Guide to "a-g" Requirements [PDF]

(d) Laboratory Science

Two units (equivalent to two one-year courses) of laboratory science are required; three units are strongly recommended. The intent of the laboratory science requirement is to ensure that entering UC freshmen have a minimum of one year of preparation in each of at least two of the foundational subjects of biology, chemistry, and physics. This requirement can be satisfied by taking two courses from among these specific subject areas. However, other courses may also qualify, if they provide a core set of knowledge in one of the three foundational subjects.

Certification Categories. Generally, courses that are suitable for satisfying the minimum requirement will fall into one of three categories:

1. College preparatory courses in biology, chemistry, or physics.

2. College preparatory courses which may incorporate applications in some other scientific or career-technical subject area, but which nonetheless cover the core concepts that would be expected in one of the three foundational subjects. A few examples could include some courses in marine biology or agricultural biology, which may qualify as providing appropriate content in basic biology; and some advanced courses in earth and space sciences, which may provide suitable coverage of chemistry or physics. These are only examples; other possibilities exist. However, it is emphasized that courses in this second category must cover, with sufficient depth and rigor, the essential material in one of the foundational subjects in order to qualify for "d" certification.

3. The last two years of three-year sequences in Integrated Science, where rigorous coverage of at least two of the foundational subjects is provided.

Additional courses beyond the required minimum of two may be drawn from a fourth category:

4. Advanced courses in any scientific subject area which depend on (i.e., build upon while offering substantial new material), and specify as prerequisite, one or more courses from categories 1-3.

Lower-level / introductory science courses that do not specify prerequisite courses from categories 1-3 above, and do not address a majority of concepts that would be expected in any one of the foundational subjects, will be considered for certification in the "g" elective area. Examples of courses that would normally fall into this category include environmental science, physical science, earth science, and Integrated Science 1.

Certification Criteria. To be considered for certification in the "d" subject area, a course must:

• specify, at a minimum, elementary algebra as a prerequisite or co-requisite;
• take an approach consistent with the scientific method in relation to observing, forming hypotheses, testing hypotheses through experimentation and/or further observation, and forming objective conclusions; and
• include hands-on scientific activities that are directly related to and support the other classwork, and that involve inquiry, observation, analysis, and write-up. These hands-on activities should account for at least 20% of class time, and should be itemized and described in the course description.

NOTES:

1. 1. There is no preferred order to the sequence of courses that cover the foundational subject areas.

2. 2. Students who have successfully completed a three-year integrated-science sequence will have met the two-year "d" requirement as well as the one-year "g" elective requirement. Students electing to enroll in an integrated-science program (ISP) are strongly advised to complete the entire three-year sequence. In most cases, the first year of an integrated-science sequence fulfills only the "g" elective requirement; the second and third years of the sequence then fulfill the two-year "d" laboratory science requirement. Accordingly, if only ISP I is successfully completed, then two courses from category 1 and 2 above must be completed. If ISP I and only one of ISP II or ISP III are completed, then one additional course from categories 1 or 2 above must be taken to fulfill the "d" requirement. If a student completes only part of the sequence, the following combinations may be used to meet the requirement:

   • ISP I + ISP II + one from Biology, Chemistry, or Physics
   • ISP I + two from Biology, Chemistry, or Physics
   • ISPI + one from Biology, Chemistry, or Physics + ISP III
   • Introductory Science such as Earth Science, Physical Science, Environmental Science (non-AP) + ISP II + ISP III

3. Online courses may be approved for credit toward the "d" requirement if they meet all the guidelines outlined above, including a supervised hands-on laboratory component comprising at least 20% of the course (e.g., UCCP courses).

4. Chemistry can no longer be validated.