Bachelor of Science Graduation Requirements

Goal #1

Students will write effectively and responsibly and understand and interpret the written expression of others.

Student Learning Outcomes: As a result of taking courses meeting this goal, a student will

1. Write using standard American English, including correct punctuation, grammar, and sentence structure;
2. Write logically;
3. Write persuasively, with a variety of rhetorical strategies (e.g., expository, argumentative, descriptive);
4. Incorporate formal research and documentation in their writing, including research obtained through modern, technology-based research tools.

Each course meeting this goal includes the following student outcomes: Required: #1, #2, #3, and #4

Goal #2

Students will communicate effectively and responsibly through speaking and listening.

Student Learning Outcomes: Courses satisfying this goal will require students to

1. Prepare and deliver speeches for a variety of audiences and settings;
2. Demonstrate speaking competencies including choice and use of topic, supporting materials, organizational pattern, language usage, presentational aids, and delivery;
3. Demonstrate listening competencies by summarizing, analyzing, and paraphrasing ideas, perspectives and emotional content.

Goal #3

Students will understand the organization, potential, and diversity of the human community through study of the social sciences.

Student Learning Outcomes: As a result of taking courses meeting this goal, students will

1. Identify and explain basic concepts, terminology and theories of the selected social science disciplines from different spatial, temporal, cultural, and/or institutional contents.
2. Apply selected social science concepts and theories to contemporary issues;
3. Identify and explain the social or aesthetic values of different cultures. In addition, as a result of taking course meeting this goal, students will be able to demonstrate a basic understanding of at least one of the following:
   • The origin and evolution of human institutions; 
   • The allocation of human or natural resources within societies;
   • The impact of diverse philosophical, ethical or religious views.

Each course meeting this goal includes the following student learning outcomes:

Required: #1, #2, and #3
At least one of the following: #4, #5, or #6

Goal #4

Students will understand the diversity and complexity of the human experience through study of the arts and humanities.

Student Learning Outcomes: As a result of taking courses meeting this goal, students will

1. Demonstrate knowledge of the diversity of values, beliefs, and ideas embodied in the human experience;
2. Identify and explain basic concepts of the selected disciplines within the arts and humanities. In addition, as a result of taking courses meeting this goal, students will be able to do at least one of the following:
   • Identify and explain the contributions of other cultures from the perspective of the selected disciplines within the arts and humanities;
   • Demonstrate creative and aesthetic understanding;
   • Explain and interpret formal and stylistic elements of the literary or fine arts;
   • Demonstrate foundational competency in reading, writing, and speaking a non-English language.

Each course meeting this goal includes the following student learning outcomes: Required: #1, #2 At least one of the following: #3, #4, #5, or #6

Goal #5

Students will understand and apply fundamental mathematical processes and reasoning.

Student Learning Outcomes: As a result of taking courses meeting this goal, students will

1. Use mathematical symbols and mathematical structure to model and solve real world problems;
2. Demonstrate appropriate communication skills related to mathematical terms and concepts;
3. Demonstrate the correct use of quantifiable measurements of real world situations.

Each course meeting this goal includes the following student learning outcomes: Required: #1, #2, and #3

Goal #6

Students will understand the fundamental principles of the natural sciences and apply scientific methods of inquiry to investigate the natural world.

Student Learning Outcomes: As a result of taking courses meeting this goal, students will

1. Demonstrate the scientific method in a laboratory experience;
2. Gather and critically evaluate data using the scientific method;
3. Identify and explain the basic concepts, terminology and theories of the selected natural sciences;
4. Apply selected natural science concepts and theories to contemporary issues.

Each course meeting this goal includes the following student learning outcomes:

Required: #1, #2, #3, and #4.

Goal #7

Students will recognize when information is needed and have the ability to locate, organize, critically evaluate, and effectively use information from a variety of sources with intellectual integrity.  Students meet this requirement with GOAL 1 and GOAL 2.

Student Learning Outcomes: As a result of taking courses meeting this goal, students will

1. Determine the extent of information needed;
2. Access the needed information effectively and efficiently;
3. Evaluate information and its sources critically;
4. Use information effectively to accomplish a specific purpose;
5. Use information in an ethical and legal manner.

Each course meeting this goal includes the following student learning outcomes: Required: #1, #2, #3, #4, and #5

Completion of Pre General Education Courses

1. Students placed in pre general education courses must enroll in and complete the courses within the first 30 credits hours attempted.
2. If a student does not complete the pre general education course(s) within the first 30 credit hours attempted, a registration hold is placed on the student‘s record.
   
   During the next 12 credit hours attempted, the student must enroll in and complete the pre general education course(s).
3. If the pre general education course(s) is not completed within the first 42 credit hours attempted, the only course(s) in which a student may enroll is the pre general education course(s); and the student‘s status is changed from degree seeking to non degree seeking.
4. Students transferring from non-Regental institutions must enroll in pre-general education courses during the first 30 attempted Regental credit hours. These students may enroll in other courses concurrently with the pre-general education courses. If the student does not complete the pre-general education courses during the first 30 Regental credit hours attempted during the next 12 credit hours attempted, the student must enroll in and complete the pre-general education course(s). If the student does not successfully complete the pre-general education course(s) within 42 attempted Regental credit hours, the only course(s) in which a student may enroll in the pre-general education course(s); and the student‘s status is changed from degree seeking to non-degree seeking. The Vice President for Academic Affairs/Provost may grant an exception. Credit hours for the pre general education courses are included in the total number of credit hours attempted.

The grades assigned for courses numbered less than 100 will be RI, RS and RU.

A. Humanities and social sciences requirements:

All courses numbered 300 and above are upper level courses.

This subject area must include six credits in humanities and 6 credits in social sciences. The number required for each major is listed in the department section of the catalog. Students majoring in engineering must complete at least three of these credits at an advanced level.

B. All degree candidates must complete

• ENGL 101 Composition I Credits: (3-0) 3
• ENGL 279 Technical Communications I Credits: (3-0) 3
• ENGL 289 Technical Communications II Credits: (3-0) 3

• These courses cannot be used to meet the humanities and social sciences requirements.

C. Electives:

Free Electives vary with the individual department. Any course may be selected which is at freshman level or higher (i.e. 100 level or higher). ROTC credits may be accepted, depending on the number of degree electives available in each department.

D. Science Electives:

Courses may be selected -from biology, chemistry, geology, physics, or atmospheric science.