Core Curriculum

Statement of Purpose for the Core Curriculum

Our strong liberal arts core supports students as they develop the skills, knowledge, and values necessary for lifelong intellectual engagement, professional success, and responsible citizenship.

The core experience provides students with opportunities to build an array of thinking and communication skills, while acquiring a broad base of knowledge from diverse disciplines and cultures. It promotes active learning and community engagement through scholarship and application of knowledge.

The core fosters critical thinking, creativity, integrity and flexibility. The core experience complements each program of study so that students graduate from UMM ready to live full and interesting lives.

All baccalaureate degree candidates, regardless of their chosen academic programs, must meet certain general requirements. Each candidate must earn at least 120 credits prior to graduation and have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.00.

Each baccalaureate student must also complete the University Core requirements.

It is often possible for a student to meet a program requirement and a core requirement at the same time. For example, students in the Recreation & Tourism Management program may use BUS 221 Business Law I to meet a core requirement in Humans in Social Context.

Download the core curriculum as a pdf document here.

UMM Core Curriculum

I. COMMUNICATION SKILLS 6 CR
- (a) ENG 101 Composition
- (b) SPE 104 Public Speaking
II. FINE ARTS 4 CR
- Select from at least two of the following areas: art, music, theater, and/or creative writing. At least one credit must be taken in studio or performing arts.
III. HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL PERSPECTIVES 12 CR
- (a) HTY 115 World History I
- (b) HTY 116 World History II
- (c) Interpreting Literature and the Arts: Select one of the following, but not the same course chosen for section (d) below.
  - ENG 113 Intro to Humanities
  - ENG 114 Topics in World Literature
  - ENG 117 Intro to Literary & Cultural Studies
  - ENG 118 Topics in Contemporary Literature
- (d) Cultural Perspectives: Select one of the following, but not the same course chosen for section (c) above.
  - ANT 101 Cultural Anthropology
  - ART 201 Art History I
  - ART 202 Art History II
  - ASL 101 Intro to Sign Language
  - BUS 334 International Business
  - ENG 113 Intro to Humanities
  - ENG 114 Topics in World Literature
  - ENG 224 Studies in World Literature
  - HON 220 Soliya
  - MUS 312 Music History I
  - MUS 313 Music History II
  - Foreign language
  - Non-Western history
IV. HUMANS IN SOCIAL CONTEXT 6 CR
- Select one course each from two different areas listed below, for a total of two courses.
- Behavioral Sciences
  - PSY 110 Intro to Psychology
- Social Sciences
  - ANT 101 Intro to Anthropology
  - SOC 114 Intro to Sociology
  - SSC 203 Contemporary Social and Political Issues
  - SSC 210 Human Sexuality
  - WST 110 Intro to Women’s Studies
- - Political and Economic Studies
  - ECO 101 Evaluating Economic Choices
  - ECO 201 Macroeconomics
  - ECO 202 Microeconomics
  - POS 215 American National Government
- Business Studies
  - BUS 221 Business Law I
  - BUS 222 Business Law II
  - MAN 301 Management
  - MAN 302 Small Business Management & Entrepreneurship
  - MAN 318 Human Behavior in Organizations
  - MAR 101 Marketing & Entrepreneurship
- Ethics and Philosophy
  - PHI 101 Intro to Philosophy
  - PHI 201 Ethics
  - PHI 212 Topics in Philosophy
- V. SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS
  - (a) Scientific Inquiry 3-4 CR
    - Select one of the following:
    - BIO 111 General Zoology
    - BIO 112 General Botany
    - CHY 101 Chemistry I
    - ENV 103 Oceanography
    - MTR 101 Meteorology
    - PHY 111 Physics I
  - (b) Mathematical Literacy: Students must demonstrate competency in pre-college math in one of the following ways:
    - 1. Complete a high school course beyond Intermediate Algebra, excluding geometry.
    - 2. Score at least 480 on SAT math exam, or at least 20 on ACT math exam.
    - 3. Place beyond Intermediate Algebra on UMM math placement exam.
    - 4. Complete UMM MAT 102 course.
    - 5. Score 50 or better on CLEP College Mathematics or College Algebra exam taken after 7/1/2001, or 500 or better on same exam taken before that date.
    - 6. Transfer a math course having intermediate or college algebra as a prerequisite from a regionally accredited college.
  - (c) Select one of the following: 3-4 CR
    - MAT 105 Practical Math for a Contemporary World
    - MAT 107 Structure of Arithmetic I
    - MAT 108 Structure of Arithmetic II
    - MAT 110 Finite Math
    - MAT 113 Intro to Statistics
    - MAT 122 Precalculus
    - MAT 126 Calculus I
    - MAT 127 Calculus II
    - MAT 215 Applied Statistics
  - VI. PERSONAL WELLNESS 2 CR
    - PHE 105 Personal Wellness
  - VII. WRITING REQUIREMENTS
    - All students are required to participate in an academic writing intensive experience beyond ENG 101. In recognition of the importance of writing in all disciplines, the faculty have infused writing intensive coursework throughout the curriculum. Students are also required to take an advanced level writing course, which is built into the curriculum of each degree program.
  - VIII. SERVICE REQUIREMENT
    - As a public institution of higher education, UMM has a responsibility to prepare students not only for their future careers, but also for their obligations as citizens in their communities and in the world. In addition to fostering students’ intellectual development, UMM is also dedicated to the idea that students should develop ethically and socially, becoming responsible citizens. Students engage in service in several ways: Program-Specific Service Options are designed into the required curriculum in certain degree programs. Community Service is documented voluntary work performed over an extended period of time that has use for the community and would not be done through other means. Service-Learning Courses, while incorporating a community service component, link the service to the course content and learning objectives. Thus service-learning courses link theory with practice in an experiential learning activity, allowing students to deepen their understanding of the curriculum. Faculty and students collaborate with community agencies to provide needed services to the non-campus community.
  Note: Honors Seminars (HON 303) can be used to fulfill degree requirements in any appropriate area. Any student with a 3.00+ GPA is eligible to take HON 303, which may be repeated for credit.