Core Curriculum

The University System of Georgia (USG) is a composite of diverse institutions that require System-wide coherence to facilitate a strong foundation in a liberal arts education and promote seamless transfer options for students. The USG provides general education learning goals, Areas A through E, that serve as guidelines for each institution to develop its own learning outcomes. 

Institutional learning outcomes must be approved by the USG Council on General Education. All learning outcomes must be collegiate level, not skills-based, broadly focused, and consistent with the learning goals and the mission of the institution and USG.

Middle Georgia State University General Education Outcomes are:

  • Students will demonstrate a collegiate competency to read critically and communicate ideas in well-developed written forms.
  • Students will demonstrate knowledge of quantitative analysis to solve quantitative problems using mathematical functions and concepts, and coherently express solutions in verbal, numerical, graphical or symbolic forms.
  • Students will assimilate, analyze and present thoughts and opinions in oral forms.
  • Students will effectively interpret and critically analyze texts, works of art, or music.
  • Students will be able to solve problems using scientific principles and the scientific method.
  • Students will analyze effectively the complexity of human behavior, or how historical, economic, political, social, or spatial relationships develop, persist, or change.

Core Curriculum Requirements for Baccalaureate and Associate Degrees (except Career Associate Degrees)

Area A Credit – Essential Skills: Communication and Quantitative (Credit: 9 hours)

Required English Courses (Credit: 6 hours)

ENGL 1101English Composition I

3 credits

 

ENGL 1102English Composition II

3 credits

OR

ENGL 1102HHonors English Composition II

3 credits

Math Elective (Credit: 3 hours)

Choose one of the following courses:

MATH 1001Quantitative Reasoning

3 credits

MATH 1101Introduction to Mathematical Modeling

3 credits

MATH 1111College Algebra

3 credits

MATH 1112Plane Trigonometry

3 credits

MATH 1113Precalculus Mathematics

3 credits

MATH 1113HHonors Precalculus

3 credits

MATH 1251Calculus I

4 credits

MATH 1401Elementary Statistics

3 credits

MATH 1401HHonors Elementary Statistics

3 credits

Note: Students must make a C or better in all Area A courses. Courses required for Area A must be completed within students first 30 hours of coursework.

Note: Math, Engineering Technology, Computer Science and Science Majors must take MATH 1112, MATH 1113, or MATH 1251. If students choose to take a four-hour course, then one hour of credit from this course will count in Area F where applicable.

Area B Credit – Institutional Options (Credit: 4 hours)

Choose one of the following courses:

Science and Health

AVIA 1101Perspectives on Aviation

4 credits

BIOL 1004Perspectives on the Human Body

4 credits

BIOL 1005Perspectives on the Environment

4 credits

BIOL 1006Perspectives on Mildews, Mushrooms, and Man

4 credits

HS 1000Perspectives on Health Care Professions

4 credits

HS 1002Perspectives on Death and Dying

4 credits

HS 1003Perspectives on Wellness

4 credits

HS 1004Perspectives on Women's Health

4 credits

HS 1005Perspectives on Ethics in Health Care

4 credits

SCIE 1001Perspectives on Scientific Literacy

4 credits

Humanities

ARTS 1013Perspectives on Art

4 credits

COMM 1012Perspectives on Persuasion

4 credits

CRWR 1007Perspectives on Imaginative Writing

4 credits

HUMN 1001Perspectives on Narrative

4 credits

HUMN 1001HHonors Perspective on Narrative

4 credits

HUMN 1002Perspectives on Society and Film

4 credits

HUMN 1003Perspectives on Humor, Romance, and War

4 credits

HUMN 1004Perspectives on Ethics

4 credits

HUMN 1005Perspectives on Prime-Time TV

4 credits

HUMN 1011Perspectives on Genre Fiction

4 credits

MUSC 1006Perspectives on Music and Society

4 credits

THEA 1010Perspectives on Theatre

4 credits

Mathematics and Technology

ITEC 1001Perspectives on the History of Computing

4 credits

MATH 1002Perspectives on the History of Mathematics

4 credits

MATH 1003Perspectives on Mathematics

4 credits

Social Sciences

PSYC 1001Perspectives on the Human Mind

4 credits

HIST 1006Perspectives on America at War

4 credits

HIST 1007Perspectives on Sinners and Saints

4 credits

Cultural Diversity

HUMN 1009Perspectives on Global Cultures

4 credits

SSCI 1003Perspectives on Diversity

4 credits

SSCI 1004Perspectives on American Religious Diversity

4 credits

SSCI 1009/HUMN 1009Perspectives on Global Cultures

4 credits

Area C Credit – Humanities/Fine Arts (Credit: 6 hours)

Literature-based Elective (Credit: 3 hours)

Choose one of the following courses:

ENGL 2111World Literature I

3 credits

ENGL 2111HHonors World Literature I

3 credits

ENGL 2112World Literature II

3 credits

ENGL 2121British Literature I

3 credits

ENGL 2122British Literature II

3 credits

ENGL 2131American Literature I

3 credits

ENGL 2131HHonors American Literature I

3 credits

ENGL 2132American Literature II

3 credits

ENGL 2132HHonors American Literature II

3 credits

ENGL 2141African American Literature I

3 credits

ENGL 2142African American Literature II

3 credits

Area C Elective (Credit: 3 hours)

Choose a second literature-based elective from the courses listed above or choose one of the following courses:

Art

ARTS 1100Art Appreciation

3 credits

ARTS 2010Art History I: Prehistoric to Gothic

3 credits

ARTS 2011Art History II: Renaissance to Present

3 credits

Communication

COMM 1110Public Speaking

3 credits

COMM 1100Human Communication

3 credits

French

FREN 1001Elementary French I

3 credits

FREN 1002Elementary French II

3 credits

FREN 2001Intermediate French I

3 credits

FREN 2002Intermediate French II

3 credits

German

GRMN 1001Elementary German I

3 credits

GRMN 1002Elementary German II

3 credits

GRMN 2001Intermediate German I

3 credits

GRMN 2002Intermediate German II

3 credits

Humanities

HUMN 2111HHonors Humanities

3 credits

HUMN 2151Special Topics

3 credits

HUMN 2152/SCIE 2152Science, Poetry, and the Imagination

3 credits

HUMN 2155Survey of Humanities I

3 credits

HUMN 2156Survey of Humanities II

3 credits

Latin

LATN 1001Elementary Latin I

3 credits

LATN 1002Elementary Latin II

3 credits

Music

MUSC 1100Music Appreciation

3 credits

Philosophy

Spanish

SPAN 1001Elementary Spanish I

3 credits

SPAN 1002Elementary Spanish II

3 credits

SPAN 2001Intermediate Spanish I

3 credits

SPAN 2002Intermediate Spanish II

3 credits

SPAN 2998Intermediate Study Abroad I

3 credits

SPAN 2999Intermediate Study Abroad II

3 credits

Theatre

THEA 1100Theatre Appreciation

3 credits

Area D Credit - Natural Science, Mathematics, and Technology (Credit: 11 hours)

Option I: Non-Science Majors

Lab-Science Electives (Credits: 8 hours)

Choose two of the following courses:

Astronomy
ASTR 1010KAstronomy of the Solar System

4 credits

ASTR 1020KStellar and Galactic Astronomy

4 credits

Biology
BIOL 1001KIntroductory Biology I

4 credits

OR

BIOL 1001K-HHonors Introductory Biology I

4 credits

 

BIOL 1002KIntroductory Biology II

4 credits

OR

BIOL 1002KHHonors Introductory Biology II

4 credits

 

BIOL 2107KPrinciples of Biology I

4 credits

BIOL 2108KPrinciples of Biology II

4 credits

Chemistry
CHEM 1151KSurvey of Chemistry I

4 credits

CHEM 1152KSurvey of Chemistry II

4 credits

CHEM 1211KPrinciples of Chemistry I

4 credits

CHEM 1212KPrinciples of Chemistry II

4 credits

Geology
GEOL 1125KPhysical Geology

4 credits

GEOL 1126KHistorical Geology

4 credits

Physics
PHYS 1011KPhysical Science I

4 credits

PHYS 1012KPhysical Science II

4 credits

PHYS 1111KIntroductory Physics I

4 credits

PHYS 1112KIntroductory Physics II

4 credits

PHYS 2211KPrinciples of Physics I

4 credits

PHYS 2212KPrinciples of Physics II

4 credits

Note: The two courses selected from the list above do not have to be taken in sequence. However, students need to consult catalog course descriptions regarding restrictions on graduation credit. Students may only take courses for which they have the necessary prerequisites.

Area D Elective (Credit: 3 hours) (Non-Science Majors)

Choose one of the lab-science electives listed above or choose one of the following courses:

Biology
BIOL 1150Field Studies in Biology

3 credits

BIOL 1160KIntroduction to Fungi

4 credits

BIOL 1332KIntroduction to Insects

4 credits

Computer Science
CSCI 1301Computer Science I

3 credits

Geology
GEOL 1011KIntroductory Geosciences I

4 credits

GEOL 1130KIntroduction to Georgia Geology

4 credits

Math
MATH 1112Plane Trigonometry

3 credits

MATH 1113Precalculus Mathematics

3 credits

MATH 1113HHonors Precalculus

3 credits

MATH 1401Elementary Statistics

3 credits

MATH 1401HHonors Elementary Statistics

3 credits

MATH 1251Calculus I

4 credits

MATH 1371Computing for the Mathematical Sciences

4 credits

MATH 2120Discrete Mathematics

3 credits

MATH 2252Calculus II

4 credits

Science
SCIE 2152/HUMN 2152Science, Poetry, and the Imagination

3 credits

Note: If students choose to take a four-hour course, then one hour of credit from this course will count in Area F where applicable. Students must have the necessary prerequisite for any course they choose.

Option II: Science Majors

Lab-Science Electives (Credits: 8 hours)

Choose an 8 hour sequence from the following sets of classes:

Biology
BIOL 2107KPrinciples of Biology I

4 credits

BIOL 2108KPrinciples of Biology II

4 credits

Chemistry
CHEM 1211KPrinciples of Chemistry I

4 credits

CHEM 1212KPrinciples of Chemistry II

4 credits

Geology
GEOL 1125KPhysical Geology

4 credits

GEOL 1126KHistorical Geology

4 credits

Physics
PHYS 1111KIntroductory Physics I

4 credits

PHYS 1112KIntroductory Physics II

4 credits

OR

PHYS 2211KPrinciples of Physics I

4 credits

PHYS 2212KPrinciples of Physics II

4 credits

Area D Elective Credit: 3 hours (Science Majors)

Choose one of the following courses:

Biology
BIOL 2107KPrinciples of Biology I

4 credits

Chemistry
CHEM 1211KPrinciples of Chemistry I

4 credits

CHEM 2211KOrganic Chemistry I

4 credits

Computer Science
CSCI 1301Computer Science I

3 credits

Geology
GEOL 1125KPhysical Geology

4 credits

Math
MATH 1401Elementary Statistics

3 credits

MATH 1401HHonors Elementary Statistics

3 credits

MATH 1251Calculus I

4 credits

MATH 1371Computing for the Mathematical Sciences

4 credits

MATH 2120Discrete Mathematics

3 credits

MATH 2252Calculus II

4 credits

Physics
PHYS 1111KIntroductory Physics I

4 credits

PHYS 2211KPrinciples of Physics I

4 credits

Note: Students must have the necessary prerequisite for any course they choose. Students cannot take both major and non-major sequences for graduation. If students choose to take a four-hour course, then one hour of credit from this course will count in Area F where applicable.

Area E Credit – Social Sciences (Credit: 12 hours)

American History (Credit: 3 hours)

These courses will satisfy the state requirements in U.S. and Georgia History.

Choose one of the following courses:

HIST 2111United States History to 1865

3 credits

HIST 2111HHonors United States History to 1865

3 credits

HIST 2112United States History since 1865

3 credits

HIST 2112HHonors United States History Since 1865

3 credits

Political Science (Credit: 3 hours)

These courses will satisfy the state requirements in U.S. and Georgia Constitution.

Choose one of the following courses:

POLS 1101American Government

3 credits

POLS 1101HHonors American Government

3 credits

Area E Electives (Credit: 6 hours)

Choose two of the following courses:

Anthropology

ANTH 1102Introduction to Anthropology

3 credits

Economics

ECON 2105Principles of Macroeconomics

3 credits

ECON 2105HHONORS Principles of Macroeconomics

3 credits

ECON 2106Principles of Microeconomics

3 credits

ECON 2106HHonors Principles of Microeconomics

3 credits

Geography

GEOG 1101Introduction to Human Geography

3 credits

History

HIST 1111History of World Civilization to 1650

3 credits

HIST 1111HHonors History of World Civilization to 1650

3 credits

HIST 1112History of World Civilization since 1650

3 credits

HIST 1112HHonors History of World Civilization since 1650

3 credits

HIST 1190History of World Religions

3 credits

HIST 2111United States History to 1865

3 credits

HIST 2111HHonors United States History to 1865

3 credits

HIST 2112United States History since 1865

3 credits

HIST 2112HHonors United States History Since 1865

3 credits

Political Science

POLS 2101Introduction to Political Science

3 credits

POLS 2201State and Local Government

3 credits

POLS 2301Introduction to Comparative Politics

3 credits

POLS 2401Introduction to Global Issues

3 credits

Psychology

PSYC 1101Introduction to Psychology

3 credits

PSYC 1101HHonors Introduction to General Psychology

3 credits

Sociology

SOCI 1101Introduction to Sociology

3 credits

SOCI 1101HHonors Introduction to Sociology

3 credits

SOCI 1160Introduction to Social Problems

3 credits

Area F Credit – Transfer Pathways, Major Requirements, or Prerequisite Courses for Baccalaureate Majors (Credit: 18 hours)

Students seeking to follow a transfer pathway program and earn an Associate of Arts, Core Curriculum or Associate of Science, Core Curriculum should consult with an advisor, review advising sheets, or contact the transfer institution for appropriate course choices in Area F. Any course eligible to fulfill Area C-F at the University are eligible for inclusion in Area F for the A.A. and A.S. Core Curriculum.

Students seeking associate degrees with majors other than the Core Curriculum and students seeking bachelor's degrees take pre-requisite or other course work appropriate to the major field. (See Area F curriculum within each Program description)

Total Academic Hours: 60

Associate of Arts, Core Curriculum and Associate of Science, Core Curriculum

Student may earn the Associate of Arts, Core Curriculum by completing areas A-F, including Area D for non-science majors. Students may earn the Associate of Science Core Curriculum by completing Areas A-F, including Area D for science majors.

Total Academic Hours: 60