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General Institute Requirements (GIRs)

All students must fulfill the following 17 requirements in order to graduate:

The Math & Science Core

  • Mathematics: 2 subjects: 18.01 and 18.02 (or variants)
  • Physics: 2 subjects: 8.01 and 8.02 (or variants)
  • Chemistry: 1 subject: either 5.111/5.112 or 3.091
  • Biology: 1 subject: either 7.012, 7.015 (Fall); 7.014, 7.016 (Spring)

Videos about Science Core GIRs can be found on the School of Science YouTube playlist.

HASS Requirement

  • 8 subjects (3, one from each HASS category + 5 additional, including a concentration)

Communication Requirement

  • First year: Required to take 1 appropriate CI-H subject
  • Sophomore year: 1 CI-H
  • Junior/Senior years: 2 CI-M

REST: Restricted Electives in Science & Technology

  • 2 subjects

LAB: Laboratory Requirement

  • 1 or 2 subjects (12 units total)

Physical Education Requirement

  • Including the swim test (PE does not earn academic credits but is a graduation requirement)
  • Must complete 8 PE points (generally before end of sophomore year)
  • See the PE PDF handout for additional details

View the Orientation Academics Presentation Video