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 advisor.

Summary of Degree Requirements

A.  University Requirements
B.  CED College Requirements
C.  Urban Studies Core Requirements
D.  Urban Studies in the College of Environmental Design Requirements
E.  Interdisciplinary Urban Studies Requirements

A.  University 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

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)
• ENV DES 11A Introduction to Visual Representation and Drawing (4) (Fa, Sp)
• ENV DES 11B Introduction to Design (4) (Fa, Sp)
   

Students transferring to CED from other colleges on campus (e.g. L&S or CNR) and Simultaneous Degree students can substitute courses for ENV DES 11A and ENV DES 11B. Students transferring from community colleges or other 4-year institutions and students starting as freshmen in CED may petition to substitute for ENV DES 11B. The approved courses are listed on the petition form.

The Urban Studies major maintains the skills and breadth requirements of the College of Environmental Design. The Social & Behavioral Sciences requirement has to be met by taking any one of three specified Economics courses: ECON 1, ECON 2, or ECON 3.

2. Essential Skills

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

3. Seven-Course Breadth Requirements

• One course in Physical Science (2)*
• One course in Biological Science (2)*
• ECON 1 or 2 Intro to Economics (4) or
• ECON 3 Intro to Environmental Economics & Policy (4)
• One course in International Studies (2)*
• One course in Arts and Literature (2)*
• One course in Historical Studies (2)*
• One course in Philosophy and Values (2)*
   

* With the exception of the Social & Behavioral requirement, you may take one of the breadth requirements on a Passed/Not Passed basis. All other breadth requirements must be met with a minimum grade of C-. See the Undergraduate Advising website for additional information related to these requirements.

C. Major Requirements: The Urban Studies Core, 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, students must take four additional courses in the Urban Studies and Planning core of the major. Selected from a list of ten courses that are offered by the Department of City & Regional Planning on a regular basis, including during summer sessions, 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.

Plus four courses from the following:

• 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 C114 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 Computer Applications in Urban Studies and Planning (3) (Fa)
   

D. Major Requirements: Urban Studies in the College of Environmental Design, 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 listed below must be in the field of Urban History, marked with an asterisk (*). At the discretion of advisors, 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 (2) (Fa)
  
• 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 Introduction to Energy & Environmental Mgt (4) (Physics prerequisite) (Sp)
  
• ARCH 170A A Historical Survey of Architecture & Urbanism * (4) (Fa, Sp)
  
• ARCH 170B A Historical Survey of Architecture & Urbanism * (4) (Fa, Sp)
  
• LD ARCH 141AC The American Landscape: Difference & Diversity (3) (Fa)
  
• 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)
   

** When cross-listed as CY PLAN 111, this course can meet either the “Urban Studies and Planning” core requirement or the College Breadth Requirements in Urban Studies but not both.

E. Major Requirements: Interdisciplinary Urban Studies, 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.

General Electives, 32-35 units: Students are required to take at least 32-35 units of electives, of which no more than 16-19 units beyond required courses can be from the listed Urban Studies courses within CED (Urban Studies and Planning core + CED Breath Requirements in Urban Studies). The University requires 120 units minimum for graduation, but no more than 48 units total in the student’s major department can be credited towards the 120 units for graduation.

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 D and E also include classes that speak to these tracks.