<p>Why does the UC system make a distinction between the two and not count non-lab science courses as part of the (d) requirement?</p>
<p>This is what the UCs say about the “d” requirement:</p>
<p>d | Laboratory Science</p>
<p>Students should select courses that represent two of the three foundational subjects of biology, chemistry and physics. For example, a student who takes only biology and physiology, or biology and marine biology, would not meet the “d” requirement. Students who choose to satisfy the laboratory science requirement by taking a three-year integrated science program are encouraged to complete the entire sequence.</p>
<p>Approved engineering courses satisfy this requirement, as do the final two years of an approved three-year integrated science program that provides rigorous coverage of at least two of the three foundational subjects. If the last year of the three-year sequence is not offered by the school, a student may complete the requirement by taking a course in biology, chemistry or physics.</p>
<p>Source: [University</a> of California - Counselors](<a href=“http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/educators/counselors/adminfo/freshman/advising/admission/agr.html]University”>http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/educators/counselors/adminfo/freshman/advising/admission/agr.html)</p>
<p>The title of the requirement is “Laboratory Science” and courses that do not have a lab component will not be counted. There may be exceptions, such as sciences courses with separate lecture and lab sections that when taken together will satisfy the requirement.</p>
<p>Because they require a lab science. </p>
<p>Sorry to be snarky, but sometimes the reasoning should not matter to you the applicant. Either follow the rules as established for hundreds of thousands of applicants, or be ineligible for admission – simple as that.</p>