General Studies Requirements for the Baccalaureate Degree

General Studies Requirements for the Baccalaureate Degree

Certain core courses are required in each of the degree programs of the University. These courses provide students an opportunity to gain a thorough understanding of basic accumulated general knowledge. The courses are designed to assure that a wide range of viewpoints and philosophies, as well as classic literature, become familiar to students. Core courses provide a common academic meeting ground for students and professors to interact. These shared studies afford the opportunity to explore generally accepted concepts and principles, develop critical thinking skills, and identify questions and issues requiring further study and research.

The following is a listing of the General Studies requirements for the baccalaureate degree:

Student Writing and Math Skills

The University has adopted a policy intended to identify students who have writing and/or math deficiencies that may impair their ability to progress through their course of study.

1. New College students complete the English and Math placement analyses. If they meet the standard for each subject, they may enroll in ENG 101 or the first level math required by the student's degree curriculum. If they do not meet the standard, they will be expected to complete ENG 110, English Essentials, and/or MAT 110, Math Essentials. For students needing academic preparation at a more basic level, zero credit courses in both English and Math are available (i.e. ENG 095 and MAT 095).
2. Once students reach junior status, a writing assessment is administered during a course assignment. If the University standard is not met, the student will be advised to complete ENG 365, Academic Writing.

Library Orientation

A basic library orientation project is required of all new undergraduate students as part of ENG 101 (English Composition I). An advanced library orientation should be completed by all undergraduate students as part of a course in the student's major program.