Seven-Course Breadth

How much should I emphasize completion of the Seven Breadth courses?

• Your first priority should be declaring your major and taking the proper courses required for the major each semester.
  
  
• After you have scheduled your major courses each semester, then you should include courses that complete the Seven Course Breadth in your remaining schedule.
  
  
• Most transfer students have completed some of the seven-course breadth. A college adviser can help you figure out your situation.
  
  
• The Seven Breadth courses need to be completed by the time that you intend to graduate.
  
  
• 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 complete breadth requirements with courses taken at a community college or at another university?

A - Yes, community college courses can be used to fulfill breadth requirements. If you attended a California community college then you can check www.assist.org for information about transferable and equivalent courses that meet the college seven course breadth requirement. If you attended another college or university, then you should contact L&S for an evaluation of your transcripts.

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

A - Yes!

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.

Foreign Language

American Cultures