Complete the Following Requirements to Graduate

CIT Students must complete a minimum of 72 units of General Education requirements, that fall into three categories: Breadth, Depth and Non-technical Electives. Typically students can take 1 Gen-Ed course per semester to fulfill this requirement, though schedules may vary. Below are suggested examples for each category (with some spaces reserved specifically for FY CIT students). There are also links to view the complete lists of courses that fulfill the Humanistic and Cognitions & Institutions requirements.

Breadth Sequence

(choose one category for your semester's schedule)

Humanistic Studies (Cultural Analysis)  9 units
79-104, Introduction to World History
(See a list of other acceptable classes.)


Cognitions and Institutions      9 units
73-100, Principles of Economics OR
85-100, Introduction to Intelligence in Humans, Animals and Machines OR
88-104, Decision Processes in American Political Institutions OR
73-100, Principles of Economics OR
73-150, Microeconomics (Spring)
(See a list of other acceptable classes.)


Writing/Expression   9 units
76-101, Interpretation and Argument OR
82-085, Reading and Writing in a Multicultural Setting*

*82-085 (no longer offered) was designated only for those students for whom English is a second language. Students who entered Carnegie Mellon before Fall 2006 may use this course for Writing/Expression.

A full list can be accessed by visiting the English Department’s web site (Click on First-Year English Program.)

76-100, Reading and Writing in a Multicultural Setting
For students who are not native speakers of English or have identified themselves as speaking English as a second or third language, the course 76-100, Reading and Writing in a Multicultural Setting is required. This course, designed as a prerequisite for 76-101, stresses reading in English for comprehension and application of key concepts for writing summaries and short position papers.

Note: 76-100 does not fulfill the Writing/Expression Requirement. Students will still eventually need to complete 76-101, which can be done in the subsequent semesters.

Not sure if you qualify to take the English placement test? E-mail Dr. Danielle Wetzel, include your full name and contact information and your writing/speaking background so that she can make sure you are given the information you need.

Depth Sequence

Humanities, Social Science, or Fine Arts
A sequence of humanities, social science, or fine arts courses provides depth in a specific area outside of the engineering realm. Although 27 units from a single department meet this requirement, related courses from different departments may also satisfy this requirement. At least 9 of these units should be beyond the introductory level. CFA performance courses, if chosen, must also include theory or history of the subject. A depth sequence in language must include at least three courses in the same language. Tepper School of Business, Heinz School, and Statistics Department courses may NOT be used.

Although this requirement is typically satisfied by completing 3 courses of at least 9 units each, some acceptable courses are greater or less than 9 units (e.g. 6-unit art courses). While mini courses of fewer than 9 units may be combined to equal 9-unit courses, the excess units from courses greater 9 units may NOT be used to satisfy this requirement. For example, a 12-unit, 6-unit, 9-unit combination is not acceptable. A 6-unit, 3-unit, 9-unit, 9-unit combination is acceptable.

Non-Technical Electives 18 units

This category allows students the flexibility to choose two unrestricted humanities, social science, or fine arts courses, or non-technical courses from the Tepper School of Business or the Heinz School. Accounting, finance, production, and statistics courses are regarded as technical courses and may NOT be used. Although this requirement is typically satisfied by completing 2 courses of at least 9 units each, some acceptable courses are greater or less than 9 units (e.g. 6-unit art courses). While mini courses of fewer than 9 units may be combined to equal 9-unit courses, the excess units from courses greater 9 units may NOT be used to satisfy this requirement. For example, a 12-unit, 6-unit combination is not acceptable. A 6-unit, 3-unit, 9-unit combination is acceptable.

See acceptable non-H&SS/CFA courses for non-technical electives.

See courses that CANNOT be used to fulfill requirements for the Depth sequence or Non-Technical electives.

Modern Language Placement Tests

If you are interested in taking a modern language at Carnegie Mellon, and you feel that your abilities are higher than the introductory course, online placement tests are currently available in French, German, Russian, and Spanish.

A modern language is not required in CIT, but can be used to fulfill general education requirements. Many CIT students opt to minor in a language. If you want to start at the introductory level or have AP credits to gain advanced enrollment status for a language course you should NOT take the online placement test.

Instructions: French, German, Spanish, and Russian placement tests are available on-line world wide. To take the placement exams you need the following information:

Go to the following URL: http://webcape.byuhtrsc.org/?acct=cmu
The Password is: tartans1 (ends with the digit one (1))

- OR -

You can also go directly to a specific language by using the following links:

For French
For German
For Spanish

If you wish to take the Placement exam for Russian, please contact Charlene Castellano in order to obtain the URL and Password.

Students who have studies Italian, Japanese, and Chinese elsewhere and need to know their placement level should contact the following faculty members:

Chinese: Suemei Wu or Yueming Yu
Italian: Jan Vairo or Giovanni Puppo
Japanese: Sono Takano Hayes

Acceptable Humanistic Studies Courses

NOTE: This is a comprehensive list of courses. Some courses may not be available every semester or may no be longer offered. Check the online Schedule of Classes for availability.

# = number has been changed/used for a different course

60-205, Modern Visual Culture: 1789-1945
66-301, Science and Christianity: A Multidisciplinary Approach
70-342, Managing Across Cultures
76-201, Literature and the Social
76-227, Comedy
76-334, 19th Century Literary and Cultural Studies
76-335, 20th Century Literary and Cultural Studies
76-336, Romantic Age Literary and Cultural Studies
76-386, Language & Culture
79-001, History Elective (transfer credit)
79-002, History Elective (transfer credit)
79-011, European History AP Credit
79-012, US History AP Credit
79-015, World History AP Credit
79-104, Introduction to World History
79-113, Culture and Identity in American Society
#79-311, Introduction to Anthropology; (Formally 79-201) 
79-249, 20th Century U.S.
79-205, 20th Century Europe
79-240, Development of American Culture
79-207, Development of European Culture
79-310, Religions of China
#79-xxx, History and Cultures of East Asia
#79-xxx, History of World Architecture
79-233, The United States and the Middle East since 1945
#79-xxx, City Histories: Delhi and London
79-241, African-American History I
79-242, African-American History II
79-343, A History of American Urban Life
79-202, Flesh and Spirit: Early Modern Europe, 1400-1800
79-220, The Caribbean:Cultures and Histories
79-333, Biology and Society: Evolution, Animal Experimentation and Eugenics
79-327, History of the American Working Class
79-281, Introduction to Religion
79-261, Chinese Culture and Society
79-262, Modern China
#79-xxx, Modern Japan: 1868 to the present
79-265, Russian History from the First to the Last Tsar
79-266, Modern Soviet History: From Communism to Capitalism
79-385, The Making of the African Diaspora in the New World
79-226, Introduction to African History: Earliest Times to the Origins of the Slave Trade
#79-xxx, History of African-American Families
79-244, Women in American History
#79-xxx, Public Spectacles and Summer Festivals in Europe, 1600-present
80-100, Introduction to Philosophy
80-181, Language and Thought
80-241, Ethical Judgements in Professional Life
80-250, Ancient Philosophy
80-251, Modern Philosophy
80-253, Continental Philosophy
80-255, Pragmatism
82-182, Language and Culture: Language in Its Social Context
82-193, The Faust Legend from Europe to Russia
82-226, Intensive German Language and Culture
82-246, Intensive Spanish Language and Culture
82-273, Introduction to Japanese Language and Culture
82-276, Intensive Japanese Language and Culture
82-303, French Culture
82-304, Francophone World (prereq: 82-202; taught in French)
82-324, Contemporary Germany, Austria, and Switzerland
82-325, Introduction to German Studies
82-333, Introduction to Chinese Language and Culture
82-336, Intensive Chinese Language and Culture
82-342, Spain: Language and Culture
82-343, Latin America: Language and Culture
82-384, Language and Culture: Language in its Social Context
82-407, The Arts in Society: Theater & Lyric Voices of the 20th Century
82-415, Topics in French and Francophone Studies (prereq: 82-303/304; taught in French)
82-416, Studies in French and Francophone Studies (prereq: 82-302; taught in French)
82-425, Topics in German Literature and Culture: The Road to Re-united Germany
82-426, Studies in German Lit. and Culture (prereq: 82-323/324 or 325; taught in German)
82-427, Nazi and Resistance Culture
82-428, The History of German Film
82-433, Topics in Contemporary Culture of China: Culture of China
82-434, Studies in Chinese Traditions
82-436, Introduction to Classical Chinese
82-441, Studies in Peninsular Literature and Culture: Songs and Portraits of Spanish Exiles
82-451, Studies in Latin American Literature and Culture (prereq: 82-345; taught in Spanish)
82-455, Topics in Hispanic Studies: The Cuban Condition
82-456, Topics in Hispanic Studies (prereq: 82-345; taught in Spanish)
82-480, Social and Cognitive Aspects of Bilingualism
82-491, Literature, Politics, and Film in Russia and East Europe Today
82-492, The Historical Imagination in 19th-Century Russian Literature (taught in English)
82-493, Joseph Brodsky in Context (taught in English)

back to top

Acceptable Cognitions and Institution Courses

NOTE: This is a comprehensive list of courses. Some courses may not be available every semester or may no be longer offered. Check the online Schedule of Classes for availability.

36-303, Sampling, Surveys, and Society
73-001, Economics Elective Credit (transfer credit)
73-011, Macro Economics AP Credit
73-012, Micro Economics AP Credit
73-100, Principles of Economics
73-150, Microeconomics
80-135, Introduction to Political Philosophy
80-136, Social Structure, Public Policy, and Ethical Dilemmas
80-150, The Nature of Reason
80-180, The Nature of Language
80-181, Language and Thought
80-241, Ethical Judgments in Professional Life
80-242, Conflict, Dispute Resolution
82-480, Social and Cognitive Aspects of Bilingualism
85-100, Introduction to Intelligence in Humans, Animals and Machines
85-102, Introduction to Psychology
85-105, Introduction to Consciousness
85-211, Cognitive Psychology
85-221, Principles of Child Development
85-241, Social Psychology
85-251, Personality
85-261, Abnormal Psychology
88-001, Social and Decision Science Elective Credit (transfer credit)
88-011, Gov & Politics: Comp AP Credit
88-012, Gov & Politics: US AP Credit
88-104, Decision Processes in American Political Institutions
88-110, Experiments in Economic Principles
88-120, Reason, Passion & Cognition
88-205, Comparative Politics

back to top

Acceptable Non-H&SS/CFA Courses for Non-Technical Electives

NOTE: This is a comprehensive list of courses. Some courses may not be available every semester or may no longer be offered. Check the online Schedule of Classes for availability.

CIT Interdisciplinary

39-200, Business for Engineers


Tepper School of Business

70-160, Graphic Media Management
70-161, Graphic Media Technologies
70-311, Organizational Behavior
70-332, Business, Society, and Ethics
70-340, Business Communications
70-342, Managing Across Cultures
70-343, Interpersonal Communication
70-345, Oral Communications
70-364, Business Law
70-365, International Trade and International Law
70-366, Intellectual Property and E-Commerce
70-381, Marketing
70-414, Technology Based Entrepreneurship for CIT
70-415, Introduction to Entrepreneurship
70-416, New Venture Creation
70-417, Topics in Entrepreneurship
70-418: Financing Entrepreneurship Ventures
70-420, Entrepreneurship for Scientists
70-421, Entrepreneurship for Computer Scientists
70-436, Corporate Social Responsibility
99-451: Building Fluency for Presentations: A class for non-native English speakers


The Heinz School of Public Policy & Management* 

90-717, Strategic Writing Skill
90-718, Strategic Presentation Skills
90-729, Organizational Design and Implementation
90-830, Introduction to Financial Management of Health Care
90-831, Advanced Financial Management of Health Care
90-836, Legal Issues in Health Systems Management
90-837, Health Project Planning & Management
90-853, Health Care Information Systems
90-861, Health Policy
90-862, Making Public Policy in the Real World

*Limited space is available in Heinz School courses for seniors with at least a 3.0.


Carnegie Mellon University-Wide Studies 

99-151, Privilege, Responsibility, and Community
99-242, Meaning Across the Millennia
99-331, India Today: Industry, Innovation, and Education

99-339, Passport to Global Awareness
99-340 Global Issues, Local Solutions

back to top

Unacceptable Depth Sequence and Non-Technical Elective Courses

The following are H&SS/CFA courses that can NOT be used toward the Depth Sequence or Non-technical Electives requirements.

48-115: Physics for Architects
48-210: Statics
48-215: Materials and Assembly
48-217: Structures
48-310: Structures II
48-312: Site Engineering and Foundations
48-315: Environment I: Climate and Energy
48-410: Environment II: Acoustics and Lighting
48-412: Environment III: Mechanical Systems
48-415: Advanced Building Systems
48-456: Design and Construction with CIT
48-460: Computer Modeling II
48-526: Corporate Real Estate
48-752: Zero Energy Housing
51-131: Computing Skills Workshop Design
51-223: Computer Basics CD
51-341: How Things Are Made
51-401: Individual and Team Project
51-402: Individual Senior Project
51-423, Introduction Computing in Design
60-112, Introduction to Computational Form
73-226, Quantitative Economic Analysis
73-251, Economic Theory
73-252, Advanced Microeconomic Theory
73-253, Advanced Macroeconomic Theory
73-260, Econometrics I
73-261, Econometrics
73-360, Econometrics II
73-392, Financial Economics
80-210, Logic and Proofs
80-211, Arguments and Inquiry
80-222, Measurement and Methodology
80-310, Logic and Computation
80-311: Computability and Incompleteness
80-312: Philosophy of Mathematics
80-314, Logic and Artificial Intelligence
80-315, Modal Logic
80-316, Probability and AI
80-317, Constructive Logic
80-318, Computability and Proof Search
80-319, Computability and Learnability
80-410, Computability and Learnability
80-411, Proof Theory
80-412, Intuitionism and Constructive Mathematics
80-413, Category Theory
80-481, Formal Semantics
85-111, Self-Paced Lisp lab
85-120, General Programming
85-213: Human Information Processing and Artificial Intelligence
85-219, Biological Foundations of Behavior
85-310, Research Methods in Cognitive Psychology
85-355, Introduction to Cognitive Neuroscience
88-211, Introduction to Cobol Programming
88-250, Regression Methods in Social Science
88-251, Empirical Research Methods

back to top