All of the XCC courses follow the naming convention HUB XC 4XX and fulfill 4 BU units and 4 Hub requirements satisfying the Intellectual Toolkit in Creativity/Innovation (CRI), Research and Information Literacy (RIL), and Teamwork/Collaboration (TWC). The fourth Hub requirement addresses Communication in either written (WIN), oral (OSC), or digital (DME) forms, and varies by course number.
Policies
The Cross-College Challenge (XCC) is designed as a signature Hub elective for juniors and seniors however limited seats in some sections are reserved for rising sophomores. Others may petition to enroll in an XCC course at the discretion of the instructors.
Cross-College Challenge course (HUB XC) cannot be completed on a Pass/Fail basis by any student, regardless of entering year. More info at: https://www.bu.edu/academics/hub/policies/cross-college-challenge/
Individual XCC course numbers (XC 411, 421, 436 etc) are not repeatable for credit so students should plan their degree progress accordingly. There are several new course numbers available beginning with Spring 2025 registration that will allow students to take courses of different numbers and fulfill Hub requirements for each however, students are not permitted to take more than one HUB XC course in the same semester.
Spring 2027 Courses
XC421 Unheard Voices: Deconstructing the Dominant Narratives by Inclusion
Given the racial injustice and the current challenges society faces today, it is imperative that higher education institutions create equitable spaces and opportunities to include the voices and experiences of marginalized communities that feel secondary and peripheral in a dominant discourse. Student teams will work with community partners to create a series of podcasts that share knowledge and thoughts from communities that often feel marginalized and invisible in the national equity and democratic discourse. Effective Spring 2025, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Creativity/Innovation, Digital/Multimedia Expression, Research and Information Literacy, Teamwork/Collaboration.
Tu 3:30PM – 6:15PM
XC422 Exploring Walkability in Boston
This Cross-College Challenge (XCC) course will partner with WalkMassachusetts, a nonprofit that makes walking safer and easier in Massachusetts, to tell the fascinating and inspiring stories of the roads less traveled (by foot) in Boston. Through video storytelling, students will explore walkability through a diversity of perspectives. Engaging in all stages of production, student teams will create projects that strive for social justice through amplifying community voices or through actionable change. WalkMassachusetts will feature and promote videos on their website and social media. Effective Spring 2025, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Creativity/Innovation, Digital/Multimedia Expression, Research and Information Literacy, Teamwork/Collaboration.
Mo 2:30PM – 5:15PM
XC436 Bike to BU
This XCC course partners with BU Sustainability’s Division of Transportation Demand Management and Planning. Students engage in projects focused on increasing awareness and expanding opportunities to incorporate bicycling and other forms of accessible mobility into the commute of members of the BU community. By 2050 it is estimated 68% of the global human population will live in cities as compared to 55% today, leading to increased road congestion, commute times and greenhouse gas emissions. However, a 20% increase in cycling worldwide could cut CO2 emissions by nearly 11% by 2050. Effective Spring 2025, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Creativity/Innovation, Oral and/or Signed Communication, Research and Information Literacy, Teamwork/Collaboration.
We 2:30PM – 5:15PM
XC438 The Art and Science of Technology Consulting
This Cross-College Challenge (XCC) course introduces practical concepts of technology consulting using an experiential project which is developed and implemented in collaboration with course faculty, and community partners/clients, such as Innovate@BU. Each inter-disciplinary student team will act as a consulting firm, that understands and solves a given customer problem and proposes a solution and creates a detailed Requirement Specification for the customer. Students learn and develop collaboration, communication, problem-solving and leadership skills. Effective Fall 2025, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Creativity/Innovation, Oral and Signed Communication, Research and Information Literacy, Teamwork/Collaboration.
Th 12:30PM – 3:15PM
XC439 Concept to Cart (C2C): Consumer Products Entrepreneurship
Concept to Cart (C2C) is a hands-on, team-based course where students take a physical consumer product from idea to market. Students conduct customer research, design and test prototypes, develop branding, marketing, and business models, and learn manufacturing and financial fundamentals. Industry veterans guide the work, and the course culminates in high‑stakes pitches to a board of advisors who deliver real-world advice and feedback. Effective Spring 2027, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Creativity/Innovation, Oral and/or Signed Communication, Research and Information Literacy, Teamwork/Collaboration.
Tu 12:30PM – 3:15PM
BU Spark! XCC Courses
Through the Cross-College Challenge (XCC), BU Spark! offers students in tech and relevant non-computing majors the opportunity to participate in interdisciplinary practicum courses while fulfilling multiple BU Hub requirements.
XC 473 Spark! Justice Media Co-Lab
Brooke Williams (COM) and Anthony Chamberas (CDS)
Fridays 11:15 am–2:00 pm*
Wednesday 6:30–8:30 pm*
If you have a background in computer and data science, statistics, computer engineering, or journalism-related disciplines, XC410 A1 will match you with computational journalism projects provided by external media partners (like the Boston Globe, CBS Boston, GBH, USA Today, and more). You will work on computational investigations focused on issues of justice and accountability, and be guided by veteran faculty practitioners in journalism and computer and data science. An application for registration to this course is required.
This course fulfills a single requirement in each of the following Hub areas: Creativity/Innovation, Teamwork/Collaboration, Writing Intensive, Research and Information Literacy.
XC 475 Spark! Technology Innovation Fellowship
Ziba Cranmer (BU Spark!) and James Grady (CFA)
Mondays 2:30—5:15 pm, including required events outside of class time*
Wednesday 6:30–8:30 pm*
If you have a project you want to build or take to the next level but don’t know where to start, XC475 will help you take your project from an idea to a working prototype in one semester. If you don’t have an idea but want to join a student-driven innovation project, this course is for you too. You will work through Spark!’s structured product innovation process with technical support from Spark! experts and industry mentors. An application and interview for registration to this course are required.
This course fulfills a single requirement in each of the following Hub areas: Creativity/Innovation, Teamwork/Collaboration, Oral and Signed Communication, Research and Information Literacy.