2. General Education Courses

2.1. Political Courses (14+2 Credits): All courses are compulsory.

2.2. Military Training and Physical Education (8+2.5 Credits): Physical Education I - VI are compulsory courses to be taken within the first three years. Physical Education VII and the Physical Capacity Tests and Extracurricular Exercise should be taken in the fourth year. For details, please refer to the Guidance on Physical Education for Undergraduates of Zhejiang University 2019.

2.3. Foreign Languages (6+1 Credits): The minimum requirement for foreign language courses is 6+1 credits, of which 6 credits are gained from elective courses. The additional 1 credit is obtained from any of the compulsory courses for the “English Level Test” or tests for minor foreign languages. Freshmen are recommended to take College English Band III or College English Band IV in accordance with their level of English. Students can also take other foreign language courses with “F” in the course number. Sophomores and above are entitled to apply for the “English Level Test” or tests for minor foreign languages. For details, please refer to the Measures of Foreign Language Courses for Undergraduates of Zhejiang University (revised in April 2018).

2.3.1.  Compulsory Courses (+1.0 Credit)

2.3.2.  Optional Courses (6 credits): Students should take the following courses or other foreign language courses with “F” in the course number.

2.4. IT-related Courses (5 Credits): Different IT-related general courses are arranged for students across different levels and majors. Sociology majors are required to take the following courses to meet their degree requirements.

2.5. Natural Science-related General Education Courses (9 Credits): Different natural science-related general courses are offered to students across different levels and majors. Sociology majors are required to take the following courses to meet the degree requirements.

2.6. Innovation and Entrepreneurship (1.5 Credits) Students are required to take one of the following courses: Fundamentals of Entrepreneurship, Start-Up, Fundamentals of KAB, Career Planning A and Career Planning B.

2.7. General Optional Courses (10.5 Credits): General optional courses consist of 7 modules: Chinese Tradition, World Civilization, Contemporary Society, Arts and Aesthetics, Science and Technology Innovation, Life Exploration and Liberal Arts and Crafts, each containing general core courses and general elective courses.

Students are required to:

1) Take at least one general core course;

2) Take at least one Liberal Arts and Crafts course;

3) Take at least two courses in Science and Technology Innovation and Life Exploration (for majors in humanities and social science);

4) Take other general optional courses to meet the minimum credit;

5) If the general core course taken belongs to the modules of Liberal Arts and Crafts, Science and Technology Innovation or Life Exploration, the credits also meet the requirements of 2) or 3).

3. Individualized Courses (7.5 Credits): Individualized courses are designed for students to take courses of their own choice and according to their own interests (no more than 2 credits in general optional courses are allowed). This can include courses from other majors, graduate courses or courses offered at other universities at home and abroad given that they are approved by Zhejiang University.

4. Interdisciplinary Courses (+3 Credits): The interdisciplinary module is set to encourage students to enhance interdisciplinary study. This includes courses taken in micro-minor, minor, double major or double degree programs, major courses of other majors, or other approved interdisciplinary teaching and learning sessions. In addition to gaining credits for their major, if students satisfy the credit requirements of a particular micro-minor / minor program, they can also be awarded the respective degree certificate of that micro-minor / minor program.

5. International Study (+3 Credits): Students will gain credits in this module through the following University-approved activities, which may also substitute for similar courses or be recognized as courses in other modules.

1) Obtaining credits in academic exchange programs abroad or in Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, such as the programs at UC Berkeley or UCLA;

2) Participating in internship, dissertation, scientific research or other practical exchange programs for no less than 2 months abroad or in Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, such as the UCLA summer research and dissertation programs (2 months);

3) Taking international professional courses (taught by overseas sociology teachers in English) offered by the Department of Sociology and approved by the University;

4) Taking other high level international courses approved by the University.

6. Second Class (+4 Credits): Refers to all practical and applied activities that students participate in at Zhejiang University. 

7. Third Class (+2 Credits): Refers to all extracurricular activities (including internships, volunteer work) that students undertake within China.

8. Fourth Class (+2 Credits): Refers to all foreign exchange activities that students participate in.

Undergraduate Program for Minors and Micro-minors:

Minor: Students are required to gain 28 credits through taking all of the above courses marked with “*”.

Micro-minor: Students are required to gain 12 credits by taking the following courses:

Micro-minor courses (12 Credits)