This cluster spans the disciplines of science, economics, and policy, and may be particularly suited for students exploring majors in chemistry, life, or physical sciences. Students will learn general chemistry and participate in a lab course, while also diving into environmental microeconomics. This cluster fulfills either the first OR second half of Reading and Composition, as well as the Physical Sciences and Social & Behavioral Science breadth requirements.
Regarding R&C course placement into either College Writing R4A OR College Writing R4B:
Students participating in this cluster will be placed in the appropriate course based on scores and other relevant criteria. To help determine your course level, (1) be sure you have satisfied Entry Level Writing with a qualifying test score (such as an AP English exam), Berkeley Writing Assessment score, or completion of COLWRIT R1A in fall 2025; and (2) review the Reading and Composition Requirement website for all of the options that satisfy Reading and Composition. In the enrollment form, you will be asked for more information about your Reading and Composition (R&C) writing level by selecting from a list, to the best of your ability. We understand that you may not have your AP English exam score data at this time.
Course Descriptions
Click on the courses below for more detail.
COLWRIT R4A OR COLWRIT R4B: Inequity and Change: Class, Culture, and Health Care (4 Units)
More information on R4A to come. R4B is a lecture/seminar satisfying the second half of the Reading & Composition requirement, and offers structured and sustained practice in the processes used in reading, critical analysis, and writing. Students engage with thematically-related materials from a range of genres and media. In response, they craft short pieces leading to longer expository and/or argumentative essays. Students develop a research question, draft a research essay, gather, evaluate, and synthesize information from various sources. Elements of the research process–a proposal, an annotated bibliography, an abstract, a works cited list, etc.–are submitted with the final report in a research portfolio. Students write a minimum of 32 pages of prose.
CHEM 1A: General Chemistry (3 Units)
Stoichiometry of chemical reactions, quantum mechanical description of atoms, the elements and periodic table, chemical bonding, real and ideal gases, thermochemistry, introduction to thermodynamics and equilibrium, acid-base and solubility equilibria, introduction to oxidation-reduction reactions, introduction to chemical kinetics.
CHEM 1AL: General Chemistry Lab (2 Units)
An experimental approach to chemical sciences with emphasis on developing fundamental, reproducible laboratory technique and a goal of understanding and achieving precision and accuracy in laboratory experiments. Proper use of laboratory equipment and standard wet chemical methods are practiced. Areas of investigations include chemical equilibria, spectroscopy, nanotechnology, green chemistry, and thermochemistry. Completion of, or concurrent enrollment in 1A is required.
ENVECON C1: Introduction to Environmental Economics & Policy (4 Units)
Introduction to microeconomics with emphasis on resource, agricultural, and environmental issues.
Meeting Schedule
- COLWRIT R4A: MWF 9-10 AM
- COLWRIT R4B: TR 11-12:30 PM
- CHEM 1A: MWF 1-2 PM; Discussion T 1-2 PM
- CHEM 1AL: F 10-11 AM; Discussion T 2-5 PM
- ENVECON C1: MWF 12-1 PM; Discussion T 9-10 AM
Major Prerequisites and L&S Breadth/General Requirements
| Course | Major Prerequisites | Major Lower Division | L&S Breadth/General Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| COLWRIT R4A | N/A | N/A | Fulfills R1A |
| COLWRIT R4B | N/A | N/A | Fulfills R1B |
| CHEM 1A | MCB Neuroscience |
IB Atmospheric Science* Planetary Science* Enviro Earth Sci* Geophysics* Marine Science* |
Physical Sciences |
| CHEM 1AL | MCB Neuroscience |
IB Atmospheric Science* Planetary Science* Enviro Earth Sci* Geophysics* Marine Science* |
N/A |
| ENVECON C1 | Public Health* Analytics* |
N/A | Social & Behavioral Science |
* = one of several classes that can satisfy requirement
+ = recommended, not required
^ = lower division requirement, not required for declaration
