General Education

The purpose of general education at NDSU is to ensure that students acquire knowledge, perspectives, and skills basic to a university education. The program is designed so that students will be able to adapt to and anticipate changes in their profession and in society. Students also will be able to integrate and use the knowledge and perspectives they have gained to live productive, intellectually rewarding and meaningful lives.

University General Education Requirements

A list of university approved general education courses and administrative policies are available here.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Category C: Communication		12
ENGL 110	College Composition I
ENGL 120	College Composition II
COMM 110	Fundamentals of Public Speaking
Upper Division Writing †
Category R: Quantitative Reasoning †		3
Category S: Science and Technology †		10
Category A: Humanities and Fine Arts †		6
Category B: Social and Behavioral Sciences †		6
Category W: Wellness †		2
Category D: Cultural Diversity *†
Category G: Global Perspectives *†
Total Credits		39

*

Courses for category D & G are satisfied by completing D & G designated courses in another general education category.

†

General education courses may be used to satisfy requirements for both general education and the major, minor, and program emphases, where applicable. Students should carefully review major requirements to determine if specific courses can also satisfy these general education categories.

General Education Category Descriptions

The following descriptions are elaborations of the general education categories approved by the Faculty Senate.

• Communication (C) is the clear, precise, and purposeful exchange of information in a variety of contexts, using either written or oral means.
• Cultural diversity (D) focuses on the social, personal, and interpersonal effects of variety and differences among cultures.
• Fine arts (A), as an integral component of the humanities, promote the appreciation of aesthetics and the expression of creativity.
• Global perspectives (G) focus on analysis of worldwide issues illustrating the interdependence of the world and its people.
• Humanities (A) systematically explore cultural and intellectual forces shaping events, individual expression, and social values.
• Quantitative reasoning (R) is an organized set of quantitative methods used to solve problems or extend knowledge. Quantitative methods are a set of principles and procedures that could be used to manipulate numerical data.
• Science (S) is an organized body of knowledge, including principles and procedures based on scientific methods, used to explain physical or biological phenomena.
• Social and behavioral sciences (B) use scientific methods to analyze the behaviors, structures, and processes of individuals and groups.
• Wellness (W) is a dynamic and integrative process of becoming aware of healthy lifestyles, of learning to make informed choices, and of developing a balanced approach to living.

General Education Program Assessment

General education assessment has three basic purposes:

1. To improve student learning and development by identifying the intended student outcomes for the program.
2. To provide feedback on the progress toward the intended student outcomes.
3. To use the feedback to modify aspects of the program to ensure that the outcomes are being achieved and that student learning is improved.

Assessment activities are valued at NDSU and include the participation of students. Results will not be used to penalize students or faculty. Student performance on assessment of the general education program will not become part of the transcript.

General Education Transfer

Students transferring lower-division general education credits within the North Dakota University System need to consult with advisers in their academic programs at NDSU for two reasons. First, degree requirements of individual programs and colleges at NDSU may exceed the university-wide general education requirements. Second, meeting the university-wide lower-division general education requirements by transfer credits may not necessarily prepare students for advanced, upper-division study in an academic major at NDSU. See also the NDUS GERTA Agreement.

Using NDSU Study Abroad and Study Tour Experiences for General Education Cultural Diversity or Global Perspectives

UNIV 492: Study Abroad – A student who studies abroad for one or more semesters and who successfully completes a minimum of three credits may qualify for either  Cultural Diversity or Global Perspectives.   Six or more study abroad credits may qualify for both Cultural Diversity and Global Perspectives categories.  A student must arrange to have an official transcript sent to NDSU from the study abroad institution for official evaluation and credit determination.  In addition, a student must complete a Student Appeal for Exception to General Education Requirements for consideration.

(Prefix) 379: Study Tour – Study Tour experiences do not automatically qualify for NDSU general education.  An NDSU study tour instructor must apply for general education course approval in the appropriate category that pertains to the course content (including cultural diversity and global perspectives).  Approval requires the instructor to submit a course syllabus and a one-page rationale addressing how the tour experience will meet the outcome being sought.  Syllabus and rationale are to be submitted to the University Curriculum Committee well in advance of the tour departure.

Core Undergraduate Learning Outcomes

The intended learning outcomes resulting from the various general education categories include the following:

Communication (C)

1. Communication Learning Outcome - students will use a variety of modes, particularly written, oral, artistic, and visual to
   1. effectively communicate analysis, knowledge, understanding, expression and/or conclusions
   2. skillfully use high-quality, credible, relevant sources

   3. demonstrate appropriate conventions in a variety of communication situations

   4. demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences in a variety of contexts

Quantitative Reasoning (R)

1. Critical Thinking, Creative Thinking, and Problem Solving Learning Outcome - students will
   1. explain the nature of evidence used for analysis
   2. apply quantitative and qualitative methods to collect and analyze data
   3. apply creativity and divergent thinking
   4. evaluate the assumptions, evidence, and logic of competing views and explanations
   5. identify methods of inquiry, approaches to knowledge, and their assumptions and limitations in multiple disciplines
   6. evaluate, synthesize, and apply evidence to understand and address complex, real world problems
   7. generate creative, reasoned, approaches or solutions to unscripted, real world problems

Science & Technology (S)

1. Technology Learning Outcome- students will
   1. apply technology to demonstrate creativity and solve problems
   2. use technology to enhance understanding
   3. identify the social, aesthetic, and ethical implications of technological decisions
   4. analyze how technology shapes, limits, and augments our experiences and understandings
2. Natural and Physical Sciences Learning Outcome - students will
   1. analyze components and dynamics of natural and physical worlds
   2. develop models to explain phenomena within the natural and physical worlds
   3. identify the role of scientific methods in the study of natural and physical worlds

Humanities & Fine Arts (A) and Social & Behavioral Sciences (B)

1. Human Societies Learning Outcomes - students will
   1. identify the nature and impact of aesthetic and creative activities in human experience
   2. analyze the interplay of self and society, particularly how social structures shape human experiences and how humans shape social structures
   3. analyze the components and dynamics of human societies in their artistic, cultural, and historical contexts
   4. apply theories or research methods to understand human events, identities, artifacts, or social structures
   5. engage in a creative, aesthetic, or artistic activity

Social & Behavioral Sciences - Wellness (W)

1. Person & Social Responsibility Learning Outcomes - students will

   1. examine their own values, biases, and conclusions

   2. analyze the ethical basis for and implications of personal, professional, and civic decisions

   3. comprehend and demonstrate appropriate standard of professional behavior

   4. identify stewardship of the land and its people as integral to a land-grant university

   5. analyze human impacts on the world and the importance of sustaining its resources for future generations

Cultural Diversity (D)

1. Diversity Learning Outcomes - students will
   1. identify how values and contributions of diverse societies provide contexts for individual experiences, values, ideas, artistic expressions, and identities
   2. identify the role diversity plays in the ability of biological organisms to adapt to a changing environment
   3. evaluate how diverse systems (both natural and human-made), technologies, or innovations emerge from, interact with, and affect various communities
   4. collaborate with others in diverse interpersonal, intercultural, or international settings

Global Perspectives (G)

1. Global Perspectives Learning Outcomes - students will
   1. apply theories or research methods to develop strategies and solutions that address global challenges
   2. identify potential benefits and explore the opportunities of being a global citizen
   3. analyze how communities are impacted by and/or contribute to globalization from various perspectives
   4. analyze the process and/or develop models of global trends
   5. evaluate global phenomena using perspectives, attitudes and beliefs of communities with cultural backgrounds different from their own

General Education Administrative Policies

1. General education courses may be used to satisfy requirements for both general education requirements and the major, minor, and program emphases, where applicable.
2. Departments or colleges may preclude their students from double counting general education courses with major courses.
3. Except for courses that meet the cultural diversity or global perspectives requirements, no course can fulfill the requirements for more than one general education category.
4. General education requirements can be met through credit by exam, departmental examinations, or equivalents.
5. General education requirements can be met by successful completion of a course for which an approved general education course in the same department is a prerequisite or by successful completion of an advanced course in the same department with comparable course content.
6. Except for courses offered only on a pass/fail basis, no courses taken to meet the general education requirements may be taken for pass/fail grades.
7. The general education minimum requirements apply to all baccalaureate degree programs.
8. Transfer students who have only partially fulfilled general education category requirements by transfer-approved courses must complete the requirements in approved courses within the NDSU deficient categories. No category credit requirement may be deficient by more than a partial semester credit. However, in the communication category, if the transfer course(s) have been evaluated as equivalent to ENGL 110 College Composition I, ENGL 120 College Composition II, and COMM 110 Fundamentals of Public Speaking and total no less than eight semester credits, the lower-division category requirement has been met.
9. Students may receive placement credit for ENGL 110 College Composition I based on a minimum English ACT score (or SAT equivalent) and satisfactory performance (grade of 'C' or better) in ENGL 120 College Composition II or equivalent.
10. A student who has completed an associate of arts or an associate of science degree in the United States or Canada at a regionally accredited institution and who transfers to NDSU or who pursues a second baccalaureate degree at NDSU is considered to have completed his or her lower-division general education requirements at NDSU. Transfer student coursework from outside the United States and Canada will be evaluated on a course-by-course basis.
11. General education courses at other accredited institutions, which do not have equivalent courses or general education status at NDSU, may be accepted in transfer as part of the general education requirements at NDSU.
12. All general education course syllabi and course web sites must identify the course as having been approved for meeting general education requirements and include the general education outcomes for which each course is approved. (See Syllabus Requirements)
13. Students who have completed basic military training (which is the commitment for enlistment) will receive a waiver for the Wellness category. Military record documentation is required for the waiver; documentation is to be submitted to the Office of Registration and Records with a completed Appeal for Exception to General Education Requirements form. The waiver for the training will not lead to course credit, and all other minimum graduation requirements apply.
14. Students must complete at least four credits of natural and physical sciences in the Science and Technology category. Also in this category, a student must complete a one-credit lab taken as a co-requisite with an approved general education science and technology lecture course, unless the approved science and technology course has an embedded lab experience equivalent to one-credit (ex. BIOL 111 and BIOL 111L; PLSC 110).

General Education Courses

The following is representative of the courses approved in each general education category for the specific catalog year.  The general education component requires a minimum of 39 total credits with a minimum credit requirement in each of the seven categories.  Cultural diversity and global perspectives may be satisfied by completing courses in another category.

Category C: Communications - 12 credits

• 3 of the 12 credits at the upper-level (300-400):

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
ENGL 110	College Composition I	3
or ENGL 112	Multilingual College Composition I
ENGL 120	College Composition II	3
or ENGL 121	Honors Composition II
or ENGL 122	Multilingual College Composition II
COMM 110	Fundamentals of Public Speaking	3
or COMM 111	Honors Public Speaking
ECON 356	History of Economic Thought	3
ENGL 320	Business and Professional Writing	3
ENGL 321	Writing in the Technical Professions	3
ENGL 322	Writing and the Creative Process	3
ENGL 324	Writing in the Sciences	3
ENGL 325	Writing in the Health Professions	3
ENGL 326	Writing in the Design Professions	3
ENGL 357	Visual Culture and Language	3
ENGL 358	Writing in the Humanities and Social Sciences	3
ENGL 459	Researching and Writing Grants and Proposal	3
FREN 360	Studies in Language and Style	3
HIST 390	Historical Research and Writing	3
MICR 354		3
PHIL 450	Metaphysics	3
PHIL 451	Skepticism and the Possibility of Knowledge	3
PHRM 324	Writing and Professionalization in Pharmacy	3
SPAN 401	Advanced Spanish Grammar and Writing	3

Category R: Quantitative Reasoning - 3 credits

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
CSCI 122	Visual BASIC	3
CSCI 159	Computer Science Problem Solving	3
MATH 104	Finite Mathematics	3
MATH 146	Applied Calculus I	4
MATH 165	Calculus I	4
PHIL 257	Traditional Logic	3
STAT 330	Introductory Statistics	3

CATEGORY S: Science & Technology - 10 Credits

• At least four credits must be in natural or physical sciences.

• A one-credit lab must be taken as a co-requisite with a general education science/technology course unless the course includes an embedded lab experience equivalent to a one-credit course.

Natural Science (Sn):

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
AGRI 115	Wonders of Weather	3
BIOL 111	Concepts of Biology	3
BIOL 111L		1
BIOL 124	Environmental Science	3
BIOL 124L		1
BIOL 126	Human Biology	3
BIOL 126L		1
BIOL 220	Human Anatomy and Physiology I	3
BIOL 220L	Human Anatomy and Physiology I Laboratory	1
BIOL 315	Genetics	3
or PLSC 315	Genetics
BIOL 315L	Genetics Laboratory	1
or PLSC 315L	Genetics Laboratory
ENT 210	Insects, Humans and the Environment	3
GEOL 201	Climate Change and Energy	3
HON 342	Colloquium in the Sciences	3
MICR 202	Introductory Microbiology	2
MICR 202L	Introductory Microbiology Lab	1
NRM/RNG 225	Natural Resources & Agrosystems	3
PLSC 110	World Food Crops	3
PLSC 111	Genetics and You	2
PLSC 210	Horticulture Science	3
PLSC 211	Horticulture Science Lab	1
SOIL 217	Introduction to Meteorology & Climatology	3

Physical Science (Sp):

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
CHEM 117	Chemical Concepts and Applications	3
CHEM 117L	Chem Concepts and Applications Lab	1
CHEM 121	General Chemistry I	3
CHEM 121L	General Chemistry I Laboratory	1
CHEM 122	General Chemistry II	3
CHEM 122L	General Chemistry II Laboratory	1
GEOL 105	Physical Geology	3
GEOL 105L	Physical Geology Lab	1
GEOL 106	The Earth Through Time	3
GEOL 106L	The Earth Through Time Lab	1
GEOL 107L	Geology of the Red River Valley May be taken as a co-requisite lab if taken with GEOL 105 or GEOL 106.	1
HNES 250	Nutrition Science May be used for Category 5b: Wellness if taken in addition to the 10 credits required in Science & Technology. It may not be counted in more than one category.	3
PHYS 110	Introductory Astronomy	3
PHYS 110L	Introductory Astronomy Lab	1
PHYS 120	Fundamentals of Physics	3
PHYS 120L	Fundamentals of Physics Laboratory	1
PHYS 211	College Physics I	3
PHYS 211L	College Physics I Laboratory	1
PHYS 212	College Physics II	3
PHYS 212L	College Physics II Laboratory	1
PHYS 220		3
UNIV 150	Foundations of Science	3
UNIV 151	Science and Society	3

Technology (St):

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
CSCI 114	Computer Applications	3
or MIS 116

CATEGORY A: Humanities & Fine Arts - 6 Credits

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
ADHM 310		3
ADHM 315		3
ADHM 316		3
ADHM 410		3
ADHM 411		3
ARB 101		4
ARB 102		4
ARB 201		3
ARCH 321	History and Theory of Architecture I	3
ARCH 322	History and Theory of Architecture II	3
ART 110	Introduction to the Visual Arts	3
ART 111	Introduction to Art History	3
ART 130	Drawing I	3
ART 153	Design Thinking and Creative Strategy	3
ART 210	Art History I	3
ART 211	Art History II	3
CLAS 101		4
ENGL 150	Being Human	3
ENGL 220	Introduction to Literature	3
ENGL 225	Introduction to Film	3
ENGL 229	Introduction to Creative Writing	3
ENGL 330	Women's Writing	3
ENGL 331		3
ENGL 333	Fantasy and Science Fiction	3
ENGL 335	Multicultural Writers	3
ENGL 336	Literature and The Environment	3
ENGL 340	19th Century American Fiction	3
ENGL 341	Contemporary American Fiction	3
ENGL 345	Themes in American Culture	3
ENGL 375	The Bible as Literature	3
ENGL 380	Shakespeare	3
ENGR 311	History of Technology	3
ENVD 101	Introduction to Environmental Design	3
FREN 101	First-Year French I	4
FREN 102	First-Year French II	4
FREN 201	Second-Year French I	3
FREN 340	The French-Speaking World	3
FREN 345	Women in French Literature	3
GERM 101	First-Year German I	4
GERM 102	First-Year German II	4
GERM 201	Second-Year German I	3
GERM 220	German Culture & Society	3
HIST 101	Western Civilization I	3
HIST 102	Western Civilization II	3
HIST 103	U.S. to 1877	3
HIST 104	U.S. Since 1877	3
HIST 135	Race in U.S. History	3
HIST 261		3
HIST 270	American Religious History	3
HIST 271	Introduction to Latin American History	3
HIST 355	Global Islam	3
HIST 381	Australia & New Zealand	3
HIST 431	The North American Plains	3
HON 151	Sapien Logic	3
HON 340	Colloquium in the Humanities	3
HON 386	World Literature: Imaginary Homelands	3
LA 321	History of Landscape Architecture	4
MUSC 100	Music Appreciation	3
MUSC 103	Introduction to Music History	3
MUSC 108	Roots of American Popular Music	3
MUSC 379	Study Tour Abroad	1-6
PHIL 101	Introduction to Philosophy	3
PHIL 111	Professional Responsibility and Ethics	3
PHIL 215	Contemporary Moral Issues	3
PHIL 216	Business Ethics	3
RELS 100	World Religions	3
RELS 220	Old Testament	3
RELS 270	American Religious History	3
RELS 340		3
RELS 345	Church and State in America	3
RELS 355	Global Islam	3
SPAN 101	First-Year Spanish I	4
SPAN 102	First-Year Spanish II	4
SPAN 201	Second-Year Spanish I	3
THEA 110	Introduction to Theatre Arts	3
THEA 115	World Film	3
THEA 160	Storytelling	3
THEA 161	Acting I	3
THEA 280	World Theatre	3
WGS 110	Introduction to Women's Studies	3
WGS 112	Introduction to Masculinities	3

CATEGORY B: Social & Behavioral Sciences - 6 Credits

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
ADHM 486		3
ANTH 111	Introduction to Anthropology	3
ANSC 200	Introduction to Anthrozoology	3
COMM 112	Understanding Media and Social Change	3
COMM 114	Human Communication	3
COMM 212	Interpersonal Communication	3
COMM 216	Intercultural Communication	3
ECON 105	Elements of Economics	3
ECON 201	Principles of Microeconomics	3
ECON 202	Principles of Macroeconomics	3
EMGT 101		3
ENGR 312		3
GEOG 151	Human Geography	3
GEOG 161	World Regional Geography	3
HDFS 135		3
HDFS 186	Smart Spending and Saving	3
HDFS 230	Life Span Development	3
HDFS 275	Diversity and Multiculturalism in Individual and Family Life	3
HON 341	Colloquium in the Social Sciences	3
INTL 110	Introduction to International Studies	3
POLS 110	Introduction to Political Science	3
POLS 115	American Government	3
POLS 120	Terrorism	3
POLS 220	International Politics	3
PSYC 111	Introduction to Psychology	3
PSYC 210	Human Sexuality	3
PSYC 211	Introduction To Behavior Modification	3
PSYC 212	Psychological Aspects of Drug Use and Abuse	3
PSYC/SOC 214	Social Interaction	3
PSYC 221	Psychology Applied to Work	3
PSYC 250	Developmental Psychology	3
PSYC 270	Abnormal Psychology	3
SOC 110	Introduction to Sociology	3
SOC 115	Social Problems	3
SOC 116	Global Social Problems	3
SOC 235	Cultural Diversity	3
SOC 412	Sociology of Gender	3
WGS 370	Transnational/Global Women	3

CATEGORY W: Wellness - 2 Credits

• Required is a social/behavioral science course that integrates at least two areas of lifelong wellness: emotional well-being, nutrition, physical activity, and psychological development.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
ECON 205	Market Values	3
HDFS 242	Couples, Marriages and Families	3
HNES 100	Concepts of Fitness & Wellness	2
HNES 111	Wellness	3
HNES 200		3
HNES 217		3
HNES 250	Nutrition Science	3
PH 101	Introduction to Public Health	3

CATEGORY D: Cultural Diversity

• This requirement may be met by 3 credits taken in any department as part of the 39 credits required for general education in a course approved for cultural diversity.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
ADHM 410		3
ADHM 411		3
ANTH 111	Introduction to Anthropology	3
ARB 201		3
ART 110	Introduction to the Visual Arts	3
COMM 216	Intercultural Communication	3
ENGL 150	Being Human	3
ENGL 330	Women's Writing	3
ENGL 220	Introduction to Literature	3
ENGL 335	Multicultural Writers	3
ENGL 340	19th Century American Fiction	3
ENGL 341	Contemporary American Fiction	3
ENGL 345	Themes in American Culture	3
FREN 101	First-Year French I	4
FREN 102	First-Year French II	4
FREN 201	Second-Year French I	3
FREN 340	The French-Speaking World	3
FREN 345	Women in French Literature	3
GERM 101	First-Year German I	4
GERM 102	First-Year German II	4
GERM 201	Second-Year German I	3
HDFS 275	Diversity and Multiculturalism in Individual and Family Life	3
HIST 135	Race in U.S. History	3
HIST 261		3
HIST 271	Introduction to Latin American History	3
HIST 431	The North American Plains	3
HON 386	World Literature: Imaginary Homelands	3
MUSC 108	Roots of American Popular Music	3
MUSC 379	Study Tour Abroad	1-6
PH 101	Introduction to Public Health	3
PHIL 215	Contemporary Moral Issues	3
SOC 235	Cultural Diversity	3
SOC 412	Sociology of Gender	3
SPAN 101	First-Year Spanish I	4
SPAN 102	First-Year Spanish II	4
SPAN 201	Second-Year Spanish I	3
THEA 115	World Film	3
THEA 280	World Theatre	3
WGS 110	Introduction to Women's Studies	3
WGS 112	Introduction to Masculinities	3

CATEGORY G: Global Perspectives

• This requirement may be met by 3 credits taken in any department as part of the 39 credits required for general education in a course approved for global perspectives.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
ARB 101		4
ARB 102		4
ARCH 321	History and Theory of Architecture I	3
ART 111	Introduction to Art History	3
BIOL 124	Environmental Science	3
BIOL 124L		1
ECON 105	Elements of Economics	3
ECON 201	Principles of Microeconomics	3
ECON 202	Principles of Macroeconomics	3
ECON 205	Market Values	3
ENGL 336	Literature and The Environment	3
ENGL 375	The Bible as Literature	3
ENGR 312		3
GEOG 151	Human Geography	3
GEOG 161	World Regional Geography	3
GEOL 105L	Physical Geology Lab	1
GEOL 105	Physical Geology	3
GEOL 106	The Earth Through Time	3
GEOL 106L	The Earth Through Time Lab	1
GEOL 201	Climate Change and Energy	3
GERM 220	German Culture & Society	3
HIST 355	Global Islam	3
HIST 381	Australia & New Zealand	3
INTL 110	Introduction to International Studies	3
NRM/RNG 225	Natural Resources & Agrosystems	3
PLSC 110	World Food Crops	3
POLS 120	Terrorism	3
POLS 220	International Politics	3
RELS 220	Old Testament	3
RELS 340		3
RELS 345	Church and State in America	3
RELS 355	Global Islam	3
SOC 116	Global Social Problems	3
UNIV 151	Science and Society	3
WGS 370	Transnational/Global Women	3

North Dakota University System General Education Requirements Transfer Agreement

The North Dakota University System (NDUS) General Education Requirements Transfer Agreement (GERTA) was established by the State Board of Higher Education to ease student transfers within the system. Although subject to revision by the board, the policies at the time of this printing were as follows:

• If students have completed the lower-division general education course requirements (36 credits or more) at one NDUS institution and transfer to another NDUS institution, then the lower-division general education requirements will have been met.

If the lower-division general education requirements have not been completed before transferring, the general education courses from the indicated areas are applicable to an appropriate general education requirement of the institution to which they are transferred. In these cases, the number of credits required to complete the general education requirement in each area is determined by the policies of the institution to which the courses are transferred.

Students transferring lower-division general education credits within the North Dakota University System need to consult with advisers in their academic programs at NDSU for two reasons. First, degree requirements of individual programs and colleges at NDSU may exceed the university-wide general education requirements. Second, meeting the university-wide lower-division general education requirements by transfer credits may not necessarily prepare students for advanced, upper-division study in an academic major at NDSU.

Students transferring from non-ND University System institutions will have their general education requirements evaluated on a course-by-course basis when they enter NDSU.