Seven-Course Breadth

Knowledge and appreciation of the creative arts. Courses meeting this requirement involve significant engagement with arts, literature or language, either through critical study of works of art or through the creation of art. 

An Introduction to the diversity of life on all scales (e.g., molecular genetics, structural biochemistry, ecosystems, and evolution). Courses that satisfy the Biological Sciences requirement use a combination of observation, hypothesis-driven data analysis and experimentation.

Perspectives on the human condition and an appreciation of the origins and evolution of the numerous cultures and social orders that have populated the earth. Courses fulfilling this requirement deal primarily with the human events, institutions and activities of the past.

An in-depth exploration of political, cultural, artistic and/or socio-economic life centered on a country or region other than the United States and in the contemporary period.

Beginning in Fall 2017, course options as published in the Berkeley Academic Guide Class Schedule include 5th semester, advanced language instruction options offered by a limited number of departments (3rd semester language instructions were accepted through Summer 2017 only). Language proficiency exams may not be used to satisfy International Studies. Additionally, this requirement may be satisfied by full participation in a study abroad program (see more below). 

Investigation of the intellectual and ethical motivations that inspire the record of humanity's social and cultural achievement and to ponder the types of questions that will enhance their ability to understand their heritage, their contemporaries, and themselves. Courses fulfilling this requirement include those with a major focus on religion, ethics, legal values, or leading philosophical figures.

A quantitative understanding of the physical universe, from its microscopic underpinnings to its large-scale structure and evolution. Courses that satisfy the Physical Science requirement teach students how to explain natural phenomena starting from first principles, using a combination of reason, experiment, and quantitative analysis.

Analyze the determinants of human behavior, the dynamics of social interaction among human beings, and the complex political, economic, social, cultural, and psychological factors at play in societies. Courses meeting this requirement include courses in development studies, economics, political economy, history, legal studies, political science, sociology, social welfare, and many courses in anthropology, linguistics and psychology.

Students admitted Fall 2018 and later

High school exam scores cannot be used to satisfy Seven-Course Breadth

STUDENTS ADMITTED Spring 2018 AND prior

Some A Level exams may be considered for breadth. Contact a College adviser for an evaluation

Complete one approved course for each of the seven areas with a minimum grade of C- or P. To find course options for breadth, go to the Berkeley Academic Guide Class Schedule(link is external), select the term of interest, and use the 'Breadth Requirements' filter to select the breadth area(s) of interest.  When selecting a course, keep the following in mind:

• While some courses may satisfy more than one breadth area, in the end, a course may only be used for one of the approved areas. To satisfy the requirement, complete seven distinct courses, one for each breadth area.
• Students may use up to two courses from any one academic department to satisfy Seven-Course Breadth. This limitation includes all subject areas offered by the department, and if the course is cross-listed (indicated by a 'C' prefix), all the other department(s) offering the course as well.  An exception to this limitation is courses offered by Letters and Science ('LS'). Students may complete as many LS courses(link is external) as they wish for Seven-Course Breadth. This includes LS courses offered through the Discovery(link is external) and Big Ideas(link is external) programs. 
• Courses fulfilling American History & Institutions(link is external), American Cultures(link is external) or requirements in the major program may also be applied to the Seven-Course Breadth requirement.
• Exams, such as Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate exams, cannot be used to fulfill breadth requirements.

Courses taken prior to Fall 2016

Courses taken prior to Fall 2016 can be verified for Seven-Course Breadth approval by viewing The Archived Seven-Course Breadth List.

Fall program for First semester (FPF)

Fall Program for First Semester (FPF) Students can confirm Seven-Course Breadth options using the Berkeley Fall Program for First Semester website.(link is external)

UCEAP courses may be evaluated to fulfill Seven-Course Breadth. To request review of prospective courses in advance of enrolling in a program, please click the 'Evaluation of breadth courses' link on the Berkeley Study Abroad college advising(link is external) page. 

This same link(link is external)also lists previously approved UCEAP courses by country and program.

International Studies breadth may be satisfied by full participation in the UC and UC Berkeley sponsored programs for study abroad listed below. All the required courses for each program must be completed with a C-/P or better.

Completion of study abroad programs sponsored by other accredited colleges and universities (for example, Budapest Semesters in Mathematics(link is external), CEA Study Abroad(link is external), Pitzer College Study Abroad(link is external)) is also acceptable provided a student has obtained pre-approval from a College Adviser. Please note that not all programs may qualify and simply taking coursework abroad does not qualify. To be reviewed for pre-approval, make an appointment with an L&S College Adviser and be prepared with a link to the program you are considering. 

All transfer courses must be completed with a grade of C- or better or the equivalent of a Passed (P) grade on the host campus in order to be considered for Seven-Course Breadth.