North Dakota State University

This is an archived copy of the 2017-18 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://bulletin.ndsu.edu.

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.

General Education Category Descriptions

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

General Education Requirements for Baccalaureate Degree

Upper Division Writing †

May be satisfied by completing courses in another General Education category.

May be satisfied with courses required in the major. Review major requirements to determine if a specific upper division writing course is required.

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
        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. Department or college requirements for graduation may include general education courses that exceed the university minimum required for general education.
                4. 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.
                5. General education requirements can be met through the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) , DSST , International Baccalaureate (IB) , departmental examinations, the Advanced Placement program (AP) of the College Entrance Examination Board, or equivalents.
                6. 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.
                7. No general education course may be taken for graduate credit.
                8. 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.
                9. The general education minimum requirements apply to all baccalaureate degree programs.
                10. 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. Transfer students meet NDSU's general education "College Composition I and/or College Composition II" requirement in the lower-division Communication category if they have credit in any English course (in composition, composition and literature, or the equivalent) totaling at least 2.67 semester credits per course. The total for all general education categories must be at least 39/40 semester credits for new students.
                11. 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.
                12. A student who has completed a general education program in the United States or Canada consisting of a minimum of 36 semester credits 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. [NOTE: Undergraduate curriculum guides identify courses in the general education section of the guide that typically satisfy both general education and major requirements. These courses must still be satisfied as part of the major requirement and cannot be waived by general education policy #12.]
                13. 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.
                14. 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 )
                15. Effective spring semester 2015, 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.

                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

                Nine Credits must be in Writing, three at the Upper-Level*:
                Course List
                CodeTitleCredits
                ENGL 110College Composition I4
                or ENGL 112 ESL College Composition I
                ENGL 120College Composition II3-4
                or ENGL 121 Honors Composition II
                or ENGL 122 ESL College Composition II
                COMM 110Fundamentals of Public Speaking3
                ENGL 320Business and Professional Writing3
                ENGL 321Writing in the Technical Professions3
                ENGL 322Writing and the Creative Process3
                ENGL 324Writing in the Sciences3
                ENGL 325Writing in the Health Professions3
                ENGL 326Writing in the Design Professions3
                ENGL 357Visual Culture and Language3
                ENGL 358Writing in the Humanities and Social Sciences3
                ENGL 459Researching and Writing Grants and Proposal3
                FREN 360Studies in Language and Style3
                HIST 390Historical Research and Writing3
                MICR 354Scientific Writing3
                PHIL 450Metaphysics3
                PHIL 451Epistemology3
                SPAN 401Advanced Spanish Grammar and Writing3

                Category R: Quantitative Reasoning - 3 credits

                Course List
                CodeTitleCredits
                CSCI 122Visual BASIC3
                CSCI 125Beginning COBOL3
                CSCI 159Computer Science Problem Solving3
                MATH 104Finite Mathematics3
                MATH 146Applied Calculus I4
                MATH 165Calculus I4
                PHIL 257Traditional Logic3
                STAT 330Introductory Statistics3

                Known Quantitative Reasoning Equivalencies*:

                Course List
                CodeTitleCredits
                MATH 144Mathematics for Business4
                MATH 147Applied Calculus II4
                MATH 166Calculus II4
                *Any 200-level course or higher

                *General education requirements can be met by successful completion of an advanced course in the same department with comparable course content to a lower division general education course.

                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
                CodeTitleCredits
                AGRI 115Wonders of Weather3
                BIOL 111Concepts of Biology3
                BIOL 111LConcepts of Biology Lab1
                BIOL 124Environmental Science3
                BIOL 124LEnvironmental Science Laboratory1
                BIOL/ZOO 126Human Biology3
                BIOL/ZOO 126LHuman Biology Laboratory1
                BIOL 220Human Anatomy and Physiology I3
                BIOL 220LHuman Anatomy and Physiology I Laboratory1
                BIOL/BOT/PLSC/ZOO 315Genetics3
                BIOL/BOT/PLSC/ZOO 315LGenetics Laboratory1
                ENT 210Insects, Humans and the Environment3
                GEOL 201The Geology of Climate Change and Energy3
                HON 342Colloquium in the Sciences3
                MICR 202Introductory Microbiology2
                MICR 202LIntroductory Microbiology Lab1
                NRM/RNG 225Natural Resources & Agrosystems3
                PLSC 110World Food Crops3
                PLSC 111Genetics and You2
                PLSC 210Horticulture Science3
                PLSC 211Horticulture Science Lab1
                SOIL 217Introduction to Meteorology & Climatology3

                Physical Science (Sp):

                Course List
                CodeTitleCredits
                CHEM 117Chemical Concepts and Applications3
                CHEM 117LChem Concepts and Applications Lab1
                CHEM 121General Chemistry I3
                CHEM 121LGeneral Chemistry I Laboratory1
                CHEM 122General Chemistry II3
                CHEM 122LGeneral Chemistry II Laboratory1
                GEOL 105Physical Geology3
                GEOL 105LPhysical Geology Lab1
                GEOL 106The Earth Through Time3
                GEOL 106LThe Earth Through Time Lab1
                GEOL 107LEastern North Dakota Field Course May be taken as a co-requisite lab if taken with GEOL 105 or GEOL 106. 1
                HNES 250Nutrition 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 110Introductory Astronomy3
                PHYS 110LIntroductory Astronomy Lab1
                PHYS 120Fundamentals of Physics3
                PHYS 120LFundamentals of Physics Laboratory1
                PHYS 211College Physics I3
                PHYS 211LCollege Physics I Laboratory1
                PHYS 212College Physics II3
                PHYS 212LCollege Physics II Laboratory1
                PHYS 220Physics for Designers3
                UNIV 150Foundations of Science3
                UNIV 151Science and Society3
                Known Physical Science Equivalencies*:
                Course List
                CodeTitleCredits
                CHEM 150Principles of Chemistry I3
                CHEM 151Principles of Chemistry II3
                CHEM 160Principles of Chemistry Laboratory I1
                CHEM 161Principles of Chemistry Laboratory II1
                PHYS 251University Physics I4
                PHYS 251LUniversity Physics I Laboratory1
                PHYS 252University Physics II4
                PHYS 252LUniversity Physics II Laboratory1

                *General education requirements can be met by successful completion of an advanced course in the same department with comparable course content to a lower division general education course.

                Technology (St):
                Course List
                CodeTitleCredits
                CSCI 114Microcomputer Packages3
                or MIS 116 Business Use of Computers

                CATEGORY A: Humanities & Fine Arts - 6 Credits

                • No more than 3 of the 6 credits may be in fine arts performance.
                Course List
                CodeTitleCredits
                ADHM 310History of Fashion3
                ADHM 315History of Interiors I3
                ADHM 316History of Interiors II3
                ADHM 410Dress in World Cultures3
                ADHM 411Food and World Cultures3
                ARB 101First-Year Arabic I4
                ARB 102First-Year Arabic II4
                ARB 201Second-Year Arabic I3
                ARCH 321History and Theory of Architecture I3
                ARCH 322History of Architecture II3
                ART 110Introduction to the Visual Arts3
                ART 111Introduction to Art History3
                ART 153Design Thinking and Creative Strategy3
                ART 210Art History I3
                ART 211Art History II3
                CLAS 101First-Year Latin I4
                CLAS 151First-Year Greek I4
                ENGL 150Being Human3
                ENGL 220Introduction to Literature3
                ENGL 225Introduction to Film3
                ENGL 229Introduction to Creative Writing3
                ENGL 330British and American Women Writers3
                ENGL 331Contemporary Women Writers3
                ENGL 333Fantasy and Science Fiction3
                ENGL 335Multicultural Writers3
                ENGL 336Literature and The Environment3
                ENGL 34019th Century American Fiction3
                ENGL 34120th Century American Fiction3
                ENGL 345Themes in American Culture3
                ENGL 375The Bible as Literature3
                ENGL 380Shakespeare3
                ENGR 311History of Technology in America3
                ENVD 101Introduction to Environmental Design3
                FREN 101First-Year French I4
                FREN 102First-Year French II4
                FREN 201Second-Year French I3
                FREN 345Women in French Literature3
                GERM 101First-Year German I4
                GERM 102First-Year German II4
                GERM 201Second-Year German I3
                GERM 220German Culture & Society3
                HIST 101Western Civilization I3
                HIST 102Western Civilization II3
                HIST 103U.S. to 18773
                HIST 104U.S. Since 18773
                HIST 135Race in U.S. History3
                HIST 261American Indian History3
                HIST 270American Religious History3
                HIST 271Introduction to Latin American History3
                HIST 355History of Global Islam3
                HIST 381Australia & New Zealand3
                HIST 431The North American Plains3
                HON 340Colloquium in the Humanities3
                HON 386World Literature: Imaginary Homelands3
                LA 322History of Landscape Architecture4
                MUSC 100Music Appreciation3
                MUSC 103Introduction to Music History3
                MUSC 108Roots of American Popular Music3
                PHIL 101Introduction to Philosophy3
                PHIL 111Professional Responsibility and Ethics3
                PHIL 215Contemporary Moral Issues3
                PHIL 216Business Ethics3
                RELS 100World Religions3
                RELS 220Old Testament3
                RELS 270American Religious History3
                RELS 340New Religious Movements3
                RELS 345Religion and Politics3
                RELS 355History of Global Islam3
                SPAN 101First-Year Spanish I4
                SPAN 102First-Year Spanish II4
                SPAN 201Second-Year Spanish I3
                THEA 110Introduction to Theatre Arts3
                THEA 115World Film3
                THEA 160Storytelling3
                THEA 280World Theatre3
                WGS 110Introduction to Women's Studies3
                WGS 112Introduction to Masculinities3
                Fine Arts Performance:
                • Any performance courses must be in addition to those required for the student's major.
                Course List
                CodeTitleCredits
                ART 130Drawing I3
                THEA 161Acting I3

                CATEGORY B: Social & Behavioral Sciences - 6 Credits

                Course List
                CodeTitleCredits
                ADHM 486Dress and Human Behavior3
                ANTH 111Introduction to Anthropology3
                COMM 112Understanding Media and Social Change3
                COMM 114Human Communication3
                COMM 212Interpersonal Communication3
                COMM 216Intercultural Communication3
                ECON 105Elements of Economics3
                ECON 201Principles of Microeconomics3
                ECON 202Principles of Macroeconomics3
                EMGT 101Emergencies, Disasters, and Catastrophes3
                ENGR 312Impact of Technology on Society3
                GEOG 151Human Geography3
                GEOG 161World Regional Geography3
                HDFS 135Family Science3
                HDFS 186Consumer and Society3
                HDFS 230Life Span Development3
                HDFS 475Children and Families Across Cultures3
                HON 341Colloquium in the Social Sciences3
                INTL 110Introduction to International Studies3
                POLS 110Introduction to Political Science3
                POLS 115American Government3
                POLS 120Terrorism3
                POLS 220International Politics3
                PSYC 111Introduction to Psychology3
                PSYC 210Human Sexuality3
                PSYC 211Introduction To Behavior Modification3
                PSYC 212Psychological Aspects of Drug Use and Abuse3
                PSYC/SOC 214Social Interaction3
                PSYC 221Psychology Applied to Work3
                PSYC 250Developmental Psychology3
                PSYC 270Abnormal Psychology3
                SOC 110Introduction to Sociology3
                SOC 235Cultural Diversity3
                SOC 412Sociology of Gender3

                CATEGORY W: Wellness - 2 Credits

                • At least two credits must be taken from the following list
                • 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
                CodeTitleCredits
                HDFS 182Wellness and Aging3
                HDFS 242Couples, Marriages and Families3
                HNES 100Concepts of Fitness & Wellness2
                HNES 111Wellness3
                HNES 200Principles of Nutrition3
                HNES 217Personal and Community Health3
                HNES 250Nutrition Science3
                PH 101Introduction to Public Health3

                CATEGORY D: Cultural Diversity

                • This requirement may be met by 3 credits taken in any department as part of the 40 credits required for general education in a course approved for cultural diversity.
                Course List
                CodeTitleCredits
                ADHM 410Dress in World Cultures3
                ADHM 411Food and World Cultures3
                ANTH 111Introduction to Anthropology3
                ARB 201Second-Year Arabic I3
                ART 110Introduction to the Visual Arts3
                COMM 216Intercultural Communication3
                ENGL 150Being Human3
                ENGL 330British and American Women Writers3
                ENGL 335Multicultural Writers3
                ENGL 34019th Century American Fiction3
                ENGL 34120th Century American Fiction3
                ENGL 345Themes in American Culture3
                FREN 201Second-Year French I3
                FREN 345Women in French Literature3
                GERM 201Second-Year German I3
                HDFS 475Children and Families Across Cultures3
                HIST 135Race in U.S. History3
                HIST 261American Indian History3
                HIST 271Introduction to Latin American History3
                HIST 431The North American Plains3
                HON 386World Literature: Imaginary Homelands3
                MUSC 108Roots of American Popular Music3
                PH 101Introduction to Public Health3
                PHIL 215Contemporary Moral Issues3
                SOC 235Cultural Diversity3
                SOC 412Sociology of Gender3
                SPAN 201Second-Year Spanish I3
                THEA 115World Film3
                THEA 280World Theatre3
                WGS 110Introduction to Women's Studies3
                WGS 112Introduction to Masculinities3

                CATEGORY G: Global Perspectives

                • This requirement may be met by 3 credits taken in any department as part of the 40 credits required for general education in a course approved for global perspectives.
                Course List
                CodeTitleCredits
                ARB 101First-Year Arabic I4
                ARB 102First-Year Arabic II4
                ARCH 321History and Theory of Architecture I3
                ART 111Introduction to Art History3
                BIOL 124Environmental Science3
                BIOL 124LEnvironmental Science Laboratory1
                ECON 105Elements of Economics3
                ECON 201Principles of Microeconomics3
                ECON 202Principles of Macroeconomics3
                ENGL 336Literature and The Environment3
                ENGL 375The Bible as Literature3
                ENGR 312Impact of Technology on Society3
                FREN 101First-Year French I4
                FREN 102First-Year French II4
                GEOG 151Human Geography3
                GEOG 161World Regional Geography3
                GEOL 105LPhysical Geology Lab1
                GEOL 105Physical Geology3
                GEOL 106The Earth Through Time3
                GEOL 106LThe Earth Through Time Lab1
                GEOL 201The Geology of Climate Change and Energy3
                GERM 101First-Year German I4
                GERM 102First-Year German II4
                GERM 220German Culture & Society3
                HIST 355History of Global Islam3
                HIST 381Australia & New Zealand3
                INTL 110Introduction to International Studies3
                NRM/RNG 225Natural Resources & Agrosystems3
                PLSC 110World Food Crops3
                POLS 120Terrorism3
                POLS 220International Politics3
                RELS 220Old Testament3
                RELS 340New Religious Movements3
                RELS 345Religion and Politics3
                RELS 355History of Global Islam3
                SPAN 101First-Year Spanish I4
                SPAN 102First-Year Spanish II4
                UNIV 151Science and Society3

                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.

                Student Focused. Land Grant. Research University.