus, the college offers an environment of stimulating intellectual exchanges among senior faculty, graduate students, and undergraduates. The curriculum encourages exploration and intellectual breadth through the completion of the General Education Program, and provides depth through the acquisition of the analytical skills and methods of a specific academic discipline. An honors program provides enrichment opportunities for highly motivated students.

The college’s Division of Student Academic Affairs, headed by the dean of undergraduate studies, offers academic advising and direction and is the home of the college’s honors program. Faculty members from diverse disciplines serve as assistant deans and are available for consultation on a variety of academic matters. Peer and college advisors assist students in individual consultations and in small group meetings and workshops.

Academic departments and programs form the core of the College of Letters and Science and are grouped into three divisions: Division of Humanities and Fine Arts; Division of Mathematical, Life, and Physical Sciences; and, Division of Social Sciences. These divisions foster intimate communities of scholars within the larger campus setting.

Division of Humanities and Fine Arts

The programs in the Division of Humanities and Fine Arts range from traditional areas that have been at the heart of a liberal arts education for thousands of years (represented by departments such as Classics, History, and Philosophy) to programs that are redefining the university in the 21st century (such as Media Arts and Technology). They include a broad spectrum of languages and literatures and all of the performing and visual arts. The division’s departments and interdisciplinary programs focus on the intellectual, historical, and artistic traditions of cultures throughout the world and the modes of expressions and representation that have given them voice and form.

On the undergraduate level, the Division of Humanities and Fine Arts prepares students for a wide variety of careers while providing them with the knowledge and the skills of critical thinking, communication, and expression that will allow them to participate in society as informed and engaged citizens. Graduate students receive rigorous professional training that prepares them for careers in academia, the arts, public and cultural institutions, and related fields. Internationally recognized scholars and artists teach undergraduate and graduate students and advance their fields with innovative research, publications, and creative activity that both preserve our traditions and map new fields of study. A wide variety of collaborative research projects, departmental centers, and interdepartmental programs and consortia promote interdisciplinary teaching and scholarship that bring together students and faculty across the Division of Humanities and Fine Arts, the College of Letters and Science, and the university.

A wide variety of degrees at the undergraduate and graduate level are available in the departments and programs in the humanities and fine arts. These include art, art history, classics, comparative literature, dramatic art, dance, theatre, music, Asian studies, Chinese, Japanese, French, Italian, Russian, Spanish, Portuguese, German, Slavic languages and literatures, Latin American and Iberian Studies, linguistics, English, history, philosophy, religious studies, renaissance studies, medieval studies, film and media studies, and visual and spatial studies. The division’s Interdisciplinary Humanities Center seeks to broaden the traditional definition of the humanities by sponsoring activities in the performing and visual arts and by encouraging dialogues between the humanities and the social sciences. Departments work closely with the UCSB Arts and Lectures, sponsoring residencies and/or classes with well-known performers and artists, and the University Art Museum, which has a collection of over 7,000 works of art and an architecture and design collection that is one of the largest repositories of architectural records in the United States. The University Library has over two million volumes.

Division of Mathematical, Life, and Physical Sciences

The Division of Mathematical, Life, and Physical Sciences (MLPS) is committed to the transmission of accumulated formal knowledge and structure in mathematics and the natural sciences. It promotes the quantitative and scientific literacy so essential to intelligent participation in an increasingly technological society. The division offers courses and degrees in mathematics and statistics, in the life sciences of biology and psychology, and in the physical sciences of chemistry, geography (which also includes a social-scientific focus in areas of “human geography”), geology, and physics. In addition, the division is home to a unique, interdisciplinary, problem-oriented program (and popular major) in environmental studies. Allied departments in the division with particular strengths and interest in areas of ecology and the environment include Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology; Geography; and Earth Science. The division’s undergraduate majors offer excellent preparation for graduate and professional schools, including medical schools, where our graduates have exceptionally high acceptance rates.

Because interdisciplinary study is strongly promoted at UCSB, MLPS is able to offer a unique experience to its students that comes from the removal of barriers between fields of science and other disciplines such as engineering, social sciences, and education. This “science without silos” mentality is a unique strength for UCSB and continues to be a major attraction for many students. As a result, our graduate programs and research are strong throughout the division, and a number of special interdisciplinary programs, including those in biomolecular science and engineering, environmental studies, and marine science, have been formally established. Unusual opportunities for strong interdisciplinary ties, and for interactions with distinguished visiting scientists from around the world, are fostered by a remarkable group of centers and institutes on campus. These include the Kavli Institute for Theoretical Physics, the Marine Science Institute, the National Center for Geographic Information and Analysis (one of the few world centers for exploration and utilization of remote sensing techniques), the National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis, the Vernon and Mary Cheadle Center for Biodiversity and Ecological Restoration, the Center for the Study of the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Aging, the Institute for Quantum and Complex Dynamics, the Institute for Computational Earth Systems Science, the Institute for Crustal Studies, the Center for Polymers and Organic Solids, the Sage Center for the Study of the Mind, and the affiliated Brain Imaging Center, the Neuroscience Research Institute, the California NanoSystems Institute, and the Materials Research Laboratory.

Division of Social Sciences

The Division of Social Sciences offers students a rich, interdisciplinary understanding of society, culture, economy, politics, ethnicity, and gender. Students in the division participate actively in seeking solutions to pressing national and global problems. They have an opportunity to study vital issues such as globalization; the link between science, technology, and human affairs; modes of conflict and communication within and between societies; and how the economy is affected by governmental decisions.

In addition to the traditional social science disciplines—anthropology, communication, economics, political science, and sociology—the division hosts a number of interdisciplinary programs, including Asian American studies, Black studies, Chicana and Chicano Studies, Global and International Studies, Law and Society, and Women's Studies. The division is also home to the Exercise and Sport Studies Program and the Department of Military Science.

The division encourages cross-disciplinary explorations that link the social sciences to the humanities and fine arts, the physical and natural sciences, and engineering. For example, students and faculty have engaged in archaeological research and study combining anthropology, geology, biology, and history. Students in many departments are involved in projects involving digital media technology. Both faculty and students work intensely to understand problems relating to environmental policy.

Research and academic courses in the division reflect the full range of modern social science methodologies and approaches. These extend from highly mathematical approaches and intensive analysis of quantitative data, to the use of narrative techniques and detailed observation of everyday life. Both graduate and undergraduate students collaborate with faculty on research and teaching teams to create and convey new knowledge in areas such as social and environmental policy, race and ethnic studies, global and international issues, and social policy.

These innovative efforts have resulted in the development of new social science publications and research centers, including the Center for Advanced Studies of Individual Differences; the Center for Black Studies; the Center for Chicano Studies; the Center for Evolutionary Psychology; the Center for Film, Television and New Media; the Center for Global Studies; the Center for Information, Technology, and Society; the Center for Middle East Studies; the Center for Nanotechnology in Society; the Center for Police Practices and Community; the Center for the Study of Sexual Minorities in the Military; the Center for Spatially Integrated Social Science; the East Asia Center; the Health Data Research Facility; the Meso American Research Center; the Orfalea Center for Global and International Studies; and the Social Science Survey Center/Benton Survey Research Laboratory.

The skills and knowledge that the Social Sciences Division’s undergraduates receive will prepare them for a variety of careers and enable them to become engaged community members and active citizens upon graduation. Many students choose to pursue graduate programs at leading universities across the country.

The division offers several diverse graduate programs where students receive extensive educational, research, and professional training that prepares them for a variety of careers, including academia. Departments offering Ph.D. degrees are Anthropology, Economics, Chicana and Chicano Studies, Communication, Political Science, and Sociology. In addition, students may pursue one of several interdisciplinary Ph.D. emphases offered in the social sciences, which include those in Global and International Studies, Technology and Society, and Women’s Studies.

Degree Requirements

The College of Letters and Science offers four bachelor's degrees: the bachelor of arts, the bachelor of science, the bachelor of fine arts, and the bachelor of music. See Academic Units for a full list of available degrees and majors.

The bachelor's degree requirements for students in the College of Letters and Science are as follows:

General University Requirements

  • University of California Entry Level Writing Requirement
  • American History and Institutions
  • Academic Residence
  • Grade-Point Average
  • General university requirements are described in the section titled "Undergraduate Education at UCSB".

General Education Requirements
(appropriate to degree chosen)

Major Requirements
(appropriate to degree chosen)

Major requirements are described under each department and program.

Unit Requirements

In order to be eligible for graduation, students must complete at least the following: 180 total units (184 if General Education Area B is met by completing foreign language level 3 at UCSB or its equivalent at another college or university). At least 60 of these units must be upper division.

Students must earn a specified number of these units while in residence at UCSB. See the section titled "Undergraduate Education at UCSB’’ for details. There is no limit on the number of courses that may be taken passed/not passed during a single quarter. However, at the time of graduation, students must have earned at least 120, or two-thirds, of their units at UCSB on a letter-grade basis.

Certain courses designated by the college as remedial are offered for work-load credit only, and do not figure in the calculation of the total number of units needed for a degree. In addition, professional courses, numbered 300-499, are not acceptable for credit toward the bachelor’s degree.

200-Unit Enrollment Limit

The college expects students to graduate with no more than 200 units. College policy requires students to secure specific approval to continue enrollment beyond 200 units. The College of Letters and Science will not accept students from the College of Creative Studies or the College of Engineering after they have completed 180 units. College credit earned before high school graduation does not count toward the 200-unit maximum. This includes credit for Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate examinations, and also college or university credit earned while still in high school. In addition, students who are admitted as freshmen and remain continuously enrolled will be allowed 12 regular quarters at UCSB, and students admitted as juniors will be allowed 6 regular quarters, even if they earn more than 200 units during that period. Students are also free to attend summer session. Summer session does not count as a regular quarter in this calculation, but units earned in summer session apply toward the 200-unit maximum. Note: If students discontinue enrollment at UCSB and earn a large number of units at one or more other academic institutions while they are away, the number of quarters allowed at UCSB will be reduced in proportion to the number of terms completed elsewhere. Students who think they may exceed both the quarter limitations noted and 200 units may submit a Proposed Schedule for Graduation for consideration by the Dean of Undergraduate Studies, but they should understand that approval is granted only in very limited circumstances. More detail about unit limits is given at www.advising.ltsc.ucsb.edu/maxunits/.

Upper-Division Courses

Sixty upper-division units are required. UCSB courses are considered upper-division if they are numbered 100-199.

Transfer students from community colleges should take particular note of the upper-division unit requirement because community colleges do not offer upper-division courses.

Exercise and Sport Studies Credit Limit

No more than 6 units of one-half-unit exercise and sport studies (formerly physical activities) courses, or equivalent transfer courses, will be accepted toward the 180 (or 184) total units required for graduation.

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The General Education Program

The General Education Program is the common intellectual experience of all UCSB students, whatever their majors. Through the General Education Program, students receive orientation to a broad range of intellectual disciplines: the kinds of questions that are addressed, the methods for solving problems, and the strategies for communicating findings and conclusions.

The General Education Program is multidisciplinary. It requires study in science and mathematics, human history and thought, social science, arts, and literatures. It also requires at least one course in both European traditions and world cultures, and at least one course that focuses on the history and cultural, intellectual, and social experience of designated U.S. ethnic groups.

The General Education Program also provides opportunities to acquire university-level skills in writing, critical thinking, quantitative analysis, and foreign languages, in courses specifically devoted to these topics and also in courses in which practice and instruction in these topics are embedded in the study of other subjects.

General Education Requirements

Students in the College of Letters and Science must complete the General Education requirements appropriate to their degree (B.A., B.S., B.F.A., or B.M.) in order to qualify for graduation.

Requirements may be satisfied with courses completed on the UCSB campus. Except for the writing requirement, they may also be satisfied with equivalent courses completed at another accredited institution, or by means of College Entrance Examination Board Advanced Placement credit. A list of courses that satisfy the various area requirements in the General Education Program appears below.

Students entering UC Santa Barbara as transfers from California community colleges may have their General Education requirements considered satisfied by virtue of completion of the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (I.G.E.T.C.). This is a program of at least 34 semester-units of articulated coursework spread across six liberal arts subject areas. If fully completed prior to matriculation at UCSB and certified by the community college, I.G.E.T.C. will be accepted in satisfaction of the General Education Program. Normally, unless transfer students have fully completed the I.G.E.T.C. program at the time of transfer, they must satisfy all requirements within the General Education Program. However, students admitted fall 2000 or later who have partially satisfied I.G.E.T.C. are entitled to substitute I.G.E.T.C. for General Education Program requirements if they meet the following criteria: (1) they have fully completed I.G.E.T.C. areas 1 and 2 prior to transfer; (2) they lack no more than two courses in I.G.E.T.C. areas 3 through 6 at the time of matriculation; (3) the community college certifies that a hardship prevented full satisfaction of I.G.E.T.C. and provides partial certification; (4) they complete the missing course(s) within one academic year of matriculation. Because of the time limit for completion of I.G.E.T.C. omissions, eligible students should consult the College of Letters and Science without delay to determine how they may fulfill these requirements.

General Provisions Governing All Degree Candidates

  1. Courses in the student's major can also be used to fulfill General Education requirements.

  2. Courses taken to satisfy the General Education requirements may also be applied simultaneously to the American History and Institutions requirement.

  3. A course listed in more than one general subject area (A through G) can be applied to only one of these areas. (Example: Art History 6A cannot be applied to both E and F.)


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Bachelor of Arts Degree

Special Subject Area Requirements

In the process of fulfilling the General Education General Subject Areas C through G, students must also complete the following special subject area requirements. Courses applicable to these requirements are listed following the description of General Subject Area Requirements A-G, below.

  1. Writing Requirement. At least six designated General Education courses that meet the following criteria: (1) the courses require one to three papers totaling at least 1,800 words, exclusive of elements like footnotes, equations, tables of contents, or references; (2) the required papers are independent of or in addition to written examinations; and (3) the paper(s) are a significant consideration in the assessment of student performance in the course. Students may, by petition, request that up to two other UCSB courses be considered as applicable toward this requirement. Special instructions for such petitions are available from the college office. Once a student has matriculated at UCSB, the writing requirement may be met only with designated UCSB courses. Refer to Courses that Apply to the Writing Requirement.

  2. European Traditions Requirement (only for B.A. degree). At least one course that focuses on European cultures or cultures in the European tradition. Courses applicable to this requirement are listed below.

  3. World Cultures Requirement. At least one course that focuses on a world culture outside of the European tradition. Courses applicable to this requirement are listed below.

  4. Quantitative Relationships Requirement. At least one course from Area C emphasizing quantitative relationships. Courses applicable to this requirement are listed below.

  5. Ethnicity Requirement. At least one course which concentrates on the intellectual, social and cultural experience, and the history of one of the following: Native Americans, African Americans, Chicanos/Latinos, Asian Americans, or a course that provides a comparative and integrative context for understanding the experiences of oppressed and excluded racial minorities in the United States. Courses applicable to this requirement are listed below.

General Subject Area Requirements

Note: Additional courses may have been approved to fulfill various General Education Area Requirements after the cut-off date for publication in this catalog. Please refer to the Letters and Science Academic Requirements brochure (available in the UCSB Bookstore) for up-to-date information.

AREA A - English Reading and Composition

Objective: To help students develop a facility in English composition.

Two courses are required. Writing 2, 2E, or 2LK, and one of the following: Writing 50, 50E, 50LK, 109AA-ZZ, or English 10, 10EM, 10LC.

Students must complete Writing 2, 2E, or 2LK by the end of their sixth quarter at UCSB. Further registration will be blocked for students who do not comply. The following courses cannot be dropped after the fifth day of instruction: Writing 2, 2LK, 50, 50LK. In addition, students cannot receive credit for these courses (or their equivalents taken at another institution) until they have fulfilled the Entry Level Writing Requirement.

AREA B - Foreign Language

Objective: To help students gain a familiarity with a foreign language.

The foreign language requirement may be satisfied in one of the following four ways:

  1. By completing foreign language level 3 (third quarter) at UCSB or its equivalent at another college or university. Students fulfilling Area B with this method will require 184 overall units to fulfill degree requirements.

  2. By achieving a score of 3 or higher on the College Board Advanced Placement Examination in a foreign language, or by earning a score of 5 or higher on a higher level International Baccalaureate Exam in a foreign language, or by earning one of the following minimum scores on the Foreign Language SAT II: Chinese with Listening - 570; French/French with Listening - 590; German/German with Listening - 570; Modern Hebrew - 500; Italian - 570; Japanese with Listening - 570; Korean with Listening - 550; Latin - 580; Spanish/Spanish with Listening - 570.

  3. By completing the third year of one language in high school with a grade-point average for third-year language of at least C.

  4. By passing a UCSB foreign language placement examination at the appropriate level.

AREA C - Science, Mathematics, and Technology

Objective: To provide an understanding of the methods and applications of science and mathematics, and the fundamental laws that govern the biological and physical worlds.

Three courses are required. The disciplinary subsections listed below are for students’ information only; courses may be selected from any one subsection or combination of subsections.

The Biological Sciences:

  • EEMB 3, 20, 21, 22, 23, 136
  • Geology 7, 30, 30H, 111
  • MCDB 1A, 20, 21, 23, 24

The Physical Sciences:

  • Astronomy 1, 2
  • Chemistry 1A+1AL, 2A+2AC
  • Geography 3A-B, 8
  • Geology 1, 2, 4, 4S, 4W, 6, 10, 20, 123, 130
  • Materials 10
  • Natural Science 1A, 1B
  • Physics 1, 6A+AL, 6B+BL, 6C+CL, 10

Other Scientific Disciplines:

  • Anthropology 5
  • Communication 87
  • Computer Science 5JA
  • EEMB 30
  • Environmental Studies 2, 115
  • Geography 12
  • Linguistics 106, 110, 182, 185
  • Mathematics 3A-B, 34A-B
  • MCDB 26
  • Philosophy 183
  • PSTAT 5A, 5E
  • Psychology 5
  • Speech and Hearing Sciences 121

AREA D - Social Science

Objective: To provide an understanding of what determines or influences the behavior and beliefs of individuals and groups.

Three courses are required:

  • Anthropology 2, 3, 3SS, 109, 110, 122, 130A-B, 131, 134, 135, 136, 137, 141, 142, 147, 156
  • Asian American Studies 1, 2, 3, 6, 8, 100AA, 100BB, 107, 119, 100FF, 131, 136
  • Black Studies 1, 3, 6,15, 20, 50, 60A-B, 102, 103, 107, 121, 122, 160, 169AR-BR-CR, 171
  • Chicana/o Studies 1A, 1B, 1C, 114, 130A, 137, 140, 144, 151, 168A-B, 172, 173, 174, 175, 176, 178A, 189B
  • Classics 170A
  • Communication 1
  • Comparative Literature 119
  • East Asian Cultural Studies 30, 189A
  • Economics 1, 2, 109
  • Environmental Studies 1, 130A-B, 132
  • Geography 2, 5, 20, 108, 108E, 150, 153A
  • Global Studies 1, 2
  • History 7, 11A, 17A-B-C, 17AH-BH-CH, 25, 82, 105A, 117A, 117C, 131F, 138B, 159B-C, 161A-B, 167C, 167CB-CP, 168A-B, 169AR-BR-CR, 171B, 172A-B, 175A-B, 189A
  • Italian 161AX
  • Japanese 25, 162,
  • Korean 82
  • Law and Society 1
  • Linguistics 20A-B, 70, 130, 132, 170, 180
  • Music 175E-F-G
  • Political Science 1, 12, 115, 121, 136, 150A, 151, 155, 171, 174
  • Psychology 1, 102, 103, 105, 107, 108
  • Religious Studies 7, 14, 15, 40, 61A-B, 115A, 131H, 136, 141A-B, 147, 151A-B, 152
  • Slavic 152A-B-C
  • Sociology 1, 131, 134, 144, 152A, 153
  • Spanish 178
  • Women’s Studies 20, 20H, 30, 30H, 60, 60H, 117C, 159B-C

AREA E - Culture and Thought

Objective: To provide a perspective on world cultures through the study of human history and thought. Three courses are required.

  • Anthropology 138TS, 176TS
  • Art History 6A-B-C, 45MC, 109G, 130E, 136I, 144D, 145MC
  • Black Studies 5, 7, 130A-B
  • Chinese 148, 158
  • Classics 50, 100A-B, 101, 108, 106, 115, 150, 171, 175
  • Comparative Literature 30A-B-C, 35, 113, 119, 122A, 171, 183, 186RR
  • East Asian Cultural Studies 3, 21, 80, 164B
  • Environmental Studies 3, 107C, 107E
  • French 50AX-BX-CX, 70AX, 106B-C, 169B, 169BX, 171X, 192X
  • German 43A, 43C, 116A, 164I
  • Global Studies 1
  • History 2A-B-C, 2AH-BH-CH, 4A-B-C, 4AH-BH-CH, 8, 45, 46, 49A-B, 80, 84, 87, 106A-B-C, 107A-B-C, 107E, 113B, 114B-C-D, 143, 144, 182A-B, 185A-B, 187A-B-C, 189E
  • Italian 20X, 144AX
  • Japanese 63, 164
  • Korean 182A-B
  • Latin American and Iberian Studies 101
  • Linguistics 30, 50
  • Mathematics 13
  • Middle East Studies 45
  • Philosophy 1, 3, 4, 20A-B-C, 100A-B-C-D-E, 112
  • Physics 43
  • Political Science 187, 188, 189
  • Portuguese 125A-B
  • Religious Studies 1, 3, 5, 12, 21, 43, 70, 80A-B-C, 116A, 123, 126, 130, 136, 162C, 164A-B, 183
  • Slavic 33, 118
  • Spanish 153, 177

AREA F - Arts

Objective: To develop an appreciation of the arts through historical study, analysis of master works, and aesthetically creative activity.

Two courses are required:

  • Art History 1, 5A, 6A-B-C-D-E-F-G-H, 6K, 101A-B-C-D, 103A-B-C, 105B-C-E-F-G-H-J-L-M-N, 107A-B, 109A-B-C-D-E-F-G-H, 111A-B-C-E-F, 113A-B-D-F, 115B-C, 117A-B-C-D-F, 119A-B-C-D-E-F-G, 121A-B-C-D-E-F, 123A-C, 125A, 127A-B, 130A-B-C-D, 132A-B-C-D-E-I, 134A-B-C-D, 134E-F-G-H, 136A-B, 136E, 136H-I-J, 138A-B-C-D, 140A-B, 141D, 143B-C, 144A-C-D, 184B-C
  • Art Studio 1A, 1B, 4D, 125
  • Asian American Studies 4, 118, 120 127, 146
  • Black Studies 14, 142, 161, 162, 170, 171, 172
  • Chicana/o Studies 119, 125B, 138, 148, 188C
  • Chinese 40, 141, 170
  • Classics 102, 165, 170
  • Dance 35, 36, 45, 145A-B, 145M, 145W, 146
  • Theater 5, 60, 60S, 155A-B-C, 160A-C-D-E-F, 162, 166, 167
  • Film Studies 46, 120, 121, 125A-B, 133, 136, 144, 161, 163, 165, 175
  • French 133, 138X, 178X-Y-Z, 178CX, 178DX
  • German 55A-B, 151B, 183
  • Italian 179X, 180Z
  • Japanese 149, 159
  • Music 11, 15, 17, 114, 115, 119A
  • Philosophy 136
  • Slavic 130A-B-C-D-E, 151B
  • Spanish 126

AREA G - Literature

Objective: To develop an appreciation of literature through historical study, analysis of master works, and aesthetically creative activity.

Two courses are required:

  • Asian American Studies 5
  • Black Studies 38A-B, 127, 130A-B
  • Chicana/o Studies 180, 181, 184A
  • Chinese 110A, 112A, 115A, 139, 142, 148
  • Classics 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 102, 109, 110, 120, 130
  • Comparative Literature 30A-B-C, 31, 32, 33, 34, 100, 107, 113, 115, 117A-B, 122B, 128, 128B, 138, 153, 154, 161, 171, 186EE, 191
  • English 15, 21, 25, 35, 50, 101, 102, 103A, 103B, 104A, 104B, 105A, 105B, 115, 116A-B, 119, 120, 121, 124, 126B-C, 131AA-ZZ, 133AA-ZZ, 137A-B, 138C, 140, 150, 152A, 156, 157, 162, 172, 179, 180, 181, 184, 185, 187AA-ZZ, 189, 190AA-ZZ, 191, 192, 193
  • Environmental Studies 122NE, 160
  • French 70Z, 101A, 101B, 106X, 120X, 122X, 130X, 132X, 136X, 137X, 138X, 139X, 142X, 160X, 169BX, 171X, 180X, 192X, 196X
  • German 43B, 116A, 138, 143, 151B, 164E, 164F, 164G, 164I, 179B-C, 182, 187
  • Global Studies 101
  • Italian 114X, 138AX, 142X, 144AX, 163X, 179X
  • Japanese 110A-B-C, 112, 115
  • Korean 113
  • Latin American and Iberian Studies 102
  • Medieval Studies 100B
  • Music 187
  • Portuguese 115AA-ZZ, 120AA-ZZ
  • Slavic 117F-H, 123A-B-C-D, 151B, 164A-B-C
  • Spanish 102L, 115B, 120A-B, 135, 142A-B, 179
  • Women’s Studies 40, 40H

Literature courses taught in their original languages:

  • Chinese 124A-B, 132A-B
  • French 136A, 136C, 136E, 140B, 141, 142, 143, 150B, 163, 164, 169B, 180A-B-C
  • German 115A-B-C
  • Greek 100, 101
  • Hebrew 114A-B-C
  • Latin 100, 101
  • Portuguese 105A-B-C, 106A-B-C
  • Religious Studies 129, 142A-B-C
  • Spanish 30, 102L, 131, 137A-B, 138, 140A-B, 174

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Courses that Apply to the Writing Requirement

At least six of the following courses. Details on criteria for these courses may be found under Special Subject Area Requirements. Courses on the list below may also apply to their respective areas of the General Education Program.

  • Anthropology 3, 104, 116, 116B, 122, 132, 135, 138TS, 141, 141DS, 142B, 143, 170, 172, 185DS, 186
  • Art History 6A-B-C-D, 6F-G-H, 6K, 101A, 130A-B, 130D, 144A, 144C, 186A-Z, 186RS, 186RW
  • Art Studio 1A-B
  • Asian American Studies 5, 8, 100AA, 100BB, 100FF, 121, 122, 128, 131, 134, 136, 137
  • Black Studies 1, 5, 6, 7, 14, 20, 38A, 38B, 45, 50, 60A-B, 102, 103, 107, 127, 130A, 160, 162, 169AR-BR-CR, 170, 171, 172
  • Chemistry 1AC, 1BC, 2AC, 2BC, 2CC
  • Chicana/o Studies 1A-B-C, 131, 144, 154F, 172, 175, 180, 181, 184A
  • Chinese 40, 112A, 124A-B, 132A-B, 139, 150, 166A-B-C-E, 170
  • Classics 38, 39, 101, 102, 106, 109, 110, 120, 171, 175
  • Communication 1, 130, 137, 150, 153
  • Comparative Literature 30A-B-C, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 107, 113, 115, 119, 122A, 122B, 124, 128, 128B, 138, 153, 154, 161, 170, 171, 183, 186RR
  • Dance 36, 145A-B, 145M, 145W
  • Theater 106, 155A-B-C, 160A-C-D-E-F, , 163, 166, 167
  • East Asian Cultural Studies 3, 21, 30, 80, 132B, 161B, 178
  • Education 165
  • EEMB 124, 127, 134, 135, 138, 142BL-CL, 147, 149, 179
  • English, all courses assigned to Area G (except 190GL)
  • Environmental Studies 1, 2, 3, 107E, 110, 122NE, 143, 160, 161, 189
  • Film Studies 46, 101A-B-C, 120, 121, 123, 125A-B, 133, 136, 144, 146, 163,165, 178Z, 191, 193
  • French 50AX-BX-CX, 70Z, 106B-C-X, 120X, 121X, 122, 122X, 130X, 132X, 136A, 136C, 136E, 136X, 137X, 138X, 139X, 140B-C, 141, 142, 142X, 143, 144, 150A-B, 154, 160X, 166X, 168, 169B, 169BX, 170B, 170X, 171X, 175X, 178X-Y, 178CX, 178DX, 180A, 180C, 180X, 181
  • Geography 8, 108E, 143, 180
  • Geology 4S, 4W, 6, 10, 30H, 104A, 117, 123, 130
  • German 41, 44, 49, 55A-B, 115A-B-C, 116A, 138, 141, 143, 151B, 164E, 164F, 164G, 164I, 169, 180, 182, 183, 187
  • Global Studies 1, 2
  • Hebrew 114A-B-C
  • History 2A-B-C, 2AH-BH-CH, 4A-B-C, 4AH-BH-CH, 6, 7, 8, 11A, 17A-B-C, 17AH-BH-CH, 46, 49A-B, 80, 84, 87, 106A-B-C, 107E, 113A-B, 114B-C-D, 117A, 117C, 123A-B-C, 123F, 131F, 133A-B-C-D, 143, 144, 153, 155A-B, 155E, 156A-I, 157A-B, 159B-C, 164IA-IB, 167B, 167CA-CB-CP, 168N, 169AR-BR-CR, 172A-B, 179A, 182A-B, 185A-B, 187A-B-C, 189E
  • Interdisciplinary 20
  • Italian 114X, 138AX, 142X, 144AX, 161AX, 163X, 180Z
  • Japanese 25, 63, 110A-B-C, 112, 119, 159, 162, 167A-B, 167D
  • Korean 182A-B
  • Latin American and Iberian Studies 10, 100, 101, 102, 194RR
  • Law and Society 120, 124
  • Linguistics 30, 70, 113, 132, 137, 138, 170, 180, 182
  • Materials 10
  • MCDB 167
  • Medieval Studies 100B
  • MCDB 149
  • Military Science 12
  • Music 12, 15, 112A-B, 114, 115, 118A-G-I-J-K-Q-S-Z, 119A, 175E-F-G, 187
  • Philosophy 1, 4, 7, 20A-B-C, 100A-B-C-D-E, 112, 136
  • Physics 13AH, 43, 128AL, 128BL
  • Political Science 1, 6, 7, 12, 115, 121, 127, 136, 155
  • Portuguese 120AA-ZZ, 125A-B
  • Psychology 90A-B-C, 91A-B-C, 110L, 111L, 112L, 116L, 117L, 120L, 140, 143S
  • Religious Studies 3, 5, 7, 14, 15, 21, 22, 43, 61A-B, 70, 80A-B-C, 106, 114B-D, 116A, 120, 123, 126, 127B, 130, 131J, 136, 140A-B-C, 141A-B-C, 145, 147, 150, 151A-B, 161B, 164A, 166A-B-C, 166E, 167A-B, 167D, 178, 183, 189A-B-C, 193
  • Slavic 117G, 117H, 123A-B, 141, 151B, 152A-B-C, 154, 162, 163, 164A-B-C, 170, 180
  • Sociology 128, 130, 130LA, 134, 134R, 137E, 144, 153, 154A, 154F, 155M, 170, 176A
  • Spanish 115B, 120A-B, 135, 142A-B, 178, 179
  • Speech and Hearing Sciences 50
  • Women’s Studies 20, 20H, 30, 30H, 40, 40H, 60, 60H, 80, 80H, 117C, 142, 150, 153, 154A, 159B-C
  • Writing 60,105IN, 105RW, 110MK

Courses that Apply to the Requirement in Quantitative Relationships

At least one of the following courses from Area C which emphasizes quantitative relationships is required.

  • Astronomy 1, 2
  • Chemistry 1A+1AL, 2A+2AC
  • Communication 87
  • Computer Science 5JA
  • EEMB 30
  • Environmental Studies 115
  • Geography 8
  • Geology 1, 2, 4, 4S, 4W, 7, 10, 20, 123, 130
  • Mathematics 3A-B, 3AS-BS, 34A-B, 109A
  • Natural Science 1A-B
  • Physics 1, 2, 3+3L, 4+4L, 5+5L, 6A+AL, 6B+BL, 6C+CL, 10, 21
  • PSTAT 5A, 5E
  • Psychology 5
  • Speech and Hearing Sciences 121

Courses that Apply to the World Cultures Requirement

At least one of the following courses that focus on a world culture outside the European tradition is required. Courses noted on the list below also may apply to their respective areas of the General Education Program.

  • Anthropology 2, 3, 3SS, 110, 122, 127B, 130A-B, 131A, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138TS, 141, 142, 142B, 156, 176TS
  • Art History 6D-E, 6H, 6K, 127A-B, 130A-B, 130D-E, 132A-B-C-D-E, 134A-B-C-D, 134E-G-H, 136J
  • Black Studies 3, 5, 7,130A-B, 161, 162, 171
  • Chicana/o Studies 119
  • Chinese 40, 110A, 112A, 115A, 124A-B, 132A-B, 139, 141, 142, 148, 158, 166A-B-C-E, 170, 184B, 186M
  • Comparative Literature 31, 32, 33, 115, 171, 183
  • Dance 35, 146
  • Theater 166
  • East Asian Cultural Studies 3, 21, 30, 80, 132B, 161B, 164B, 178, 189A
  • Environmental Studies 130A-B
  • Film Studies 120, 121, 161
  • French 192X
  • Geography 2
  • Global Studies 1
  • History 45, 46, 49A-B, 80, 82, 84, 85, 87, 143, 144, 146, 146A-B-T-W, 156A-B, 156I, 182A-B, 184B, 185A-B, 187A-B-C, 189A, 189E
  • Islamic and Near Eastern Studies 45
  • Japanese 25, 63, 110A-B-C, 112, 115, 149, 159, 162, 164, 167D
  • Korean 82, 113, 182A-B
  • Latin American and Iberian Studies 10, 100
  • Middle Eastern Studies 45
  • Music 175E-F-G
  • Political Science 136, 150A
  • Religious Studies 3, 21, 22, 131H, 140A, 140C, 140D, 140F, 158, 160, 161B, 162A, 162C, 164A-B, 166A-B-C, 166E, 167D, 168D, 169, 178, 183, 189A-B-C
  • Sociology 130
  • Spanish 177, 178
  • Women’s Studies 30, 30H

Courses that Apply to the European Traditions Requirement

At least one of the following courses that focuses on European cultures is required. Courses listed below may also apply to their respective areas of the General Education Program.

  • Art History 6A-B-C
  • Classics 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 50, 100A-B, 101, 102, 106, 108, 109, 110, 120, 130, 150, 165, 170, 171
  • Comparative Literature 30A-B-C
  • French 50AX-BX-CX
  • Greek 100, 101
  • History 2A-B-C, 2AH-BH-CH, 4A-B-C, 4AH-BH-CH
  • Latin 100, 101
  • Philosophy 20A-B-C
  • Religious Studies 80A-B-C

Courses that Apply to the Ethnicity Requirement

The courses listed below will satisfy the ethnicity requirement and may be applied to their respective areas of the General Education Program.

  • Anthropology 131
  • Art History 121D, 121F, 125A
  • Asian American Studies 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 100AA, 100BB, 100CC, 100DD, 100FF, 107, 118, 119, 120, 121, 122, 127, 128, 131, 136, 146, 149
  • Black Studies 1, 6, 14, 15, 20, 38A-B, 50,
    60A-B, 102, 103, 107, 121, 122, 127, 142, 160, 169AR-BR-CR, 170, 172
  • Chicana/o Studies 1A-B-C, 125B, 130A, 131, 137, 138, 139, 140, 144, 148, 151, 154F, 155W, 168A-B, 168E-F, 171, 172, 173, 174, 175, 178A, 180, 181, 184A, 188C, 189, 189B
  • Comparative Literature 153
  • Theater 155F, 163
  • English 50, 191
  • Environmental Studies 189
  • History 11A, 131F, 160A-B, 161A-B, 164IA-IB, 167C, 168A-B-E-F-N, 169AR-BR-CR, 179A-B
  • Linguistics 180
  • Military Science 12
  • Political Science 174
  • Religious Studies 14, 61A-B, 114B-D, 123, 124, 193
  • Sociology 128, 137E, 139A, 144, 153, 154F, 155M, 155W
  • Spanish 109, 135, 179
  • Women’s Studies 60, 60H, 80, 140, 142, 153

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Bachelor of Science Degree

Candidates for the bachelor of science degree must complete the following general subject area requirements: Area A; Area B; Area C; two courses from Area D; two courses from Area E; one course from Area F; one course from Area G.

Students are also responsible for completing all of the special subject area requirements with the exception of the European traditions requirement, as outlined in the B.A. requirement section.

Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree; Bachelor of Music Degree

Candidates for the degree of bachelor of fine arts or bachelor of music must complete the following general subject area requirements: Area A; Area B; two courses from Area C; two courses from Area D; two courses from Area E; one course from Area G.

Students are also responsible for completing all of the special subject area requirements with the exception of the European traditions requirement, as outlined in the B.A. requirement section.

Honors

The College of Letters and Science is committed to academic excellence and offers students with records of superior scholarship a number of special opportunities.

College of Letters and Science Honors Program

The College Honors Program encourages students to intensify their educational experience and to participate in a small community atmosphere within the larger university setting throughout their four years of undergraduate study. College Honors Program participants benefit from increased contact with both faculty and peers in small classes and special programs.

Participants in the honors program enjoy graduate library privileges, preferential class enrollment, use of the honors study center, participation in the peer mentorship program, and special advising services. Housing is available to eligible first-year students in Scholars floors located in several university-owned residence halls.

Honors program students may enroll in special honors sections of large introductory courses that provide preparation for the major or fulfill general education area requirements. With faculty approval, upper-division College Honors Program students may design their own honors contracts in upper-division courses, and have special research opportunities available to them. Special upper-division honors courses that enhance the honors program curriculum may also be available. These opportunities give students the chance to find mentors among some of UCSB’s most dedicated faculty. In addition, students may participate in the departmental senior honors programs described later in this section.

Undergraduate research opportunities combine two of UCSB’s greatest resources, the distinction of its research faculty and the excellence of its undergraduate programs. Honors students may engage in independent and team research under the supervision of a faculty researcher. Special access to advising and research funding is available to honors program participants. Contact the Office of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities for additional information.

Entering freshmen students are invited into the College Honors Program based on high school grade-point average and SAT I (or ACT score) and SAT II scores. In the typical entering freshman class, 10 percent of the students are in the College Honors Program. Transfer students with a 3.6 grade-point average when they enter UCSB are eligible and are encouraged to apply. The College Honors Program is also open to any UCSB students with an overall grade-point average of 3.5 on a minimum of 12 graded baccalaureate units. Please note: Eligibility criteria are subject to change at any time.

Students may continue as program members as long as they maintain the required grade-point average and complete at least 6 units of honors coursework each year. A minimum grade of B is required for the honors designation to be assigned to a course. An annual review is conducted during the summer.

To complete the program and receive the Academic Excellence Award, a student must earn 36 units of honors-designated courses with at least a B grade, earn a minimum overall grade-point average of 3.5, and complete volunteer service. At least 20 of the 36 honors-designated units must be upper division. Completion of 20 units of upper-division honors-designated courses qualifies junior transfer students (who are eligible for the honors program at the time of admission) for the Academic Excellence Award. The total number of honors-designated units is reduced to 28 (including 12 upper-division) for students who participate in the University of California’s year-long Education Abroad Program.

A Certificate of Academic Excellence will be awarded by the dean of undergraduate studies to all graduating seniors who complete the College Honors Program.

Departmental Senior Honors Programs

Most departments in the college sponsor honors programs that provide opportunities for research and independent study in the major field. Students are normally selected for the departmental honors program at the end of their junior year. They devote much of their senior year to the design and completion of an original research project or senior thesis. Members of departmental honors programs who complete their project or thesis with distinction are eligible for nomination by their departments for the award of Distinction in the Major. Departmental honors program participants are granted special UCSB Davidson Library privileges normally available only to graduate students. In addition, they are eligible to apply for grants for undergraduate research and creative projects, including the UCSB Office of Research, and the College of Letters and Science.

Dean's Honors

The award of Dean’s Honors is granted at the end of each quarter to those students who earn a grade-point average of 3.75 or higher for the quarter, on a program of 12 or more letter-graded units, with no NP grades. Students with approved permanent deficit petitions may qualify for Dean’s Honors if they earn the necessary grade-point average on 12 letter-graded units during a period of two or more consecutive quarters. The receipt of Dean’s Honors is recorded permanently on the transcript. Grades of I normally disqualify students from eligibility for Dean’s Honors for that term.

Honors at Graduation

Students with outstanding academic achievement are honored at the time of graduation. College Honors are awarded to those Letters and Science undergraduates who have completed 135 or more letter-graded units in the University of California with a grade-point average of at least 3.85. General honors at graduation are awarded to the top 20 percent of students who complete at least 76 letter-graded units in the University of California, as follows: The top 2.5 percent receive Highest Honors, the next 6 percent receive High Honors, and the next 11.5 percent receive Honors. Members of departmental honors programs who complete their project or thesis with distinction are eligible for nomination by their departments for the award of Distinction in the Major.

Phi Beta Kappa

Phi Beta Kappa, established in 1776, is the nation’s oldest and most respected scholastic honorary society, its purpose being to honor high achievement in the liberal arts and sciences. According to the society’s handbook, the objectives of humane learning encouraged by Phi Beta Kappa include intellectual honesty and tolerance, range of intellectual interests, and understanding - not merely knowledge. The UCSB chapter, California Lambda, was established in 1967 and has maintained a high standard of admission. Election is by invitation only, and is offered to no more than one percent of graduating seniors each year. Election in the junior year is extremely rare.

To be eligible for consideration, a student must have a grade-point average of at least 3.75 for juniors and 3.4 for seniors, have completed four quarters of a single foreign language, and have taken plane geometry and algebra through quadratics. Each senior candidate must have completed 60 units of work at UCSB (junior candidates must have completed 120 units), excluding professional, vocational, technical, recreational, and remedial courses, and all courses taken on the P/NP basis. A record which shows more than 15 P/NP units is normally disqualified, although exceptions are made for candidates in the College of Creative Studies and occasionally for others of extraordinary achievement. Election to Phi Beta Kappa takes place in the spring quarter, and normally requires that the candidate have demonstrated evidence of genuine intellectual curiosity and achievement beyond the minimum outlined above. Most departments at UCSB have members of Phi Beta Kappa on their faculty. Students are urged to contact faculty members, departmental undergraduate advisors, or the UCSB Phi Beta Kappa website for further information.

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Academic Programs and Options

Options for Accelerated and Independent Study

Qualified students may accelerate their progress through portions of the undergraduate curriculum by presenting excellent scores on the College Board Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate Examinations, by performing well in various departmental placement examinations in fields such as foreign languages, fine arts, and mathematics, and by earning credit for university courses by examination. These options are described in the section "Undergraduate Education at UCSB."

Qualified students may enroll in advanced, upper-division courses, provided they have fulfilled the course prerequisites or have obtained the instructor’s permission. Upper-division students with excellent academic records may enroll in independent reading or studies courses 198, 199, and 199AA-ZZ. Exceptionally qualified seniors are sometimes encouraged to enroll in graduate courses.

Advanced Placement Credit

Students who complete special advanced placement courses in high school and who earn scores of 3, 4, or 5 on the College Board Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate Examination taken before high school graduation will receive 2, 4, or 8 units of credit toward graduation at UCSB for each such test completed with the required scores, provided scores are reported to the Office of Admissions. The specific unit values assigned to each test, course equivalents, and the applicability of this credit to the General Education requirements, are presented in the chart on page 112.

Note: Advanced Placement credit earned prior to entering the university will not be counted toward maximum unit limitations either for selection of a major or for graduation.

International Baccalaureate Credit

Students completing the International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma with a score of 30 or above will receive 30 quarter units total toward their UC undergraduate degree. The university grants 8 quarter units for certified IB Higher Level examinations on which a student scores 5, 6, or 7. The university does not grant credit for standard level exams. The application of this credit to the General Education requirements and course equivalents for these exams are listed on page 112.

Note: International Baccalaureate Examination credit earned prior to entering the university will not be coutned toward maximum unit limitation either for selection of a major or for graduation.

Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities

In keeping with the university’s commitment to promote the scholarly work of undergraduates, the College of Letters and Science at UC Santa Barbara offers various programs to support research and creative activities under faculty supervision. Undergraduates from all majors may apply for awards that are supported by various funding sources. Competitions for these awards are held in October, February, and May. Students involved in research and creative projects have an opportunity to present their work at the spring Colloquium on Undergraduate Research.

During the academic year, students may earn course credit by actively working on projects under the Faculty Research Assistance Program (FRAP). Lists of participating faculty and descriptions of their projects may be found in the FRAP Directory.

Lists of related scholarly experiences may be found in Opportunity Alert, an online listing updated on a continual basis. For more information about undergraduate research opportunities, visit the college’s Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities website.

Scholarship Opportunities

The Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities (URCA) Office coordinates the campus application processes for a number of prestigious national and international scholarships funding undergraduate or graduate studies. Such scholarships include but are not limited to the Rhodes, Marshall, Mitchell, Goldwater, Truman, and Udall Scholarships. Details on the scholarships coordinated by this office may be found on the URCA website: www.ltsc.ucsb.edu/urca. Students interested in applying for these scholarships should contact the URCA Office at least six months prior to the application due date. Lists of scholarships not requiring campus endorsement may be found in Scholarship Alert, an online publication also located on the URCA website.

UCSB Washington Center Program

The UCSB Washington Center Program (UCDC) provides a unique opportunity in experiential learning. The program combines courses, internships and a wide variety of cultural experiences and offers students a chance to observe public policy processes first hand. Admission to the Washington Center Program is open to upper-division undergraduates from all majors. Students maintain full-time enrollment at UCSB while undertaking their internship in Washington, D.C. and may participate during any quarter of the academic year or in the summer.

For more information visit the Program's website, or contact the campus office by e-mail at ucdc@LTSC.ucsb.edu.

University of California Center in Sacramento Program

The University of California Center in Sacramento (UCCS) Program is a residential program that combines an internship with research and coursework. In addition, students have the opportunity to observe public policy processes firsthand in our state’s capital. Admission to the UCCS Program is open to upper-division undergraduates from all majors. Students maintain full-time enrollment at UCSB while working in a structured internship with an agency or organization of their choice in Sacramento. The program is offered during winter, spring, and summer quarters.

For more information visit the program's website. Application materials may be obtained from staff in the Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities (URCA) Office, North Hall 2105 or from the URCA website: www.LTSC.ucsb.edu/urca.

Accelerated Study Access Program

The Accelerated Study Access Program (ASAP) in the College of Letters and Science allows highly qualified students from junior and senior high schools in the Santa Barbara area to enroll simultaneously in their home schools and at UCSB. ASAP participants are admitted to the University of California in freshman standing, and they have access to nearly the entire range of academic resources of the campus. They may enroll in any UCSB course for which they are qualified, and they will receive full university credit for each course satisfactorily completed. When they have graduated from high school, ASAP members may continue their education at UCSB, or they may be eligible for admission to another campus of the University of California or to any other institution of higher education for which they are qualified. Brochures describing the program, eligibility requirements, and application procedures are available from the college office, 1117 Cheadle Hall.

The Letters and Science Program

Freshman and sophomore students who have not yet selected a major will be part of the Letters and Science Program. While they are in this program, they are encouraged to take courses in a variety of departments to help them to develop their interests and to learn about the range of academic opportunities available at UCSB. The College of Letters and Science, and many individual academic departments, offer special advising services to undeclared students to help them make sound academic decisions. To ensure their timely progress toward the degree, students are expected to declare a major by the time they have reached junior standing (completion of 84 quarter-units). Those who do not meet this expectation will have their future registration blocked.

Individual Major

Highly motivated students with excellent academic records who find that no single major accommodates their specific interest in a given subject may propose an individual major, provided that the college offers sufficient courses to support the proposed study. Proposals for individual majors are prepared with the guidance of a faculty member, and they are examined for cogency and academic merit by the dean of undergraduate studies and the Executive Committee of the College of Letters and Science, which has final approval authority.

Minimum qualifications for proposing an individual major include a grade-point average of at least 3.0 and residence in the college for at least three quarters. Final proposals for individual majors must be submitted no later than the end of the junior year. However, students are urged to discuss their ideas with a college advisor well before then, to allow sufficient time for preparation, review, and approval of the proposal. Normally, this process takes at least three months. Information sheets describing the individual major option are available in the college office.

Double Majors

Students with interest and talent in two separate major fields may propose completion of a double major. In their proposal, they must estimate the number of units they will need to complete in satisfying degree requirements and the term in which they will become eligible to graduate. In general, double majors are approved for students who demonstrate that they can meet all degree requirements without exceeding 200 units of credit from all institutions attended. Students who receive approval for a double major will be allowed to continue their studies at UCSB only through the final quarter listed on their proposal. No more than 8 units may be applied simultaneously to the upper-division requirements of the two majors.

Academic Minors

Students may pursue an academic minor in addition to their major under a formal minors program offered by an individual department or program, or a multidisciplinary group of departments and/or programs. Completing a minor offers students a cohesive supplement to their major, reflecting well-rounded interests and course of study. In addition, a minor program often helps students to structure their choice of elective units as they fulfill the college’s unit requirements. To ensure appropriate advising and planning, students who are considering a minor should consult the sponsoring department as soon as possible. They must request that the department confirm completion of the minor no later than the second week of the quarter in which they announce candidacy to graduate.

Upon completion of the degree, the minor will be listed on the diploma and posted on the official transcript, provided the following conditions also are met:

  • The sponsoring department reports the student’s completion of the minor prior to the posting of the degree.

  • The student has completed at least 18 upper-division quarter units pertinent to the minor. Most minors require more than 18 upper-division units. (Waivers cannot reduce the requirement below 18 units.)

  • Courses for the minor are all completed for a letter grade. (At its discretion, the sponsoring department may accept up to 5 units graded P.)

  • The UC grade-point average in all applicable upper-division courses is 2.0 or higher.

  • No more than 5 upper-division units overlap between this minor and the upper-division portion of each of the student’s major(s) or other minor(s). If overlap is greater with the student’s major(s), the completion of the minor will not be formally recognized; if overlap with other minor(s) is greater, only the first minor reported will be recognized.

  • The student has completed at least 12 of the upper-division units for the minor while in residence at UCSB. (EAP courses do not apply to residence.) Courses applied to the major residence requirement may not also be applied to the minor residence requirement.

No reference will be made to the minor on any progress checks or degree clearance forms.

Freshman Seminars

The freshman seminar program was created to help freshmen make the transition to campus life. Taught by active research faculty, these seminars help students explore different fields and disciplines in a small group discussion setting. Topics have included Behind Lab Doors: Research in Marine Biology; Nutrition: You Are What You Eat; So You Want to be a Leader?. Seminars are offered quarterly. They can be found in the

Schedule of Classes, listed as Interdisciplinary 94AA-ZZ. Visit www.freshsem.ucsb.edu for complete details and a listing of current topics.

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Academic Policies and Procedures

Change of Major

Upon completion of prerequisites for admission to the major, students may petition to change their major. The petition should be filed not later than the end of the junior year, and requires the approval of the chair of the prospective department and the dean of undergraduate studies. Students who contemplate a change of major relatively late in their academic careers should note that the change may not be approved if it becomes clear that they will need to complete more than 200 units in order to fulfill all degree requirements. The College of Letters and Science will not accept students from the College of Engineering or the College of Creative Studies after they have completed 180 units.

Community College Credit Limit

The university accepts a maximum of 105 quarter-units or 70 semester-units of credit for college courses completed at a two-year community college. Only subject credit for specific lower-division requirement is assigned subsequently.

Concurrent Enrollment

Students who wish to enroll simultaneously in undergraduate courses at UCSB and at another college-level institution must obtain prior written approval from the dean of undergraduate studies. Normally, such enrollment is approved only for courses that are not available in the curriculum at UCSB.

Minimum Academic Progress

The recommended study load for a full-time undergraduate student in the College of Letters and Science is 12 to 16 units per quarter. An average load of 15 units must be maintained if the student expects to complete degree requirements in four years.

It is the policy of the College of Letters and Science to monitor the academic progress of students and to apply the following restrictions if progress is not maintained. Undergraduate students who do not pass at least 36 units during any three consecutive terms may be placed on probation and may have strict study list controls placed on their quarterly programs until it is determined that satisfactory academic progress has been made. Further, students who do not pass at least 32 units during three consecutive terms may also be subject to strict study list controls and may, at the discretion of the dean of undergraduate studies, be in jeopardy of having their registration cancelled.

All study lists of fewer than 12 units must be approved by the dean of undergraduate studies. Students who, for health reasons, or regular outside employment, or personal and/or family responsibilities, are unable to maintain the 12-unit quarterly minimum may request an exception by submitting the appropriate petition to the college office.


Preparing for Careers and for Graduate and Professional Schools

While enrolled in the College of Letters and Science, students have access to career-planning advice, and they can prepare for admission to a variety of graduate and professional programs offered by the University of California and other colleges and universities. To assist them in the process, the college provides pre-professional advising in a number of fields. Students are invited to discuss their plans with the college pre-professional advisor and to use the resources of the college office and of Career Services, Building 599.

Career Planning

Career Services, Building 599, is of particular assistance to students who are searching for a rewarding career. The center offers individual counseling, workshops, career literature and a computer access to job listings, corporate profiles, and graduate school information. The Campus Interview program provides opportunities for students to meet with employers here at UCSB, especially during fall and winter quarters of each year. Internship opportunities (local, national and international) are available through the Applied Learning Program. For immediate access to employer listings, internship opportunities and workshop schedules as well as links to other resources, visit the website at career.ucsb.edu.

Graduate Programs

Departments at UCSB have specially appointed faculty members who are prepared to discuss their own graduate programs, specializations available, and admission requirements, including courses and majors required. They are often able to provide general information about other graduate schools in their areas of specialization.

All college advisors have a general knowledge of graduate school matters and can assist students in reviewing the options available to them. Two publications are very helpful to students searching for appropriate graduate programs: Graduate School Admissions Manual, a four-volume set published by the Educational Testing Service which identifies all graduate schools in the U.S. offering programs in each specific field of study, and Peterson’s Guides, which are helpful in deciding which school is most suitable. Both the manual and Peterson’s Guides are available in the Career Resources Room in Career Services, Building 599. The Graduate Division, located in Cheadle Hall 3117, can provide information and assistance to students who are interested in applying to graduate school at UCSB, including financial aid information.

Professional School Preparation

UC Santa Barbara has an excellent reputation for preparing its students for various professional school programs. Each year, many UCSB graduates continue their education in medical, law, business, and a variety of other professional schools. Most of these graduate professional programs do not require completion of a specific undergraduate major. Instead, students may complete the major of their choice while fulfilling any specific course prerequisites required for admission to the programs of interest to them. Advisors for each of these professional programs are available either in the Office of Student Academic Affairs in the College of Letters and Science or in departmental offices. Career Services also maintains a wealth of information relevant to these career fields.

Medicine

Students who are preparing for careers in medicine have traditionally found UCSB an excellent institution in which to complete their requirements. Advising for premedical students is available in the Health Professions Resource Room, 2105 North Hall, and in the College office, Cheadle 1117. There students can find information about required courses, recommended schedules, preparing for the Medical College Admissions Test, preparing for interviews, and health profession programs; peer advisors are available to assist students seeking information regarding health professions. Student groups, including the Health Professions Association, help to develop programs supporting the career aspirations of premedical students, and each year the campus sponsors a Health Professions Conference, where UCSB alumni discuss their medical careers and where representatives of medical schools provide information.

Many premedical students take advantage of the campus’s wide range of opportunities to involve themselves in faculty-sponsored undergraduate research projects in the biomedical field, and many participate in the extensive internship programs available at local hospitals and medical clinics. The Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology and the Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology sponsor both lower- and upper-division courses which are relevant to gaining experience in the medical field. The health professions advisor is available to help students develop academic programs to meet medical school requirements. The advisor also coordinates a series of workshops to help students prepare for the rigorous application process.

Although many students select majors within the biological sciences, medical schools do not require applicants to complete a specific major. Schools, in fact, encourage applicants to develop a broad academic program with coursework in a variety of fields in the sciences, social sciences, and humanities. Each school, however, does require certain prerequisite courses, which frequently includes the following:

  • General Chemistry. Chemistry 1A-B-C and labs.
  • Organic Chemistry. Chemistry 6A-B and 109A-B-C.
  • Introductory Biology. MCDB 1A-AL-B, EEMB 2-3-3L, and either MCDB 1BL or EEMB 2L.
  • General Physics. Physics 6A-B-C and labs or 1-2-3-3L-4-4L.
  • Mathematics. Mathematics 34A-B or Mathematics 3A-B and either Mathematics 3C or PSTAT 5A or another statistics course.
  • English. Writing 2 or 2LK, one course from 50 or 50LK or 109AA-ZZ (109HP suggested), and one English literature course.

In addition, some schools require one year of upper-division coursework in the biological sciences. Students take courses in fields such as cell biology (MCDB 103), neurobiology (MCDB 114, 115), pharmacology (MCDB 126A-B-C), genetics (MCDB 101A, 101B, EEMB 129), developmental biology (MCDB 112), biochemistry (MCDB 108A, 108B, 108C, 110, Chemistry 142A, 142B, 142C), and physiology (MCDB 111, EEMB 154) to fulfill this requirement.

Medical schools prefer applicants with broad academic experience. Science majors, therefore, should take as many non-science courses as possible.

The overall grade-point average, particularly the grades earned in the prerequisites described above, will be a primary factor in determining the student’s prospects for admission. Generally, at least a 3.3 grade-point average in the sciences and in all college work will be needed, although in recent years the average for accepted students nationally has been greater than 3.5. Scores on the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) are also an important factor. Because competition is intense, interested students are encouraged to consult with the health professions advisor early in their academic careers, in order to plan their program carefully. Students also work with their advisor in preparing their applications and considering alternative careers, should they be unsuccessful in gaining admission. For further information, visit www.LTSC.ucsb.edu/health.

Other Doctoral-Level Health Professions

UCSB offers the advising and coursework necessary to complete the requirements for a variety of professional fields in health sciences. Although medicine is by far the most popular health field, many students pursue careers in other fields which require a doctoral degree. These professions include dentistry, podiatric medicine, optometry, physical therapy, veterinary medicine, and pharmacy. Although many of these professional school programs do not absolutely require a bachelor’s degree, a large proportion of successful applicants will have completed this degree. Each of these fields (and the individual schools within the field) has specific course requirements which must be met before matriculating. Most require the same spectrum of courses which are outlined above for medical schools. The health professions advisor in the College of Letters and Science maintains a Health Professions Library within the Health Professions Resource Room, 2110 North Hall, which has additional information on other doctoral-level professions. For further information, visit www.LTSC.ucsb.edu/health.

Allied Health Professions

Many students at UCSB are working to prepare to be allied health professionals such as physical therapists, occupational therapists, nurses, or physician assistants. Many of these programs require that specific courses be completed before matriculation. Most of these courses are offered at UCSB. If the specific course is not part of the general UCSB curriculum, this campus has a general agreement with the Santa Barbara Community College allowing students to complete appropriate courses at SBCC while attending UCSB. In addition to course requirements, most of these fields also require that students obtain significant work or volunteer experience before entering professional school. The Santa Barbara community offers students many opportunities to gain that experience, often while gaining academic credit. For further information, visit www.LTSC.ucsb.edu/health.

Counseling and Human Services

Students planning careers in one of the helping professions such as counseling psychology, health psychology, marriage and family counseling, educational psychology, social work, and industrial psychology may complete their undergraduate education at UCSB. No specific undergraduate major is required for most programs, but substantial coursework in the behavioral and social sciences is strongly recommended, and a course in statistics is often required. Some programs require applicants to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Graduate professional programs in the counseling and human services area normally require one to two years of study.

Previous experience (volunteer or paid) in a human services setting is a requirement for most professional degree programs. Applicants to such programs are often asked to provide letters of recommendation from their supervisors. Additional information can be obtained from the Departments of

Sociology and Psychology, from UCSB’s Counseling Services, from the Graduate School of Education, and from the pre-professional advisor in the College of Letters and Science.

Law

Undergraduates at UC Santa Barbara who are interested in preparing for a career in law will find numerous opportunities to build the strong record of academic achievement and personal accomplishment which is so important in the very competitive world of law-school admissions.

Each year, more than 450 UC Santa Barbara students apply to the nation’s law schools. The rate at which applicants are admitted to law schools consistently exceeds national averages. Many students attend law schools in California, and a smaller number choose to attend eastern law schools. UC Santa Barbara graduates with superior academic records and scores on the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) can expect to be admitted to the nation’s very best law schools.

The combination of a strong and diverse liberal arts curriculum and an established network of advising and internship opportunities creates an intellectually engaging and supportive environment in which dedicated prelaw students pursue ambitious professional goals.

Students preparing for law school may select the major which holds the greatest degree of interest for them. Law schools seek to admit students with a broad academic background, demonstrated skills in analytical thinking and communication, and an academic record and score on the Law School Admissions Test which would predict success in law school. Competition for admission to the nation’s most prestigious law schools is very keen.

The prelaw advisor in the College of Letters and Science assists students with major selection, program planning, selection of law schools, and applying for admission. The UCSB Association of Prelaw Students provides information and mutual support; it organizes law school tours for members and hosts the visits of law school representatives and local attorneys. In addition, the association publishes one of just a handful of undergraduate law reviews produced in the United States.

Management

Careers in management and business usually require postbaccalaureate training in professional or graduate schools, where admissions officers seek out students with a solid grounding in a wide variety of fields, particularly the social and behavioral sciences. Many UCSB students pursuing graduate education in management choose majors in economics or business economics. Graduate schools, however, do not require specific major programs, and students in majors across the curriculum build the foundation they will need for advanced training in specialties like international business, personnel management, hospital administration, arts management, banking and finance, marketing, operations research, accounting, labor and industrial relations, transportation and public utilities, and insurance.

Many schools have specific course prerequisites. These often include courses in accounting, micro- and macroeconomics, statistics, and calculus. Students are advised to review the admission requirements of the programs of interest to them so that they can plan their undergraduate programs accordingly.

Most graduate schools of business require applicants to submit scores earned on the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT). The UCSB Campus Learning Assistance Services (CLAS) offers preparation sessions for this examination. In addition, graduate schools of business generally seek applicants who have supplemented their academic pursuits with activities that have enabled them to develop and exercise their leadership potential and organizational skills. Many such activities are available at UCSB, including participation in student organizations and government and in one of the various internship programs sponsored by an academic department or by the UCSB Applied Learning Program. Full-time work experience is becoming increasingly important for admission to many schools of business; some of the most prestigious programs have initiated a process of deferred admission to ensure that students have the necessary work experience before they undertake graduate study. Interested students are invited to consult the college pre-professional advisor and the advisors in the Department of Economics. The Official Guide to M.B.A. Programs, Admissions, and Careers, available in many university and commercial bookstores, contains descriptions of more than 400 M.B.A. programs.

Teaching and Related Fields

The two first-level teaching credentials available in California are the Multiple Subject
(elementary) and the Single Subject (secondary) credentials. Both require the prior completion of a bachelor’s degree plus one academic year of graduate professional teacher education coursework and student teaching. The Gevirtz Graduate School of Education at UCSB offers these and several additional credential and graduate education programs.

Certain specific prerequisite courses are required for admission to these credential programs. Pre-credential students are encouraged to discuss their plans as soon as possible with the credential advisor in the Gevirtz Graduate School of Education, Teacher Education Program, Phelps Hall, Room 2517.

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