Undergraduate Academic Program

Please note that sections under this topic that contained no changes from the General Catalog 2006-08 are not included. For the complete section, go to 2006-08 Undergraduate Academic Program.

To read an updated copy of this page with strikeouts and additions highlighted, see 2007-08 Undergraduate Academic Program, highlighted copy.

Graduation Requirements

Credit for Transfer Students

General Education Requirements

Transfer students may apply courses taken at other institutions toward the general education requirements with two exceptions: The writing-intensive course (W code) must be taken at UCSC. Also, transfer courses are not applied to the topical requirement (T code), but topical courses are waived at entrance according to the following formula: 45–83.9 transferable quarter credits, one course waived; 84–104.9 transferable quarter credits, two courses waived; 105 or more transferable quarter credits, all three courses waived. If one topical course is required in residence at UCSC, it may be chosen from any of the three academic areas (humanities and arts, natural sciences and engineering, and social sciences). If two are required, they must be from two different areas.

Please note that beginning with students entering UCSC fall quarter 2010, the topical requirements will need to be satisfied with specific transfer courses. UCSC is currently in the process of identifying appropriate courses offered through California community colleges (www.assist.org) beginning September 2007.

If you are currently attending one of the California community colleges, consult with the UCSC Office of Admissions or your current counselor to determine which college courses satisfy UCSC general education requirements.

Transfer students who have satisfied the general education or breadth requirements of another UC campus prior to transfer will be considered to have completed the UCSC general education requirements. Completion of the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) prior to enrollment at UCSC will also be accepted in lieu of the campus general education requirements.

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You must fulfill the requirements of your college in addition to those of your major and of the university. Each college has established a core course, which all first-year students are required to complete. Students admitted as transfer students are exempt from the core course requirement but may take the core course at their option. College requirements are outlined below. The core courses are described more fully in the individual college descriptions, see college descriptions http://reg.ucsc.edu/catalog/html/colleges.htm.

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Entry Level Writing Requirement
Every candidate for a bachelor’s degree must demonstrate an acceptable level of ability in English composition. Before your fourth quarter of enrollment, you must fulfill this requirement in one of the following ways:

• By achieving a score of 680 or higher on the writing component of the SAT Reasoning Examination.
• By achieving a score of 3, 4, or 5 on the College Board Advanced Placement Examination in English Language or Literature , or by achieving a score of 5, 6, or 7 on the IBH English Language A1 Examination
• By achieving a score of 8 or higher on the systemwide UC Analytical Writing Placement Examination
• By demonstrating an acceptable level of proficiency on UCSC’s Writing Placement Examination, given several times each year
• Prior to first enrollment at UC, by completing at another institution an acceptable college-level course of at least 4 quarter credits, or the equivalent, in English composition with a grade of C or better.

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Advising: From Course Selection to Careers

Attending Summer Orientation is one of the most important steps a new student takes in preparing for the transition to university life. Summer Orientation provides the academic advising you need to make informed decisions about classes and majors, and the opportunity to ask questions regarding financial aid and housing.

Orientation begins the process of academic advising, as well as providing a comprehensive introduction to all aspects of UCSC. While at Orientation, you will be introduced to continuing students, faculty, and staff who will assist you in attaining academic and personal success at the university.

Summer Orientation is held eight times over the course of the summer and includes separate programs for first-year and transfer students, as well as concurrent programs for parents and family members.

New students reserve their place in Summer Orientation online through the UC Santa Cruz portal at my.ucsc.edu. Fall Welcome Week, occurring during the first week of fall quarter, is the next step in your orientation and advising process. It provides you with an opportunity to settle into life at UCSC, take advantage of important services, and continue your academic advising.

Questions can be directed to the Office of Campus Orientation Programs at (831)
459-5468, or via e-mail to orientation@ucsc.edu. Web: admissions.ucsc.edu/orientation.

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Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) is not available on the UC Santa Cruz campus. However, interested UCSC students have the option of attending programs at Santa Clara University, San Jose State University, and UC Berkeley.

To find out about the Army ROTC program, contact the Department of Military Science, Santa Clara University, 500 El Camino Real, Santa Clara, CA 95053-0631 or (408) 554-4034, e-mail SStitt@scu.edu, or visit rotc.scu.edu.

For information on the Air Force ROTC program, contact the Department of Aerospace Studies, AFROTC Det 045, One Washington Square, San Jose State University, San Jose, CA 95192-0047; (408) 924-2960, e-mail Det045@maxwell.af.mil, or visit the web: www.sjsu.edu/depts/AFROTC/homepage.html. Students may call or inquire about program prerequisites, scholarship availability, and class schedules at the Department of Aerospace Studies.

UC Berkeley offers a variety of courses in military affairs, including courses offered by the Departments of Naval Science, Military Science, and Aerospace Studies, subject to departmental approval. (See UC Berkeley General Catalog, Military Officers’ Education Program, sis.berkeley.edu/gc/curricula.html) These courses are offered to cadets and noncadets.

Arrangements for all ROTC programs are made on an individual basis with the appropriate sponsoring campus.