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2024-2025 Academic Catalog
General Education Requirements
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A university brings together many separate areas of learning, yet it is more than just a collection of specialized disciplines. SJSU’s general education program establishes a strong foundation of versatile skills, fosters curiosity about the world, and prepares students to engage and contribute responsibly and cooperatively in a multicultural, information-rich society. General education classes integrate areas of study and encourage progressively more complex and creative analysis, expression, and problem solving. The program aims to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and values they need for a lifetime of intellectual and personal growth. Review the learning goals and outcomes , policies , academic advisement information , and previous requirements .
Undergraduate Graduation Requirements
To qualify for a baccalaureate degree, students must satisfy the major degree requirements and the Undergraduate University Graduation Requirements , which include the following minimum degree requirements and 51 units of coursework:
1. Academic Unit Requirements (120 units total with an average 2.0 GPA - “C” or better)
2. General Education Requirements (48 units)
3. American Institutions Requirement (0-6 units) (may be satisfied in GE Areas C and D)
4. Physical Education Requirement (0-2 units)
5. Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR) 3 unit(s) (see Writing in the Disciplines )
Exceptions for University Graduation Requirements apply to some majors.
General Education Unit Overview
General Education Core - Lower Division Requirements (39 units)
Area A. English Language Communication and Critical Thinking (9 units)
1. Oral Communication 3 unit(s) (“C-” or better)
2. Written Communication I 3 unit(s) (“C-” or better)
3. Critical Thinking and Writing 3 unit(s) (“C-” or better)
Area B. Scientific Inquiry and Quantitative Reasoning (9 units)
1. Physical Science 3 unit(s)
2. Life Science 3 unit(s)
3. Laboratory in either Physical or Life Science 0 unit(s)
4. Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning 3 unit(s) (“C-” or better)
Area C. Arts and Humanities (9 units)
1. Arts 3 unit(s)
2. Humanities 3 unit(s)
One additional 1. Arts or 2. Humanities 3 unit(s)
Area D. Social Sciences (6 units)
Area E. Human Understanding & Development (3 units)
Area F. Ethnic Studies (3 units) (“C-” or better)
SJSU Studies - Upper Division Requirements (9 units)
Area R. Earth, Environment, and Sustainability (3 units)
Area S. Self, Society & Equality in the U.S. (3 units)
Area V. Cultures and Global Understanding (3 units)
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General Education Requirements
General Education Core - Lower Division Requirements
Students must complete 39 units of Core GE courses. Courses that must be completed as a part of a sequence or are designed for specific majors only are identified in parentheses next to the course. Students may satisfy an Intensive GE sequence in science, math, or music.
A. English Language Communication and Critical Thinking
9 units
Complete one course each in 1. Oral Communication, 2. Written Communication I, and 3. Critical Thinking and Writing.
Minimum Grade: A minimum grade of “C-” or better (per the CSU General Education Breadth Requirements).
1. Oral Communication
Oral Communication courses cultivate an understanding of the social, psychological, political, and practical significance of communication, with special emphasis on the roles of public communication in a free society.
2. Written Communication I
Written Communication I courses cultivate an understanding of the writing process and the goals, dynamics, and genres of written communication, with special attention to the nature of writing at the university. First year students are expected to complete this requirement within their first two semesters at SJSU.
3. Critical Thinking and Writing
Critical Thinking and Writing courses develop students’ understanding of the relationship of language to logic, develop students’ abilities to research and analyze important topics, and to construct their own arguments on issues that generate meaningful public debate and deliberation.
B. Scientific Inquiry and Quantitative Reasoning
9 units
Complete at least one course in 1. Physical Science, 2. Life Science, and 4. Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning. At least one lab course (L) must be completed.
Physical, Life, and Laboratory Science courses (B1-3) develop students’ knowledge of scientific theories, concepts, and data about living and non-living systems, as well as potential limits of scientific endeavors and the value systems and ethics associated with scientific inquiry.
1. Physical Science
Intensive Science: Students who have completed the Intensive Science courses with a “C- or better”, will be allowed to use these courses to fulfill the requirement in B1/B3 or B2/B3. Students may petition to have (1) grades below C- (very rarely approved), or (2) other Intensive Science courses not on the list approved as intensive science courses. Additionally, the following packages of courses, all completed with “C- or better”, will satisfy Areas B1, B2, and B3: Two courses from PHYS 50 , PHYS 51 , or PHYS 52 , and CHEM 1A ; or PHYS 2A and PHYS 2B and CHEM 1A ; or CHEM 1A and CHEM 1B , plus a physics course. See details on the Office of Undergraduate Education’s Student Petitions website.
2. Life Science
Intensive Science: Students who have completed the Intensive Science courses with a “C- or better” will be allowed to use these courses to fulfill the requirement in B1/B3 or B2/B3. Students may petition to have (1) grades below C- (very rarely approved), or (2) other Intensive Science courses not on the list approved as intensive science courses. Additionally, the following packages of courses, all completed with “C- or better”, will satisfy Areas B1, B2, and B3: Two courses from PHYS 50 , PHYS 51 , or PHYS 52 , and CHEM 1A ; or PHYS 2A and PHYS 2B and CHEM 1A ; or CHEM 1A and CHEM 1B , plus a physics course. See details on the Office of Undergraduate Education’s Student Petitions website.
3. Laboratory
The following courses meet the Lab requirement only.
4. Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning
Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning courses develop students’ abilities to reason quantitatively, practice computational skills, and explain and apply mathematical and/or quantitative reasoning concepts to solve problems at the college level. First year students are expected to complete this requirement within their first two semesters at SJSU.
Minimum Grade: A minimum grade of “C-” or better (per the CSU General Education Breadth Requirements).
Intensive Math: Students who have completed an Intensive Math course with a “C- or better” will be allowed to use these courses to fulfill the requirement in B4: MATH 30 , MATH 30X , MATH 31 , MATH 31X , MATH 32 , MATH 32X , MATH 70 , MATH 70X , MATH 71 , or MATH 71X .
C. Arts and Humanities
9 units
Complete no fewer than 9 semester units, with at least one course in the Arts (C1) and one in the Humanities (C2).
In Arts and Humanities courses, students develop their understanding of the historical and cultural contexts in which works of art and humanistic inquiry are created and interpreted. Courses enable students to participate in social and cultural communities associated with artistic and humanistic endeavors, thus enriching their lives and promoting lifelong appreciation of the humanistic and creative arts.
Intensive Music: Students who have completed the Intensive Music courses MUSC 4A , MUSC 4B and MUSC 12 , with a “C or better”, will be allowed to use these courses to fulfill the requirements of Area C. Students may petition to have (1) grades below C (very rarely approved), or (2) other Intensive Music courses not on the list approved as intensive music courses. See details on the Office of Undergraduate Education’s Student Petitions website.
D. Social Sciences
6 units
Complete no fewer than 6 units in Area D. Courses in the Social Sciences (Area D and Area S) must be completed in at least two different disciplines (for example, ANTH and POLS). Students who take two lower-division Area D courses in the same discipline must take an Area S upper-division GE course in a different discipline.
To earn American Institutions (US123) credit, students may complete two D courses that incorporate the American Institutions content, as noted below. Some courses may require completion of a 2-semester sequence in order to receive American Institutions credit (AFAM 2A /AFAM 2B , AAS 33A /AAS 33B , CCS 10A /CCS 10B ).
Social Science courses increase students’ understanding of human behavior and social interaction in the context of value systems, economic structures, political institutions, social groups, and natural environments.
E. Human Understanding & Development
3 units
Complete one course.
Human Understanding and Development courses prepare students for lifelong learning and enhance their understanding of the factors that contribute to overall well-being in college and across the human lifespan. Students also learn skills to employ available university resources to support academic and personal development.
F. Ethnic Studies
3 units
Complete one course.
Ethnic Studies courses give students the knowledge and skills necessary for comprehending continued sovereignty movements, racial and ethnic dynamics, and colonial settler and social justice histories of the United States; and the socio-historical origins, processes, and consequences of racial construction, racialization, and racial oppression in the society in which they live. Students learn core interdisciplinary and comparative concepts and frameworks in ethnic studies with a focus on understanding race and ethnicity as they apply to the historically defined racialized core groups: Native Americans, African Americans, Asian Americans, and Chicanx/Latinx Americans. Students will gain the skills to better operate as responsible, informed, and constructive citizens in an evolving multiracial and multicultural democracy.
Minimum Grade: A minimum grade of “C-” or better (per the SJSU General Education Requirements).
SJSU Studies - Upper Division Requirements
Students complete 9 units of SJSU studies upper division general education courses (Areas R/S/V). In some cases, SJSU Studies areas are integrated in a single course or overlap with the major .
Grade Option: Areas R, S, and V must be taken for a letter grade.
Second baccalaureate students who earned their first bachelor degree from a regionally accredited institution in the U.S. are not required to take SJSU Studies unless specific courses are required by the major.
Transfer students who complete any portion of upper division GE at another CSU campus may request equivalency for coursework in SJSU Studies. Contact the Undergraduate Education Office for evaluation of coursework.
Areas R, S, and V
9 units
Complete one course from each area.
Minimum Prerequisites:
- Completion of core GE;
- Upper division standing; and,
- Pre/Corequisite: a 100W course is strongly recommended.
Year-Long Course Sequences: Students enroll in 6 units in the fall and 3 units in the spring.
R. Earth, Environment, and Sustainability
In Earth, Environment and Sustainability courses, students apply knowledge of scientific theories and concepts as well as quantitative reasoning to explore the relationship between humans and the natural environment. Students achieve an understanding of the role that science plays in addressing complex issues, as well as the potential limits of scientific endeavors and the value systems and ethics associated with scientific inquiry.
S. Self, Society & Equality in the U.S.
Students in courses in Self, Society & Equality in the U.S. study the interrelationships of individuals, racial groups, and cultural groups to understand and appreciate issues of equality, structured inequality, and justice in the United States. By exploring different perspectives and helping students articulate and discuss their own values, Area S courses prepare students to live and work responsibly and cooperatively in a multicultural society.
Courses in the Social Sciences (Area D and Area S) must be completed in at least two different disciplines. Students who take two lower-division Area D courses in the same discipline must take an Area S upper-division GE course in a different discipline.
- AAS 175 - Asian American Communities 3 unit(s)
- AE 171A - Aircraft Design I 3 unit(s) (specified majors only)
- AE 172A - Spacecraft Design I 3 unit(s) (specified majors only)
- AFAM 152 - Black Feminisms 3 unit(s)
- AFAM 159 - The Racial Wealth Gap in America 3 unit(s)
- AFAM 170 - Interracial Intimacies and Mixed Race Identity in the U.S. 3 unit(s)
- AMS 169 - The American Dream 3 unit(s)
- ANTH 140 - Human Sexuality 3 unit(s)
- BIOL 140 - Human Sexuality 3 unit(s)
- BME 198A - Senior Design Project I 2 unit(s) (specified majors only)
- BUS3 186 - Professional and Business Ethics 3 unit(s)
- CA 172 - The Arts in U.S. Society 3 unit(s)
- CCS 130 - Chicanas and Chicanos in American Society 3 unit(s)
- CCS 160 - Gender and Sexuality in the Chicana/o Community 3 unit(s)
- CHAD 102 - Development of Self in a Culturally Diverse Society 3 unit(s)
- CHAD 131 - Equity, Resilience, and Risk in Public Schools 3 unit(s)
- CMPE 195A - Senior Design Project I 2 unit(s) (specified majors only)
- COMM 157SL - Community Action/Community Service 3 unit(s)
- COMM 168A - Climate Action and Leadership I 6 unit(s) (S/V)
- COMM 174 - Intercultural Comm and Structural Inequalities 3 unit(s)
- EDLD 101 - Rediscovering Disability Studies at the Intersections 3 unit(s)
- EDLD 160 - 1st Generation College Students Pathways 3 unit(s)
- EDSE 102 - Intro to Language Development and Disability 3 unit(s)
- EDUC 157SL - Community Action/Community Service 3 unit(s)
- EE 198A - Senior Design Project I 1 unit(s) (specified majors only)
- ENGL 117A - American Literature, Film, & Culture 3 unit(s)
- ENGL 169 - Ethnicity in American Literature 3 unit(s)
- ENGL 172 - The Arts in U.S. Society 3 unit(s)
- ENGR 157SL - Community Action/Community Service 3 unit(s)
- ENGR 195A - Global and Social Issues in Engineering 1 unit(s) (specified majors only)
- ENGR 195C - Interdisciplinary Senior Project I 3 unit(s) (specified majors only)
- ENVS 150 - Introduction to Environmental Thought 3 unit(s)
- ENVS 168A - Climate Action and Leadership I 6 unit(s) (S/V)
- GEOG 140 - The United States 3 unit(s)
- GERO 107 - Aging and Society 3 unit(s)
- HA 157SL - Community Action/Community Service 3 unit(s)
- HIST 170S - Topics in American History: American Identities and Institutions 3 unit(s)
- HIST 185 - LGBTQ+ History in the United States 3 unit(s)
- HIST 188 - History of Women in the United States 3 unit(s)
- HUM 169 - The American Dream 3 unit(s)
- HUM 177A - Advanced Honors in Integrated Science, Social Science, and Humanities 6 unit(s) (must complete sequence)
- HUM 177B - Advanced Honors in Integrated Science, Social Science, and Humanities 3 unit(s) (must complete sequence)
- HUM 191 - Religion in America 3 unit(s)
- JS 132 - Race, Gender, Inequality and the Law 3 unit(s)
- JS 136 - Family and Community Violence 3 unit(s)
- KIN 101 - Sport in America 3 unit(s)
- KIN 169 - Diversity, Stress and Health 3 unit(s)
- LING 129 - Culture, Language and Ethnicity in the U.S. 3 unit(s)
- LSTP 139 - Education and (In)Equality 3 unit(s)
- MATE 198A - Senior Design Project 2 unit(s) (specified majors only)
- ME 195A - Senior Design Project I 3 unit(s) (specified majors only)
- METR 168A - Climate Action and Leadership I 6 unit(s) (S/V)
- MUSC 120 - Worlds of Jazz 3 unit(s)
- MUSC 172 - The Arts in U.S. Society 3 unit(s)
- NUFS 114B - Community Nutrition (non-majors) 3 unit(s)
- NUFS 134 - Multicultural Complementary and Alternative Medicine 3 unit(s)
- NUFS 135 - Health Issues in a Multicultural Society 3 unit(s)
- NURS 178 - Leadership III 3 unit(s)
- NURS 178A - Leadership 3 unit(s)
- PH 107 - Aging and Society 3 unit(s)
- PH 135 - Health Issues in a Multicultural Society 3 unit(s)
- PH 140 - Human Sexuality 3 unit(s)
- PH 169 - Diversity, Stress and Health 3 unit(s)
- PHIL 186 - Professional and Business Ethics 3 unit(s)
- POLS 120 - Law and Society 3 unit(s)
- PSYC 191 - The Psychology of Prejudice 3 unit(s)
- RECL 111 - Leisure, Culture, and Identity 3 unit(s)
- RELS 162 - Religion and Political Controversy in the US 3 unit(s)
- RELS 191 - Religion in America 3 unit(s)
- RTVF 110 - Media and Culture 3 unit(s)
- SCI 157SL - Community Action/Community Service 3 unit(s)
- SCWK 107 - Aging and Society 3 unit(s)
- SOCI 162 - Race and Ethnic Relations 3 unit(s)
- SOCS 138 - US History for Teachers 3 unit(s)
- TA 172 - The Arts in U.S. Society 3 unit(s)
- URBP 101 - The City 3 unit(s)
- WGSS 101 - Sex, Power, and Politics 3 unit(s)
V. Cultures and Global Understanding
Courses in Cultures and Global Understanding examine multiple aspects of human expression in cultures and societies outside the United States, including how such cultures develop and influence one another as well as U.S. cultures and societies.
- AE 171B - Aircraft Design II 3 unit(s) (specified majors only)
- AE 172B - Spacecraft Design II 3 unit(s) (specified majors only)
- AMS 159 - Nature and World Cultures 3 unit(s)
- ANTH 114 - Legacy of Asia 3 unit(s)
- ANTH 115 - The Emerging Global Culture 3 unit(s)
- ANTH 122 - Magic, Science and Religion 3 unit(s)
- ANTH 145 - Middle Eastern Traditions 3 unit(s)
- ANTH 146 - Culture and Conflict 3 unit(s)
- ARTH 193A - Worlds of Art and Culture 3 unit(s)
- ARTH 193B - East Meets West in Art 3 unit(s)
- ASIA 104 - Asian Philosophy 3 unit(s)
- ASIA 114 - Legacy of Asia 3 unit(s)
- ASIA 115 - The Emerging Global Culture 3 unit(s)
- ASIA 122 - English as a World Language 3 unit(s)
- ASIA 140 - Chinese Culture and Politics Through Literature 3 unit(s)
- ASIA 193B - East Meets West in Art 3 unit(s)
- AVIA 198 - Aviation and Human Civilization 3 unit(s)
- BME 198B - Senior Design Project II 2 unit(s) (specified majors only)
- CA 173 - Thinking About Contemporary World Arts 3 unit(s)
- CHAD 106 - Concepts of Childhood 3 unit(s)
- CHAD 132 - Education from a Global Perspective 3 unit(s)
- CHIN 140 - Chinese Culture and Politics Through Literature 3 unit(s)
- CMPE 195B - Senior Design Project II 3 unit(s) (specified majors only)
- CMPE 198 - Technology and Civilization 3 unit(s)
- COMM 168A - Climate Action and Leadership I 6 unit(s) (S/V)
- COMM 179 - Global Media and Resistance 3 unit(s)
- DANC 102 - Dance in World Cultures 3 unit(s)
- EDLD 120 - The Right to Learn: Language, Dignity, and Education 3 unit(s)
- EDSE 124 - Teach for Social Justice: Language & Disability 3 unit(s)
- EE 198B - Senior Design Project II 3 unit(s) (specified majors only)
- ENGL 117B - Global Film, Literature, and Cultures 3 unit(s)
- ENGL 123A - Literatures of the Americas 3 unit(s)
- ENGL 123B - Literatures of Africa 3 unit(s)
- ENGL 123C - Literatures of the Pacific 3 unit(s)
- ENGL 123D - Literatures of Asia 3 unit(s)
- ENGL 126 - Holocaust Literature 3 unit(s)
- ENGL 127 - Contemporary Theatre 3 unit(s)
- ENGL 173 - Thinking About Contemporary World Arts 3 unit(s)
- ENGR 195B - Global and Social Issues in Engineering 1 unit(s) (specified majors only)
- ENGR 195D - Interdisciplinary Senior Project II 3 unit(s) (specified majors only)
- ENGR 198 - Technology and Civilization 3 unit(s)
- ENVS 159 - Nature and World Cultures 3 unit(s)
- ENVS 168A - Climate Action and Leadership I 6 unit(s) (S/V)
- FORL 126 - Holocaust Literature 3 unit(s)
- FREN 102B - Francophone Cultures: Through Literature and Cinema 3 unit(s)
- GEOG 112 - Nations, Cultures & Globalization 3 unit(s)
- GLST 143 - Gender, Power, Intnl Dev 3 unit(s)
- GLST 188 - Special Topics in International Experiences 3 unit(s)
- HIST 118 - Yiddish History and Culture 3 unit(s)
- HIST 136 - World Jewish History 3 unit(s)
- HIST 153 - History of Women in Europe 3 unit(s)
- HIST 155 - 20th Century World 3 unit(s)
- HUM 114 - Legacy of Asia 3 unit(s)
- HUM 126 - Holocaust Literature 3 unit(s)
- HUM 128 - Perspectives on the Twentieth Century: The West in a Global Context 3 unit(s)
- HUM 159 - Nature and World Cultures 3 unit(s)
- HUM 177A - Advanced Honors in Integrated Science, Social Science, and Humanities 6 unit(s) (must complete sequence)
- HUM 177B - Advanced Honors in Integrated Science, Social Science, and Humanities 3 unit(s) (must complete sequence)
- ISE 151 - Engineering Management Systems in Global Society 3 unit(s)
- JPN 102B - Local and Minority Cultures in Japan 3 unit(s)
- JS 171 - Human Rights and Justice 3 unit(s)
- JWSS 118 - Yiddish History and Culture 3 unit(s)
- JWSS 126 - Holocaust Literature 3 unit(s)
- JWSS 136 - World Jewish History 3 unit(s)
- KIN 111 - Sport & Movement in a Global Context 3 unit(s)
- KIN 111ITL - Sport & Movement in a Global Context: International Experience 3 unit(s)
- LING 122 - English as a World Language 3 unit(s)
- MATE 198B - Senior Design Project 2 unit(s) (specified majors only)
- MCOM 118 - Metaverse, Society and World-Building 3 unit(s)
- MDES 145 - Middle Eastern Traditions 3 unit(s)
- ME 195B - Senior Design Project II 3 unit(s) (specified majors only)
- ME 198 - Technology and Civilization 3 unit(s)
- METR 168A - Climate Action and Leadership I 6 unit(s) (S/V)
- MUSC 117 - Music and Culture in Latin America 3 unit(s)
- MUSC 173 - Thinking About Contemporary World Arts 3 unit(s)
- NUFS 144 - Food Culture: Consuming Passions 3 unit(s)
- NURS 110ITL - Global Influences on Health 3 unit(s)
- PHIL 104 - Asian Philosophy 3 unit(s)
- PHIL 110 - Science, Technology and Human Values 3 unit(s)
- PHIL 133 - Ethics in Science 3 unit(s)
- PHIL 134 - Computers, Ethics and Society 3 unit(s)
- POLS 150 - War and Peace 3 unit(s)
- POLS 170V - American Politics in Global Perspective 3 unit(s)
- RELS 104 - Asian Philosophy 3 unit(s)
- RELS 114 - Legacy of Asia 3 unit(s)
- RELS 122 - Magic, Science and Religion 3 unit(s)
- RELS 145 - Middle Eastern Traditions 3 unit(s)
- RTVF 111 - Global Screen Cultures 3 unit(s)
- SCWK 106 - Understanding Diversity Through a Transcultural Lens 3 unit(s)
- SOCS 139 - World History for Teachers 3 unit(s)
- SPAN 102B - Hispanic American Culture 3 unit(s)
- TA 127 - Contemporary Theatre 3 unit(s)
- TA 173 - Thinking About Contemporary World Arts 3 unit(s)
- TECH 198 - Technology and Civilization 3 unit(s)
- WGSS 102 - The Global Study of Women 3 unit(s)
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