Dec 12, 2024  
2020 Undergraduate Catalog 1.1 (WINTER-SPRING) 
    
2020 Undergraduate Catalog 1.1 (WINTER-SPRING) [ARCHIVED CATALOG - Consult with Your Academic Advisor for Your Catalog Year]

Academic Requirements


Core (34-55 credits)


The program seeks to provide students with educational experiences that will develop their ability to think clearly and critically, to express themselves accurately, and to become aware of the rich and varied areas of knowledge. Concepts introduced in the Core will be reinforced and developed through each student’s chosen course of study.

ABSN and most transfer students are not required to complete core. Students must consult the Office of Admission and review the catalog section on Transfer Student Admissions.

The faculty has identified 10 goals of the core program. These goals will be introduced at a foundational level in the Core but are intended to be reinforced and assessed throughout the curriculum. Three of the goals will be addressed specifically in major and major-related course work.

The following list outlines the academic groups from which students may select courses to fulfill the requirements, and the numbers of all courses that have been approved as Core courses. For descriptions of each of these courses, see the “Courses of Instruction ” section of this catalog. Some Core courses satisfy major and major-related courses or prerequisites for those courses.

Component One: Foundations of Understanding (0-24 credit hours)


I. Written Communication 6 credits*


Goal 1:

Students will demonstrate the ability to write logically, clearly, precisely and persuasively; to read accurately and critically; and to acquire, organize, present, and document information and ideas.

The following courses are intended to provide a foundational understanding of Goal 1:

Note:

*Some students may be required to take ENG 100  in addition to Core requirements.

II. Oral Communication 3 credits


Goal 2:

Students will demonstrate the foundational ability to organize information and ideas in order to speak clearly, precisely, and effectively.

The following courses are intended to provide a foundational understanding of Goal 2:

III. Foreign Languages 6 credits


Goal 3:

Students will demonstrate competency in a language other than English and can recognize and explain different cultural beliefs and practices.

The following courses are intended to provide a foundational understanding of Goal 3:

  • Beginning Foreign Language I (101 level) 3 credits
  • Beginning Foreign Language II (102 level) 3 credits
    or
  • Demonstrated competence leading to an exemption. (See Core Exemption Criteria  in this section of the catalog.)

IV. Quantitative Reasoning 6 credits*


Goal 4:

Students will demonstrate a proficiency in mathematics and an ability to reason quantitatively.

The following courses are intended to provide a foundational understanding of Goal 4: Students should select two of the following courses, at least one of which must have MAT as a prefix:

Note:

*Some students may be required to take MAT 100  in addition to Core requirements.
**Only one of these courses may be taken for credit.

V. Computer Use 1-3 credits


Goal 5:

Students will demonstrate skill in using digital technology, such as computers and the Internet, to gather, analyze and present information.

For Biology Majors

For Biology majors this goal is satisfied by taking both of these required courses:

For Construction Management Majors

For Construction management majors this goal is satisfied by taking all of these required courses:

Component Two: Understanding from Multiple Perspectives (25 credit hours)


VI. Humanities 9 credits


Goal 6:

Students will demonstrate an understanding of literary and fine, visual, or performing arts and their cultural context by expressing an informed response to artistic creations.

One course from each of the following two categories will begin the development of those capabilities required to achieve Goal 6.

Goal 7:

Students will demonstrate a foundational critical perspective by analyzing and evaluating arguments and using arguments to arrive at a rationally justified belief.

One course in Philosophy/Semiotic Systems will begin the development of those capabilities required to achieve Goal 7.

VII. Natural Sciences 7- 8 credits


VIII. Social Sciences 9 credits


Goal 9:

Students will demonstrate an understanding of history and heritage; the individual, culture, and society; and social institutions and processes.

One course from each of the following categories will begin the development of those capabilities required to achieve Goal 9:

Goal 10:

Students will develop an awareness of and an appreciation for the importance of interacting effectively with people of diverse backgrounds.

One course with a D (Diversity) designation will begin the development of this awareness. Courses with a (Diversity) D designation can be found in the Schedule of Classes.

Component Three: Integrated Writing (6 credits)


  • 6 credits - two courses designated as writing intensive after a student has completed 27 credit hours. *

Note:


*Three credits for transfer students who transfer with Core complete.

Core Exemption Criteria


For details about exemption procedures, consult with the coordinator of the relevant department.

Goal 1 - Written Communication

ENG 101 : For exemption from ENG 101 , students must provide the Basic Studies Committee with three college-level essays and an impromptu piece of writing that demonstrate the student’s ability to write clearly-organized, thesis oriented essays. Essays will be judged on their clarity, organization, development, focus, coherence, thesis, and mechanics.

ENG 102 : For exemption from ENG 102 , students must provide the Basic Studies Committee with four well-organized, thesis-oriented essays, including an impromptu piece of writing and three college-level essays, at least one of which demonstrates the student’s ability to write an organized, coherent research paper which correctly utilizes the conventions of one of the standard methods of documentation. Essays will be judged on their clarity, organization, development, focus, coherence, thesis, mechanics, research, and documentation.

Goal II - Oral Communication

Exemption from the oral communication requirement shall be granted by providing demonstrated competence in one or more of the following ways:

  1. Proof of coursework or other significant structured learning that provided both experience in oral communication (skill development) and in the theoretical foundations of the field;
  2. Written testimony by qualified persons acquainted with the applicant’s experience in both the performance and theoretical aspects of the field;
  3. Other forms of proof (portfolio, taped performance, etc.) that attest to the applicant’s experiences in, and knowledge of, the field.

At the discretion of the faculty, some form of presentation may be required in addition to the above criteria.

Goal III - Foreign Languages

Students who have achieved at least a B average with 3 or 4 years of high school language (Grades 9 -12) are placed in the 102 section of the language studied in high school. Two or fewer years with up to a B average are placed in the 101 section of the language studied in high school. Students are exempt from the language requirement if they score a 3 or higher on the appropriate AP examination or if they transfer a college level course (102 level or higher). International students from a non-English speaking country are also exempt.

Goal IV - Quantitative Reasoning

Students who are placed into the top score category on the Math Placement Test are exempt from 3 credits in Goal 4: Quantitative Reasoning. Exempted students may not take MAT 124   or MAT 151  for credit.

Goal V - Computer Use

Any student who wishes to be exempt from Goal V - Computer Use must achieve a passing grade on the computer proficiency assessment test or show evidence of computer proficiency.