The University System of Georgia Core Curriculum, School of Architecture, Civil Engineering Technology, and Construction, School of Arts and Sciences, School of Computing and Software Engineering, School of Engineering Technology and Management, Minors

The University System of Georgia Core Curriculum

Core Curriculum
The University System of Georgia Common Core is designed to make transfer from one system institution to another as smooth as possible with a minimum of credit loss.

Principles Across the Core that are Common to All Institutions
Each Institution's core curriculum will:

• Encourage the development of written and oral communication skills and critical thinking within the broader academic context.
• Permit opportunities for interdisciplinary learning.
• Include offerings that reflect the special characteristics of the institution.
• Feature international components that increase global awareness and introduce the student to different cultural perspectives.
• Include an informed use of information technology.
• Employ pedagogy designed to increase intellectual curiosity and to initiate a continuing interest in the subject matter.
• Feature courses that are challenging and rigorous and provide learning experiences that distinguish a field.
• Introduce the methods used by technical and scientific professionals such as the evaluation of empirical data, problem recognition, problem definition, the application of scientific principles, and logical problem solving.
• Be cohesive and provide entry to both specialized studies in the student's chosen field and remaining courses (whether upper or lower division) in the institution's general education curriculum.
• Be designed with the assumption that students have met all admissions standards to the institution (with appropriate academic support provided for those who have not).

A. Essential Skills (9 hours)
The following courses shall have common course numbers throughout the University System.  Each course in this section (A) shall be three semester hours:

• English Composition I
• English Composition II
• College Algebra (or) Mathematical Modeling (or another course approved by the Undergraduate Council)

Transfer: Course-by-course.  Any higher-level course or more advanced requirements must apply equally to native and transfer students.

B. Institutional Options (4-5 hours)
Courses approved by the Undergraduate Council which address institution-wide general education outcomes of the institution's choosing. Examples include, but are not limited to, global issues, oral communication, information technology, critical thinking, wellness, geography, and foreign languages.

Transfer: If B is completed, the receiving institution must accept this area in its entirety.  If the area has not been completed, the receiving institution must require the student to take additional course work to complete the necessary hours.  However, this area is not to exceed seven semester hours at all institutions.  Receiving institutions must accept any approved course in this area whether or not the course exists at the receiving institution.

C. Humanities/Fine Arts (6 hours)
Courses which address humanities/fine arts learning outcomes and which the Undergraduate Council has approved.  Interdisciplinary courses are acceptable.

Transfer: If C is completed, the receiving institution must accept this area in its entirety.  If the area has not been completed, the receiving institution must require the student to take additional course work to complete at least six semester hours.  However, this area is not to exceed eight semester hours at all institutions.  Receiving institutions must accept any approved course in this area whether or not the course exists at the receiving institution.

D. Science, Mathematics, and Technology (10-11 hours)
Courses approved by the Undergraduate Council that address learning outcomes in the sciences, mathematics, and technology.  These need not be sequential courses.  Interdisciplinary courses are acceptable.

Students complete one of two options:

Option I - Non-Science Majors

• A four-hour laboratory or a three or four-hour non-laboratory course, and
• A four-hour laboratory course.
• Three additional credit hours in mathematics, science, or technology.

• Two four-hour laboratory courses.
• Three additional credit hours in mathematics, science, or technology.

E. Social Sciences (12 hours)
Courses approved by the Undergraduate Council which address learning outcomes in the social sciences including, but not limited to, history and American government.  Interdisciplinary courses are acceptable.  If credit course work is used to satisfy the U.S./Georgia history and constitutions requirement, course(s) shall be part of this area.

Transfer: If E is completed, the receiving institution must accept this area in its entirety.  If it has not been completed, the receiving institution must require the student to take additional course work to complete at least twelve hours.  However, this area is not to exceed fourteen semester hours at all institutions.  Receiving institutions must accept any approved course in this area whether or not the course exists at the receiving institution.

F. Courses Related to the Program of Study (18 hours)
Lower-division courses related to the discipline(s) of the program of study and courses which are prerequisite to major courses at higher levels.

The Undergraduate Council will develop guidelines for acceptable courses in this area after appropriate consultation with faculty in the relevant disciplines.

Transfer: Course by course.  If F is completed, the receiving institution must accept this area in its entirety.
[return to top]

Core Courses

Listed below are Southern Polytechnic State University core-curriculum courses and the credit hours for those courses.
 

Area F
Courses Related to the Program of Study (18 hours)

Apparel/Textile Engineering Technology
 

Architecture
 

Biology
 

Civil Engineering Technology
 

Computer Engineering Technology
 

Computer Science
 

Construction
 

*The additional two hours from this course shown in general degree requirements.

Electrical Engineering Technology
 

General Studies
 

Industrial Engineering Technology
 

Information Technology
 

International Studies: Global Technology
 

Management
 

Mathematics
 

Mechanical Engineering Technology
 

Physics
 

Software Engineering
 

Surveying and Mapping
 

International Technical Communication
 

Technical and Professional Communication
 

Telecommunications Engineering Technology
 

Additional Transfer Guidelines