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Take a course at UC Santa Cruz

This is a partial list of the online courses you can take through our Open Campus program. You can finish up your degree, get your prerequisites, and expand your knowledge without being a matriculated student. Enjoy UC Santa Cruz from wherever you are! Course selections are limited.

More fall 2025 courses to be added

We are continually growing our list of courses for you. Be sure to check back for updates.

Note: If you are interested in a course that is not listed here, please contact us and we will work directly with the instructor or department to see if there is space available.

   

   

Anthropology

Provides an historical overview from the 18th century to the present of race, ape-human relationships, and human nature. Emergence of an evolutionary framework and of fossil, genetic, and primate information becomes the basis for reformulating ideas about human biology within anthropology.

  • Days: TBA
  • Time: TBA
    • Format: Asynchronous Online
  • Instructor: J. Reti
  • Contact for Approval: Andrew Mathews | amathews@ucsc.edu
    or Fred Deakin | fdeakin@ucsc.edu
  • Units: 5

An examination of anthropological studies of tribal, rural, and urban cultures of India and a look at changes taking place in India.

  • Days: TBA
  • Time: TBA
  • Format: Asynchronous Online
  • Instructor: A.D. Pandey
  • Contact for Approval: Andrew Mathews | amathews@ucsc.edu
    or Fred Deakin | fdeakin@ucsc.edu
  • Units: 5

Computer Science and Engineering

Introduction to computer systems and assembly language and how computers compute in hardware and software. Topics include digital logic, number systems, data structures, compiling/assembly process, basics of the system software, and computer architecture. Course is 7 credits with integrated laboratories illustrating concepts covered in lecture. Note that CSE 12 assumes some programming experience. Students can show programming experience by taking one of the courses listed in the prerequisite list below or by taking the CSE python Test-out Exam: https://undergrad.soe.ucsc.edu/cse-20-testout-exam (Formerly CSE 12 and CSE 12L)

  • Days: Tu & Th
  • Time: 5:20 – 6:55 PM
  • Format: Synchronous Online
  • Instructor: M. Siero
  • Contact for Approval: Jose Renau renau@ucsc.edu (Dept Chair)
  • Danielle Danubia Ditmars dditmars@ucsc.edu (Dept Mgr)
  • Units: 7

Cowell College

How do you change the world, working alone and in concert with others? To find out, students work in groups with specific community partners who, in turn, help place students in social-change organizations in Santa Cruz County. (General Education Code(s): PR-S.)

  • Days: TBA
  • Time: TBA
  • Format: Asynchronous Online
  • Instructor: Caitlin Stinneford
  • Contact for Approval: Alice Folkins cwprvsta@ucsc.edu
  • Units: 2

Crown College

Service-learning class that takes students through the process of creating a marketing plan for a real client. Begins with design and marketing fundamentals and the marketing brief. Teams are formed and assigned projects with local businesses or UCSC startups. Client needs are established through interviews. After a clear understanding of the problem is established, ideation occurs with solutions developed and executed. These may include creating branding, logo design, messaging, digital storytelling (through film, website, social media campaigns), interior design, and product design specification feedback and posters.

  • Days: T & Th
  • Time: 5:20–6:55 PM
  • Format: Synchronous Online
  • Instructor: Staff
  • Contact for approval: Manel Camps mcamps@ucsc.edu (Provost)
  • Marina Glagolev mglagole@ucsc.edu (Operations Mgr)
  • Units: 5

Community service-oriented class provides a supervised learning experience for students who deliver real solutions to local businesses while gaining valuable practical skills and an opportunity to integrate their academic coursework with community involvement. Teams are formed and businesses assigned while students are trained to do interviews, write proposals, project-manage, design websites, and marketing campaigns. No prerequisites are required and familiarity in the following areas is preferred: the lean startup method, the business model canvas, and customer discovery.

  • Days: T & Th
  • Time: 9:50–11:25 AM
  • Format: Synchronous Online
  • Instructor: Staff
  • Contact for approval: Manel Camps mcamps@ucsc.edu (Provost)
  • Marina Glagolev mglagole@ucsc.edu (Operations Mgr)
  • Units: 5

Environmental Studies

Introduction to geographic information systems (GIS) as the technology of processing spatial data, including input, storage and retrieval; manipulation and analysis; reporting and interpretation. Emphasizes GIS as a decision support system for environmental and social problem solving, using basic model building, experimental design, and database management.

Concurrent enrollment with LAB Required, can be completed via Zoom: ENVS 115L

  • Days: Tu & Th
  • Time: 8–9:35 a.m.
  • Format: Synchronous Online
  • Instructor: Bo Yang
  • Contact for Approval: Jeffrey Bury jbury@ucsc.edu (Dept chair) or Jimmy Gaffney jgaffney@ucsc.edu (Dept Mgr)
  • Units: 5

Ocean Sciences

An interdisciplinary introduction to oceanography focusing on biological, chemical, geological, and physical processes. Covers topics such as origins and structure of planet Earth and its oceans, co-evolution of Earth and life, plate tectonics, liquid water and the hydrologic and hydrothermal cycles, salinity and elemental cycles, ocean circulation, primary production and nutrient cycles, plankton and nekton, life on the sea floor, near shore and estuarine communities, future environmental problems our oceans face. Students may also enroll in and receive credit for EART 1

  • Days: TBA
  • Time: TBA
  • Format: Asynchronous Online
  • Instructor: M. Polito
  • Contact for Approval: Christopher A Edwards cedwards@ucsc.edu (Dept Chair) or Amy Kornber amylkorn@ucsc.edu (Dept Mgr)
  • Units: 5

Technology and Information Management

Uses weekly talks by leading industry practitioners and university researchers to provide in-depth exposure to the management of technology. Topics covered include product development, operations, strategy, finance, and marketing for technologies such as software and information systems.

  • Days: Th
  • Time: 3:20–4:55 PM
  • Format: Synchronous Online
  • Instructor: S. Desa
  • Contact for Approval: Leah Kahn lkahn@ucsc.edu (academic planning) or Alonso Antunez De Mayolo alantune@ucsc.edu (Finance)
  • Units: 2

 

   

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