Saint Mary's College of California

Saint Mary\u27s College of California

Academic Catalog 
Volume 2024 2024-2025 Article 9 
7-1-2024 
Undergraduate Curriculum 
Saint Mary's College of California 
Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.stmarys-ca.edu/undergraduate-catalog 
Recommended Citation 
Saint Mary's College of California (2024) "Undergraduate Curriculum," Academic Catalog: Vol. 2024, 
Article 9. 
Available at: https://digitalcommons.stmarys-ca.edu/undergraduate-catalog/vol2024/iss1/9 
This Curriculum is brought to you for free and open access by the College Archives at Saint Mary's Digital 
Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Academic Catalog by an authorized editor of Saint Mary's Digital 
Commons. For more information, please contact digitalcommons@stmarys-ca.edu. 
2024-2025 Academic Catalog
The Core Curriculum
The Core Curriculum for Transfer Students
Core-Designated Courses 
Placement
Writing Studies Placement
Language Proficiency
Major Field of Study 
Minor Fields of Study 
Specialized Certificate Programs
Class and Final Time Block Schedule
Saint Mary’s College of California
Undergraduate Curriculum
All undergraduates pursue an
educational experience com-
prised of two integrated com-
ponents: the Core
Curriculum, shared by all
students, and a major field of
study, selected by the indi-
vidual student. 
The Core Curriculum
Through the Core Curriculum, graduates of Saint Mary’s College will share a common experience of integrated, rigorous intel-
lectual development. The Core consists of four major areas of student learning. Each requirement must be satisfied with a letter
grade, and a D- or higher grade is considered passing. A Pass/Fail grade will not be accepted to meet the Core Curriculum
requirements. 
HABITS OF MIND. This area consists of the following requirements: 
Collegiate Seminar sequence: First-Time First-Year students complete three sequenced courses, SEM 150, SEM
250, and SEM 350. Students will take the first course (SEM 150) in their first year, the second course (SEM 250) in
their second year, and the last course (SEM 350) either in the third or fourth year. These courses are 3 Carnegie
units each. Transfer students start with SEM 327, a 4-Carnegie unit course that combines both the first and second
seminar course, instead of taking SEM 150 and SEM 250 as separate courses.
Writing: Students complete two courses to satisfy this requirement. The first requirement is a 100-level WRIT
course (3 Carnegie units), and the second requirement is a 200-level WRIT course (3 Carnegie units)
January Term: Students complete two JAN courses at 3 Carnegie units in each course. Students will start with a
100-level JAN course in their first year, and take another JAN course at 200-level or higher sometime in the second
through fourth year. 
PATHWAYS TO KNOWLEDGE. This area consists of the following requirements:
Math: Students complete one course designated to the Math area of the Core. The coursework should be at least 3
Carnegie units taught at 100-level or higher.
Science: Students complete both the lecture and lab in a course designated to the Science area of the Core. Most of
these courses are taught at 4 Carnegie units, and the coursework should be at 100-level or higher.
Social Science: Students complete one course designated to the Social Science area of the Core. The coursework
should be at least 3 Carnegie units taught at 100-level or higher.
Arts and Humanities with Practice: Students complete Arts and Humanities Analysis and Practice either in a
single course or two separate courses designated to the Arts and Humanities area of the Core. This is a 4 Carnegie
unit requirement taught at 100-level or higher.
Language: Students demonstrate Level 2 College proficiency in a second language.
THEOLOGICAL UNDERSTANDING. This area consists of the following requirements:
2/11/25, 9:14 AM Undergraduate Curriculum - Saint Mary’s College of California - Modern Campus Catalog™
https://catalog.stmarys-ca.edu/content.php?catoid=17&navoid=1258&print 1/6
Christian Foundations: Students complete one course designated to the Christian Foundations area of the Core.
The coursework should be at least 3 Carnegie units taught at a 200-level or higher. 
Theological Explorations: Students complete one course designated to the Theological Explorations area of the
Core. The coursework should be at least 3 Carnegie units taught at a 200-level or higher.
Transfer students have the option to take a single course (4 Carnegie units) that combines both Christian
Foundations and Theological Explorations learning goals. Students must have 60 units completed to take this trans-
fer course.
ENGAGING THE WORLD. This area consists of the following requirements:
Identity, Power, and Equity in the United States: Students complete one course designated to the Identity,
Power and Equity area of the Core. The coursework should be at least 3 Carnegie units taught at a 200-level or
higher. 
Global Issues and Perspectives: Students complete one course designated to the Global Issues and
Perspectives area of the Core. The coursework should be at least 3 Carnegie units taught at a 200-level or higher.
Engaged Learning: Students complete one course designated to the Engaged Learning area of the Core. The
coursework should be at least 1 Carnegie unit taught at a 200-level or higher.
The Core Curriculum for Transfer Students
Transfer students may satisfy some of their SMC Core Curriculum requirements with coursework done prior to matriculation at
SMC by completing the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) Areas 1-7 at a California Community
College.
All IGETC coursework must be completed with a grade of ‘C’ (2.0) or better. .
For further information on Core Curriculum requirements, please see the above.
Please see the table below for information regarding which IGETC area(s) may be used to fulfill SMC Core Curriculum
requirements.
 
Saint Mary’s College CORE Requirements IGETC Area 
Writing as Inquiry Area 1A - English Composition
Writing as Research Area 1B - Critical Thinking: English Composition
Math Area 2A - Math
Arts and Humanities with Practice/Production Area 3A AND Area 3B - Arts and Humanities
Social Science Area 4 - Social and Behavioral Sciences 
Science with Lab Area 5A OR 5B - Physical Science OR Biological Science. Must include a lab.
Second Level Language Proficiency Area 6 - Languages other than English
Identity, Power and Equity in the U.S. Area 7 - Ethnic Studies
 
2/11/25, 9:14 AM Undergraduate Curriculum - Saint Mary’s College of California - Modern Campus Catalog™
https://catalog.stmarys-ca.edu/content.php?catoid=17&navoid=1258&print 2/6
Placement 
Writing Studies Placement
All students will complete an Writing Studies requirement by taking writing courses designed to help you think critically and
communicate effectively. 
To fulfill the Writing Studies requirement, students can choose one of two pathways:
1. WRIT 100 - Writing as Inquiry Cohort, and WRIT 200 - Writing and Research Cohort: these courses must be
taken in consecutive semesters, with the same professor and the same cohort of students. WRIT 100 is a
prerequisite to WRIT 200 
2. WRIT 101 - Writing as Inquiry, and one class from the WRIT 201 - 230: Writing and Research series: these courses
can be taken consecutively in the first year of attendance. WRIT 101 is a prerequisite to WRIT 201 - 230 series.
The Writing Studies Program uses Directed Self-Placement (DSP) for placing students into one of the two
pathways. The DSP process uses a survey and description of the courses to guide students in choosing a
composition pathway that best matches the academic writing class for which they are ready. In the DSP process,
students assume agency in the decision of which composition pathway to take: WRIT 100 and WRIT 200 or WRIT
101 and the WRIT 201 - 230 course series. Once a student begins a pathway, they cannot switch to the other one
(e.g. a student cannot take WRIT 100 and a course from the WRIT 201 - 230 series).
While all students will choose a pathway, some students may place directly into the WRIT 201 - 230 series
 through the following standardized test scores.
Placement ACT Writing Exam SAT Essay Exam AP Language OR Literature IB English 1A Exam (higher level)
WRIT 201-230 series 10-12 Total Score 23-24 4 or 5 5 or above (on higher level
All international students also take an online Writing Placement exam (offered before their first semester begins) to determine
if they will take a supplemental Writing Lab, a one unit lab. This lab will support their writing in either Writing Studies pathway
Language Proficiency
Studying languages and cultures helps us recognize the universal aspects of the human condition, and embrace the diverse
backgrounds of people at home and around the world. All students must demonstrate Level 2 College proficiency in a second
language. The College offers courses in French, Italian, Japanese, Spanish, Latin, and Greek. Students may also demonstrate
proficiency in a language different from the above, including American Sign Language, by arranging a proficiency examination
directly with the Placement and Proficiency Coordinator in the Department of World Languages and Cultures.
The language requirement may be satisfied in one of the following ways:
1. Successfully completing Level 2 (two semesters) of any foreign or classical language taught at a collegiate level;
2. Completing the third year of the same language in high school with a C- or higher each term;
3. Scoring at least a 3 on the College Board Advanced Placement (AP) Exam in a second language; or
4. Achieving a TOEFL score consistent with the current enrollment standards for international students who are non-native
speakers of English. 
It is strongly recommended that students complete the language requirement by the end of the sophomore year.
Students take a placement exam to determine the most suitable language course. The Department of World Languages and
Cultures offers online placement exams for Spanish, Italian, Japanese, German, and French. For placement in all other lan-
guages, students must contact the Placement and Proficiency Coordinator. Students may only take the online placement exam
once during each academic year. Results are valid for one year. For any questions regarding placement, please contact the
Placement and Proficiency Coordinator.
Achieving a high score on the placement exam does not satisfy the language requirement. Students who place in level 004 or
higher are required to take a proficiency exam to verify oral and written proficiency.
2/11/25, 9:14 AM Undergraduate Curriculum - Saint Mary’s College of California - Modern Campus Catalog™
https://catalog.stmarys-ca.edu/content.php?catoid=17&navoid=1258&print 3/6
 
Major Field of Study
Defined as a group of coordinated courses within a particular disciplinary or interdisciplinary field. Certain majors may require
additional background coursework in related fields. The regular major groups available to students in the various curricula of
the College are listed in the Major and Minors section of this catalog. First-year students are supported in a process of major ex-
ploration, and typically declare a major in the spring of their first-year. A student may declare or change majors through the
Registrar’s Office. 
Bachelors of Arts
Bachelor of Arts (BA) generally focus on critical thinking through research practices, written and oral communication, and
grounding in the liberal arts. They offer students flexibility and allow opportunities for enhancement befitting a liberal arts edu-
cation. They range from 36 to 48 Carnegie units in size, at least 22 units of which must be at the 300 or 400-level. Programs
that offer a BS version of the degree, and hence likely require substantial lower division coursework, may range from 40 to 54
units in size.
Bachelors of Science
Bachelor of Science (BS) majors generally focus on scientific, quantitative, or technical fields with sequentially structured major
requirements. They range from 48 to 72 Carnegie units in size, at least 22 units of which must be at the 300 or 400-level.
Alternative Majors
Saint Mary’s College offers alternative undergraduate degree programs with integrated major and general education curricula.
The Integral Program of Liberal Arts is a cohort-based integrated degree program (74 units) in lieu of separate major and Core
Curriculum courses. The Dual Engineering program is a dual degree BA/BS program, requiring 58 units in the major program.
BALOS and LEAP are integrated cohort-based degree completion programs for professional learners, and do not follow individ-
ualized Major + Core Curriculum requirements.
In addition, the College offers two ways for students to create majors.
SPLIT MAJORS. Students whose interests lie in a coherent combination of courses from two existing majors may
consider a split major. Such majors consist of at least 54 units: ordinarily the foundational coursework in both majors
(100-200 level) and at least 24 Carnegie Units of advanced coursework (300 and 400 level) planned in consultation with
chairs/directors in both major programs. It must be approved by both department chairs/program directors and the
Registrar.
INDIVIDUALIZED MAJOR. A student who believes that their academic needs and purposes would be better served by
a distinctive program of studies may present an individualized major plan. In addition to fulfilling requirements for a
major, this plan must satisfactorily lead the student toward the goal of liberal education, which the College sees as
essential for all of its graduates. Individualized majors must be proposed through the Registrar’s Office and approved by
the Undergraduate Educational Policies Committee and the Vice Provost for Academic Success.
Double Major
A student is allowed to complete two or more separate major fields of study. A student must fulfill all the requirements of each
major as specified by each program or department, including those regarding senior projects and courses that overlap between
majors. Each major must include at least 18 units of required coursework that may not be counted toward the student’s other
majors, if any. Other requirements vary by major and are included in each program’s or department’s curriculum description
Tracks and Concentrations
Tracks are considered as distinct majors housed within a single department or program. Different tracks should have at least
33% difference in the requirements. Transcript will show, for example, “Name of the Major: Name of the Track.”
2/11/25, 9:14 AM Undergraduate Curriculum - Saint Mary’s College of California - Modern Campus Catalog™
https://catalog.stmarys-ca.edu/content.php?catoid=17&navoid=1258&print 4/6
Concentrations are a deeper focused study of 3-4 courses (9 - 16 units) within a single major or an interdisciplinary thematic en-
gagement that enhances the major. Completing a concentration does not constitute a different major.
Minor Field of Study
The College offers the option of a minor field of study, defined to be a combination of at least 18 and no more than 28 units in a
program outside of the major field. Each minor must include at least 6 units of required 300- and 400-level coursework that
may not be counted toward the student’s major(s) and other minor(s). Other requirements for the minor, including policies on
courses that overlap with the major, vary by department and are included in each program’s or department’s curriculum
description.
 
Curricular Enhancement
Curriculum Enhancement may take many forms and students should be encouraged to think creatively about how they will plan
this portion of their undergraduate experience as they individualize their education and prepare themselves for life after college.
For most students, enhancement will provide an opportunity for exploration, which includes double majors, minors, concentra-
tions, certificates/credentials, and 4+1 pathways.
All students, with the support of their advisors, are encouraged to use this curricular space to integrate additional opportunities
for contemporary skill-building, experiential learning, Jan Term travel, study abroad, internships, community engagement, stu-
dent leadership, and professional development into their undergraduate experience.
Specialized Certificate Programs
A Specialized Certificate Program is a coherent set of academic coursework and/or practica, between 9 and 18 Carnegie units or
non-course-credit practica of at least 110 hours, that does not lead to a degree but focuses on a well-defined area of study that is
oriented toward acquiring experience and demonstrating assessable competencies.
In some disciplines, a Specialized Certificate is akin to a professional credential, while in others, it is recognition of competence
in a specific skill, practice, or field of study. Specialized certificate programs are for learners who want to increase their skills
and knowledge, bolster an existing career or pursue a new field, in a short time frame. Such programs can be interdisciplinary
to provide learners the opportunity to increase their skills across various disciplines, and they can also be intra-departmental,
aiming to broaden and deepen the competencies gained in the major or minor. It is expected that all coursework is completed at
SMC.
Class and Final Time Block Schedule
Final Exam Time Weekly Class times
Monday 8:00-10:00 MWF 8:00-9:05 or MWF 8:15-9:05
Wednesday 8:00-10:00 MW 9:15-10:30 or MWF 9:15-10:20 or MWF 9:15-10:05
Monday 10:30-12:30 MW 10:40-11:55 or MWF 10:40-11:45 or MWF 10:40-11:30
Wednesday 10:30-12:30 MW 12:05-1:20 or MWF 12:05-1:10 or MWF 12:05- 12:55
Monday 1:00-3:00 MW 1:30-3:10 or MW 1:30-2:45
2/11/25, 9:14 AM Undergraduate Curriculum - Saint Mary’s College of California - Modern Campus Catalog™
https://catalog.stmarys-ca.edu/content.php?catoid=17&navoid=1258&print 5/6
Wednesday 1:00-3:00 MW 3:20-5:00 or MW 3:20-4:35 or MWF 3:20-4:10
Monday 3:30-5:30 MW 5:10-6:50 or MW 5:10- 6:25
Monday 7:00-9:00 MW 7:00-8:40 or MW 7:00-8:15
Tuesday 8:00-10:00 TTH 8:00-9:40 or TTH 8:25-9:40
Thursday 8:00-10:00 TTH 9:50-11:30 or TTH 10:05-11:20
Tuesday 10:30-12:30 TTH 11:40-1:20 or TTH 11:40-12:55
Thursday 1:00-3:00 TTH 1:30-3:10 or TTH 1:30-2:45
Tuesday 3:30-5:30 TTH 3:20-5:00 or TTH 3:20-4:35
Thursday 3:30-5:30 TTH 5:10-6:50 or TTH 5:10-6:25
Tuesday 7:00-9:00 TTH 7:00-8:40 or TTH 7:00-8:15
 
2/11/25, 9:14 AM Undergraduate Curriculum - Saint Mary’s College of California - Modern Campus Catalog™
https://catalog.stmarys-ca.edu/content.php?catoid=17&navoid=1258&print 6/6


English

Undergraduate Curriculum

Employee Handbook

Luce, Kitty

Rosenkrantz, Sarah

Rose, Josh

Pho, Annie

Saint Mary's College of California 
Saint Mary's Digital Commons 
High School Libraries Workshop 
Jan 31st, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM 
Session 2 - University Librarians Speak Up About College 
Research Skills 
Kitty Luce 
California State University, Maritime Academy 
Sarah Rosenkrantz 
University of California, Berkeley 
Josh Rose 
College of Alameda 
Annie Pho 
University of San Francisco 
Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.stmarys-ca.edu/hslw 
 Part of the Higher Education Commons, Secondary Education Commons, and the Teacher Education 
and Professional Development Commons 
Luce, Kitty; Rosenkrantz, Sarah; Rose, Josh; and Pho, Annie, "Session 2 - University Librarians Speak Up 
About College Research Skills" (2024). High School Libraries Workshop. 5. 
https://digitalcommons.stmarys-ca.edu/hslw/2024/program/5 
This Event is brought to you for free and open access by Saint Mary's Digital Commons. It has been accepted for 
inclusion in High School Libraries Workshop by an authorized administrator of Saint Mary's Digital Commons. For 
more information, please contact digitalcommons@stmarys-ca.edu. 
University Librarians 
Speak Up About College 
Research Skills 
Kitty Luce, CSU Maritime
Sarah Rosenkrantz, UC Berkeley
Josh Rose, College of Alameda
Annie Pho, University of San Francisco  
Introduction to panelists
● Kitty Luce, CSU Maritime
● Sarah Rosenkrantz, UC Berkeley
● Josh Rose, College of Alameda
● Annie Pho, University of San Francisco
● Swetta Abeyta - Saint Mary’s College - 
moderator
Easing into college-level research
● Addressing anxiety and doubt about research
● Introducing the structures and formats of research assignment 
● Identifying aspects, stages of the research process
● Learning to read a research paper (role of different sections)
● Activities and group work 
● Reading research papers
Students as researchers
● Creating your own research topics and questions
● Becoming data creators surveys, text analysis, questionnaires
● Analyzing data - What voices are missing
● Understanding Privacy - search history - algorithmic bias
Navigating Sources of Information
● Library discovery systems
● Databases
● Libguides
● Google Scholar
● LMS (Canvas, Moodle, etc.)
● Wikipedia (background info)
Organizing and Citing Research
● Citing research
○ In-text citations
○ References list
○ Citation guides
● Citation Management
○ Zotero
○ Mendeley
○ Endnote
● Citation guides from the library
Getting support and going beyond research 
● College writing centers
● Faculty office hours
● Tutoring services
● Librarians and chat service
AI !?/.%#@* All the feels
● ChatGPT and generative AI
● AI for research papers (creating keywords, etc.)
● Plagiarism
● Keeping critical thinking skills alive
● Discipline specific engagement
Resources
● Project Cora
● ChatGPT and Artificial Intelligence in higher education (UNESCO)
● Online School-Library Media and Resources (free from the state)
● Zotero Install LibGuide & Self-paced Tutorial (UCB)
● YALSA/ALA Outstanding Books for the College Bound

Thank you! 


Session 2 - University Librarians Speak Up About College Research Skills

Strahilevitz, Michal

Older workers who don’t retire may be more engaged in their roles. ‘Many are deeply committed to their work and passionate about aspects of their jobs,’ says SMC’s Michal Strahilevitz

Cook, Corey

Presidential Debate: KTVU Turns to SMC\u27s Corey Cook for Analysis

Simoni-Walters, Amaya

Nobile, Sam

In Their Own Words: Amaya Simoni-Walters ’24 on Bringing Her Native Experience to SMC, Biology, and Beyond

Reflection / Evaluations

Jimenez, Jesus

In Their Own Words: Jesus Jimenez ’24 on Creating Better Support Systems for Bilingual Students

Bhattacharya, Sunayani

Sapp, Jordan

Scholar at Work: How Sunayani Bhattacharya Turns the Focus of Literary Analysis onto the Reader, Connecting Past with Present

Volume 122, Number 6 - Tuesday, May 21st, 2024