Chapter 10. Requirements for the B.A. and B.S. Degrees

10.1 Number of Courses Required.

10.1.1 Passing 180 credit hours and prior certification of satisfaction of: (a) the major requirements by the agency supervising the major program, (b) the college requirements by the appropriate college, and (c) the University of California and General Education requirements by the Registrar are required for graduation. Certain major programs or areas of study may require the completion of more than 180 credit hours. Not more than three credits in Physical Education courses may be counted toward the Bachelor’s degree. For undergraduates entering the University of California, Santa Cruz, fall 2001 or later, no more than 25% of the UCSC credits applied toward graduation may be graded on a Pass/No Pass basis. This includes any credits completed in the Education Abroad Program or on another University of California campus in an intercampus exchange program. (Am 27 Jan 71, 26 May 71, 20 Feb 19; EW, 9 Oct 85, 12 Feb 92, 23 Feb 00; CC 31 Aug 98; EC 31 Aug 06) 

A10.1.2 A grade point average of 2.0 or greater in all classes attempted for a letter grade, excluding those for which the student is assigned the grade W. If a student has taken courses more than once due to receipt of a C-, D, D+, D- or F, for the first 15 credits of repeated work, only the last grade recorded shall be computed in the student's GPA. If the 15 credit limit is exceeded, the GPA will be based on all additional letter grades assigned and credits attempted.

In ascertaining satisfaction of the 2.0 minimum UC grade point average required by Senate Regulation 634 for a bachelor's degree, all incomplete credits (graded I or IP) attempted for a letter grade shall be counted and assigned a grade point value of zero. (En 29 May 96, effective 1 Sept 97; Am 23 Feb 00, 9 Nov 2000, Am 30 May 01)

10.1.3

A. Except as otherwise provided in this section and SR 614, candidates for the Bachelor’s degree must have been registered students at the University of California, Santa Cruz, for at least three quarters. Of the final 45 credit hours completed by a candidate for the Bachelor’s degree, 35 credit hours must be regular courses of instruction offered by the University of California (including during the summer session) and taken as a registered student at the University of California, Santa Cruz. The right to waive the provisions of this requirement is vested with the Committee on Courses of Instruction, as per SCB 10.1 and SCB 13.16.5 [DLI 1968.11A] (Am 27 Jan 71, 1 Dec 71 EI, 12 Feb 92, 9 Jan 19; CC 29 May 96, 31 Aug 98, 5 May 09, 5 May 10; EC 31 Aug 06, 31 Aug 16, 31 Aug 19) 

B. When two or more campuses of the University of California have approved a joint program of study, a student enrolled in such a program may meet the Requirement stated in Paragraph A by completing the requisite number of units in courses offered at any or all of the participating campuses. The student's program of study must be approved by the Provost, Dean, or equivalent officer of the School of College in which the degree is to be awarded. (CC 5 May 10)

C. A further exception to the rule stated in paragraph (A) above is made in the case of students who meet the residence requirement as provided in SR 614. (CC 5 May 10)

D.  One or more off-campus study programs approved by the Division or the Academic Senate (listed on the website of the Committee on Educational Policy) may meet the residence requirement in accordance with the following provisions:

1. A student who completes the graduation requirements while in one or more approved off-campus study programs, may satisfy the requirements stated in paragraph (A) in the final 45 units preceding the student's entrance into the approved off-campus study program(s).

2. Subject to the prior approval of the department concerned, a student who is enrolled in one or more approved off-campus study programs, may satisfy the residence requirement by earning 35 (or 24 semester) of the final 90 (or 60 semester) units, including the final 10 credits in residence at UC Santa Cruz. (Am 19 May 17, 9 Jan 19; CC 5 May 10; EC 31 Aug 17, 31 Aug 19)

10.1.4 Exceptions may be made to the above residence requirement, as stated in SCR 10.1.3, in the case of two-campus dual degree programs approved by the two institutions involved. (En 30 Jan 80; CC 29 May 96, 31 Aug 98; EC 31 Aug 09)

10.1.5 Students transferring to the University of California, Santa Cruz, from other campuses of the University of California or from other accredited colleges and universities are allowed advanced standing for all transferable courses satisfactorily completed as shown in official transcripts received by the Admissions Officer. (Am 12 Feb 92; CC 13 Mar 86, 29 May 96, 31 Aug 98; EC 31 Aug 06)

10.1.6 (Repealed 20 Feb 19)

10.2.1 Repealed February 18, 2009.

10.2.2 General Education Requirements for Students Entering before Fall Quarter 2010. (En 13 Mar 1986; Am 18 Feb 09, 6 Mar 09)

10.2.2.1 Students who enter the University of California, Santa Cruz, as candidates for the degree of Bachelor of Arts, Science, or Music either: (1) between fall quarter 1986 and spring quarter 2010, or (2) between fall quarter 1984 and spring quarter 1986 with fewer than 45 quarter credits of transfer credit, are required to fulfill the following campus general education requirements. The courses used to satisfy these requirements must be chosen from the lists of approved courses (SCR 10.2.2.6). Only course work awarded the grade of P, C (2.0) or better may be used to satisfy these requirements. (Am 29 May 96[effective 1 Sept 97], 23 Feb 00, 18 Feb 09, 6 Mar 09; 9 Nov 00; CC 10 June 87, 31 Aug 98; EC 31 Aug 09)

a. Introductions to disciplines. Two five-credit hour courses or the equivalent are required from different departments or programs of study in each of the three academic areas: Humanities and Arts; Social Sciences; and Natural Sciences. These courses shall introduce the scope, methodology, and content of the discipline or one of its major subdivisions. No more than one course from the Arts may be used to satisfy this requirement. For the purpose of these regulations, all literatures are considered one department; likewise, all languages are considered one department. (Am 12 Feb 92; EC 12 May 97, 31 Aug 06)

b. Topical courses. Three five-credit hour courses or the equivalent are required, no more than one from any academic division. Topical courses shall present issues of broad social importance at a level appropriate to non-majors from either a multidisciplinary or disciplinary perspective. (Am 12 Feb 92)

c. Quantitative course. One five-credit hour course or the equivalent that entails use of advanced algebra, statistics, or calculus is required. The course may be offered by any unit but should teach, not just evaluate, mathematical skill. (Am 12 Feb 92)

d. Composition courses. Students who enter the University of California, Santa Cruz, in fall 2005 or thereafter are required, in addition to satisfying the ELWR requirement, to complete a sequence of two five-credit hour courses or the equivalent in composition and rhetoric. These courses shall usually be taken in a student’s first year and must be completed before the student enrolls in the 7th quarter. Student admitted prior to fall quarter 2005 are required to complete one five-credit course in English Composition in addition to satisfying the ELWR requirement. (Am 21 May 04)

e. Writing-intensive course. Students who entered the University of California, Santa Cruz, before fall 2009, are required to complete one five-credit hour course or the equivalent that provides instruction and substantial practice in writing within the context of any academic subject. (Am 12 Feb 92, 21 May 04, 18 Feb 09)

f. Disciplinary communication (DC) requirement. Students entering the University of California, Santa Cruz, in or after fall 2009, must have instruction and substantial practice in modes of communication appropriate to their major. The largest component of the DC curriculum must involve writing. The requirement must be satisfied either within one five-credit upper-division course or within a combination of up to three upper-division courses totaling at least five credits. Major program requirements must include disciplinary communication curricula that are approved and regularly assessed by the Committee on Educational Policy. (En 18 Feb 09)

g. Arts course. One five-credit hour course or the equivalent is required in the performance, theory, or history of the arts. (Am 12 Feb 92; CC 21 May 04))

h. Ethnic studies course. One five-credit course or the equivalent is required which deals with ethnic minorities in the United States or with a non-Western society or culture. This requirement applies only to students entering fall quarter 1986 or thereafter. (Am 12 Feb 92; CC 21 May 04)

i. A given course may apply toward as many as three of the requirements above. However, no single course may satisfy both the Disciplinary Introduction and the Topical requirement. (CC 21 May 04)

10.2.2.2 Transfer or advanced standing credit may apply toward all of the requirements in SCR 10.2.2.1 except the Writing-intensive/disciplinary communication courses, which (except as specified in SCR 10.2.2.3) must be taken at UCSC. Transfer students may be exempted from up to three Topical courses depending on the amount of credit transferred at the time of entrance. An eligible transferred course of 4.0 quarter credits or 3.0 semester credits may be considered one course with respect to campus general education requirements. Responsibility for assessment of work completed at other campuses of the University of California or at other institutions is delegated to the Articulations Officer. In making such assessments, the Articulations Officer consults with the Faculty when appropriate. (Am 12 Feb 92, 17 Nov 06, 18 Feb 09, 20 May 09; CC 31 Aug 98, 1 June 10, 31 Aug 24; EC 31 Aug 06, 31 Aug 09)

10.2.2.3 Students admitted with three or more quarters of advanced standing from another campus of the University of California are required to fulfill in their entirety the University of California, Santa Cruz, campus general education requirements (SCR 10.2.2.1). However, students who, at the time they enroll at the University of California, Santa Cruz, have completed the general education/ breadth requirements of another University of California campus will be deemed to have completed the University of California, Santa Cruz, general education requirements, with the exception of the Disciplinary Communication (DC) requirement. [See SR 502.] . (En 10 June 87, Am 18 Feb 09; CC 31 Aug 98, 1 June 10; EC 31 Aug 06, 31 Aug 09)

10.2.2.4 Petitions for the granting of an exception to the general education requirements must be recommended by the student's provost and reviewed for approval by the Committee on Courses of Instruction. (CC 31 Aug 09, 31 Aug 16) 

10.2.2.5 When colleges, departments, and other agencies propose a course, they designate which of the general education requirements (SCR 10.2.2.1), if any, the course is presumed to meet. The Committee on Courses of Instruction approves or disapproves the designation. (Am 18 Feb 09; CC 31 Aug 98, 31 Aug 16; EC 12 May 97)

10.2.3 General Education Requirements for Students Entering Fall Quarter 2010 or Later. (En 6 Mar 09)

10.2.3.1 Students who enter the University of California, Santa Cruz, in fall quarter 2010 or later, as candidates for a Bachelor’s degree, are required to fulfill the campus general education requirements given below. Courses used to satisfy these requirements are subject to the following restrictions: i) they must be chosen from the lists of approved courses (SCR 10.2.3.4); ii) each course may apply toward only one of the requirements, unless a specific exception is granted by the Committee on Educational Policy; iii) only course work awarded the grade of P, C (2.0) or better may be used to satisfy these requirements.

 

1. Composition courses. Students are required, in addition to satisfying the ELWR requirement, to complete one five-credit hour course or the equivalent in composition and rhetoric. This course shall usually be taken in a student’s first year and must be completed before the beginning of the student’s 7th regular quarter. Extensions to this deadline and to the deadline to satisfy the ELWR requirement may be granted by the Committee on Courses of Instruction. (AM 1 Dec 17, 9 Jan 19; EC 31 Aug 09, 1 Dec 17)

2. Disciplinary communication (DC) requirement.  Students must have instruction and substantial practice in modes of communication appropriate to their major. The largest component of the DC curriculum must involve writing. The requirement must be satisfied either within one five-credit upper-division course or within a combination of up to three upper-division courses totaling at least five credits. Major program requirements must include approved disciplinary communication curricula. (Am 19 May 17; EC 31 Aug 09)

3. Cross-cultural analysis. One five-credit course or equivalent is required that emphasizes understanding of one or more cultures and societies outside the United States.
   
   
4. Ethnicity and race. One five-credit course or equivalent is required that focuses on issues of ethnicity and/or race.
   
   
5. Interpreting arts and media. One five-credit course or equivalent is required that focuses on the practice, analysis, interpretation, and/or history of one or more artistic or mass media (media in which non-textual materials play primary roles).
   
   
6. Mathematical and formal reasoning. One five-credit course or equivalent is required that emphasizes university-level mathematics, computer programming, formal logic, or other material that stresses formal reasoning, formal model building, or application of formal systems.
   
   
7. Scientific inquiry. One five-credit course or equivalent is required that focuses on the essential roles of observation, hypothesis, experimentation and measurement in the sciences.
   
   
8. Statistical reasoning. One five-credit course or equivalent is required that focuses on developing skills in approaching quantitative data and statistical reasoning.
   
   
9. Textual analysis and interpretation. One five-credit course or equivalent is required that has as its primary methodology the interpretation or analysis of texts.
   
   
10. One additional five-credit course or equivalent is required in one of the following areas.
    
    i) Environmental Awareness. Focuses on humankind’s interactions with nature.
    
    ii) Human behavior. Focuses on aspects of individual human behavior or the operation of human groups.
    
    iii) Technology and society. Emphasizes issues raised by the prevalence of technology in society.
    
    
11. One additional course or equivalent, awarding a minimum of 2 credits, is required in one of the following areas.
    
    i) Collaborative endeavor. Provides significant experience with collaboration on a project.
    
    ii) Creative process. Teaches creative process and techniques in the arts (including creative writing), at an individual or a collaborative level.
    
    iii) Service learning. Provides the opportunity for supervised campus or community service that contributes to a student’s overall education.

10.2.3.2 Transfer or advanced standing credit may apply toward all of the requirements in SCR 10.2.3.1 except the disciplinary communication courses, which must be taken at UCSC. An eligible transferred course of 4.0 quarter credits or 3.0 semester credits may be considered one course with respect to campus general education requirements. Responsibility for assessment of work completed at other campuses of the University of California or at other institutions is delegated to the Director of Admissions. In making such assessments, the Director consults with the Faculty when appropriate.

10.2.3.3 Exceptions to the general education requirements may be granted by the Committee on Courses of Instruction. ( Am 9 Jan 19; CC 31 Aug 09, 31 Aug 16)

10.2.3.4 When colleges, departments, and other agencies propose a course, they designate which of the general education requirements (SCR 10.2.3.1), if any, the course is presumed to meet. The Committee on Courses of Instruction approves or disapproves the designation. (CC 31 Aug 16)

10.3 College Requirements.

10.3.1 College requirements for degrees may not contravene University of California or campus requirements. (Am 27 Jan 71; CC 31 Aug 98)

10.3.2 College requirements for students admitted as transfers to the University of California, Santa Cruz, in junior standing and for students changing colleges are determined by the Faculty of the college in which the student is to be a candidate for a degree. (CC 31 Aug 98; EC 31 Aug 06)

10.4 Major Field.

10.4.1 Students must formally declare their major field before enrolling for their seventh regular quarter (or equivalent). Students admitted to the University of California with upper division standing must formally declare their major field during their second regular quarter of residency, if they have not done so earlier. The provost of the student’s college or their designee may allow a student to continue enrolling in courses after this deadline, with or without conditions, subject to the policies of the Committee on Educational Policy. (Am 23 Apr 75, 30 May 08, 9 Jan 19; CC 1 Aug 77, 31 Aug 98) 

10.4.2 Upper division students once formally enrolled in a major may change their major field at any time, provided that they have the consent of the new department. (EC 1 Aug 76, 12 May 97)

10.4.3 Major. A student becomes eligible for a major by fulfilling the requirements for the major established by the sponsoring agency. The major will involve substantial work in the discipline, and require no fewer than 40 upper-division or graduate credits, unless an exception is granted by the Committee on Educational Policy. (En 30 May 08)

10.4.4 Minor. A student becomes eligible for a minor by fulfilling the requirements for the minor established by the sponsoring agency. The minor will involve substantial work in the discipline, and require no fewer than 25 upper-division or graduate credits, unless an exception is granted by the Committee on Educational Policy. A minor may be offered in a subject not offered as a major. (En l7 Mar 81 by mail ballot; Am 16 May 03, 21 May 04, 30 May 08)

10.4.5 Individual major. Students may undertake an individual major by presenting a proposal and a petition for declaration of individual major to the appropriate agency of their college. The proposal must be supported and the petition signed by the student's adviser and all members of a three-person faculty committee that will supervise the individual major. The committee must have at least one member with special competence relevant to the major who will serve as chair of the committee. All of the committee members must be continuing faculty members in fields related to the proposed major. This committee shall supervise the major program and administer the appropriate comprehensive examination or senior thesis. An individual major may not serve as part of a combined major. The name and content of the individual major must be distinct from those of any approved major program or of any possible double or combined major made up of approved major programs. The Registrar shall periodically report to the Committee on Educational Policy on the nature of the individual majors program. (Am 4 June 69, 22 Oct 69 EI, 27 Jan 71, 24 Jan 79, 29 Oct 80, l3 Mar 86; CC 28 Jan 81, 1 Aug 81, 4 Aug 87; EC 1 Sept 82)

10.4.6 Combined major. Students may undertake a combined major by fulfilling the course requirements for the combined major established by any two existing majors. A combined major option must be established by the sponsoring agencies and approved by the Committee on Educational Policy before it can be chosen by the student. The combinations of programs, requirements for the major, etc., are agreed upon by both sponsoring agencies and must be approved by the Committee on Educational Policy before that particular combination major exists as an option for students. Both agencies must agree on how honors are to be awarded to students. Student diplomas will be annotated so as to make clear the difference between combined majors and double majors. A combined major will be indicated by the form "with a single combined major in A. and B." A double major will be indicated by the form "with a major in A. and a major in B." (En 4 Mar 87; CC 31 Aug 98)

10.4.7 A student becomes eligible for additional majors or minors by fulfilling the requirements of the declared majors or minors. Courses used to satisfy the requirements for each major must include a minimum of 40 upper-division credits (as per 10.4.3) not used to satisfy the 40 minimum upper-division credits of any other major or the 25 minimum upper-division credits of any minor. Courses used to satisfy the requirements for each minor must include a minimum of 25 upper-division credits (as per 10.4.4) not used to satisfy the 40 minimum upper-division credits of any major or the 25 minimum upper division credits of any other minor. Courses taken beyond these minimums to satisfy upper-division requirements for a major or minor may be applied toward another major or minor. Departments may approve substitution of appropriate upper-division courses to satisfy the requirements of this section. Lower-division courses may always simultaneously satisfy the requirements of different majors and/or minors. The Committee on Educational Policy may prohibit certain combinations of majors and/or minors. (Am 27 Jan 71, 16 May 03, 30 May 08, 16 May 18; EC 1 Aug 76)

10.4.8 Passing Work in Major. Students must complete all requirements for the major or minor with grade P, C (2.0) or better. (En 29 May 96; Am 23 Feb 00, 9 Nov 00, 30 May 08)

10.5 University Requirements.

10.5.1 American History and Institutions. A knowledge of American History and Institutions is required of all candidates for the Bachelor's degree. This requirement may be met by passing an appropriate examination or course which is accepted as satisfactory by the Committee on Educational Policy. Examinations or courses passed in secondary school may be deemed appropriate for the fulfillment of this requirement. (Am 4 Dec 68, 4 June 69, 27 May 70, 26 May 76; CC 1 Aug 77, 28 Jan 81)

10.5.2 Entry Level Writing: English Composition. (To Be Implemented Fall 2018) Every student must demonstrate an acceptable level of competence in writing. This may be done in one of the following ways:

a. By achieving a score of 30 or better on the ACT Combined English/Writing test; or 680 or better on the College Board SAT-II Writing Test; or 680 or better on the College Board SAT Reasoning Test, Writing section; or 3, 4, or 5 on either Advanced Placement (AP) Examination in English; or 5 or above on the International Baccalaureate High Level English A exam; or 6 or above on an International Baccalaureate Standard Level English A exam. (See SR 636.B.2.) (EC 31 Aug 09)

b. (Pertaining particularly to transfer students) By completing an acceptable college-level course of at least four quarter credits, or the equivalent, in English composition with a grade of C or better; or

c. (Pertaining to students who do not satisfy the requirement as described above) By achieving a satisfactory score on the Analytical Writing Placement Examination administered by the University of California prior to the start of instruction in the student’s first term.  (Am 18 May 16; CC 31 Aug 98)

d. Entering students who have not satisfied the requirement in one of the above ways must enroll in an Entry-Level Writing course in their first term of residence; pending satisfactory passage of the requirement, continued enrollment in an Entry-Level Writing course is mandatory. Satisfaction of the Entry-Level Writing Requirement is a prerequisite for enrolling in the composition course required under SCR 10.2.3.1a, enrollment in every other university-level undergraduate course in English composition and for the Bachelor's degree. (Am 30 Apr 69, 22 Oct 75, 18 May 16, 1 Dec 17; CC 1 Aug 77, 31 Aug 06)