Navigating the University s Core Curriculum Wondering why you ve been signed up for some of your classes? This presentation is designed as 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 Natural Science Math Diversity Social Science Humanities Fine Arts Capstone The specific Core Curriculum courses you take may be influenced by your major. For example, journalism majors have different options to meet their 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 information on the University s Core Curriculum, visit the Core Curriculum website at http://www.unr.edu/academic central/core curriculum or the University General Course Catalog http://www.cis.unr.edu/ecatalog/
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 you to communicate effectively in a range of media for a variety of rhetorical and creative purposes. Strong writing skills are significant in other aspects of the Core Curriculum as well as in major coursework.
Core Writing All students will complete ENG 102 Composition II or its equivalent 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. Initial Placement English 98* Qualifying Test Score ACT 17 or lower SAT 430 or lower 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 ACT 17 or below SAT 430 or below English 98 English 101 ACT 18-20 SAT 440-500 English 100 I ACT 18-20 SAT 440-500 ACT 21-29 SAT 510-670 English 101 English 100 I AND English 105 +106 (in the same semester) English 101 English 102 Act 30+ SAT 680+
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 126R Math 127R Math 128 Math 131 Math 176 APST 270 STAT 152 Math 181 Remember: By choosing core courses that also satisfy major or minor requirements, you may be able to save money and avoid unnecessary classes.
Core Math & Prerequisites MATH 128 Pre Calculus & Trig MATH 127 R Pre Calculus II MATH 181 Calculus I * MATH 096 Interm Algebra MATH 126 R Pre Calculus I MATH 131 Quant Reasoning MATH 176 Calculus for Business MATH 120 Fund Of College Math STAT 152 Intro to Statistics APST 270 Intro to Stats Methods
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 take these core classes on an ongoing basis until you ve completed all of them. Don t worry, there s nothing confusing about it. Just keep taking Core Writing and Core Math until you ve met these requirements. 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 will complete one 3 credit course from the list below. ANTH 101 Intro to Cult. Anthropology ANTH 201 World People & Cultures ANTH 202 Archaeology 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 JOUR 120 Media in Modern Life PSC 101 American Politics: Process & Behavior PSC 211 Comparative Govt. & Politics PSC 231 World Politics PSY 101 General Psychology SOC 101 Principles of Sociology WMST 101 Intro to Women s Studies Remember: By choosing core courses that also satisfy major or minor 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 You will take EACH of these 3 courses: CH 201 Foundations of Western Culture CH 202 The Modern World CH 203 The American Experience and Constitutional Change (which satisfies the U.S. and Nevada Constitution requirement) ENG 102 must be completed before beginning the Core Humanities sequence
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 will complete one course (or 3 credits) from the list below: ART 100 Visual Foundations ART 252 R Cinema I/The Silent Era ART 253 Cinema II/The Sound Era ART 260R 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 122R Survey of Jazz MUS 123R History of American Popular Song MUS 124R History of Amer. Musical Theater MUS 341 Music History I MUS 342 Music History II PHIL 202 Intro to the Philosophy of the Arts SOTA 101 Intro to 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 any course with the MUSE prefix may be used for this option Remember: By choosing core courses that also satisfy major or minor requirements, you may be able to save money and avoid unnecessary classes.
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 will 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 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 121A & 121L General Chemistry I & Lab CHEM 122A & 122L General Chemistry II & Lab CHEM 201 General Chem. for Scientists /Engineers I CHEM 202 General Chem. for Scientists /Engineers II GEOG/ATMS 121 Climate Change & its Environ. Impacts GEOL 100 Earthquakes, Volcanoes & Natural Disasters GEOL 101 General Geology I (w/ lab) PHYS 100 Introductory Physics PHYS 151R General Physics I w/lab PHYS 152R General Physics II w/lab PHYS 180 & 180L Physics for Scientists & Engineers I PHYS 181 & 181L Physics for Scien & Engr. II PHYS 182 & 182L Physics for Scien & Engr. III Group B ANTH 102R 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 VM 200 Companion and Service Animal Science: Care & Management Remember: By choosing core courses that also satisfy major or minor 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 will take one 3 credit Core Diversity course. Examples of diversity courses include: BASQ 378 Basque Transnationalism in the U.S. CRJ 475 Women and the Criminal Justice System DAN 265 History of Dance I: Ancient Civilizations to 18 th Century ETS 307 Topics in Race & Racism HIST 212 History of East Asia II HDFS 232R Diversity in Children PHIL 210 World Religions There are MANY courses at the University that satisfy this requirement. Remember: By choosing core courses that also satisfy major or minor requirements, you may be able to save money and avoid unnecessary classes.
Capstone Courses These courses are senior level courses designed to challenge students and promote critical thinking. These courses are integrative, broadly focused, and multi disciplinary.
Capstone Courses You will take two 3 credit Capstone courses. There are many capstone courses to choose from. Some examples include: ART 478R Beauty and the Body CHS 421 Health & Wellness across the Lifespan CRJ 489 Star Trek, Law and Ethics ENG 492A Language, Science & Society GEOG 464 Race, Gender & the Environment HIST 490A History of Early Medicine PSC 401E Politics of Nevada Remember: By choosing core courses that also satisfy major or minor requirements, you may be able to save money and avoid unnecessary classes.
So where does that leave you? The Core Curriculum is the foundation of your college education. With careful planning, you can satisfy the requirements of the Core Curriculum while making a seamless transition into your major. For more information, contact your academic advisor or the Core Curriculum office (core@unr.edu)