Navigating the University’s Core Curriculum Wondering why you’ve been signed up for some of your classes? This presentation will provide you with an easy reference for understanding what the Core Curriculum is and how it will impact your education here at the University.
University Core Curriculum The University’s Core Curriculum is the foundational education that students must fulfill as part of any undergraduate degree program at the University of Nevada, Reno.
Why do I need to take these classes? What does (fill in the blank) have to do with what I’m going to study? Whatever path you choose, you’ll need to be well-rounded: • Writers and artists start businesses to sell their work • Scientists write grants to fund their research • Engineers actually need to talk to non-engineers
The Goals of the Core Curriculum • To provide students with a valuable education which will enrich any major • To broaden students’ horizons by exposing them to a variety of subjects and disciplines
What’s that mean for me? All undergraduate students will complete the eight areas of the University’s Core Curriculum. As a freshman, your schedule will consist primarily of core courses. • You should complete most of your Core Curriculum courses by the end of your sophomore year.
Eight Areas of the Core Curriculum
Writing Math Social Science Fine Arts
Natural Science
Diversity
Core Humanities
Capstone
The specific Core Curriculum courses you take may be influenced by your major. For example, journalism majors have different core math requirements than engineering majors. Always consult your major’s requirements when selecting courses.
Academic Advising is Essential Academic advisors are essential to your success. While planning your academic journey will be straightforward in many ways, there is no substitute for professional academic advice. By consulting your advisor, you will: • Make sure you don’t take unnecessary classes • Avoid taking classes your major doesn’t require • Ensure you are on track to graduate on time • Potentially save thousands of dollars For more information on the University’s Core Curriculum, please visit the Core Curriculum website or the University General Course Catalog.
Descriptions of all University courses can be found here.
ACT/SAT Scores Your test scores determine your initial placement in your core writing and math classes. • Alternative placement methods are available for writing and math. See the following pages to learn how this affects you.
Core Writing Core Writing equips students to communicate effectively in a range of ways. These skills will be essential for every student’s education.
Core Writing All students must complete ENG 102 - Composition II
Initial Placement
Qualifying Test Score
English 98*
ACT - 17 or lower SAT - 430 or lower
Your initial placement is based on your highest ACT/SAT English score. Depending upon your test scores, you may be required to take additional English classes before taking ENG 102.
English 100 I
ACT - 18-20 SAT - 440-500
English 100 I (Eng 105 + Eng 106)
ACT - 18-20 SAT - 440-500
English 101
ACT – 21-29 SAT – 510-670
English 102
ACT – 30 or higher SAT – 680 or higher
Getting Started in English English 98
English 101
ACT 18-20 SAT 440-500
English 100 I
English 101
ACT 18-20 SAT 440-500
English 100 I AND English 105 +106 (in the same semester)
ACT 21-29 SAT 510-670
English 101 Act 30+ SAT 680+
English 102
ACT 17 or below SAT 430 or below
Core Math Core Math provides students with a basic understanding of math skills and concepts. Familiarity with math is essential for success in other core areas and is a foundational skill for most careers.
Core Math You will be placed in your first math course based upon your ACT or SAT scores. The chart below shows the minimum scores necessary for entry into each math class. ACT 17
ACT 22
ACT 27
ACT 28
SAT 470
SAT 500
SAT 610
SAT 630
• *Math 096
• Math 120 • *Math 126 R
• • • • • •
Math 127 R Math 128 Math 131 Math 176 APST 270 STAT 152
• Math 181
*Does not satisfy core
Remember: By choosing core courses that also satisfy major requirements, you may be able to save money and avoid unnecessary classes.
Math Prerequisites
MATH 128 Pre-Calculus & Trig MATH 127 R Pre-Calculus II
MATH 096
Interm Algebra
MATH 126 R Pre-Calculus I
MATH 120 Fund Of College Math
MATH 131 Quant Reasoning MATH 176 Calculus for Business STAT 152 Intro to Statistics APST 270 Intro to Stats Methods
MATH 181 Calculus I
A Note on Core Writing and Core Math Because Core Writing and Core Math are so important for the rest of your education at the University, you will be required to take English and Math courses until you complete the core requirement. • For example: if you placed (based on your ACT/SAT scores) into ENG 101, you must take ENG 101 your first semester and then ENG 102 the next semester. ENG 102 completes the core writing requirement.
If you have any questions at all, contact your college advisement officer, the Advising Center, or the Office of Admissions and Records.
Core Social Science Core Social Science provides students with an understanding of human behavior from a scientific perspective. This enables students to appreciate the relevance of social science to their own lives and to contemporary social issues.
Core Social Sciences You must complete at least one course from the list below. Consult your major’s requirements when choosing your social science course.
ANTH 101 - Intro to Cultural Anthropology ANTH 201 – World People & Cultures ANTH 202 - Archeology ECON 100 – Intro to Economics ECON 102 – Microeconomics ECON 103 – Macroeconomics GEOG 106 – Intro to Cultural Geography GEOG 200 - World Regional Geography HON 220 – Intro to Economic Behavior Theory & Policy
PSC 101 - American Politics: Process & PSC 211 - Comparative Gov & Politics PSC 231 - World Politics PSY 101 - General Psychology RECO 100 - Society & the Economic Value of Nature RECO 202 - Natural Resources Environ & the Economy SOC 101 - Principles of Sociology WMST 101 - Intro to Women’s Studies
Remember: By choosing core courses that also satisfy major requirements, you may be able to save money and avoid unnecessary classes.
Core Fine Arts Core Fine Arts equip students to recognize the crucial role the arts play in shaping our experiences in and understandings of the world.
Core Fine Arts You must complete at least one course from the list below:
ART 100 – Visual Foundations ART 252 R - Cinema I/The Silent Era ART 253 - Cinema II/The Sound Era ART 260 R - Survey of Art History I ART 261 - Survey of Art History II DAN 265 - History of Dance I DAN 266 - History of Dance II DAN 467 - Dance Criticisms & Aesthetics MUS 121 - Music Appreciation MUS 122 - Survey of Jazz MUS 123 - History of American Popular Song
MUS 124 - History of Amer Musical Theater MUS 341 - Music History I MUS 342 - Music History II SOTA 101 – Intro to the Arts PHIL 202 - Intro to the Philosophy of the Arts THTR 100 - Intro to the Theatre THTR 105 - Intro to Acting THTR 210 - Theatre: A Cultural Context Or 3 – 1 credit performance classes: MUSE 101, 102, 105, 112, 114, 121, 191, MUSA 151174
Core Natural Sciences Core Natural Sciences give students a practical understanding of the scientific method and the manner in which modern science is done.
Core Natural Sciences You must complete two courses from the list below, at least one must be from Group A. NOTE: Core Math must be completed prior to enrolling in most of the Core Natural Sciences. Group A
Group B
ATMS 121- Climate Change: The Science Basis BIOL 100 - Biology: Principles and Applications BIOL 125 How Science Works: Biological Case Studies BIOL 191 - Intro to Organismal Biology I AND BIOL 192 – Principles of Biological Investigation CHEM 100 - Molecules & Life in the Modern World CHEM 121 - General Chemistry I CHEM 122 - General Chemistry II CHEM 201 - General Chem. for Scientists /Engineers I CHEM 202 - General Chem. for Scientists /Engineers II GEOG 121 – Climate Change and its Environ. Impacts GEOL 100 - Earthquakes, Volcanoes & Natural Disasters GEOL 101/103(L) - General Geology I w/ lab PHYS 100 - Introductory Physics PHYS 151 - General Physics I w/lab PHYS 152 - General Physics II w/lab PHYS 180/L - Physics for Scientists & Engineers I PHYS 181/L - Physics for Scien & Engr. II PHYS 182/L - Physics for Scien & Engr. III
ANTH 102 R - Introduction to Physical Anthropology AST 109 - Planetary Astronomy AST 110 - Stellar Astronomy ATMS 117 - Introduction to Meteorology ENV 100 - Humans and the Environment GEOG 103 - Geography of the World’s Environment NUTR 121 - Human Nutrition PSY 103 - Intro to Psychology as a Natural Science VM 200 - Companion and Service Animal Science: Care & Management
Remember: By choosing core courses that also satisfy major requirements, you may be able to save money and avoid unnecessary classes.
Core Diversity Core Diversity seeks to increase understanding and appreciation of diversity and pluralism in society.
Core Diversity You must take one core diversity course. Examples of diversity courses include: • PHIL 210 World Religions • HIST 212 History of East Asia II • WMST 101 Intro to Women’s Studies There are MANY courses at the University that satisfy this requirement.
Remember: By choosing core courses that also satisfy major requirements, you may be able to save money and avoid unnecessary classes.
Core Humanities Core Humanities provide students with an interdisciplinary experience in the world-influencing traditions and cultures of ancient and modern times.
Core Humanities ENG 102 must be completed before beginning the Core Humanities sequence
You must take ALL the classes listed below: • CH 201 Foundations of Western Culture • CH 202 The Modern World • CH 203 The American Experience and Constitutional Change (satisfies the U.S. and Nevada Constitution requirement)
Planning Your Class Schedule Although a full-time class schedule is defined as 12 credits, all students are strongly encouraged to enroll in at least 15 credits per semester. This is absolutely necessary if you want to graduate in four years. • 1 credit = About 1 hour of class per week See the following page for a sample class schedule.
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
7:00 8:00 9:00
Core Soc Sci
Core Soc Sci
Core Fine Arts
10:00
Core Soc Sci
Core Fine Arts
11:00
Core Eng
Core Eng
Core Eng
12:00
Core Sci
Core Sci
Core Sci
1:00
Core Math
Core Math
2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00
Core Sci Lab
This 16-credit sample schedule provides a basic outline of what your freshman schedule will look like.
So where does that leave you? The Core Curriculum is the foundation of your college education. With careful planning, you can satisfy all the requirements of the core and make a seamless transition into your major. For more information, contact: The Advising Center Edmund J. Cain Hall, Suite 102 University of Nevada, Reno 89557-0395 Phone: 775.784.4684 Fax: 775.327.2205 http://www.unr.edu/advising-center/