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General Education

General Education Information

Whereas a major provides students with specialized knowledge, General Education ensures that students have the breadth of knowledge that characterizes well-rounded and well-informed citizens. General Education provides the skills of analysis, problem-solving, creative thinking, and critical thinking that prepare students for an unknown and ever-changing future.

Completion of the UVU General Education requirements will fulfill the General Education requirements at all colleges and universities within the Utah System of Higher Education. However, certain majors, both at this institution and other Utah institutions, may require specific General Education courses. While UVU has not articulated these courses with higher education institutions outside the State of Utah, they will generally articulate to other regionally accredited colleges and universities in the United States. It is the responsibility of students to complete the appropriate General Education courses required by their departments regardless of the generalized list printed in this catalog.

Note: Students taking General Education courses without having declared a specific major are advised in the Academic Counseling Center, LC 402, telephone 801-863-8425. Students who have declared a specific major that is taught at UVU will be directed to the appropriate academic advisor upon completion of new student orientation and assessment activities.

Department Articulation Agreements

In addition to General Education courses, many departments have articulated specific courses that transfer to help fulfill baccalaureate degree requirements. Information concerning these courses may be obtained from UVU department advisors or the Admissions-Transfer Services Office, BA 114.

General Education Code System

General Education course designator codes (Attributes) aid students and transfer institutions to identify how General Education courses meet graduation requirements.

The following list identifies General Education core and distribution courses as they apply to the Associate in Arts/Science Degrees and Bachelor of Arts/Science Degrees, and can be used to search the registration menu:

AS - American Institutions

BB - Biology

CC - English Composition

FF - Fine Arts

HH - Humanities

LH - Foreign Language

PP - Physical Science

SS - Social Science

QL – Quantitative Literacy

XF - Must be taken with another course to equal FF (see department)

General Education Requirements

Interstate Passport

Interstate Passport 

The Interstate Passport enables successful transfer of a block of lower-level general education learning to other institutions participating in the Interstate Passport Network. Students who complete their Passport at Utah Valley University will not be required to repeat or take additional course work to meet lower-division general education requirements in the Passport’s nine areas when they transfer to any other Passport institution. Utah Valley University will begin transcripting the Interstate Passport following the Fall 2016 semester. Students with an interest in achieving the Passport should see our website at http://www.uvu.edu/transfer/passport.html and contact their Advisor.

Associate in Arts/Science Degrees and Bachelor of Arts/Science Degrees

These requirements satisfy the General Education requirements for both the Associate in Arts and the Associate in Science Degrees, as well as the Bachelor of Arts and the Bachelor of Science Degrees at UVU, taking into account adjustments that may be required by academic departments to fulfill their specific needs. Honors courses with the same prefix and number also satisfy distribution requirements. Total core and distribution is 35 credits.

Core Requirements

These courses provide basic skills in logic, math, written and oral communications, health, and fitness.

Complete the following for 6 credits:
ENGL 2010/201H Intermediate Writing Academic Writing and Research
and
ENGL 1010/101H Introduction to Academic Writing
or
ENGH 1005 Literacies and Composition Across Contexts
Complete one of the following for either 3 or 4 credits:
Students should enroll in Mat 1030/MAT 1035 unless STAT 1040/STAT 1045 is recommended for their major or they are planning to enroll in courses requiring MATH 1050 as a prerequisite.
MAT 1030 Quantitative Reasoning/MAT 1035 Quantitative Reasoning with Integrated Algebra
or
STAT 1040 Introduction to Statistics/STAT 1045 Introduction to Statistics with Algebra
or 
 MATH 1050 College Algebra/MATH 1055 College Algebra with Preliminaries
or
 MATH 1090 College Algebra for Business
 or
One MATH course that requires MATH 1050 as a prerequisite
or

QL 1900 – awarded based on achievement of the following test scores:

AP Calculus AB: 3 or higher

AP Calculus BC: 3 or higher

AP Statistics: 3 or higher

IB HL Math: 5 or higher

CLEP Pre-Calculus: 50 or higher

CLEP Calculus: 50 or higher

ACT Mathematics: 26 or higher

SAT Mathematics: 660 or higher

QL1900 satisfies the General Education math requirement; however, certain majors may require MAT 1030/1035, STAT 10401045, or MATH 1050 to be taken as a prerequisite for a higher level Math course.

Complete the following for 5 credits: 
PHIL 2050/205G/205H Ethics and Values
and
HLTH 1100 Personal Health and Wellness
or
EXSC 1097 Fitness for Life

American Institutions

Complete one of the following for 3 credits: 
POLS 1000 American Heritage
HIST 2700 and 2710 US History to/since 1877
HIST 1700/170H American Civilization
HIST 1740 US Economic History
POLS 1100 American National Government

 

Distribution Requirements

(18 CREDITS)

From Science, Humanities, Fine Arts, and Social/Behavioral Science

A. SCIENCE

All majors must complete one course of Biology, one course of Physical Science, and one additional course from either of those two areas for a minimum total of 9 credits. One lab course is recommended.

Biology

BIOL 1010/101H General Biology 3.0
BIOL 1011 Introduction to Bioinformatics 3.0
BIOL 1070 Genetics 3.0
BIOL 1200 Prehistoric Life 3.0
BIOL 1500 Biological Anthropology 3.0
BIOL 1610 College Biology I 4.0
BIOL 204R* Natural History Excursion* 3.0
BIOL 2500 Environmental Biology 3.0
BOT 2050 Field Botany 3.0
BOT 2100 Flora of Utah 3.0
BOT 2400 Plant Kingdom 4.0
BTEC 1010 Fundamentals of Biotechnology I Career Survey 3.0
NUTR 2020 Nutrition Through Life Cycle 3.0
ZOOL 1090 Intro to Human Anatomy/Physiology 3.0
ZOOL 2320/232H Human Anatomy 3.0

*May be used as the third science only

Physical Science

ASTR 1040/104H Elementary Astronomy 3.0
ASTR 1070/107H Cultural Astronomy in Our Lives 3.0
ASTR 1080 Life in the Universe 3.0
CHEM 1010 Introduction to Chemistry 3.0
CHEM 1110 Elem Chem for Health Sciences 4.0
CHEM 1210 Principles of Chemistry I 4.0
ENVT 1110 Intro to Environmental Mgmt 3.0
GEO 1010/101H Introduction to Geology 3.0
GEO 1030 Natural Disaster & the Environment 3.0
GEO 1040 The Dinosaurian World 3.0
GEO 1050 Geology of National Parks 3.0
GEO 1080 Introduction to Oceanography 3.0
GEO 204R Natural History Excursion* 3.0
GEOG 1000 Intro to Physical Geography 3.0
GEOG 1800 Mapping the World with Geospatial Technology 3.0
METO 1010 Introduction to Meteorology 3.0
METO 1060 Fundamentals of Weather Forecasting 3.0
PHSC 1000 Survey of Physical Science 3.0
PHYS 1010 Elementary Physics 3.0
PHYS 1700 Descriptive Acoustics 3.0
PHYS 1750 The Acoustics of Music 3.0
PHYS 1800 Energy You and Environment 3.0
PHYS 1850 Aviation Physics 3.0
PHYS 2010 College Physics I 4.0
PHYS 2020 College Physics II 4.0
PHYS 2210 Physics for Scientists/Engineers I 4.0
PHYS 2220 Physics for Scientists/Engineers II 4.0
TECH 1010 Understanding Technology* 3.0

*May be used as the third science only

B. HUMANITIES

One course minimum

AMST 2000 Introduction to American Studies 3.0
ASL 202G Intermediate American Sign Language II 4.0
CHIN 202G Intermediate Chinese II 4.0
CINE 2150 Critical Intro Cinema Studies 3.0
CINE 217G Race Class and Gender in US Cinema 3.0
COMM 1020 Public Speaking 2.0
COMM 1500 Introduction to Mass Communications 3.0
COMM 217G Race Class and Gender in US Cinema 3.0
ENGL 2030 Writing for Social Change 3.0
ENGL 2130 Science Fiction 3.0
ENGL 2150 Critical Intro Cinema Studies 3.0
ENGL 217G Race Class and Gender in US Cinemas 3.0
ENGL 2200 Introduction to World Literature 3.0
ENGL 2210 Introduction to Folklore 3.0
ENGL 2230/223H Myths/Legends in Literature 3.0
ENGL 2250/225H Creative Process/Image Writing 3.0
ENGL 2300/230H Shakespeare 3.0
ENGL 2310 Technical Communication 3.0
ENGL 2510 American Literature before 1865 3.0
ENGL 2520 American Literature after 1865 3.0
ENGL 2600 Critical Introduction to Literature 3.0
ENGL 2610 British Literature before 1800 3.0
ENGL 2620 British Literature after 1800 3.0
ENGL 376G World Literature 3.0
FREN 202G Intermediate French II 4.0
GER 202G Intermediate German II 4.0
GRK 2020 Intermediate Greek II 4.0
HUM 1010/101G/101H Humanities Through the Arts 3.0
HUM 2010 /201G/201H World History Through Arts I 3.0
HUM 2020/202G/202H World History Through Arts II 3.0
HUM 2100/210H Adventures Ideas Through 1500 3.0
HUM 2200/220H Adventures Ideas After 1500 3.0
HONR 2000 Ancient Legacies  3.0
JPNS 202G Intermediate Japanese II 4.0
LATN 2020 Intermediate Latin II 4.0
PHIL 1000/100H Introduction to Philosophy 3.0
PHIL 1250 Intro to Logic and Critical Thinking 3.0
PHIL 1610 Intro To Western Religions 3.0
PHIL 1620 Intro To Eastern Religions 3.0
PHIL 2110 Ancient Greek Philosophy WE 3.0
PHIL 2130 Medieval Philosophy 3.0
PHIL 2150 Early Modern Philosophy 3.0
PORT 202G Intermediate Portuguese II 4.0
RUS 202G Intermediate Russian II 4.0
SPAN 202G Intermediate Spanish II 4.0

 

C. FINE ARTS

One course minimum

ART 1010 Introduction to Visual Arts 3.0
ART 1020 Basic Drawing Non Majors 3.0
ART 1050 Photography I 3.0
ART 1340 Sculpture I 3.0
ART 1350 Ceramics I 3.0
ART 1650 Watermedia I 3.0
ART 2100 Teaching Art for Children 3.0
ART 2815 Historical Architecture and Interior Design 3.0
ARTH 2710 271H History of Art to the Renaissance 3.0
ARTH 2720/272H History of Art from the Renaissance 3.0
CINE 2311 FIlm History I 3.0
DANC 1010 Dance as an Art Form 3.0
DANC 2100 Teaching Dance for Children 3.0
DANC 2110  Orientation to Dance 3.0
EGDT 1720 Architectural Rendering 3.0
MUSC 1010/101H Introduction to Music 3.0
MUSC 102G Introduction to World Music 3.0
MUSC 1030 American Popular Music 3.0
MUSC 1100 Fundamentals of Music 3.0
MUSC 2100 Teaching Music for Children 3.0
THEA 1013 Introduction to Theater WE 3.0
THEA 1023 Introduction to Film 3.0
THEA 1033 Acting I 3.0
THEA 2100 Teaching Theatre For Children 3.0
THEA 2311 Film History I 3.0

 

D. SOCIAL/BEHAVIORAL SCIENCE

One course minimum

ANTH 101G Social/Cult Anthropology 3.0
ANTH 1020 Biological Anthropology 3.0
ANTH 103G World Prehistory 3.0
ANTH 180G Introduction to American Indian Studies 3.0
BESC 107G Multicultural Societies 3.0
CJ 1010 Introduction to Criminal Justice 3.0
COMM 1050 Introduction to Speech Communication 3.0
COMM 2110 Interpersonal Communications 3.0
ECON 1010 Economics As Social Science 3.0
ECON 2010 Principles of Economics I 3.0
ENTR 2500 Creativity and Entrepreneurial Thinking 3.0
ES 1150 Community Emergency Preparedness 3.0
FAMS 1150 Marriage and Relationship Skills 3.0
FIN 1060 Personal Finance 3.0
GEOG 130G Survey of World Geography 3.0
GEOG 1400 Introduction to Human Geography 3.0
GEOG 2000 Sustainability and Environment 3.0
GEOG 2100 Geography of U.S 3.0
HIST 1500 World History to 1500 3.0
HIST 151G World History from 1500 to the Present 3.0
HIST 1700/170H American Civilization** 3.0
HIST 1740 US Economic History** 3.0
HIST 2700/270H US History to 1877** 3.0
HIST 2710/271H US History since 1877** 3.0
HLTH 2600 Drugs, Behavior and Society 3.0
HLTH 2800 Human Sexuality 3.0
MGMT 1010 Introduction to Business 3.0
MGMT 2030 Women in Business 3.0
MGMT 2110 Interpersonal Communication 3.0
POLS 1000 American Heritage** 3.0
POLS 1010 Introduction to Political Science 3.0
POLS 1100 American National Government** 3.0
POLS 2100 Intro to International Relations 3.0
POLS 2200 Intro to Comparative Politics 3.0
PSY 1010/101H General Psychology 3.0
PSY 1100 Human Development: Life Span 3.0
PSY 2710 Introduction to Brain and Behavior 3.0
PSY 2800 Human Sexuality 3.0
SOC 1010/101H Introduction to Sociology 3.0
SOC 107G Multicultural Societies 3.0
SOC 1200 Sociology of the Family 3.0
TECH 2000/200G Technology and Human Life 3.0

**If not used as Core Requirement

Additional Guidelines for Completion of the Associate in Arts/Science Degrees

The Associate in Arts and the Associate in Science Degrees are designed to complete General Education requirements and could complete lower division pre-majors for baccalaureate degrees at UVU or other colleges or universities.

The General Education courses shown above constitute the majority of the credits required for these degrees. In addition to the General Education requirements, these degrees require 25 additional credit hours.

Associate in Arts Degrees require 8 hours of these 25 hours to be from the same recognized foreign language.

See your specific academic department for further information on appropriate course work to complete a pre-major or the remaining 25 hours. The Academic Counseling Center (LC 402) has some specific outlines available to transfer to other institutions.

Associate in Applied Science Degrees

This is a general outline. Refer to the department or Graduation Office for specific requirements. A total of 16 credit hours is required. Students must have a minimum of three credits in each area, except “F” (Physical Ed/Health/Safety/Environment).

A. ENGLISH

Complete for 3 credits:

ENGL 1010/101H Introduction to Writing
or
MKTG 2200 Business Communication

B. MATHEMATICS

Complete for 3 credits:

MAT 1000 Integrated Beginning and Intermediate Algebra
or
MAT 1010 Intermediate Algebra
or
Any Higher Mathematics course
or
Any approved Departmental Mathematics Course

C. HUMANITIES/FINE ARTS/FOREIGN LANGUAGE

Complete for 3 credits:

PHIL 2050/205G/205H Ethics and Values (Highly recommended)
or
Any approved Humanities, Fine Arts, or Foreign Language Distribution Course

D. SOCIAL AND BEHAVIORAL SCIENCE

Complete for 3 credits:

MGMT 3000 Organizational Behavior
or
Any approved Behavioral Science, Social or Political Science Distribution Course

E. BIOLOGY OR PHYSICAL SCIENCE

Complete for 3 credits: any approved Biology or Physical Science Distribution Course

F. PHYSICAL ED/HEALTH/SAFETY OR ENVIRONMENT

Complete for 1 credit: any approved Physical Education, Health, Safety or Environment Course

Transfer Information

For students transferring to four-year Institutions, Colleges, and Universities in the Utah System of Higher Education.

UVU courses numbered 1000 or above will transfer within the Utah System of Higher Education. However, the application of these courses toward graduation is determined by academic departments of receiving institutions.

For students transferring to colleges and universities in the Utah System of Higher Education before earning an Associate in Arts or an Associate in Science Degree, or a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science Degree, a certified letter verifying completion of the UVU General Education requirements may be requested from the Graduation Office. This letter will cause the gaining institution (run by the State of Utah) to accept the completion of UVU General Education requirements as fulfilling all of the General Education/Liberal Education requirements of the gaining institution.

Note: Completion of an Associate in Arts/Science Degree waives only General Education requirements. It does not waive the necessary hours to graduate. A student transferring to another institution should check with that institution to see how their credits have been accepted toward their degree.

Private, Parochial, or Out-of-State Colleges & Universities

Since these schools are not bound by Utah State Regent's policies, colleges/universities outside the Utah System of Higher Education may have specific requirements and may not accept all courses available at UVU. Students should contact the institution they are transferring to in order to determine how their credits will be accepted.

Brigham Young University

Brigham Young University accepts the Associate in Arts/Science Degrees for completion of its General Education requirements. Courses with grades of “D+” or lower will not transfer. Some departments at BYU have specific General Education course requirements that will still need to be taken at BYU. Individual departments at BYU should be consulted for exceptions.

Note: BYU has a limit on the number of transfer students admitted.