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LAS General Education Distribution Requirements
The Importance | LAS "Grid" | Gen Ed Course Lists | Restrictions on Gen Ed Courses
The Importance of These 30 Hours of Coursework
Through its General Education Distribution Requirements, LAS ensures breadth in a student's education. These requirements consist of coursework in two broad categories: arts and social sciences, and sciences and mathematics. The LAS General Education Distribution Requirements are similar to those of the campus. However, the college does have its own directions as to how these may be fulfilled. Therefore, follow them carefully.
As an LAS student, you will discover that you have a great deal of flexibility in fulfilling the college's requirements. You are encouraged to use your choices creatively to build upon your strengths as well as to help you discover new areas of interest. You might think of these courses as part of becoming a well-rounded adult and as the beginning of lifelong learning. The "LAS Grid" describes these subcategories as well as the number of courses in each that a student must satisfy to graduate.
- Students in Specialized Curricula are encouraged to check with their advisors about restrictions that apply to courses that will fulfill LAS Grid categories.
- Students in Secondary Teacher Education Curriculum should note the modifications that apply to courses that will fulfill LAS Grid categories.
The LAS Grid
There is both a minimum (1) and a maximum (2) number of courses that must be completed in each subcategory (five courses in each column).
A maximum of two courses may be counted in any of the subcategories listed. If a course is listed as applicable to more than one of these subcategories, enrollment in the course will count on the student's degree audit toward the minimum and maximums allowed in each of the subcategories for which the course is listed. This "double–counting" needs to be carefully watched in the student's DARS to ensure that future course selection is informed by the actual outstanding requirements as noted in the student's DARS. In all cases, students must have five distinct courses in Column I and five distinct courses in Column II.
Column I
A total of five courses from the approved list must be completed to fulfill the requirement for column I. Students must complete one course (maximum of two) from each of the five subcategories. Courses on the Cultural Studies lists may also satisfy a General Education Requirement in another subcategory under column I.
Column II
A total of five courses from the approved list must be completed to fulfill the requirement for column II. Students must complete one course from each of the five subcategories.* Courses on the Quantitative Reasoning II list may also satisfy a General Education Requirement in another subcategory under column II.
| Subcategory | Column I (5 courses minimum) | Column II (5 courses minimum) |
|---|---|---|
| Humanities and the Arts | Literature and the Arts: 1-2 courses | |
| Historical and Philosophical Perspectives: 1-2 courses | ||
| Social and Behavioral Sciences | Social Sciences: 1-2 courses | Behavioral Sciences: 1-2 courses |
| Natural Sciences and Technology | Physical Sciences: 1-2 courses | |
| Life Sciences: 1-2 courses | ||
| Quantitative Reasoning | Quantitative Reasoning I: 1-2 courses | |
| Quantitative Reasoning II*: 1-2 courses | ||
| Cultural Studies | Non-Western Cultures or U.S. Minority Cultures: 1-2 courses | |
| Western Cultures: 1-2 courses |
* Students who entered prior to Summer 2002 must complete one course from each of the following categories: Behavioral Sciences, Physical Sciences, Life Sciences and Quantitative Reasoning I, and one additional course from any of these four categories. Quantitative Reasoning II courses cannot be used unless they are approved for another General Education category. These students need not complete a Quantitative Reasoning II course.
General Education Course Lists
The updated list of courses that will satisfy each category in the Grid are found at the Campus General Education Site.
Restrictions on General Education Courses
The Credit/No Credit option may not be used for courses that are taken to meet General Education Requirements. Nor do 199 courses fulfill General Education Requirements. Advanced Placement work may apply toward some relevant General Education Requirements. Courses taken to satisfy requirements for a major may be used to satisfy General Education Requirements provided they are on the appropriate General Education list.