Urban Studies, as conceptualized at Berkeley, exists at the intersection between knowledge and action. The strength of the field lies in its interdisciplinary nature. Vibrant interdisciplinary work in turn requires strong connections to robust disciplinary research — "infusions" from the social sciences, humanities, and professions. The major thus has core requirements in urban studies and planning; a grounding in the field of environmental design including an urban history requirement; and an interdisciplinary study of cities with international dimensions. The flexibility of the program makes it possible for students to pursue individual interests under the guidance of an adviser.

Summary of Degree Requirements

A.  University/Campus Requirements
B.  CED College Requirements (ENV DES, Essential Skills, Breadths)
C.  CED College Requirements (Urban Studies Electives — Outside the Department
D.  Major Requirements (Urban Studies Core — Inside CED)
E.  Major Requirements (Interdisciplinary Urban Studies — Outside CED)
F.  General Electives

A.  University/Campus Requirements:  The Urban Studies major maintains University and campus requirements which include:

• Entry-Level Writing
• American History
• American Institutions
• American Cultures
   

B. CED College Requirements (ENV DES, Essential Skills, Breadths)

The major requires three lower-division Environmental Design courses:

1. Within CED, Lower-Division: 3 courses, 11 units

• ENV DES 1 People and Environmental Design (3) (Fa, Sp, Su)
• ENV DES 11A Introduction to Visual Representation and Drawing (4) (Fa, Sp, Su)
• ENV DES 11B Introduction to Design (5) (Fa, Sp, Su)
   

Students transferring to CED from other colleges on campus (e.g. L&S or CNR) and simultaneous degrees students can substitute courses for ENV DES 11A and ENV DES 11B. Students transferring from community colleges or other four-year institutions and students starting as freshmen in CED may petition to substitute an alternative course for ENV DES 11B. The approved alternative courses are listed on the petition form.

The Urban Studies major maintains the skills and breadth requirements of the College of Environmental Design.

2. Essential Skills

• Two courses in reading & composition (8)
• Math and Statistics: Math 16A (3) and Statistics 2 (4)
   

3. College Breadth Requirements*

• One course in Arts and Literature (2)
• One course in Biological Science (2)
• One course in Historical Studies (2)
• One course in International Studies (2)
• One course in Philosophy and Values (2)
• One course in Physical Science (2)
• One course in Social and Behavioral Sciences. This requirement must be met with either ECON 1 or 2 Intro to Economics (4), or ECON C3/ENVECON C1 Intro to Environmental Economics & Policy (4).
   

* You may take one of the breadth requirements on a Passed/Not Passed basis with the exception of the Social and Behavioral Sciences requirement, which along with the remaining breadth requirements must be taken for a letter grade and met with a minimum grade of C-. The college requires at least 2 units for each breadth course. See the Undergraduate Advising website for additional information related to these requirements.

C. CED College Requirements (Urban Studies Electives — Outside the Department), 3 courses, 9-12 units

This requirement ensures that students gain a strong grounding in environmental design and related fields. At least one of the courses taken must be in the field of Urban History (marked with an asterisk (*) in the list below). At the discretion of advisers, students transferring to the major from other colleges on campus (such as L&S) can substitute one course from outside CED (i.e., from List E) to meet this requirement. Such substitutions cannot exceed more than one course. These courses must be taken for a letter grade.

• ENV DES 101A Writing about Environmental Design: Short Compositions (2-4) (Fa)
  
• ENV DES 101B Writing about Environmental Design: Longer Composition (2-4) (Sp)
  
• ENV DES 169A American Cultural Landscapes, 1600-1900* (4) (Fa)
  
• ENV DES 169B American Cultural Landscapes, 1900-present* (4) (Sp)
• ENV DES 170 The Social Art of Architecture (3) (Fa)
• ENV DES 195 Senior Thesis (4) (Fa, Sp)
  
• ARCH 110AC Social and Cultural Factors in Design (4) (Fa)
  
• ARCH 111 Housing: An International Survey (3) (Sp)**
• ARCH 139X Design Theories and Methods (only when taught by Crysler) (3) (Fa, Sp)
  
• ARCH 140 Energy & Environment (4) (Physics prerequisite) (Sp)
  
• ARCH 170A An Historical Survey of Architecture & Urbanism* (4) (Fa, Sp)
  
• ARCH 170B An Historical Survey of Architecture & Urbanism* (4) (Fa, Sp)
  
• LD ARCH 110 Ecological Analysis (4) (Fa)
• LD ARCH 130 Sustainable Landscapes and Cities (3) (Fa, Sp)
  
• LD ARCH 140 Social and Psychological Factors in Open Space Design (3) (Sp)
  
• LD ARCH 170 History and Literature of Landscape Architecture* (3) (Fa)
  
• LD ARCH 171 The American Designed Landscape* (3) (Sp)
  
• LD ARCH C188 Geographic Information Systems (4) (Fa)
   

* Course in the field of Urban History.
** When co-listed with CY PLAN 111, this course can meet one of the four CY PLAN course requirements or the Inside CED Requirement for the major, but not both.

D. Major Requirements (Urban Studies Core — Inside CED), 6 courses, 20 units

The Urban Studies major has two required core courses:

• ENV DES 100 The City: Theories and Methods of Urban Studies (4) (Sp)
• CY PLAN 110 Introduction to City Planning (4) (Fa, Sp, Su)
   

In addition to the two core courses above, students must take four additional city planning courses from the list below. These courses train students in the study of urbanization, key substantive fields such as housing, analytical techniques such as economic analysis, and urban transformations such as community development. All major courses must be taken for a letter grade.

• CY PLAN 111 Introduction to Housing: An International Survey (3) (Sp)
• CY PLAN 112A The Idea of Planning (3) (Fa, Sp)
  
• CY PLAN 113A Economic Analysis for Planning (3) (Fa)
  
• CY PLAN 113B Community and Economic Development (3) (Sp)
  
• CY PLAN 114 Introduction to Urban and Regional Transportation (3) (Sp)
  
• CY PLAN 115 Urbanization in Developing Countries (4) (Fa)
  
• CY PLAN 116 Urban Planning Process: Undergraduate Planning Studio (4) (Sp)
  
• CY PLAN 118AC The Urban Community (4) (Fa, Sp)
  
• CY PLAN 119 Planning for Sustainability (3) (Fa)
  
• CY PLAN 120 Community Planning and Public Policy for Disability (3) (Fa)
• CY PLAN 140 Urban Design: City-Building and Place-Making (3) (Fa)
• CY PLAN 190 Advanced Topics in Urban Studies (1–4) (topics vary by semester) (Fa, Sp)
   

E. Major Requirements (Interdisciplinary Urban Studies — Outside CED), 3 courses, 9-12 units

Students must also take three Urban Studies related courses outside CED from the Interdisciplinary Urban Studies Course List. At least one of the three courses must have international content, marked with an asterisk (*). Students can also petition to have other urban studies related courses count for this requirement. These courses must be taken for a letter grade.

F. General Electives, 32-35 units

The University requires 120 units minimum for graduation. No more than 48 units total in the student’s major department will be credited towards the 120 units for graduation, so only 16 units beyond the required courses may be courses in urban studies. 13–15 units must be taken in other departments.

Tracks

While the Urban Studies major does not specify particular concentrations or specializations, students may design such “tracks” in consultation with faculty advisors. Possible tracks include community development; global and comparative urban studies; housing; environmental sustainability and planning; and urban design. These tracks are well represented in the various classes that constitute the urban studies core. Lists C and E also include classes that speak to these tracks.