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Natural Science Requirement


Science, Engineering, and Mathematics majors are advised to take this requirement for a Letter Grade (unless not required by major).

Arts, Humanities, and Social Science majors may take the requirement Pass/Not Pass

The Remote (R) version of an approved course will also be accepted.

Labs: labs are not required for General Education requirements for Revelle College, but they may be required by the department or your major. Check UCSD General Catalog for majors requiring specific labs.

*Course offerings are subject to change

Requirement for Students Admitted as FRESHMEN

Five courses to include:

  • Biology - 1 course
  • Chemistry - 1 course
  • Physics - 1 course
  • Natural Science - 2 additional courses from the approved list below

Requirement for Students Admitted as TRANSFER

Transfer students admitted prior to Fall 2024 had the same requirement as students admitted as Freshmen (5 courses – see above)

Transfer students admitted Fall 2024 and after:

Four courses to include:

  • Biology/Chemistry/Physics: 2 courses from the approved list below from different disciplines in Biology, Chemistry, or Physics
  • Natural Science - 2 additional courses from the approved list below

Approved Courses

Biology
Course No. Course Title Quarter(s) Offered*
For Majors that Do Not Require Biology:
BILD 7 The Beginning of Life F
BILD 10 Fundamental Concepts of Modern Biology
(No credit after BILD 1)
F, Summer
BILD 12/COGS 17 Neurobiology and Behavior W/F, W, S
BILD 18 Human Impact on the Environment
BILD 20 Human Genetics in Modern Society F, S, Summer
BILD 22 Human Nutrition W
BILD 26 Human Physiology
BILD 28 Immunology, Vaccines, and Immunotherapy
BILD 30 Biology of Plagues: Past & Present Summer
BILD 32 Biology of Cancer F
BILD 36 AIDS Science and Society 
BILD 38 Dementia, Science, and Society  S
BILD 42 Our Sustainable Future
BILD 44 Scientific Perspectives for a Changing World
BILD 46 Ecology of a Changing Planet
BILD 61 Biology, Race and Society W
For Majors that Require Biology:
BILD 1 The Cell
(High school chemistry recommended)
F, W, S, Summer
BILD 2 Multicellular Life
(Prerequisite: BILD 1)
F, W, S, Summer
BILD 3 Organismic and Evolutionary Biology F, W, S, Summer
BILD 5 Data Analysis and Design for Biologists F, W, S
BILD 51 Quantitative Biology Project Lab
BILD 60 Exploring Issues of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Relation to Human Biology F, W, S
Chemistry
Course No. Course Title Quarter(s) Offered*
For Majors that Do Not Require Chemistry:
CHEM 11 The Periodic Table
(No credit after CHEM 4; May be taken after CHEM 6A)
W, S
For Science Majors (with insufficient preparation):
CHEM 4

Chemical Thinking - prep for CHEM 6A, no credit after CHEM 11

Restricted to first-year and sophomore enrollment
(Recommended concurrent enrollment in MATH 3C, 4C, 10A, or higher)

F
For Majors that Require Chemistry:
CHEM 6A General Chemistry
(Prerequisite: See Course Catalog)
F, W, S
CHEM 6B General Chemistry
(Prerequisite: See Course Catalog)
F, W, S
CHEM 6C General Chemistry
(Prerequisite: See Course Catalog)
F, W, S
CHEM 6AH Honors General Chemistry
(Prerequisite: See Course Catalog)
F
CHEM 6BH Honors General Chemistry
(Prerequisite: See Course Catalog)
W
CHEM 6CH Honors General Chemistry
(Prerequisite: See Course Catalog)
S
Physics
Course No. Course Title Quarter(s) Offered*
For Majors that Do Not Require Physics:
PHYS 5 Stars and Black Holes F
PHYS 7 Galaxies and Cosmology W
PHYS 8 Physics of Everyday Life
PHYS 9 The Solar System
PHYS 10 Concepts in Physics
(College Algebra or equivalent recommended)
F, S
PHYS 11 Survey of Physics
(Prerequisite: MATH 10A or 20A and concurrent enrollment in MATH 10B or 20B)
PHYS 12 Energy and the Environment
PHYS 13 Life in the Universe S
Acceptable for Biology Majors:

(Course and lab must be taken concurrently)

PHYS 1A
PHYS 1AL
Mechanics (3 Units)
Mechanics Lab (2 Units)
(Prerequisite: Math 10A or 20A and concurrent enrollment in Math 10B or 20B
F, W, S, Summer
PHYS 1B
PHYS 1BL
Electricity and Magnetism (3 Units)
Electricity and Magnetism Lab (2 Units)
F, W, S, Summer
PHYS 1C
PHYS 1CL
Waves, Optics, and Modern Physics (3 Units)
Waves, Optics, and Modern Physics Lab (2 Units)
F, W, S, Summer
For Some Engineering Majors (check with department), Physical Science Majors, and recommended for Molecular Biology Majors:
PHYS 2A Physics - Mechanics
Prerequisite: Math 20A and concurrent enrollment in Math 20B
F, W, S, Summer
PHYS 2B Physics - Electricity and Magnetism F, W, S, Summer
PHYS 2C Physics - Fluids, Waves, Thermodynamics, Optics F, W, S, Summer
PHYS 2D Physics - Relativity and Quantum Physics F, W, S, Summer
For Physics Majors (and students with a strong interest in physics):
PHYS 4A Physics for Physics Majors - Mechanics
Prerequisite: Math 20A and concurrent enrollment in Math 20B
W, Summer
PHYS 4B Mechanics, Fluids, Waves & Heat S, Summer
PHYS 4C Electricity and Magnetism F
PHYS 4D Electromagnetic Waves, Optics, and Special Relativity W
PHYS 4E Quantum Physics S
Environmental Sciences
Course No. Course Title Quarter(s) Offered*
ESYS 10 Introduction to Environmental Systems 
SIO 1 The Planets W
SIO 3 Life in the Oceans W
SIO 10 The Earth S
SIO 12 History of the Earth and Evolution F
SIO 15 Natural Disasters F
SIO 16 Geology of the National Parks S
SIO 20 The Atmosphere
SIO 25 Climate Change and Society
SIO 30 The Oceans F
SIO 35 Water W
SIO 40 Life and Climate on Earth F
SIO 50 Introduction to Physical Geology F, S
SIO 60 Experiences in Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences  F
Philosophy
Course No. Course Title Quarter(s) Offered*
PHIL 12 Scientific Reasoning F, S

AP/IB Tests

For information about AP credit, see AP Chart

For information about IB credit, see IB Chart