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 56 semester credit hours within the core curriculum and 8 elective credit hours in the other undergraduate programs of the University for a total of 64 credit hours. Completion of these 64 credit hours places a student 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 science, social science, and humanities, and one year of study in rhetoric and mathematics. Sophomores must complete two elective courses totaling 8 credits. To fulfill this requirement, students choose from a variety of courses offered through the University's undergraduate Schools and Colleges.

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

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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 Division and Course Offerings section of this site

Freshman Year

First Semester, 16 Credits

CGS HU 101 Humanities I: Traditions in the Humanities, 4 credits

CGS SS 101 Social Science I: Introduction to the Social Sciences, 4 credits

CGS SC 101 Physical Science I: Ancient Cosmology to the Newtonian Revolution, 4 credits

CGS RH 101 Rhetoric I: English Composition, 2 credits

CGS MA 101 Mathematical Analysis I: Modeling, 2 credits

Second Semester, 16 Credits

CGS HU 102 Humanities II: Breaks with Tradition, 4 credits

CGS SS 102 Social Science II: Modernization of the Western World, 4 credits

CGS SC 102 Physical Science II: Matter and the New Cosmology, 4 credits

CGS RH 102 Rhetoric II: English Composition and Research, 2 credits

CGS MA 102 Mathematics II: Introductory Calculus, 2 credits

Sophomore Year

First Semester, 16 Credits

CGS HU 201 Humanities III: History of Western Ethics I, 4 credits

CGS SS 201 Social Science III: Revolutions in China and Russia, 4 credits

CGS SC 201 Biological Science I: Evolution and Biodiversity, 4 credits

Elective

(approved elective) 4 credits

Second Semester, 16 Credits

CGS HU 202 Humanities IV: History of Western Ethics II, 4 credits

CGS SS 202 Social Science IV: America's Response to Twentieth-Century Revolutions, 4 credits

CGS SC 202 Biological Science II: Cellular Basis of Life, Ecology, 4 credits

Elective

(approved elective) 4 credits

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