U.C. Subject Requirement for The Class of 2003 and Beyond

To satisfy this requirement, you must complete the 15 units of high school coursework listed in the box below. (A unit is equal to an academic year, or two semesters, of study.) These courses are also known as the "a-g" subjects or requirements. At least 7 of the 15 units must be taken in your last two years of high school.

California High School Students
If you attend high school in California, the courses you take to fulfill the Subject Requirement must be certified by the University as meeting the requirement and must be included on your high school's UC certified course list. Your counselor or principal will have a copy of this list. In addition the lists are available online.

"a-g" Subjects 

a. History/Social Science -- 2 years required.

  • 1 year
 U.S. history or one-half year of U.S. history and one-half year of civics or American government
  • 1 year
 World history


b. English -- 4 years required.

  • 4 years
 college preparatory English that include frequent and regular writing, and reading
of classic and modern literature

c. Mathematics -- 3 years required, 4 years recommended.

  • 1 year 
 Algebra
  • 1 Year
 Geometry
  • 1 year
 Advanced Algebra

*Approved integrated math courses may be used to fulfill part or all of this requirement, as may math courses taken in the seventh and eighth grades that your high school accepts as equivalent to its own math courses.

d. Laboratory Science -- 2 years required, 3 recommended.

  • 1 year
 Life Science
  • 1 Year
 Physical Science

e. Language Other Than English -- 2 years required, 3 years recommended.

  • 2  years
 The same language other than English

*Courses in language other than English taken in the seventh and eighth grade may be used to fulfill part of this requirement if your high school accepts them as equivalent to its own courses.

f. Visual and Performing Art -- 1 year required.

  • 1  year
 the same beginning and intermediate / advanced visual and performing arts

g. College Preparatory Electives -- 1 year required.

  • 1  year
 visual and performing arts, history, social science, English, advanced
mathematics, laboratory science, and language other than English (a third year in the language used for the "e" requirement or two years of another language).