The programs offered by the Linguistics Department are designed to acquaint students with the central aspects of linguistic structure and the methodologies and perspectives of the field. The department offers two undergraduate majors, linguistics and language studies, and a graduate program in theoretical linguistics.

Study and Research Opportunities

• B.A. with concentrations in Applied Linguistics, Computational Linguistics, Psycholinguistics, and Theoretical Linguistics; M.A. and Ph.D. programs in Theoretical Linguistics; Undergraduate Minor
• Opportunities to study abroad through the UC Education Abroad Program (EAP)

Linguistics2007.pdf

High School Preparation
High school students who plan to major in linguistics at UC Santa Cruz are not required to have any special background in linguistics. But they will find it useful to begin study of a foreign language in high school and complete more than the minimum courses in science and mathematics.

Transfer Preparation
Transfer students who intend to major in linguistics should, if possible, take one or two linguistics courses before entering UC Santa Cruz, conceivably during UC Santa Cruz’s Summer Session. In addition, students will find it helpful to have completed general education requirements.

While it is not a condition of admission, students from California community colleges may complete the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) in preparation for transfer to UC Santa Cruz.

Transfer course agreements and articulation between the University of California and California community colleges can be accessed on the ASSIST web site.

Recognition
Professor Sandra Chung, an expert on linguistic theory and on the languages of the Pacific, was elected a Fellow of the Linguistic Society of America at the annual meeting of the Society in January 2007.

Professor Emeritus of Linguistics Geoffrey K. Pullum was elected a member of the prestigious American Academy of Arts & Sciences in 2003. Pullum is coauthor of The Cambridge Grammar of the English Language (2002), the first definitive grammar reference book of standard international English in more than 20 years. He has published a dozen books and nearly 200 articles on the scientific study of language.

Course Requirements
All students are required to complete the following 12 courses in linguistics and related disciplines:

•  Seven foundation courses in linguistics:

• 50, Introduction to Linguistics

• 52, Syntax I

• 53, Semantics I

• 101, Phonology I

• 102, Phonology II

• 113, Syntax II

• 116, Semantics II

•  Five upper-division elective courses in linguistics, or approved substitutes in related fields.

Students may petition the department to have elective courses offered through other institutions or other UC programs applied toward the major requirements. Such courses must clearly fit into a coherent program of study in linguistics.

Careers

•  Language engineering
•  Information processing: computer science and computer technology, information sciences, library science
•  Speech technology: speech synthesis and speech
recognition
•  Advanced study in linguistics or in related fields
(such as experimental psychology or language or child development)
•  Education: educational research, bilingual education
•  Teaching: English, English as a second language, other languages
•  Translating
•  Law

These are only samples of the field’s many possibilities.

•     Mathematics 11A, Calculus with Applications, 19A, Calculus for Science, Engineering, and Mathematics, or 21, Linear Algebra

•     Computer Science 12A, Introduction to Programming

•     Computer Engineering 16, Applied Discrete Mathematics

•     Economics 11A, Mathematical Methods for Economists

•     Any course that has one of the above courses as a prerequisite

Senior Exit Requirement
In their senior year, linguistics majors must satisfy the senior exit requirement in one of two ways.

Option 1: Successful completion of a capstone course. Students may designate an appropriate upper-division linguistics course as their capstone course.

In addition to fulfilling the normal requirements for the designated course, such students concurrently enroll in the Linguistics 190 Senior Research Series (two credits, enrollment limited to 10) with the instructor, and produce a research paper, or other significant project.

Prior to enrolling in 190, students must have completed Course 52, Syntax I and 101, Phonology I.

Option 2: Successful completion of a senior thesis supervised by a linguistics faculty member. The proposal for a senior thesis must be submitted for departmental approval at least one year prior to the quarter of graduation.
Students enroll in Linguistics 195 (Senior Thesis) with the faculty adviser.

Education Abroad Program (EAP)
The Education Abroad Program (EAP) offers undergraduate students the opportunity to study at more than 130 host universities and colleges in 34 countries as part of their regular UC academic program. Students receiving financial aid can apply their award to a program abroad. In addition, special scholarships are available for students going to some countries. Funds for small scholarships have been provided by alumni of the program and the UC Office of the President.