Core Curriculum (Areas A-E)

Associates and baccalaureate programs at the University of North Georgia have as a requirement the satisfactory completion of 60 semester credit hours comprising the six areas of the core curriculum as outlined below. Individual degree programs may specify particular courses which must be taken within each area of the core curriculum. Those requirements are shown in the course of study for each major.

Students who complete the core curriculum (Areas A-F) at a USG institution are guaranteed full credit in transfer if they do not change majors or program of study. Students successfully completing a course in one USG institution’s Areas A-E will receive full credit in Areas A-E for the course upon transfer to another USG institution as long as the following conditions are met: the course is within the Area hours limitations of either the sending institution or the receiving institution and the student does not change from a non-science major to a science major. Students switching from a non-math/science to a math/science track must meet the minimum essential skills of pre-calculus or calculus as appropriate. A student who changes his/her major may have to complete additional hours of course work beyond those required for completion of the program.

The core curriculum is divided into six basic areas. Please note that certain courses may appear in multiple areas in the core curriculum, but students must not be applied to more than one area (with the exception of mathematics courses that may be split between areas A and F and areas D and F).

Equivalent Honors courses may be substituted (e.g., ENGL 1101H for ENGL 1101).

Core courses listed may have prerequisites or enrollment restrictions. Students should check the course descriptions for information on prerequisite and enrollment requirements before registering for any course.

Area A1: Communication Skills - 6 hours

Students will demonstrate effective reading comprehension and writing, exploring the implications of ideas.

Area A2: Quantitative Skills - 3 hours

Students will demonstrate the problem-solving ability to apply mathematical methods to comprehend, interpret, and communicate quantitative information.

MATH 1111 is recommended for Business majors because this course is a prerequisite for other courses required in the Business curriculum.

MATH 1111 or higher required for Nursing majors.

MATH 1113 or MATH 1450 is required for Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics and Physics majors.

Select one:

Area B: Institutional Options - 7 hours

Students will analyze political, cultural, or socioeconomic interactions among people or organizations of the world.

Modern Language - 3-4 hours

Select one:

Global Courses - 3-4 hours

Select 1-2 courses to complete a total of 7 hours in Area B

Area C: Humanities, Fine Arts, and Ethics - 6 hours

Students will analyze forms of expression that reflect individual, social, and cultural values.

Literature - 3 hours

NOTE: A “C” or better in ENGL 1102 is a prerequisite for all ENGL 21XX courses.

Select one:

Fine Arts or Philosophy - 3 hours

Select one:

Area D: Natural Sciences, Mathematics, and Technology - 11 hours

Students will apply principles of scientific method and mathematical techniques to the analysis of the natural or physical world.

NOTE: Some science courses have prerequisite requirements. Students should consult their degree plans of study for recommendations regarding which science courses to select.

Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, and Nursing majors:

Two course lab-based science sequence (see sequence pairings below) - 8 hours

Mathematics or Computer Science - 3 hours

NOTE: If a student with a major in the listed categories elects to enroll in a calculus course (4 hours) 1 hour can be counted in Area F or as an elective.

For all other majors:

Two lab-based science courses (not necessarily a sequence) - 8 hours

Mathematics or Computer Science - 3 hours

NOTE: If a student with a major in the above-listed category elects to enroll in a calculus course (4 hours) 1 hour can be counted as elective credit or as an elective.

Lab-based Science - 8 hours

Non-paired Courses

Sequence-paired Courses

Select from the sequence pairings below:

Mathematics and Technology - 3 hours

Select one:

Area E: Social Science - 9 hours

Students will analyze the complexity of human behavior as a function of the commonality and diversity within or between groups.

NOTE: Students should consult their degree plans of study for recommendations regarding which courses to select.

US and GA History and Government - 3 hours

Select one:

Behavioral Science - 3 hours

Select one:

Social Science - 3 hours

Select one: