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"Excellence in education must be viewed as something more
than the process of providing students with knowledge and understanding
of information. Students must be given the opportunity to learn
and analyze and synthesize information and to evaluate its application
to a variety of life's experiences…. This will provide the
basis for continued development throughout the students' professional
and personal life." - Faculty Council
What is the Core Curriculum?
The Core Curriculum is a sequence of both required and elective
courses designed to provide a common educational experience for
all undergraduates and first professional degree students. In addition
to the unique requirements of each degree program, the Core ensures
that all students will be exposed to a common body of knowledge
and have the opportunity to develop those skills that the University
views as an essential complement to all degree programs. The 56
credits of coursework that comprise the Core establish a foundation
in the natural and physical sciences, humanities, and the social
sciences. The Core will enable students to develop basic learning
skills, prepare for advanced study, and explore a variety of topics
outside of their major.
Why have a Core Curriculum?
"Is a Core Curriculum really necessary?" This is by no
means a simple or irrelevant question. It is one that the faculty
at most colleges and universities have been discussing for many
years.
Certainly your education must enable you to master the knowledge
and competencies of your chosen discipline. However, to provide
a balanced education, your program of study should also help you
to attain a range of knowledge and skills in a number of areas that
will enable you to function effectively in both your professional
and personal endeavors. Through the Core, you will be exposed to
ideas, perspectives, and modes of thinking that will broaden your
awareness, help you to develop your intellectual capabilities, and
enable you to actively pursue your educational goals. In short,
the Core is an essential component of your education. It provides
a necessary balance between specialized coursework and broad study
and affords the opportunity for a challenging intellectual experience.
The Core: An Overview
The Core has been designed to allow for coursework and other learning
experiences in nine areas of study.
- Communication
- Literature
- World Cultures
- Mathematics
- Moral Reasoning
- Historical Study
- Fine Arts
- Natural Science
- Social Science
In designing a curriculum that accommodates instruction in these
nine areas, the faculty have developed a Core structure that provides
common learning experiences for all students as well as opportunities
for individual course selection. The four components, of the Core,
which all students must take regardless of their major, are listed
below.
- Fundamental Requirements 38 credits
- Interdisciplinary Requirements 6 credits
- Core Distribution Requirements 9 credits
- Core Elective 3 credits
Total 56 credits
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