The Program of Study

Every student enrolled in the College is a fully matriculated Boston University degree candidate who, upon completion of the two-year program, will have earned a minimum of 48 semester credit hours within the core curriculum and 16 elective credit hours in the other undergraduate programs of the University, for a total of 64 credit hours. Completion of these credit hours places a student approximately halfway through the 128-credit-hour requirement for nearly all of the baccalaureate degree programs within the University.

The general education program includes two years of study in social sciences and humanities, and one year of study in natural sciences and in rhetoric. Students must complete four elective courses totaling 16 credits. To fulfill this requirement, students choose from a variety of courses offered through the University’s undergraduate schools and colleges.

Directed Study

Directed study courses are available for students who wish to pursue independent research for academic credit under the guidance of a faculty member. A student who undertakes a directed study usually does so to explore in more depth areas covered broadly in courses, or to explore topics not ordinarily covered in the curriculum.

Study Abroad

Some CGS students may earn credits studying in London during the summer of the freshman year or fall of the sophomore year. Check the Study Abroad website for details.

Pass/Fail

Courses in physical education and courses graded on a Pass/Fail basis are not acceptable toward completion of the College of General Studies program.

Program Outline

The following outline is a guide to the course of study undertaken by students in the College of General Studies. Schools and colleges within the University and outside institutions may use this information in evaluating College of General Studies coursework for transfer credit. For more detailed course descriptions, consult the Courses section in this website.

Freshman Year

First Semester, 16 Credits

• CGS HU 101 Humanities I: Traditions in the Humanities: The Ancient World through the Renaissance Literature, with Film & Art History (4 cr)
• CGS RH 101 Rhetoric I: English Composition: Argument and Critical Thinking (4 cr)
• CGS SS 101 Social Sciences I: Introduction to Historical Sociology and the Social Sciences Anthropology, Sociology, Economics, and Social Psychology (4 cr)
• Elective (in another college) (4 cr)

Second Semester, 16–18 Credits

• CGS HU 102 Humanities II: Breaks with Tradition: The Enlightenment to the Present Literature, with Film & Art History (4 cr)
• CGS RH 102 Rhetoric II: English Composition: Argument and Research (4 cr)
• CGS SS 102 Social Sciences II: Social Change and Modernization in the Western World History (4 cr)
• Elective (in another college) (4–6 cr)

Sophomore Year

First Semester, 16 –18 Credits

• CGS HU 201 Humanities III: History of Western Ethical Philosophy; Plato to Nietzsche Philosophy, with Art, Film, and Literature (4 cr)
• CGS NS 201 Natural Sciences I: Scientific Paradigms and Contemporary Applications Cosmology, Evolution, Biological Chemistry, Genetics (4 cr)
• CGS SS 201 Social Sciences III: Social Change and Modernization in the Non-Western World: China and Russia History, Political Theory (4 cr)
• Elective (in another college) (4–6 cr)

Second Semester, 16–18 Credits

• CGS HU 202 Humanities IV: History of 20th Century Ethical Philosophy and Applied Ethics Philosophy, with Art, Film, and Literature (4 cr)
• CGS NS 202 Natural Sciences II: Human and Global Ecology Climatology, Environmental Chemistry, Population Biology (4 cr)
• CGS SS 202 Social Science IV: America’s Response to Aggression and Revolution: U.S. Foreign Policy Since the 1930s Political Science, International Relations (4 cr)
• Elective (in another college) (4–6 cr)