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Thurgood Marshall College

Thurgood Marshall College, formerly known as Third College, was founded in 1970 in a period of fervent social debate in our nation. From its dramatic inception, the college has enriched the lives of undergraduates with philosophic commitment to the development of students as both scholars and citizens. In July of 1993, the college was renamed in honor of the legendary lawyer and Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall. Justice Marshall was widely known and praised for his historic contributions to American life and dedication to breaking down barriers to education, civil rights, freedom of speech, women’s rights, and the profound right to privacy. The faculty, staff, and students of Marshall College are committed to furthering the ideals and dreams of Justice Marshall; accordingly, students are provided opportunities to develop as both enterprising scholars and responsible citizens.

Five thousand students pursue any major in a variety of disciplines. Among Marshall College students, about 40 percent choose majors in biology, the physical sciences, mathematics, and engineering; 35 percent select majors in the social sciences; and 25 percent pursue majors in the humanities and fine arts. One primary aim is to prepare students for the pursuit of a rigorous academic curriculum that will promote entry into graduate and professional schools or into the career of one’s choice.

Educational Philosophy

The educational philosophy of Marshall College is guided by the belief that regardless of a student’s major, a broad liberal arts education must include an awareness and understanding of one’s role in society. Therefore, the distinctive core sequence, which serves as the centerpiece of the general-education requirements, emphasizes a critical examination of the human condition in our dynamic American society. This three-quarter core sequence, “Dimensions of Culture—Diversity, Justice, and Imagination,” challenges and inspires students to develop an informed awareness of the many cultural perspectives that have shaped American society. The core sequence is designed as an interdisciplinary, contemporary issues-oriented curricular experience that explores both the diversity of American experiences across race, religion, class, and gender, and also the shared resources all Americans draw on when their different identities and interests conflict. Other general-education requirements include courses in mathematics, physical and biological sciences, humanities, and the arts.

Wishing to uphold the ideals set forth by the college’s namesake, students are encouraged to develop their skills not only as scholars, but also as engaged citizens. Therefore, it is our belief that scholarship and social responsibility are mutually compatible and essential. In this regard, our students receive academic credit for participating in the Partnership Schools Program and Partners-at-Learning Program (PAL) by taking courses that train and place them as tutors and mentors in local elementary schools and high schools including Gompers Preparatory Academy, and Lincoln High School in Southeast San Diego, as well as the on-campus model, The Preuss School UC San Diego. Because this activity shares importance with other exciting academic experiences, completion of one of these specific public service courses satisfies an upper-division general-education requirement.

Further underpinning the educational philosophy of Marshall College is the candid belief that the best preparation for a complex, interdependent, and rapidly changing world is a broad liberal arts education, complemented by in-depth study in areas of the student’s choice. This educational approach has several major advantages:

  1. It guarantees a basic understanding of the principal branches of knowledge: humanities and arts, social sciences, natural sciences, and quantitative analysis/formal skills.
  2. It enables students with well-defined interests and goals to begin work in their chosen field of study as first-year students.
  3. It allows students who have not decided on a major to sample an array of potential majors while simultaneously satisfying the general-education requirements of the college.

Honorary Fellows of the College

  • Maryann Callery, College Activist
  • Cesar Chavez,* Civil Rights Activist
  • Ernesto Galarza,* Novelist and Educator
  • Samuel Goldwyn, Jr.,* Film Producer and Director
  • Joseph W. Watson, Professor of Chemistry, Founding Provost (Third College) and Vice Chancellor Emeritus
  • Marian Wright Edelman, President, Children’s Defense Fund
  • Terrence Roberts, Educator and Activist (one of the Little Rock Nine, 1957)
  • James Avery,* Actor, Alumnus, and Philanthropist
  • Cecil Lytle, Professor of Music, Pianist, and Provost Emeritus of Marshall College

*Deceased

General Education

General-education requirements are established by faculty to be broad and flexible enough to encourage students to integrate other alternatives, such as public service, internships, study abroad, research, special studies, and more, into their academic program. This range permits flexibility in pursuit of academic goals and in the practical application of a liberal arts degree, whether students wish to enter the workforce or continue their education in graduate or professional school. These courses are designed to introduce students to the academic focus of the college, provide a broad liberal arts and science background, and furnish students with the academic skills and the basic knowledge necessary to pursue any departmental or interdisciplinary major.

The general-education requirements for first-year students are composed of a core sequence and a menu of choices within a liberal arts framework:

  1. DIMENSIONS OF CULTURE—DIVERSITY, JUSTICE, AND IMAGINATION: This is a three-course interdisciplinary sequence. Two of the three courses are six units and include intensive instruction in university-level writing. This is a required sequence for all first-year students. All courses must be completed at UC San Diego and taken on a letter-grade basis only. (See “Dimensions of Culture” in the departmental listings.)
  2. FINE ARTS: One course. One course from music, theatre, or visual arts (nonperformance).
  3. NATURAL SCIENCES: Three courses. One course each in biology, chemistry, and physics. Courses are available for science and nonscience students.
  4. MATHEMATICS, STATISTICS, AND LOGIC: Two courses. Two courses in mathematics/advanced statistics, one course in mathematics/advanced statistics and one in either introductory statistics or computer programming and logic, or one course in introductory statistics and one course in computer programming and logic. Courses are available for science and non-science students.
  5. HUMANITIES AND CULTURAL STUDIES: Two courses to be chosen from an approved list of courses in domestic and global cultures.
  6. DISCIPLINARY BREADTH: Four courses. Students choose four courses from a variety of disciplinary breadth areas: humanities/fine arts; foreign languages; social science; natural science; math/engineering; and interdepartmental/interdisciplinary. Courses used to satisfy the disciplinary breadth requirement come from fields outside the major field of study. Two of these courses must be upper division. At least one upper-division course must include significant writing.
  7. PUBLIC SERVICE (optional): This four-unit public service option may be used to fulfill one four-unit course in disciplinary breadth for any major and fulfills the upper-division writing requirement. (See “Partners-at-Learning Program” and “Education Studies” and general education fact sheet listings.)

Contact the Marshall academic advising office for additional information or refer to the college website (https://marshall.ucsd.edu/academics/general-education-requirements.html).

Transfer Students

Transfer students have a variety of academic options available to complete lower-division general education prior to transfer. Specific details regarding appropriate general-education agreement are in the section on “Undergraduate Admission” and through the community college. Students may also contact UC San Diego Transfer Student Services prior to transfer. Also, the college website contains pertinent information at https://marshall.ucsd.edu/academics/general-education-requirements.html.

Graduation Requirements

To receive a bachelor’s degree from Marshall College, a student must

  1. Satisfy the university English Language Writing Requirement (ELWR). (See “University-wide Graduation Requirements.”)
  2. Satisfy the university requirement in American History and Institutions (AH&I). (See “University-wide Graduation Requirements.”)
  3. Satisfy the university Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Requirement (DEI). (See “University-wide Graduation Requirements.”)
  4. Fulfill the general-education requirements as described.
  5. Complete a departmental or interdisciplinary major.
  6. Satisfy the college senior residency requirement (thirty-five of the final forty-five units must be completed as a registered Marshall College student).
  7. Successfully complete a minimum of 180 units for the BA/BS. At least sixty of these units must be completed at the upper-division level.
  8. Earn a 2.0 or better cumulative UC GPA.

Pass/Not Pass Grading Option

  1. Most majors require students to take courses for a letter grade in order to apply the course toward the major’s requirement. Please check with the department or program regarding its policy on P/NP grades.
  2. Only one upper-division course to be counted toward an independent studies minor may be taken on a Pass/Not Pass basis.
  3. Courses taken toward completion of the college general-education requirements, with the exception of Dimensions of Culture (Diversity, Justice, and Imagination), may be taken on a Pass/Not Pass basis, while at the same time the restrictions for prerequisites to majors and courses counted toward a minor must be observed.
  4. Courses taken as electives may be taken on a Pass/Not Pass basis, while at the same time the restrictions on the majors and minors must be observed.
  5. With the exception of units earned in independent study courses (numbered 199), no more than 25 percent of an undergraduate student’s total UC San Diego units may be taken on a Pass/Not Pass basis.

Majors

Marshall College students may pursue any of the departmental or interdisciplinary majors offered at UC San Diego. The majority of the academic departments have established lower-division prerequisites. Generally, these prerequisites must be completed prior to entry into upper-division major courses. Many of these courses may be counted for general-education credit as well. Students are strongly encouraged to work closely with department faculty and college advisers. For details on the specific major departments, refer to the “Courses, Curricula, and Faculty” section of this catalog.

Minors

Minors are optional. However, students are encouraged to keep as many options open as possible. A minor provides an excellent opportunity to complement the major field of study and adds rich dimensionality to the UC San Diego experience.

Students are required to complete twenty-eight units of interrelated work, of which at least twenty units must be upper division. See your college or department for further information.

College-Sponsored Programs

Individual Studies Major

The Individual Studies major allows students to pursue a coherent course of study not formally offered at UC San Diego. To apply for the major, students must have a 3.25 grade point average and apply by the beginning of the junior year. A written proposal with supporting documentation from a ladder-ranked faculty adviser, a list of prerequisite courses, and a proposed curriculum plan are required. Students pursuing this major must be goal oriented and self-directed. Please contact the Marshall College academic advising.

Partnership Schools Program

Thurgood Marshall College, in partnership with CREATE, has established two partnership schools: The Preuss School and Gompers Preparatory Academy (GPA). These two charter schools serve students in grades 6 to 12 and work with historically underserved communities to support their youth throughout high school, and in seeking an education that prepares them to be college ready. This service-learning experience guides undergraduates in achieving a critical and reflective understanding of the impact of historical, systemic, and institutionalized inequities on educational opportunities for underrepresented students. Visit the website at https://marshall.ucsd.edu/programs/partnership-schools-program.html.

Public Service Minor

Marshall College sponsors the Public Service minor at UC San Diego, which motivates students to grasp the history and practices of public service and to participate in the development of civic skills. This minor is open to all UC San Diego students in good standing. Please see “Public Service Minor” in the departmental listings or visit the website at https://marshall.ucsd.edu/academics/majors-and-minors/public-service-minor/index.html.

Marshall College Exchange Program

The Thurgood Marshall College Exchange Program officially launched in the fall quarter of 1989 with the UC San Diego Spelman/Morehouse Student Exchange Program. Developed and hosted by Marshall College, all current UC San Diego undergraduate students can participate in exchanges with Morehouse College, Spelman College, and Xavier University of Louisiana.

The purpose of the program is to provide a unique opportunity for students to live and study at important institutions of higher learning that are significantly different from the social and educational environment typical of California state colleges and universities. Similarly, the exchange students coming to UC San Diego from Morehouse, Spelman, and Xavier will have an opportunity to experience an exciting and very different educational environment. See the program coordinator in the Marshall College academic advising office for additional information or visit the website at https://marshall.ucsd.edu/programs/exchange-program.html.

Student Leadership Program

Complementary to its strong academic programs, Marshall College is proud of its emphasis on the student as citizen. The Student Leadership Program is especially designed to encourage active involvement in the governance of the college and participation in community and public service programs. University life outside of the classroom and laboratory is a vital part of each student’s undergraduate experience. The college offers a wide variety of opportunities for students to shape the nature and character of student life. This active participation allows students to develop self-confidence and strong interpersonal, organizational, and leadership skills. The friendly and outgoing manner of Marshall College students contributes to a sense of community and mutual respect. This spirit of cooperation is a college hallmark.

Marshall Mentor Program for Transfer Students

Established in 2006, Marshall College pairs faculty members with transfer students for an entire year in support of active mentoring. The matches are made by field of study and approximately fifty students are supported by twenty-five professors. Students apply for the program at the beginning of fall quarter.

Honors

Quarterly provost’s honors, honors at graduation, departmental honors, and Phi Beta Kappa are awarded to Marshall College students. For additional information, see “Honors,” speak with the academic honors program adviser in the academic advising office, or go to https://marshall.ucsd.edu/academics/academic-opportunities/tmc-honors-program.html.

Marshall College Honors Program

The Marshall College Honors Program sponsors activities and events designed to introduce students to the excitement of pioneering research and innovative scholarship in all disciplines at UC San Diego and to create opportunities for discussion on public issues with locally and nationally known figures. See “Thurgood Marshall College Honors Program” in the department listings or visit https://marshall.ucsd.edu/academics/academic-opportunities/tmc-honors-program.html.

Study Abroad

Students are encouraged to enhance their undergraduate education by participating in the UC Education Abroad Program (EAP) and UC San Diego Opportunities Abroad Program (OAP) while still making regular progress toward graduation. Information on EAP/OAP is detailed in those sections here. Interested students should contact the Study Abroad UC San Diego Office and visit http://studyabroad.ucsd.edu. Financial aid recipients may apply aid to the program, and special study abroad scholarships are readily available.