Seven-Course Breadth

How quickly should I complete the Seven Breadth courses?

Generally, we do not encourage you to make completion of these requirements a priority during the freshman and sophomore years, because:

1. There are other, higher, priorities such as completion of SubjectA/Reading and Composition and finding/preparing for a major.
2. In the normal process of looking for a major and examining other academic opportunities during the first two years of college you will complete some of the seven breadth courses.
3. It is better to integrate breadth with your upper division major curriculum to broaden your educational experience.

The College of Letters & Science offers students a liberal arts education. One way to ensure that all students benefit from its offerings is through the Seven-Course Breadth requirement. This requirement specifies that you take courses in several different departments or fields:

• Arts and Literature
• Biological Science
• Historical Studies
• International Studies
• Philosophy and Values
• Physical Science
• Social and Behavioral Sciences

Things to remember about the breadth requirement:

• These courses may be taken for a letter grade OR on a Passed/Not Passed basis.
  
• Each course must be at least two units in value.
  
• You may not use more than two courses from any one academic department.
  
• Courses numbered 84, 98, 99, and above 190 cannot be used for breadth.
  
• Courses used for Foreign Language and Quantitative Reasoning may not be used. Reading and Composition courses cannot be used with a few exceptions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q - Can I use Advanced Placement credit to meet breadth requirements?

A - No, since the aim is for you to enrich your education by taking the seven breadth courses in conjunction with your other studies at Berkeley, you must meet this requirement through course work, not Advanced Placement credit.

Q - Can I complete breadth requirements with courses taken at a community college?

A - Yes, community college courses can be used to fulfill breadth requirements. Prior to enrolling, it is best to check with a College Adviser to determine whether the course you intend is transferable. If you are attending a Californa community college you can check the www.assist.org web site for information about transferable and equivalent courses that meet college and/or major requirements.

Q - Can major prerequisites count as breadth requirements, too?

A - Yes!

Foreign Language

American Cultures