LETTERS AND SCIENCE ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS
2023-2024
COLLEGE OF LETTERS AND SCIENCE • UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA • SANTA BARBARA
Contents
ABOUT LASAR ...................................................4
DEGREE REQUIREMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Unit Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Course Numbering ............................................... 5
Upper-Division Courses ...........................................5
Credit Limitations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
200-Unit Enrollment Limit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
General University Requirements ....................................6
Entry Level Writing Requirement .................................... 6
American History and Institutions Requirement .........................7
Academic Residence Requirement ..................................7
Education Abroad Program Participants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Grade-point Average Requirement ...................................8
General Education Requirements ....................................8
General Provisions Governing All Degree Candidates. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Bachelor of Arts Degree ........................................... 9
General Subject Area Requirements ...........................9
Area A: English Reading and Composition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Area B: Foreign Language .................................. 9
Area C: Science, Mathematics, and Technology. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Area D: Social Sciences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Area E: Culture and Thought ...............................10
Area F: Arts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Area G: Literature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Special Subject Area Requirements ..........................10
Writing Requirement ......................................10
Quantitative Relationships Requirement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
World Cultures Requirement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
European Traditions Requirement ...........................11
Ethnicity Requirement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Courses that May Count for More than One GE Requirement . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Advanced Placement Credit Chart ..................................12
Higher Level International Baccalaureate Exam Credit Chart .............13
A Level Credit .................................................. 14
Bachelor of Science Degree. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree ......................................15
Bachelor of Music Degree ........................................15
Major Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
ENROLLMENT AND GRADING. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Enrollment .....................................................15
Program Changes ..............................................15
Maximum and Minimum Programs .................................. 16
Minimum Cumulative Progress (MCP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Summary of Program Regulations ..................................16
Student Responsibilities .......................................... 16
Absence, Withdrawal, and Readmission/Reinstatement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Temporary Absence during a Quarter ...............................17
Withdrawal from a Course ........................................17
Complete Withdrawal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Grades . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Grading System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Grade-Point Average . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Grade-Point Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Passed/Not-Passed Grades ......................................19
Incomplete Grade ..............................................20
Petitioning Process .............................................20
Completion Deadline. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Grade Changes to Incomplete . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
In-Progress Grade ..............................................20
Withdrawal Grade ..............................................20
CHECKLIST OF DEGREE REQUIREMENTS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
4 • LASAR
ABOUT LASAR
LASARdescribestherequirementsthatallstudentsmustfullltoearnabachelor’sdegree
from the College of Letters and Science at the University of California, Santa Barbara. It also
includes important information about enrollment, registration, and student responsibilities. It
does not include detailed information about major or minor requirements, nor does it provide a
comprehensive description of the many opportunities that are available at UCSB. Please refer
to the UCSB General Catalog, https://my.sa.ucsb.edu/catalog/Current, for complete information
about academic departments, courses, majors, and minors. Visit our website, www.duels.ucsb.
edu, for more complete details about:
• Opportunities for Undergraduate Research
• Transfer Issues
• The College Honors Program
• Grades
• Discovery and UCSB Seminars
• And Much More
DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
Tobeeligibleforabachelor’sdegreefromUCSB,studentsintheCollegeofLettersandScience
must meet the general University of California requirements and the appropriate college requirements
as described below. They must also complete major requirements as described in the UCSB General
Catalog. Further, they must also comply with university regulations governing registration, scholarship,
examinations, and student conduct. Followingisasummaryofbachelor’sdegreerequirementsforstudents
in the College of Letters and Science.
Unit Requirements
• Course Numbering
• Upper-Division Courses
• Credit Limitations
• 200-Unit Enrollment Limit
General University Requirements
• Entry Level Writing
• American History and Institutions
• Academic Residence
• Grade-Point Average
General Education Requirements
Students must complete the requirements appropriate to their chosen degree—Bachelor of Arts,
Bachelor of Fine Arts, Bachelor of Music or Bachelor of Science. Please go to duels.ucsb.edu/advising to
see how to arrange to speak with an advisor about GE Requirements.
Major Requirements
Full details are described in the UCSB General Catalog. You can also visit registrar.sa.ucsb.edu to view
major requirement sheets.
LASAR • 5
UNIT REQUIREMENTS
Credit for academic work at UCSB is
expressed in units. The value assigned to a course is
determined at the rate of one unit for each three hours
of student work per week, including time in class.
In order to be eligible for graduation, students must
complete at least the following:
• 180 total units (184 if General Education
AreaBisfullledbycompletingforeign
language level 3 at UCSB or its equivalent
at another college or university).
• Of the total units, 60 must be upper-
division.
There is no limit on the number of courses
that may be taken passed/not passed during a single
quarter. At the time of graduation, however, students
must have earned at least 120, or two-thirds, of their
units in residence at UCSB on a letter-grade basis.
Students who complete more than 180 units at UCSB
must complete at least 120 units on a letter-grade
basis. See page 18 for details about the grading
system at UCSB.
Course Numbering
CoursesatUCSBareidentiedbytheircourse
number as lower-division, upper-division, graduate, or
professional as follows:
Classication:CourseNumbers:
Lower-division 1-99
Upper-division 100-199
Graduate 200-299; 500-599
Professional* 300-499
*Professional courses do not apply to the bachelor’s
degree
Upper-Division Courses
Sixty upper-division units are required. UCSB
courses are considered upper-division if they are
numbered 100-199. Graduate courses numbered 200-
299 and 500-599 will apply to the upper-division unit
requirements.
Transfer students from community colleges
should take particular note of the upper-division unit
requirementbecausecommunitycollegesdonotoer
upper-division courses.
Credit Limitations
The university accepts a maximum of 105
quarter units or 70 semester units of lower division
credit for college courses completed at two-year
colleges or non-UC institutions. Only subject credit
forspeciclower-divisionrequirementsisassigned
subsequently.
In addition, graduation credit cannot be
assigned for:
• Exercise and Sport Studies 1- courses or their
equivalents in excess of six units.
• Repetition of courses for which credit has
alreadybeenearned,unlesstheirocial
descriptions in the General Catalog permit
repetition for credit.
• Courses that duplicate material covered in
similar courses already completed (such
as Communication 87 and any course from
PSTAT 5AA-ZZ).
• Lower-division language courses for students
who have completed ninth grade or higher in a
school that uses that language for instruction.
• Foreign language courses at the same level
or lower level than any such courses already
completed.
• 98/99 and 198/199/199AA-ZZ independent
studies courses in excess of the 30-unit
cumulative limit placed upon these classes.
• University Extension courses numbered other
than 1-299.
• Courses graded F, NP, I, IP, or W at the time of
graduation.
• Courses not transferable to the University of
California.
• Courses from unaccredited schools.
• UC courses numbered 300-499.
200-Unit Enrollment Limit
The college expects students to graduate
with no more than 200 units. College policy requires
studentstosecurespecicapprovaltocontinue
enrollment beyond 200 units. College credit
earned before high school graduation does not
count toward the 200-unit maximum. This includes
credit for Advanced Placement, Cambridge A
Level examinations, 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
who remain continuously enrolled will be allowed 6
6 • LASAR
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 education, but they
should understand that approval is granted only in very
limited circumstances.
GENERAL UNIVERSITY REQUIREMENTS
Entry Level Writing Requirement
The University of California Entry Level Writing
Requirementmaybefullledpriorto“matriculation”
(before beginning at UCSB) by:
1. scoring 3 or higher on either of the English AP
Exams
2. scoring 30 or higher on the ACT combined
English Language Arts (ELA) Exam
3. scoring 680 or higher on the SAT Writing Exam
4. scoring 5 or higher on the IB higher level
English A exam
5. scoring 6 or higher on the IB standard level
English A1 exam
6. receiving a C or higher in a English
compositioncoursethatsatisesGEAreaA-1
7. placinginWriting2viaUCSB’sCollaborative
Writing Placement Exam (CWP, see below)
8. passing the Analytical Writing Placement Exam
(AWPE). UCSB will only accept AWPE results
from students transferring from another UC
campus.
The Collaborative Writing Placement (CWP)
willbeoeredtwiceduringSummerOrientationand
onceaquarter.U.S.studentswhohavenotfullledthe
requirement by 1-6 above will be contacted via email
about how to register for the placement. Students
with questions about the CWP may contact the Writing
Program: [email protected]. Students who
are not placed in Writing 2, should plan on enrolling in
Writing1duringtheirrstyearatUCSB.Agradeof
C or higher is needed in Writing 1 to satisfy the Entry
Level Writing Requirement. A student who receives a
C- or lower must repeat Writing 1 until they earn a C.
International students who are not immigrants
andwhohavenotfullledtherequirementthrough1-6
above must participate in the English for Multilingual
Students Program online writing diagnostic essay.
Details about this assessment will be sent to students
via email. The diagnostic essay, as well as other
student information, including TOEFL, SAT and/ or
ACT test scores, will be used to guide writing course
placements. Students will be placed into one of four
academic English levels in the English for Multilingual
Students Program, Department of Linguistics (LING3A,
LING 3B, LING 3C or LING 12) or may be referred to
the Writing Program for placement. To satisfy the Entry
Level Writing Requirement through the EMS Program,
students must successfully complete LING 12 with a C
or better.
Once students matriculate at UCSB, they may
notfullEntryLevelWritingbytransferringacourse
from another institution, and transfer courses that are
articulatedtofulllGEAreaAwillnotbeacceptedfor
creditunlessEntryLevelWritinghasbeensatised.
LASAR • 7
American History and Institutions
Requirement
The American History and Institutions
requirement is based on the principle that students
enrolled at an American university should know
about the history and government of this country. The
requirementmaybesatisedbycompletionofany
four-unit course chosen from the following list.
• Anthropology 131, 176B
• Art History 121A-B-C, E, 136H
• Asian American Studies 1, 2
• Black Studies 1, 1H, 6, 6H, 103, 137E,169BR-
CR
• Chicano Studies 1A-B-C, 144, 168A-B, 174,
188C
• Comparative Literature 133
• English 133AA-ZZ, 134AA-ZZ, 137A-B, 191
• Environmental Studies 173
• Feminist Studies 155A, 159B-C
• History 11A, 17A-B-C, 17AH-BH-CH,
105A, 142AL, 142S, 159B-C, 160A-B, 161A-B,
164C,164IA, 164IB, 165, 166A-B-C-D, 166LB,
168A-B-C-D, 168N-M, 169M, 172A-B, 173T,
175A-B, 176A-B, 177, 178A-B, 179A-B
• Military Science 27
• Political Science 12, 115, 127, 151,152, 153,
155, 157, W157, 158, 162, 165, 180, 185
• Religious Studies 7, 14, 151A-B, 152
• Sociology 137E, 140, 144, 155A, 157
• Theater 180A-B
CoursesusedtofullltheAmericanHistory
and Institutions requirement may also be applied
to General Education and/or major requirements
where appropriate. Equivalent courses taken at other
accredited colleges or universities or in UC Extension
areacceptableasdeterminedbytheOceof
Admissions.
The American History and Institutions
requirementmaybesatisedinfouradditionalways:
(1) a score of 650 or higher in the SAT Subject Test
in U.S. History; (2) a score of 3 or higher on the
College Board Advanced Placement Examination
in U.S. History; (3) a score of 3 or higher on the
College Board Advanced Placement Examination in
American Government and Politics; or (4) passing
a noncredit examination in American history or
AmericaninstitutionsoeredintheDepartmentof
History (consult the department for further information).
Students who transfer to UCSB from another campus
of the University of California where the American
History and Institutions requirement was considered
satisedwillautomaticallyfullltherequirementat
UCSB. International students on a nonimmigrant visa
may petition for a waiver of this requirement through
the director of International Students and Scholars.
Academic Residence Requirement
Candidatesforabachelor’sdegreemustbe
registered in the university for at least three terms to
fullltheuniversity’sacademicresidencerequirement.
A term is a regular quarter or summer session in which
a student completes six or more units as a registered
UCSB student. Each UC summer session in which a
student completes at least two units, but fewer than
sixunits,istheequivalentofhalfofaterm’sresidence.
(In this context, summer session refers to the entire
summer, not to each mini-session.)
Also, a student must complete at least 35 of
thenal45unitsinthecollegeorschoolinwhichthe
degree is to be awarded.
Coursework completed elsewhere does not
apply to academic residence. This includes courses
takenintheUniversity’sEducationAbroadProgram
as well as courses taken at another UC campus or
online courses from another UC campus. In addition,
UCSB coursework completed through Intersegmental
Cross Enrollment does not apply to academic
residence. Courses, including UCSB courses, taken
via UC Extension cannot be used to satisfy residence
requirements.
Each undergraduate must complete a campus
experience requirement: a minimum of six units
of course credits per quarter for three quarters (not
necessarily three consecutive quarters)
must be earned in courses in which at least 50 percent
of the instruction is in-person.
8 • LASAR
Education Abroad, UCDC, or UC Center in
Sacramento Program Participants
Withonemodication,studentswhoparticipate
in the University of California Education Abroad
program, UCDC program, or UC Center in Sacramento
program are responsible for all academic residence
requirements as explained above. For students
who participate in EAP, UCDC, or the UC Center in
Sacramento program as seniors, the rule requiring 35
ofthenal45unitsinthecollegeorschoolinwhichthe
degreeistobeawardedismodiedto35ofthenal
90 units. Students must secure prior approval to use
thismodicationandmaygraduatewithoutreturning
toUCSBprovidedthattheyhavesatisedalldegree
requirements by the end of their year abroad. Those
who have any remaining degree requirements must
return to UCSB to complete a minimum of 12 units on
campuswhilefulllingnaldegreerequirements.
Grade-Point Average Requirement
At the time of graduation, students in the
College of Letters and Science must have at least a 2.0
(C) grade-point average in (1) all courses undertaken
in the University of California except those graded
passed/not passed; (2) all UC courses required for
thestudent’soverallmajorprogram,bothlower-and
upper-division; and (3) all UC courses required for the
student’supper-divisionmajorprogram.
Courses undertaken at any of the UC
campuses in regular session or summer session,
except for those that appear exclusively on a UC
Extension transcript, are included in these grade-point
average computations. UCSB courses completed by
concurrent enrollment through Extension will be added
tostudents’UCSBtranscriptsandintegratedintothe
UC grade-point average if degree credit is approved.
Courses graded Incomplete, except those
taken on a passed/not passed basis, will be included
asFgradesinnalcomputations.See“Grades”
section for details about grades available at UCSB.
GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
The General Education Program is the
common intellectual experience of all College of
Letters and Science students whatever their majors.
Through the General Education Program, students
receive an 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ndingsandconclusions.
The General Education Program is
multidisciplinary. It requires study of the humanities
andthenearts,thenaturalandsocialsciences,
and the cultural traditions and diversity of the modern
world. It requires at least one course in a world culture
and at least one course that focuses on the history
and cultural, intellectual, and social experience of
designated U.S. ethnic groups. For students pursuing
the Bachelor of Arts, a course that focuses on
European traditions is also required.
The General Education Program also provides
opportunities to acquire university-level skills in writing,
critical thinking, quantitative analysis, and foreign
languages. Courses devoted to these topics are
embedded in the study of other subjects.
There are two categories of General Education
Requirements:
General Subject Requirements
• Area A: English Reading and
Composition
• Area B: Foreign Language
• Area C: Science, Mathematics, and
Technology
• Area D: Social Sciences
• Area E: Culture and Thought
• Area F: Arts
• Area G: Literature
Special Subject Area Requirements
• Writing
• Quantitative Relationships
• World Cultures
• European Traditions
• Ethnicity
Please note that one course may count for a General
Subject Area Requirement as well as one or more
SpecialSubjectsRequirement.See“Courses that May
CountforMorethanoneRequirement” for details.
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.
Students with questions about the General
Education requirements should meet with an advisor in
the College of Letters and Science Academic Advising
Ocein1117CheadleHall.Gotowww.duels.ucsb.
edu/advising for hours and appointment information.
LASAR • 9
___________________________________
Area B
Foreign Language
Objective: To display basic familiarity with a written
and/or spoken foreign language appropriate to the
discipline.
Theforeignlanguagerequirementmaybesatisedin
one of the following four ways:
1. By completing Language 3 (third quarter) at
UCSB or its equivalent at another college
oruniversity.StudentsfulllingAreaBwith
this method will need 184 overall units to
graduate.
2. By achieving a score of 3 or higher on
the College Board Advanced Placement
Examination in a foreign language or by
earning one of the following minimum
scores on the Foreign Language SAT
Subject Test: 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.
___________________________________________
General Provisions Governing All
Degree Candidates
1.Coursesinthestudent’smajorcanalsobe
usedtofulll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 can be applied to only one
of these areas. (Example: Art History 6A
cannot be applied to both E and F.)
BACHELOR OF ARTS DEGREE
General Subject Area Requirements
Area A
English Reading and Composition
Objective: To learn to analyze purposes, audiences,
and contexts for writing through study of and practice
with writing.
The Area A Requirement consists of two parts, Area A1
andA2,andmaybefullledinoneofthreeways:
1. By credit received from Advancement
Placement Exams or International
BaccalaureateExams.Seethe“Advanced
Placement”or“International Baccalaureate”
Custom Lists for details. Please note that
AP or IB credit may prevent you from
earning units for Writing 2, 2E, or 2LK and
Writing 50, 50E.
2. By credit from appropriate courses
transferred from another institution—see a
College of Letters and Science advisor or
the Writing Program advisor for details.
3. By successfully completing two approved
UCSB courses:
• CoursesthatfulllAreaA1:Writing
2, 2E, 2LK.
• CoursesthatfulllAreaA2:English
10, 10AC, 10EM, 10LC; Writing 50,
105 AA-ZZ, 107AA-ZZ, 109AA-ZZ.
Note: Students must complete the General University
Entry Level Writing requirement before enrolling
incoursesthatfullltheAreaArequirementofthe
GeneralEducationProgram.See“General University
Requirements”fordetails.
10 • LASAR
Area C
Science, Mathematics, and Technology
Objective: To understand methods and applications
of science and mathematics, apply them to problems,
and describe solutions using language appropriate to
the discipline. Courses should be in a single discipline
andshouldbesucientlybroadtoprovideabase
of knowledge about the discipline. Courses may be
designated for majors or non-majors. Three courses
are required for the Bachelor of Arts degree.
See the Area C Course List on the Letters and Science
Advising website: https://duels.ucsb.edu/advising/
planning/degree#Area%20C.
Transfer students identifying courses to complete a
Partial IGETC should refer to the Area C courses list
available on the Letters and Science General Advising
websitetodeterminewhetherthecoursemayfulllthe
Biological of Physical Science category: https://duels.
ucsb.edu/advising/planning/degree.
___________________________________________
Area D
Social Sciences
Objective: To apply perspectives, theories, and
methods of social science research to understand what
motivates,inuences,and/ordeterminesthebehaviors
of individuals, groups, and societies. Area D courses
are based upon systematic studies of human behavior,
which may include observation, experimentation,
deductive reasoning, and quantitative analysis. Three
courses are required for the Bachelor of Arts degree.
See the Area D Course List in the UCSB General
Catalog: See the Area D Course List on the Letters
and Science Advising website: https://duels.ucsb.edu/
advising/planning/degree#Area%20D.
___________________________________________
Area E
Culture and Thought
Objective:Tousespecicmethodsandframeworks
to develop perspectives and abilities that enable the
studyofcultureandthoughtwithinspeciccontexts,
andtorecognizetheroleofhumanagencyindening,
maintaining, and adapting cultures. Three courses are
required for the Bachelor of Arts degree.
See the Area E Course List in the UCSB General
Catalog: See the Area E Course List on the Letters
and Science Advising website: https://duels.ucsb.edu/
advising/planning/degree#Area%20E.
___________________________________________
Area F
Arts
Objective:Todevelopanappreciationofneand
performing arts, popular arts, and visual culture and
to express relationships between arts and historical
or cultural contexts. Two courses are required for the
Bachelor of Arts degree.
See the Area F Course List in the UCSB General
Catalog: See the Area F Course List on the Letters
and Science Advising website: https://duels.ucsb.edu/
advising/planning/degree#Area%20F.
___________________________________________
Area G
Literature
Objective: To learn to analyze texts using methods
appropriate to literary study and to situate analysis
within contexts where texts circulate. Two courses are
required for the Bachelor of Arts degree.
See the Area G Course List in the UCSB General
Catalog: See the Area G Course List on the Letters
and Science Advising website: https://duels.ucsb.edu/
advising/planning/degree#Area%20G.
___________________________________________
Special Subject Area Requirements
IntheprocessoffulllingtheGeneralEducation
General Subject Areas C through G (see below),
students also must include the following special subject
areas:
• Writing
• Quantitative Relationships
• World Cultures
• European Traditions
• Ethnicity
1. Special Subject Writing Requirement
Objective: At least six designated General
Education courses that meet the following
criteria: Study and practice with writing, reading,
andcriticalanalysiswithinspecicdisciplines.
Students will demonstrate writing ability by
producing written work totaling at least 1800 words
that is independent of or in addition to written
LASAR • 11
examinations. Assessment of written work must
beasignicantconsiderationintotalassessment
of student performance in the course. Students
may, by petition, request that up to two other UC or
UC EAP courses be considered applicable toward
this requirement. Special instructions for such
petitionsareavailablefromthecollegeoce.Once
a student has matriculated at UCSB, the writing
requirement may be met only with designated
UCSB courses.
See the Writing Course List on the Letters and
Science Advising website: https://duels.ucsb.edu/
advising/planning/degree#Writing.
2. Special Subject Quantitative Relationships
Requirement
Objective: To develop and apply basic quantitative
methods to relevant questions or areas of study.
At least one course from Area C emphasizing
quantitative relationships.
See the Quantitative Relations Course List
on the Letters and Science Advising website:
https://duels.ucsb.edu/advising/planning/
degree#Quantitative%20Relations.
3. Special Subject World Cultures Requirement
Objective: To learn to identify, understand, and
appreciate the history, thought, and practices
of one or more culture outside of the European
tradition. At least one course that focuses on a
world culture outside of the European tradition.
See the World Cultures Course List on the Letters
and Science Advising website: https://duels.ucsb.
edu/advising/planning/degree#World%20Cultures.
4. Special Subject European Traditions
Requirement (Required for the BA only)
Objective: To learn to analyze early and/or modern
Europeanculturesandtheirsignicanceinworld
aairs.Onecourserequired.
See the European Traditions Course List on the
Letters and Science Advising website: https://duels.
ucsb.edu/advising/planning/degree#European%20
Traditions.
5. Special Subject Ethnicity Requirement
Objective: To learn to identify and understand the
philosophical, intellectual, historical, and/or cultural
experiences of HISTORICALLY oppressed and
excluded racial minorities in the United States:
Native Americans, African Americans, Chicanos/
Latinos,AsianAmericans,PacicIslander
Americans, and Multiracial Americans or a course
that provides a comparative and integrative context
for understanding the experiences of oppressed
and excluded racial groups in the United States.
One course required.
See the Ethnicity Course List on the Letters and
Science Advising website: https://duels.ucsb.edu/
advising/planning/degree#Ethnicity.
Courses that May Count for More than One
General Education Requirement
Some courses approved to count for General
Education Areas C-G have been approved for
more than one area, but no course may count for
more than of these areas for a particular student.
For example, a course that has been approved for
Areas E and F may count for either E or F for a
student but not both E and F. Courses that have
been approved for Areas C-G may, however, also
count for American History and Institutions as well
as Special Subject Area Requirements. See the
course lists on the Letters and Science General
Advising Degree website to see how courses may
apply to multiple requirements: https://duels.ucsb.
edu/advising/planning/degree.
12 • LASAR
Advanced Placement Exam Units General Education UCSB Course (You may not enroll in these
with Score of 3, 4, or 5 Awarded Credit Equivalent courses for credit at UCSB)
College Board Advanced Placement Credit General Education Program
Art History 8 F: 1 course Art History 1
Art–*2D Art and Design 8 none none
Art–*3D Art and Design 8 none none
Art–*Drawing 8 none Art 18
Biology 8 C: 1 course EEMB 22, EEMB W22, MCDB 20
*•Calculus AB 4 C: 1 course# Mathematics 2A, 3A, 34A, or equivalent
(or AB subscore of BC exam)
*†Calculus BC 8 C: 2 courses# Mathematics 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, 34A, 34B, or
equivalent
Chemistry 8 C: 1 course# none
Chinese Language and Culture
With score of 3 8 B See department for
With score of 4 8 B level placement
With score of 5 8 B
Comparative Government and Politics 4 D: 1 course none
Computer Science A
With a score of 3 8 C: 1 course# none
With a score of 4 or 5 8 C: 1 course# Computer Science 8
Computer Science Principles
With a score of 3 8 C: 1 course none
With a score of 4 or 5 8 C: 1 course Computer Science 4
*English – Composition and Literature
or Language and Composition
With score of 3 8 Entry Level Writing 1, 1E
Writing Requirement
With score of 4 8 A1
Writing 1, 1E, 2, 2E, 2LK
With score of 5 8 A1, A2
Writing 1, 1E, 2, 2E, 2LK, 50, 50E
Environmental Science 4 C: 1 course Environmental Studies 2
European History 8 E: 1 course none
French Language and Culture
With score of 3 8 B French 1-3
With score of 4 8 B French 1-4
With score of 5 8 B French 1-5
German Language and Culture
With score of 3 8 B German 1-3
With score of 4 8 B German 1-4
With score of 5 8 B German 1-5
Human Geography 4 D Geography 5
Italian Language and Culture
With score of 3 8 B Italian 1-3
With score of 4 8 B Italian 1-5
With score of 5 8 B Italian 1-6
Japanese Language and Culture
With score of 3 8 B See department for
With score of 4 8 B level placement
With score of 5 8 B
Latin 8 B Latin 1-3
Macroeconomics 4 D: 1 course none
Microeconomics 4 D: 1 course none
Music Theory 8 F: 1 course Music 11
*Physics 1 8 C: 1 course# none
*Physics 2 8 C: 1 course# none
*Physics – C: Mechanics 4 C: 1 course# Physics 6A+6AL
*Physics – C: Electricity and Magnetism 4 C: 1 course# Physics 6B+6BL
Psychology 4 D: 1 course Psychology 1
Spanish Language and Culture
With score of 3 8 B Spanish 1-3
With score of 4 8 B Spanish 1-4
With score of 5 8 B Spanish 1-5
Spanish Literature and Culture
With score of 3 8 B Spanish 1-4
With score of 4 8 B Spanish 1-5
With score of 5 8 B Spanish 1-6
Statistics 4 C: 1 course# Communication 87, EEMB 30, Geography 17
PSTAT 5AA-ZZ, Psychology 5, Sociology 3
United States Government and Politics 4 D: 1 course Political Science 12
United States History 8 D: 1 course none
World History: Modern 8 E: 1 course none
* A maximum of 8 units EACH in art studio, English, mathematics, and physics is allowed.
#AlsosatisestheQuantitativeRelationshipRequirement.
LASAR • 13
Higher Level Exam Units GE Credit UCSB Course (You may not enroll
With a score of 5, 6, or 7 Awarded Equivalent in these courses for
credit at UCSB)
Higher Level International Baccalaureate Exam Credit
#coursealsosatisesQuantitativeRelationshipsRequirement
+coursealsosatisesWorldCulturesRequirement
^coursealsosatisesEuropeanTraditionsRequirement
Biology 8.0 C:1 course MCDB 20, EEMB 22
Business Management 8.0 None None
Chemistry 8.0 C:1 course# None
Computer Science 8.0 C:1 course# Computer Science 8
Dance 8.0 None None
Economics 8.0 D: 2 courses Economics 1, 2
English A: Literature or
English A: Language and Literature
With a score of 5 8.0 Entry Level Writing Writing 1, 1E
With a score of 6 8.0 A1 Writing 1, 1E, 2, 2E, 2LK
With a score of 7 8.0 A1, A2 Writing 1, 1E, 2, 2E, 2LK, 50,
50E
English B 8.0 None None
Film 8.0 None None
Geography 8.0 D:1 course None
Global Politics 8.0 D:1 course None
History 8.0 E:1 course^ None
History of Africa 8.0 D: 1 course+ None
History of the Americas 8.0 D: 1 course None
History of Asia and Oceania 8.0 D: 1 course+ None
History of Europe and the Middle East 8.0 D: 1course^ None
Languages other than English 8.0 B See department for
level placement
Mathematics 8.0 C:2 courses# Mathematics 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, 34A,
34B or equivalent
Mathematics: Analysis & Approaches (2022 - ) 8.0 C:2 courses# Mathematics 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, 34A,
34B
Mathematics, Further 8.0 None None
Music 8.0 F: 1 course None
Philosophy 8.0 E: 1 course None
Physics 8.0 C:1 course# Physics 10
Psychology 8.0 D:1 course None
Spanish A
Score of 5 or 6 8.0 B Spanish 1-6
Score of 7 8.0 B Spanish 1-6, 16A
Spanish B
Score of 5 8.0 B Spanish 1-4
Score of 6 8.0 B Spanish 1-5
Score of 7 8.0 B Spanish 1-6
Social and Cultural Anthropology 8.0 D 1 course Anthropology 2
Theatre 8.0 F: 1 course None
Visual Arts 8.0 F: 1 course None
14 • LASAR
A Level Credit
Students who earn grades of A, B, or C on UC-approved GCE and Hong Kong A Level examinations will receive 12 units of credit
toward graduation at UCSB for each exam, provided that ocial grades are submitted to the Oce of Admissions. Any general
education credit or UCSB course equivalents listed in the chart below will be awarded only for Cambridge International A Level
exams taken in 2013 or later, not for exams administered by any other agency. (Student may petition for GE or course credit for
Cambridge International exams taken prior to 2013 or for exams administered by other agencies.)
Students should be advised that college courses taken before or aer attending UC may duplicate AP, IB and/or A Level examina-
tions. Additionally, exams may duplicate each other (for example, an AP or IB exam in the same subject area). If the student does
duplicate an exam with another exam of the same subject content, and/or an exam with a college course, we will award credit only
once.
Note: A Level examination credit earned prior to entering the university will not be counted toward maximum unit limitation either
for selection of a major or for graduation.
A Level Exam with Units General Education UCSB Course (You may not enroll
a Grade of A, B or C Awarded Credit Equivalent in these courses for
credit at UCSB)
Accounting 12 Economics 3A, 3B
Afrikaans 12
Arabic 12
Art and Design 12
Biology 12
Chemistry 12
Chinese 12
Classical Studies 12
Computer Science (prior to 12 Computer Science 16
2021)
Computer Science (2021 - ) 12 Area C: 1 course# Computer Science 8
Economics
Economics 12 Area D: 2 courses Economics 1, 2
English - Language 12
English - Literature 12
French 12
Geography 12
German 12
Hindi 12
History 12
Marathi 12
Marine Science 12
Mathematics (2022 - ) 12 Area C: 1 course# Mathematics 2A, 3A, 34A
Mathematics - Further (2022 - ) 12 Area C: 2 courses# Mathematics 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B,
34A, 34B, 4A
Music 12
Physics 12 Area C: 3 courses# Physics 6A, 6AL, 6B, 6BL, 6C, 6CL
Portuguese 12
Psychology 12 Area D: 1 course Psychology 1
Putonghua 12
Sociology 12
Spanish 12
Tamil 12
Telugu 12
Urdu 12
Urdu - Pakistan only 12
# course also satises the Quantitative Relationships Requirement
LASAR • 15
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, and one course from Area G.
Students are also responsible for completing all
of the special subject area requirements as outlined
in the B.A. requirement section with the exception
of the European Traditions requirement which is only
required for the B.A. degree.
BachelorofFineArtsDegree;BachelorofMusic
Degree
Candidatesforthedegreeofbachelorofne
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 as outlined
in the B.A. requirement section with the exception of
the European Traditions requirement which is only
required for the B.A. degree.
Major Requirements
In order to be eligible for graduation, all
undergraduates must complete the requirements for
a major in the College of Letters and Science with
the required grade-point averages and academic
residence requirements. To ensure timely progress
toward the degree, students are required to declare
their major by the time they reach 90 units.
Provided they will be able to complete the
degree requirements without exceeding 200 units,
students may elect any approved major program for
which they have met the stated prerequisites as space
permits. Students from the College of Engineering and
the College of Creative Studies will not be accepted
into the College of Letters and Science after they
have completed 180 units. Major departments and/
or committees may require auditions, placement
examinations,orspeciedcoursestodetermine
whetherstudentsarequaliedforentranceintoor
continuation in a major. Admission into the individual
major and the interdisciplinary studies major is
subject to the approval of the Executive Committee
of the College of Letters and Science. In addition,
some departments require a grade-point average in
excess of 2.0 for entrance into the major as noted in
the General Catalog. Students who fail to maintain
a grade-point average of at least 2.0 in work in the
major may, at the option of the major department or
committee, be denied the privilege of continuing in that
major.
Students in the College of Letters and Science
normallycompletethemajorrequirementsineect
at the time they declare their major though they may
petition to follow a subsequent set of requirements.
Changes in major requirements that increase the
numberorspecicityofcoursesrequiredwillnot
normally be applied to already-declared students
continuing in such majors. However, if students take
one or more breaks in enrollments totaling nine or
more quarters, they may be required to follow a newer
catalogyearupontheirnalreturntoUCSB.
ENROLLMENT AND
GRADING
ENROLLMENT
Each quarter, every student at UCSB must
register in courses, clear any blocks on registration,
andpayfeesandotheroutstandingnancial
obligations. Additionally, each fall quarter, every
studentmustconrmorupdateaddressinformation
either through the GOLD system on the web at
my.sa.ucsb.edu/gold/login.aspx or with a Change of
Address petition. Each step must be completed by
specieddeadlines.Thefailureofanundergraduate
student to complete the steps involved in enrollment
bythespecieddeadlineswillconstitutepresumptive
evidence that the student has withdrawn from the
university. A student whose status has lapsed because
of failure to satisfy the conditions of admission, failure
to register, failure to clear blocks, or failure to meet
nancialobligationsandwhowishestoresumestudies
mustleanapplicationforreadmission/reinstatement
and pay the associated nonrefundable fee.
Readmission/reinstatement is subject to availability of
space and is not guaranteed. Check registrar.sa.ucsb.
edu for applicable deadlines.
Program Changes
Afterregistration,changesinthestudent’s
program can be made using GOLD until the deadlines
published on the Registrar website, registrar.sa.ucsb.
edu, for each quarter. Such changes include course
drops and adds and change in grading options.
Unapproved withdrawal from or neglect of a course for
which one has registered will result in a failing grade.
Courseadditionsaftertherstweekofclassesrequire
the approval of the course instructor.
16 • LASAR
Program Change Deadlines
LastDayto:
Drop Writing 1, 1E, 2, 5
th
day of classes
2E, 2LK, 50
Add classes 15
th
day of classes
Drop classes (other than 20
th
day of classes
writing courses listed above)
Change grading option End of the 7
th
week of classes
Maximum and Minimum Programs
The average academic study load for
undergraduate students is 15 units per quarter,
to yield 180 units by the time of graduation. The
minimum full-time study load is 12 units, but students
will not graduate in four years if they enroll in the
minimum number of units each quarter. Students who
are not able to carry at least 12 units per quarter must
petition and receive approval prior to enrolling in a
decitprogram.Undergraduatestudentswhohave
submitted their petitions to the College of Letters and
Scienceforadecitprogramof10orfewerunits
priortotherstdayofinstructionmaybeconsidered
for a 50 percent reduction of the educational fee
and nonresident tuition, subject to approval of
theOceoftheRegistrar.Onlythosestudents
withveriablereasonsofemployment,health,or
family responsibility or students who have declared
candidacy for graduation for the requested quarter
willbeeligibleforthefeereduction.Decitprogram
approval does not constitute automatic approval of
fee reduction. Students in the College of Letters and
Sciencemaypetitionforpermanentapprovalofdecit
programs (that is, for permanent part-time status).
Students in good academic standing may
enroll in as many as 21 units each quarter. Those
on academic probation may not enroll in more than
17 units each quarter of their probationary status.
Students who wish to enroll in more than the maximum
number of allowable units must petition for an excess
program at the time of registration.
Minimum Cumulative Progress
(MCP) Program
Undergraduate students enrolled in the
College of Letters and Science are subject to the
Minimum Cumulative Progress requirement. Minimum
Cumulative Progress (MCP) is a policy designed
and approved by the faculty to provide important
guideposts to ensure timely degree completion. The
MCP requirement establishes a reasonable expectation
of student workload.
Summary of Program Regulations
Certain rules govern the selection of courses each
term. Students are reminded that they:
• Maynotenrollinacourseociallyasaway
of making up an Incomplete grade.
• Maynotenrollinmorethanvetotalunits
of 98, 99, 198, 199, 199AA-ZZ courses per
quarter.
• Must be juniors or seniors to enroll in 198 or
199, 199AA-ZZ courses.
• Must choose letter grading for all courses
used to satisfy requirements in the major
or minor. This includes lower- and upper-
division courses, both within and outside the
department of the major or minor. (Some
departments accept a small number of units
for courses graded P where letter grades are
not available. See departmental entries in the
General Catalog.)
• May not repeat a course for which the
previous grade was higher than C- unless
permittedintheocialcoursedescriptionin
the General Catalog.
• Must obtain permission of the dean to repeat
a course that they have already attempted
two or more times.
• Must complete Writing 1 or 1E by the end of
the third quarter at UCSB.
• Must complete Writing 2, 2E, or 2LK by the
end of the sixth quarter at UCSB.
Student Responsibilities
Students are responsible for the following:
1. Verifying eligibility for Courses. Students should
consult the GOLD or the General Catalog for
prerequisites.
2. Avoiding duplicating coursework for which they
have already earned credit.
3. Indicating their desired grading option at the time
of enrollment.
4. Observing and meeting all deadlines for fee
payment, registration, and changing their
enrollment (adding or dropping courses, changing
grading option).
5. Indicating course repetition at the time of enrollment.
6. Indicating the intended number of units to be
earned in variable-unit courses. At the end of the
term,theinstructorwillreporttotheOceofthe
Registrar the number actually completed and the
gradeearned,andtheOceofRegistrarwillmake
any necessary adjustments to the student record.
LASAR • 17
7. Obtaining approval prior to registration for any of
the following exceptions:
• enrollinginadecitprogramoffewerthan12
units. Required fall, winter, and spring only;
for summer session there is no minimum load
requirement.
• enrolling in more than 17 units while on
academic probation in fall, winter, and spring
quarters.
• enrolling in more than 21 units while in good
academic standing. Required fall, winter, and
spring.
• enrolling in an excess program of more than 16
units during each summer session.
• enrolling in UC Extension courses.
• repeating a course more than once.
• exceptions to 198, 199, 199AA-ZZ course
policies.
ABSENCE, WITHDRAWAL, AND
READMISSION/REINSTATEMENT
Temporary Absence During a Quarter
Students are expected to attend classes
regularly, and in most instances, attendance and
participationinclassarefactorsindeterminingthenal
grade. If an absence is unavoidable due to serious
illness or personal emergency, each instructor should
benotied.Regardlessofthereasonsforabsence,
however, students will be required to complete all
coursework.
If an absence is late in the term and prolonged,
making it impossible to complete the coursework on
time, students may petition their instructors to assign
an Incomplete (I) grade. To receive an I grade, a
studentmustsubmittheapprovedpetitiontotheOce
of the Registrar by the last day of the quarter in which
the I is to be assigned. A $5 fee will be assessed.
A student who is unable to make this request in
personmayasktheOceofStudent Life to notify
each instructor of the circumstances of the absence
andtocirculateapetitiononthestudent’sbehalf.If
the instructor agrees that an extension of time for
completionofthecourseisjustiedandapprovesthe
petition, a grade of Incomplete will be assigned. See
“Incomplete Grade”sectionformoredetails.
Withdrawal from a Course
Students can petition to drop a course after
the schedule adjustment deadline. If the petition is
approved, a W will indicate that the student withdrew
from the course after the schedule adjustment period
(20th day of instruction). If the request is not approved,
the student will receive the grade assigned by the
instructor of the course.
The late drop request process requires
the submission of the completed Late/Retro Drop
Petition, a narrative why the student is making the
request, and supporting documentation if appropriate.
Students should continue attendance while the
request is evaluated. Multiple requests to withdraw
from the same course are rarely approved. Requests
submitted after the end of the 7th week of instruction
(35th day of instruction) require documentation of a
signicanthardshipthatimpactedastudent’sability
to complete the course/s. Requests to withdraw
from a course after the last day of instruction are
considered retroactive. Retroactive withdrawals require
documentation of a severe hardship that prevented
the student from completing the course. Retroactive
requeststodropacourseaftercompletingthenal
examornalassignmentareonlyintrulyextraordinary
circumstances approved.
Students should go to duels.ucsb.edu/advising
to see how to speak with a Letters and Science advisor
if they have questions about dropping a course.
Complete Withdrawal
Oncefeeshavebeenpaidorociallydeferred
orafteranancialaid
agreement has been signed
for a particular quarter,
students then wishing
to withdraw for that term
without completing the
enrollment process must do
sobypetitiontotheOce
of the Registrar. An enrolled
student who wishes to
withdraw from the university
during a quarter without
completingthequarter’sworkmustobtainapetitionfor
completewithdrawalfromtheOceoftheRegistrar.If
the petition requirements are met and the approval of
the dean of undergraduate education is secured and
ifthecompletedpetitionissubmittedtotheOceof
the Registrar by the deadline for course withdrawal,
Letter Grades
A = Excellent
B = Good
C = Adequate
D = Barely Passing
F = Failing
I = Incomplete
IP = In Progress
W = Withdrawal
18 • LASAR
thestudent’sregistrationwillbecancelledwithout
academic penalty. If the completed petition is submitted
totheOceoftheRegistrarafterthedeadlinefor
course withdrawal but no later than the last day of
instruction for the term, the dean of undergraduate
educationwilldirecttheOceoftheRegistrartoenter
the grade of W for each course in which the student
was enrolled. A student who receives permission
to withdraw completely during the early weeks of a
quarter may be entitled to a partial refund of fees for
that quarter as outlined one the Registrar website,
registrar.sa.ucsb.edu. Students who have received Title
IV federal aid will be required to return a portion of that
aid if they withdraw before completing 60 percent of the
quarter.Uponrequest,theOceofStudentLifewill
process a petition for complete withdrawal no later than
the last day of instruction for the term for a student who
cannot do so in person. If the dean of undergraduate
educationapprovesthepetition,thestudent’s
academicrecordwillreecttheprocessdescribed
above.
Students who enroll and subsequently
discontinue work during a quarter without an approved
petition for withdrawal will receive F or NP grades as
appropriate for all courses in which they are enrolled
for that quarter. Such students are ineligible for any
refund of fees, and their future registration privileges
may be curtailed or revoked. Students are advised to
seek counsel from faculty, departmental, or college
advisors, Counseling Services, Career Services,
and the FinancialAidOceifappropriatebefore
withdrawing to consider the full implications of this
action. After withdrawal and before future registration,
undergraduates must apply for and receive permission
to be readmitted.
Note: The deadline to submit a petition for complete
withdrawal is the last day of instruction for the term.
GRADES
Grading System
TheCollegeofLettersandScienceoerstwo
grading options for undergraduates: letter grades A-F
and passed/not passed (P/NP) grades. Any grade of D-
or above is considered a passing grade in letter-graded
courses. There is no stipulation (such as a mandatory
grade curve) concerning how these grades should be
distributed in each class; this is left to the discretion
of the instructor. Instructors may modify the grades of
A, B, C, and D by assigning a plus (+) or a minus (-)
sux.Minus grades carry three-tenths of a grade point
less per unit, and plus grades (except A+) carry an
additional three-tenths of a grade point per unit. When
a student withdraws from the university or receives
approval to drop a course after the established
deadline for course withdrawal (20
th
day of instruction),
the registrar will assign a W to the student for each
courseaected.CoursesinwhichaWhasbeen
enteredonthestudent’srecordwillbedisregardedin
determiningastudent’sgrade-pointaverage.
Grade-Point Average
The university grade-point average is
computed by dividing the number of units attempted
on a letter-grade basis in the University of California
into the number of grade points earned for these units.
Grade-point averages are computed for a number
of purposes including the determination of whether
students are (1) maintaining the averages required
for continued registration in the university, (2) eligible
to enter or continue in a given course or major, (3)
eligible for graduation, and (4) eligible for honors such
asmembershipintheCollegeHonorsProgram,dean’s
term honors, or honors at graduation.
Graduate and professional schools as well
as employers may compute grade-point averages
dierently.Forexample,theymayincludeonlythe
classes completed during the junior and senior years
or only courses completed in the major department.
Pre-law students should note that the Law School
Data Admission Service (LSDAS) computes grades of
NP as F in the GPA.
Grade-Point Balance
Thegrade-pointbalanceisthedierence
between the number of grade points which a student
has earned and the number needed for a 2.0 grade-
point average.
Therststepincomputingthegrade-point
balance is to multiply the number of units attempted for
A+ 4.0 D 1.0
A 4.0 D - 0.7
A - 3.7 F 0.0
B+ 3.3 I 0.0
B 3.0 IP 0.0
B - 2.7 P 0.0
C+ 2.3 NP 0.0
C 2.0 S 0.0
C - 1.7 U 0.0
D+ 1.3 W 0.0
Each = Grade Each = Grade
unit of Points unit of Points
LASAR • 19
letter grade by a factor of 2 to determine the number of
grade points needed for a 2.0 grade-point average. To
ndtheirgrade-pointbalance,studentsthensubtract
this number from the number of grade points they have
actually earned. Students whose grade-point average
is above 2.0 will have a positive grade-point balance.
Those with a grade-point average of exactly 2.0 will
have a 0 balance. Students whose grade-point average
is below 2.0 will have a negative balance, called a
decit.
Computation of grade-point balance is
especially helpful to students who are in academic
dicultyforitaidsindetermininghowlongitwilltake
and what grades are needed to return to regular
academic status. For example, to counteract a grade-
pointdecitofeight,astudentwillneedtoearn
eight grade points above the C level. This would be
accomplished by earning eight units of B or four units
of A.
Visit www.duels.ucsb.edu/advising/policies/gpa-calcu-
lator for practice in calculating grade-point average and
balance.
Passed/Not-Passed Grades
Passed/Not Passed (P/NP) grades are not
included in the computation of university grade-point
averages. Courses graded P, however, are acceptable
for unit and appropriate degree credit. P grades will
be assigned only for coursework equivalent to a C
or better on the letter-grade basis. NP grades will be
assigned for work equivalent to a C- or below. No
unit or degree credit is given for courses graded NP.
Undergraduatecoursesmaybeoeredexclusivelyon
a P/NP basis with the prior approval of the appropriate
faculty committees. Such courses are specially
identiedinGOLD.Studentsonacademic probation as
well as those in good standing may take such courses
without special approval. Students may elect the P/NP
grading option in any number of courses (see GOLD
to determine which courses allow the P/NP grading
option) during a particular term provided that:
• They are in good academic standing (i.e., not
on academic probation). However, students
onprobationmayenrollincoursesoered
exclusively on a P/NP basis.
• Thecourseisopentoallqualiedstudents
on this basis and is so advertised in GOLD.
• The course is not required or accepted for
thestudent’smajororminor. Courses in the
major or minor, whether lower- or upper-
division, or outside of the major department,
must be taken for a letter grade. (With
the prior approval of appropriate faculty
committees, a department may specify that
certain major or minor courses may be taken
P/NP. Courses for which such approval has
beengrantedareidentiedinthedepartment
entries in the General Catalog.)
• They elect this option at the time of
registration or thereafter but not later than
the end of the seventh week of classes.
Students are responsible for determining
whethertheyarequaliedforenrollmentin
courses on a P/NP basis according to the
requirements stated here.
• At the time of graduation at least two-thirds
of their units earned in residence at UCSB
have been earned on a letter-grade basis.
(Students who complete more than 180
units at UCSB must complete at least 120
letter-graded units in residence.) There is no
limit on the number of courses which may
be taken P/NP by eligible students during a
single quarter.
• They have not been restricted or prohibited
from the use of the P/NP option due to an
excessive number of NP grades earned.
Students with more than eight units of NP
grades in one quarter or with more than 20
units of NP grades in all terms of university
enrollment combined may be so restricted.
In the case of repeated courses in which the
initial grade was NP, the original NP will not
be included in this 20-unit total.
Students who take major or minor courses in
excess of minimum major or minor requirements may
elect the P/NP option for those courses. Such courses
will not be accepted in satisfaction of requirements
for the major or minor. Students who plan to apply to
graduate or professional schools should use P/NP
grading sparingly as it provides less information for
admissions committees to review. Pre-law students
should note that the Law School Data Assembly
Service (LSDAS) will calculate an NP grade as an F
when considering applicants for admission into their
programs.
20 • LASAR
Incomplete Grade
The grade Incomplete (I) may be assigned
whenastudent’sworkisofpassingqualitybut
is incomplete. I grades will be excluded in the
computationofthestudent’sgrade-pointaverageatthe
end of the quarter.
Petitioning Process
AnIgrademaybeplacedonastudent’s
record only if the completed Petition for an Incomplete
Grade,signedbytheinstructor,isonleintheOce
of the Registrar by the last day of the quarter. The
student’sBARCaccountisbilledfortheprocessing
fee.Intheabsenceofthepetitionorofaspecicgrade
otherthanI,theOceoftheRegistrarwillrecorda
grade of F, NP, or U.
Completion Deadline
The deadline to complete an I grade is the
end of the term following the term in which the I
grade was reported whether or not the student is
registeredandwhetherornotthecourseisoered
in that term. The student is entitled to have the
grade of Incomplete replaced by a passing grade
as determined by the instructor concerned and to
receive unit credit and appropriate grade points
upon satisfactory completion of the coursework by
this deadline. Unless the work is completed and a
gradeisreportedtotheOceoftheRegistrarby
the deadline, the I will be changed automatically
to F, NP, or U as appropriate. If the instructor is
unavailable, the chair of the department in which
thecoursewasoeredisauthorizedtosupervise
completion of the work and to make the appropriate
grade change. The instructor and chair also have
the authority to extend the deadline for completion
in the event of unusual circumstances that would
clearly impose an unfair hardship on the student if
the original deadline were maintained.
At the time of graduation, an I grade on
thestudent’srecordinacoursenecessaryforthe
fulllmentofdegreerequirementswilldisqualify
the student for graduation. An I grade on the
student’srecordatthetimeofgraduationina
coursenotnecessaryforthefulllmentofdegree
requirements may be removed only up to the end
ofthefthweekofthetermfollowingthedateof
graduation. If not removed, it will remain an I on the
record permanently. For the purpose of determining
academic eligibility, any I grades remaining on the
record at the time of graduation will be counted as F
grades in the computation of the required university
grade-point average if the student has elected the
letter-grade option.
Grade Changes to Incomplete
Agrademaybechangedtoan“I”onlywith
the approval of the Dean of Undergraduate Education
and after successful completion of the petitioning
process described above.
In-Progress Grade
The grade In Progress (IP) may be assigned
provisionally in each but the last term of special
courses extending over more than one term. In
the last term, the grade assigned by the instructor
replaces the provisional IP grades for all portions of
the course. If a student fails to enroll in or complete
thenalcourseofasequenceinthenextquarterin
whichitisoered,theIPgradeswillbereplacedby
the grade of I. Further changes of that grade will be
subject to the conditions covering incomplete grades.
IP designations are not included in the computation of
grade-point averages.
Withdrawal Grade
The W grade will be assigned when a
student withdraws from the university or receives
permission to drop a course after the deadline for
course withdrawal set by the executive committee
of the college or school in which the student is
enrolled. (This includes undergraduate enrollment
in graduate-level courses.) The W grade will be
assignedforeachcourseaected.Coursesinwhich
aWhasbeenenteredonthestudent’srecordwill
bedisregardedindeterminingastudent’sgrade-
point average and will not be considered as courses
attemptedinassessingthestudent’sgrade-point
average for graduation.
Entry Level Writing Requirement
Pass exam ___________________________ or Writing 1 or 1E ___________________________ or appropriate transfer
course _____________________________________ . (Must be fullled within three terms of admission.)
American History and Institutions Requirement
One course __________________________________________ or exam _______________________________________ .
(is course may also apply to the General Education requirements, if appropriate.)
General Education Requirements—General Subject Area Requirements
Area A: English Reading and Composition
*Writing 2, 2E, or 2LK ______________________________ and one of the following:
English 10, 10AC, 10EM, 10LC, or Writing 50, 50E, 105 AA-ZZ, 107 AA-ZZ, 109AA-ZZ __________________________ .
Area B: Foreign Language
To be fullled in one of the following ways:
_____ 1. Completion of a college language course at level 3.
_____ 2. Appropriate score on SAT Subject Test in a foreign language (for specic information see p. 9 of this booklet).
_____ 3. Score of 3 or higher on College Board Advanced Placement Exam in a foreign language.
_____ 4. Score of 5 or higher on higher level International Baccalaureate Exam in a foreign language.
_____ 5. C or higher average in third year of high school foreign language.
_____ 6. Placement above level 3 on UCSB exam.
(Note: If option 1 is taken, the student’s unit requirement is increased to 184.)
Area C: Science, Mathematics, and Technology
B.A., B.S. - 3 courses required; B.F.A., B.M. - 2 courses required
_______________________ _______________________ _______________________
Area D: Social Sciences
B.A. - 3 courses required; B.F.A., B.M., B.S. - 2 courses required
_______________________ _______________________ _______________________
Area E: Culture and Thought
B.A. - 3 courses required; B.F.A., B.M., B.S. - 2 courses required
_______________________ _______________________ _______________________
Area F: Arts
B.A. - 2 courses required; B.S. - 1 course required B.F.A., B.M. - no courses required
_______________________ _____________________________
Area G: Literature
B.A. - 2 courses required; B.F.A., B.M., B.S. - 1 course required
_____________________________ _____________________________
Remember: A course listed in more than one of the General Subject Areas A through G can be applied to only one of these areas.
*Please note: credit earned through AP or IB exams may mean you have fullled one or both parts of Area A and that you are not
eligible to enroll in some of the listed courses.
CHECKLIST OF DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
General Education — Special Subject Area Requirements
In the process of fullling General Subject Area Requirements C through G, students must complete the following Subject Area
requirements. Courses may simultaneously apply to General Subject and Special Subject Area Requirements, and courses may
count for more than one Special Subject.
Special Subject Writing
Six approved UCSB courses that require the writing of one or more papers totaling at least 1800 words. (Please note that the num-
ber of required courses may be reduced depending on the number of courses needed to fulll Areas D-G following matriculation
to UCSB).
_______________________________ ________________________________ ________________________________
_______________________________ ________________________________ ________________________________
World Cultures outside the European tradition (1 course): ___________________________________
Quantitative Relationships (1 course): _______________________________
Ethnicity (1 course): _______________________________
European Traditions (1 course, B.A. only): _________________________________
Unit Requirements
180 total units required (184 if option 1 is chosen in GE Area B). Sixty units must be upper-division.
Note: No more than six units of ES 1- or equivalent courses will be accepted toward the units required for graduation. Credit is normally allowed only once for specic material.
Grade-Point Average Requirements
At least 2.0 (C) grade-point average in the following:
• all UC courses taken for a letter grade
• all UC courses required for the major taken for a letter grade
• all UC courses required for the upper-division major taken for a letter grade
Please note: At least two-thirds of each student’s units completed at UCSB must be letter-graded.
Academic Residence Requirements
In the University of California:
• ree regular terms of at least six units each (a UC summer session in which at least two units are completed is the equivalent
of one-half term)
In the College of Letters and Science at UCSB:
• 35 of the nal 45 units*
• 27 upper-division units
• 20 upper-division units in the major
*Students who participate in University of California Education Abroad, UCDC, or UC Center in Sacramento programs as seniors should consult the General Catalog for
details about a small exception.
Major Requirements
Questions regarding your major requirements should be directed to the department advisor.