Every student has a personal story and unique background—you should not try to create your own schedule without the guidance of your advisor. Your advisor will help you identify requirements you might already have satisfied, the many classes that can double count for more than one requirement, and general education courses that are best suited for your particular major. Meeting with your advisor will help you plan the best schedule for your specific circumstances and goals.  

This graphic will help you generally understand the different requirements for a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree. Detailed information on requirements can be found in the Catalog.

This graphic will help you generally understand the different requirements for a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree. The BS is the degree earned in most science majors in L&S. Some science majors can be earned as a Bachelor of Arts, but the BS is the recommended degree for students looking to enter a science-based career. 

Bachelor of Science Degree: Minimum 120 Credits to graduate

75 of the 120 credits must be in L&S coursework. 30 of the 75 credits must be L&S upper-level (300+)science courses and 6 of the 75 credits must be L&S upper-level(300+) courses, either science or non-science.

Major

40 – 70 credits
See the website for your major for details on the required classes in your major.

Upper level (300+) major courses

Of the 40 to 70 credits needed in the major, a minimum of 15 must be upper-level credits taken at UWM. Some majors require more than 15.

General

36 – 54 credits

Natural Sciences

12 credits
Details About NS Credits

Choose a minimum of six credits (including at least one lab) that are designated as GER (General Education Requirement) Natural Sciences. In the Schedule of Classes, you can filter to find approved Natural Sciences classes in the Advanced Search feature. These will be used to satisfy the UWM GER requirement for Natural Sciences.

Choose an additional six credits minimum (including at least one lab) from the list of approved Letters & Science breadth courses marked as Natural Sciences. These six credits satisfy the College of Letters & Science natural sciences requirement.

Humanities

12 credits
Details About HU Credits

Choose six credits that are designated as GER (General Education Requirement) Humanities. In the Schedule of Classes, you can filter to find approved Humanities classes in the Advanced Search feature. These will be used to satisfy the UWM GER requirement for Humanities.

Choose an additional six credits minimum from the list of approved Letters & Science breadth courses marked as Humanities. These six credits satisfy the College of Letters & Science humanities requirement.

Social Sciences

12 credits
Details About SS Credits

Choose six credits that are designated as GER (General Education Requirement) Social Sciences. In the Schedule of Classes, you can filter to find approved Social Sciences classes in the Advanced Search feature. These will be used to satisfy the UWM GER requirement for Social Sciences.

Choose an additional six credits from the list of approved Letters & Science breadth courses marked as Social Sciences. These six credits satisfy the College of Letters & Science social sciences requirement.

Arts

3 credits
Details About Arts Credits

In the Schedule of Classes, you can filter to find approved Arts classes in the Advanced Search feature.

Cultural Diversity

3 credits
Details About Cultural Diversity Credits

In the Schedule of Classes, you can filter to find approved Cultural Diversity classes in the Advanced Search feature.

International

9 credits
Details About International Credits

Approved International courses include all study abroad credits and the third- and fourth-semester of most languages other than English.

Math

Details About Math Credits

At UWM, the math requirement is called Quantitative Literacy and has two parts—A and B. Part A is typically a math literacy class, algebra or logic. Part B is typically a statistics class or a calculus class. Some science majors require one or more semesters of calculus as part of the major requirements.

English

Details About English Credits

At UWM, the English requirement is called Oral and Written Communication and has two parts—A and B. Most students will satisfy the two-part requirement by taking three classes: two semesters of composition, followed by an advanced or specialty writing course. Determining English placement and whether composition has been completed through other means, such as AP or dual enrolled high school/college credits, is an important discussion to have with your advisor.

World Language

Details About World Language Credits

BS students must complete through the second level of a single language other than English. This requirement can be satisfied in different ways including completion of two years of a single language in high school, taking two semesters of a single language in college, or AP credits. Talk to your advisor about your options.

Electives / Minor

0 – 18 credits

UWM Land Acknowledgement: We acknowledge in Milwaukee that we are on traditional Potawatomi, Ho-Chunk and Menominee homeland along the southwest shores of Michigami, North America’s largest system of freshwater lakes, where the Milwaukee, Menominee and Kinnickinnic rivers meet and the people of Wisconsin’s sovereign Anishinaabe, Ho-Chunk, Menominee, Oneida and Mohican nations remain present.   |   To learn more, visit the Electa Quinney Institute website.