Note that the requirements below supplement the University Baccalaureate Degree requirements. Refer to the General Catalog for this information. You can obtain a copy of the General Catalog at the University of Utah Bookstore.

The Major in Philosophy calls for a minimum of 36 units of philosophy coursework that meets the following six requirements:

1. Area Requirement

Students are to take courses from the four Areas in the summary table below, in the quantities indicated:

Areas	Minimum	Qualified Courses
I Ethics and Value Theory	Three courses	3011*, 3500, 3510, 3520, 3530, 3700, 3710 3720, 3730, 3740, 3800, 3820, 4540, 5130, 5191*, 5500, 5510, 5520, 5530, 5540, 5700, 5710
II Metaphysics and Epistemology	Three courses	3012*, 3300, 3310, 3350, 3370 [4370], 3400, 3440, 3600, 4380, 5192*, 5300, 5350†, 5370†, 5400*, 5450, 5480*
III History of Philosophy	Three courses	3013*, 3810, 4110, 4120, 4130, 4140, 5040, 5060, 5110, 5120*, 5150*, 5193*, 5360
IV Logic and Formal Methods	One course	3200, 3210, 5200, 5210, 5220, 5230
* These courses typically have variable content and may be taken multiple times, each time counting as a new and separate course, so long as the course content is different. † These courses sometimes have variable content, in which case they may be taken multiple times. Check with instructor for permission to take a second time.
Full COURSE TITLES and DESCRIPTIONS at bottom of this page

Students elect the particular courses (from each of the above Areas) that they wish to take. Before taking any 5000-level course, however, it is strongly recommended that students take at least one 3000- or 4000-level course from that same Area. Depending on the student's post-graduation plans, specific courses may be highly recommended. Consult the TRACKS page for suggestions about courses that will enhance particular professional or academic profiles.

2. Advanced Course Requirement

At least three courses of the total 36 units must come from the 5000-level (or higher). These advanced courses do at the same time satisfy an Area Requirement, as indicated in the above table. (Note: the Advanced Course Requirement may not be satisfied by "independent study" coursework.)

3. Senior Seminar Requirement

Majors must take the Senior Seminar, Phil 4010. Students need not wait till their senior year to take this course, though it is aimed at advanced majors. The minimum prerequisites for taking the Senior Seminar are that the student have already completed at least one course from each of Areas I, II, and III, in the Area Requirement table above.

Note that the Senior Seminar satisfies the University Advanced Writing Requirement.

4. Elective Requirement

If meeting the above requirements brings your total to 36 units, you need not take any further courses in philosophy. Otherwise, an elective course will be needed to bring the total to 36.

Every course the philosophy department offers counts towards the Elective Requirement. Note that two kinds of courses count only towards this requirement, not meeting any other requirement. First, all lower division courses count as electives (i.e., 1000 level and 2000 level courses). Second, the four specifically religion-oriented courses we offer: Phil 3610 (Religions of India), Phil 3620 (Religions of China and Japan), Phil 3630 (Buddhist Thought), and Phil 3640 (World Religions). Since these courses are not primarily philosophical in content, they do not count towards any of our specific philosophy requirements, but they do count for the Elective Requirement. The historical explanation of why the philosophy department offers these courses is that U of Utah does not have a Religion Department, the natural home for such courses. Note that Phil 3600 (Philosophy of Religion) is a philosophy course, and it meets the Area II requirement.

You may, of course, take many more than just one elective. Doing so will enhance your philosophical education. Additional electives will count towards the total number of units needed for the University Baccalaureate Degree requirements.

5. Grade Requirement

The Grade Requirement has three parts. First, only coursework taken for a letter grade will contribute to the above requirements; CR/NC coursework will not count. Second, no individual course receiving a grade lower than C- will count for any of the above requirements. Third, the overall grade-point average (GPA) for courses meeting the above requirements must be at least 2.00.

6. Residence Requirement

Various of the above requirements may, in special cases, and with approval, be satisfied with transfer credit. Requirements 2 and 3 are exceptions: in all cases, the Advanced Course Requirement and the Seminar Requirement must be satisfied by course work completed at the University of Utah.