Areas of Study

Undergraduate degree programs throughout the university require varying patterns of general education courses selected from the categories below. The lists on the following pages identify those courses which will count toward general education requirements when taken during the 1995-96 academic year. However, the lists of general education courses change from year to year. Each year, students must consult the current lists to select courses accepted for general education credit.

Important Limitations

In no case may a student count more than two courses from any one department to fulfill general education requirements in the areas of study. Some courses are listed for credit in two categories. A student may count a course in only one category. No more than 12 units of pass/no pass credit may apply to general education requirements.

Courses transferred from other institutions must carry at least 2 2/3 units of credit to be applied to general education requirements.

Two courses counted toward general education credit may also count for major credit, unless prohibited by the student's home department. Students completing a second major may count as many courses as they wish for both general education and second major credit, provided they do not count more than two courses from any one department (e.g., the second major is interdisciplinary). Students in departments in the social sciences or natural sciences who wish a second major in the humanities must take a second course in Empirical Approaches or one course in Western Culture II but need not take both.

General Education Petitions

Students may petition to apply one or more courses not listed in the General Education section of the USC Catalogue toward requirements in the Areas of Study. If the course or courses to be substituted were or will be taken at USC (or a USC-sponsored program overseas), a General Petition may be initiated in the student's home department; if taken at another institution, an Articulation Petition may be initiated at the Degree Progress Department window in Student Administrative Services 010.

Petitions to apply USC courses which do not carry the "g" designation toward the Areas of Study may be approved if, in the opinion of the general education coordinator or a designated representative, each course to be substituted is as rigorous and appropriate to the objectives of the category for which it is requested as the courses approved and listed for that category. Misadvisement will be considered only when evidence in writing is produced. If the General Education office does not recommend that a petition be granted, the student may solicit the further endorsement of his or her dean and have the request decided by the Committee on Academic Policies and Procedures.

The Natural World

Courses in this category examine the basic methods and concepts on which the modern understanding of the natural world is based. The courses introduce students to a broad class of natural phenomena and their interpretation on the basis of contemporary models as well as an understanding of the methodology of the natural sciences. Natural World courses are divided into three categories: physical sciences, life sciences and earth sciences. Students may count only one course from any one department toward fulfilling the natural world requirement.
Earth Sciences
ASTR 100gElementary Astronomy
ASTR 385gAstronomy's Contribution to Western Culture
GEOG 160LgIntroduction to Physical Geography
GEOG 365LgFundamentals of Weather and Climate
GEOL 105LgPlanet Earth
GEOL 107LxgElements of Oceanography
GEOL 108LxgGeology and the Environment
GEOL 240LxgEarthquakes

Life Sciences
ANTH 200gIntroduction to Biological Anthropology
BISC 100LxgCells and Organisms
BISC 101xgHuman Biology
BISC 102xgHumans and Their Environment
BISC 106Lg*Principles of Biology I
BISC 116Lg*Advanced Principles of Biology I
BISC 150xgThe Nature of Human Health and Disease:
From Mental Illness to AIDS
BISC 230gMan, Mind, and Machines: Introduction to Neuroscience
EXSC 300LgPhysiology of Exercise
GERO 210gBiology of Development and Aging

Physical Sciences
ASTR 100gElementary Astronomy
ASTR 385gAstronomy's Contribution to Western Culture
CHEM 102xgChemistry for the Non-Scientist
CHEM 105aLg*General Chemistry
CHEM 115aLg*Advanced General Chemistry
PHYS 100xgPhysics for the Non-Scientist
PHYS 102LxgPhysics of Waves and Light

*While these courses are not recommended as general education courses for all students, they are appropriate for special categories of students. Students should see the College Advisement Office before registering for any of these courses.

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Produced by the USC Division of Student Affairs, Office of University Publications, May 1, 1995
univpub@stuaff.usc.edu