Helpful Information for you!

What follows is an overview of courses you will need to complete before you graduate. Keep in mind that some courses can overlap between your major and your General Education (GE) requirements. This is good news as you may be finished with your GEs a lot sooner than you think!

The ERC Academic Advising Staff is here to guide, counsel and coach you during your entire time at UC San Diego. We hope you see us as your “home base,” the place to start when you are looking for answers. We can help you transition to UC San Diego successfully and achieve all of your academic goals. Follow this link to meet your Academic Counselors!

 The University requires you demonstrate proficiency in English composition by the end of your first year at UCSD.  You may have taken the Analytical Writing Placement Exam in May (or will be taking it in September). If you take the exam in May, we get your results in June and will advise you accordingly. If you don't take the exam and wait until September, then we'll advise you on options when you sign up for classes.  If you took one of the English AP exams or an English IB exam, you can wait to take the Analytical Writing Placement Exam (passing either the AP or IB exam clears you of the requirement).  If you haven't met ELWR by fall quarter, you will take a course in the fall to meet this requirement.

 The University requires a knowledge of American history and/or government.  If you graduated from a California high school, your AH&I requirement is complete.  If you attended high school outside California, you can clear the requirement with comparable coursework (see an ERC counselor).  International students should consult an ERC counselor.

Each college at UC San Diego has its own set of GE requirements that reflects the philosophy of the college. While the structure may differ slightly, all UCSD students take approximately the same number of GE courses regardless of their college. At ERC, we believe it's important to educate you to live in an increasingly interdependent, complex and global society, and our GEs reflect these goals. Many of the courses taken for GE requirements also meet major requirements.

 Making of the Modern World (MMW)  Quantitative/Formal Skills  Natural Sciences  Foreign Language Proficiency  Fine Arts  Regional Specialization  Upper Division Writing AP scores may exempt you from some GE and/or major requirements. Check out the AP Chart.AP Chart

 The MMW sequence is the centerpiece of ERC's general education and taken by every ERC student. This is an interdisciplinary sequence. You will take MMW 1 in the fall unless you are designated for SDCC 4 (ESL). An ERC counselor will advise you after we have the results from your Analytical Writing Placement Exam or AP/IB test results.  MMW 2 and 3, usually taken in winter and spring quarters, fulfill the UC Writing Requirement.  MMW 4, 5, and 6 are usually taken during your sophomore year. Some MMW courses may serve as lower division requirements for different majors.

You will meet language proficiency by one of these means:  Completing a 4th quarter or 3rd semester college level course  Passing a language proficiency exam  Attending a non-English language high school in another country  Earning a qualifying AP or IB score (see AP/IB chart)AP/IB chart  Receiving an SAT II score of 700 or higher in a foreign language

You will need two 4-unit courses chosen from the Visual Arts, Music or Theatre and Dance departments. One of these courses must be non-western. We will have a list of acceptable courses available online in time for your Fall registration.

 You must complete two classes from an approved list and might want to think of this as your "math" requirement.  For students whose majors require calculus, the requirement will be met by completing those major courses. There are many other quantitative formal skills course options for majors which do not require calculus.  Remember if you are pre-med you can be ANY major, but calculus is required.

 You must complete two classes from an approved list.  Similar to the Quantitative/Formal Skills, students with majors requiring specific science courses will complete this requirement by taking those major classes.

You will take 3 classes (at least 2 upper division) that focus on one of six specific geographical regions. These classes may be chosen from our approved list and are offered through a variety of departments. The upper division courses cannot overlap with your major. While these courses are usually taken during your junior or senior years (or while you're abroad) we want to make sure you know about them now!

At least one upper-division course in your academic program (your major, regional specialization, minor, etc.) must include a significant writing component in English. This is usually met during your junior and senior year when you're taking upper division classes. With careful planning, this should not be an additional course!

 Each major at UCSD has specific requirements in addition to your college requirements. It is important to check with your major department to learn how to fulfill your major requirements.  Each major department at UCSD has an advising office. You can its their major programs, current course offerings, and department contact information.  If you are undecided, don't worry, your GEs might help you find a major, or maybe your electives will open up new areas of interest. At ERC your general education requirements are the same, whether you've selected your major or not.  Your degree at UCSD will be a combination of your GE, Major Requirements, and electives and/or minors. Remember, you can be any major at any college at UCSD!

 You must declare a major before completing 90 units or you will not be able to register for courses.  UCSD has a wealth of majors (over 130) from which to choose. wealth of majors  Review the Majors Fact Sheet for new ERC Freshmen. Majors Fact Sheet  You must take required major courses for a letter grade.  You must earn a minimum 2.0 GPA in your major related courses to graduate.

ERC Academic Advising:  ERC Administration Bldg., 3 rd floor  Phone:  Virtual Advising: More Resources for your academic success: ERC Hand-e-book: “GE Sheet”: UCSD Catalog: Degree audit (found on): Counseling and Psychological Services: