Differentiation into the various options begins in the second year.
| Units per term | ||||
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | ||
| Ma 1 abc | First-Year Mathematics | 9 | 9 | 9 |
| Ph 1 abc | First-Year Physics | 9 | 9 | 9 |
| Ch 1 ab | General Chemistry | 6 | 9 | - |
| Bi 1 (any variant) | Principles of Biology | 9 | or 9 | or 9 |
| Ch 3 a | Fundamental Techniques of Experimental Chemistry 1 | 6 | or 6 | or 6 |
| CS 1 or CS 1 x | Introduction to Programming 2 | 9 | - | or 9 |
| Introductory courses in the humanities and social sciences. A wide choice of alternatives will be available to students; the registrar will announce the offerings for each term. Two terms are required. | 9 | and/or 9 | and/or 9 | |
| Introductory laboratory courses 3 | x | x | x | |
| Menu course, 4 First Year Seminar, or additional electives | x | x | x | |
| PE | Physical education 5 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
x—Except for the minimum laboratory unit requirement, the number of units chosen here is optional.
1 Students must take Ch 3 a or Ch 3 x in their first or sophomore year. This course is offered in each of the three terms.
2 Students must take CS 1 or CS 1 x in their first or sophomore year. This course is offered in the Fall and Spring.
3 The additional 6 units must be chosen from one of the following (or a more advanced laboratory course): APh/EE 9 (6 units), APh/EE 24 (9 units), Bi 10 (6 units), Ch 4 ab (9 units), Ch 8 (9 units), Ch/ChE 9 (9 units), EE/ME 7 (6 units), Ge 116 (9 units), ME 8 (6 units), Ph 3 (6 units), Ph 5 (9 units), Ph 8 bc (6 units).
4 Students must take a menu course in their first or sophomore year. These courses are offered third quarter only. It is also possible to take one of these courses as an elective.
Menu courses currently include Ay 1, EE 1, ESE 1, Ge 1, or IST 4.
5 Three terms (9 units) of PE are required for the B.S. degree. Students need not elect to take the required PE in the first year. It may be taken in any three terms before graduation.