John Muir College
Find out more about John Muir College.
John Muir College, UCSD's second college, was named for famed environmentalist, nature writer, and Sierra Club founder John Muir.
Established in 1967 when a new American environmental movement was taking shape under the influence of studies such as Rachel Carson's Silent Spring, Muir College continues to be inspired by its namesake's engagement with nature and human values and his activism in the cause of environmental preservation.
John Muir's self-directed and multifaceted career led the college to adopt as its motto "Celebrating the Independent Spirit."
Muir stresses the spirit of individual choice and responsibility within the framework of a strong, supportive community. In the spirit of John Muir, it promotes awareness of environmental issues and involvement in environmental preservation and sustainability.
Since 1993, Muir has been home to UCSD's interdisciplinary Environmental Studies minor. As part of its commitment to fostering interdisciplinary teaching and research, Muir also sponsors the Critical Gender Studies major and minor, and the Film Studies minor.
General education at Muir
Muir’s general education requirements guide students toward a broad and liberal education while offering substantial choice in the shaping of that education. Muir’s flexible approach enables students to design academic programs tailored to their individual interests, talents, and goals, and facilitates the pursuit of double majors and minor fields.
Muir’s general education program requires:
- One 3-course sequence in the social sciences (anthropology, cognitive science, critical gender studies, economics, ethnic studies, political science, psychology, or sociology)
- One 3-course sequence in mathematics (calculus), the natural sciences (biology, chemistry or physics), or environmental studies
- Two 3-course sequences in humanities, foreign languages, and fine arts (history, literature, music, philosophy, theatre and dance, or visual arts)
- A 2-course sequence in university-level writing in the Muir College Writing Program