OVERVIEW
Catalog of Entry
The Undergraduate Academic Catalog in effect when a student first enrolls at the university or any one subsequent catalog will be the guide to General Education Requirements.
Grades
Unless otherwise stated in a course description, a student must earn a grade of D or better to receive general education credit for a course. In some cases, programs will require a grade of C or better for general education courses such as when a general education course is also part of the major. In addition, certain general education courses serve as prerequisites for higher-level courses. Those higher-level courses may require a grade of C or better in the prerequisite course general education course. In both cases, a course completed with a D will still count toward a student's general education requirements, but the student will need to retake the course and earn a C or better to meet the program or prerequisite requirements. Students should check with their advisor and the course catalog to determine the requirements.
Goals
The general education program at YSU is designed to help students achieve the following five goals:
- Students will demonstrate the ability to write and speak effectively, reason quantitatively, and think critically so they are prepared to perform appropriately in their professions upon graduation. These skills will be applied in the major and culminate in the successful completion of a senior capstone project.
- Students will demonstrate understanding of the basic facts, principles, theories, and methods of science. Students will demonstrate the interdependence of science and technology and the influence of science and technology on society.
- Students will interpret significant writings and works of art, with a focus on aesthetics, historical responses, and the nature of the human condition.
- Students will demonstrate understanding of the development, diversity, and complexity of human behavior, institutions, and culture.
- Students will demonstrate understanding in any of the following critical areas of contemporary life: Domestic Diversity, International Perspectives, Sustainability, and Well-being.
Learning Outcomes
To assist students in achieving the goals above, the courses included in the General Education model incorporate some combination of the learning outcomes. The outcomes as they relate to the goals for the various types of General Education courses are listed below:
Core Competencies Learning Outcomes:
GOAL: Students will demonstrate the ability to write and speak effectively, reason quantitatively, and think critically so they are prepared to perform appropriately in their professions upon graduation.
- Students will demonstrate the ability to write and speak effectively, develop sound arguments, and derive justified conclusions.
- Students will demonstrate the ability to reason using quantitative data, and students will demonstrate use of mathematical methods and concepts in both abstract and concrete contexts.
- Students will demonstrate the ability to reason critically and identify credible sources.
Knowledge Domain Learning Outcomes:
NATURAL SCIENCES
GOAL: Students will demonstrate understanding of the basic facts, principles, theories, and methods of science. Students will demonstrate the interdependence of science and technology and the influence of science and technology on society.
- Students will successfully perform an experiment to test a hypothesis including the collection and analysis of data.
- Students will demonstrate the knowledge and application of scientific principles.
- Students will use and interpret formulas, graphs, and tables.
- Students will demonstrate understanding of the interactions of science, technology and society.
ARTS AND HUMANITIES
GOAL: Students will interpret significant writings and works of art, with a focus on aesthetics, historical responses, and the nature of the human condition.
- Students will analyze and evaluate the elements and the personal and societal impact of multiple types of literary and artistic expressions.
- Students will demonstrate awareness of ethical or cultural values in shaping the human experience.
SOCIAL SCIENCES
GOAL: Students will demonstrate understanding of the development, diversity, and complexity of human behavior, institutions, and culture.
- Students will demonstrate understanding of the contexts and development of human cultures and institutions.
- Students will demonstrate understanding of individual and social behavior.
- Students will demonstrate an understanding of methodologies used in the social sciences.
SOCIAL AND PERSONAL AWARENESS
GOAL: Students will demonstrate understanding in any of the following critical areas of contemporary life: Domestic Diversity, International Perspectives, Sustainability, and Well-being.
- Domestic Diversity - Students will demonstrate knowledge of the experiences of different groups within the United States where those groups are defined by class, ethnicity, race, religion, disability, sex, or sexual orientation.
- International Perspectives - Students will demonstrate knowledge of the artistic, social, economic, or political life of communities outside the United States.
- Environmental Sustainability - Students will demonstrate understanding of contemporary concerns regarding the environmental sustainability of social, economic, public policy and technological systems and practices.
- Wellbeing - Students will demonstrate understanding of and appreciation for the relationship between personal behaviors and lifelong health and wellness.
Capstone Learning Outcomes:
GOAL: Students will demonstrate the ability to write and speak effectively, reason quantitatively, and think critically so they are prepared to perform appropriately in their professions upon graduation. These skills will be applied in the major and culminate in the successful completion of a senior capstone project.
- Write and speak effectively.
- Acquire, process and present quantitative and qualitative information using the most appropriate technologies.
- Reason critically, to distinguish among forms of argumentation, and to derive justified conclusions.
Baccalaureate Degree General Education Requirements
A. Core Competencies
WRITING
To learn the skills of effective writing, students will:
- Take two courses:
- Gather evidence from the library, Internet, or other appropriate sources
- Write a research paper using a computer
SPEAKING
To become effective speakers, students will take CMST 1545 Communication Foundations.
CRITICAL THINKING
The critical-thinking learning outcome will be met through each student's major's curriculum.
MATHEMATICS
Students must take at least one approved course that teaches mathematical and statistical skills. A student may satisfy this requirement by passing an approved course or by passing a higher-level mathematics course.
B. Knowledge Domains: Arts and Humanities, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences, and Social and Personal Awareness
To become more well-rounded members of the community, students are required to take a total of nine courses from the four knowledge domains. The coursework gives students exposure to fields of study outside their majors. Students are required to take:
| COURSE | TITLE | S.H. |
|---|---|---|
| Select two courses from each of the four domains: | ||
| Arts and Humanities | ||
| Natural Science (at least one of the courses must include a laboratory component) | ||
| Social Science | ||
| Social and Personal Awareness | ||
C. Capstone
All majors require a capstone course. In the capstone course, students are required to demonstrate knowledge in their major as well as their ability to communicate in writing, their oral communication skills, and their ability to reason critically.
Baccalaureate Degree General Education Requirements Summary
| Core Competencies | |
|---|---|
| Writing 2 courses | |
| Speech 1 course | |
| Mathematics 1 course | |
| Knowledge Domains | |
| Arts and Humanities 2 courses | |
| Natural Science 2 courses (1 must include a lab) | |
| Social Science 2 courses | |
| Social and Personal Awareness 2 courses | |
| Capstone 1 course | |
| *total* *13 courses* |
Associate Degree General Education Requirements
The general education requirements vary by degree; the requirements for each associate degree are listed in the appropriate college section. All associate degrees require the completion of a minimum of five courses.
Applied Associate Degrees
| COURSE | TITLE | S.H. |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL 1550 | Writing 1 | 3 |
| ENGL 1551 | Writing 2 | 3 |
| Mathematics (no more than one course) | ||
| Select two courses from two of the three following areas: | ||
| Natural Science | ||
| Arts and Humanities | ||
| Social Science | ||
Students in Applied Associates Degree Programs must take a minimum of five general-education courses, including Writing I and Writing II, one course in mathematics, two courses representing two of the following domains: natural science, arts and humanities, and social science. To ensure transferability of an Associates Degree within the State of Ohio, students should take only Ohio Transfer 36 (OT36) Approved Courses in arts and humanities and social science.
Academic Associates Degrees at YSU
Students in the Associates of Arts Program must fulfill the same Gen. Ed. requirements as required for Baccalaureate Programs (with exception of the capstone.) To ensure transferability of an Associates Degree within the State of Ohio, students should only take Ohio Transfer 36 (OT36) Approved Courses.
General Education and Transfer Students
Transfer students with a bachelor's degree
Students with a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution in the United States or from an approved international institution (as determined by the International Programs Office) seeking an additional baccalaureate degree do not have to complete the YSU general education requirements. Students will need to take general education courses required for their major. See the Degree Audit website for an up-to-date list.
Transfer students without a bachelor's degree
All transfer students without a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution in the United States must complete the general education requirements. Students should consult with an academic advisor to discuss the coursework they need to complete the YSU general education requirements. See the Transfer Credit section of this catalog for additional information.
Arts and Humanities
Bachelor's degree seeking students must complete two of the following:
| COURSE | TITLE | S.H. |
|---|---|---|
| AFST 2601 | Introduction to Africana Studies 2 1,2 | 3 |
| ART 1541 | Survey of Art History 1 1 | 3 |
| ART 1542 | Survey of Art History 2 1,2 | 3 |
| ART 1543 | Survey of Art History: Gods and Monsters--Religion, Myth, and the Supernatural | 3 |
| ART 1544 | Survey of Art History: Body, Gender, and Self | 3 |
| ART 1545 | Survey of Art History: Politics, Cities, and Art for the Public | 3 |
| ART 2648 | Experience Art: Social and Behavioral Perspectives | 3 |
| DNCE 2698 | Survey of Dance 1 | 3 |
| ENGL 1590 | Introduction to Literature | 3 |
| ENGL 2610 | World Literature 1,2 | 3 |
| ENGL 2615 | Science Fiction and Fantasy Literature | 3 |
| ENGL 2617 | Women in Literature 1,2 | 3 |
| ENGL 2618 | American Literature and Diversity 1,2 | 3 |
| ENGL 2620 | African Literature | 3 |
| ENGL 2630 | LGBTQIA Literature | 3 |
| ENGL 2631 | Mythology in Literature 1 | 3 |
| ENGL 2665 | Introduction to Film Study 1 | 3 |
| FNLG 2610 | Foreign Film 2 | 3 |
| HIST 2600 | Introduction to Jewish Studies 2 | 3 |
| JOUR 2603 | Journalism Ethics and Social Responsibilities 1 | 3 |
| JOUR 2605 | Journalism as Literature | 3 |
| MUHL 2616 | Survey of Jazz 1 | 3 |
| MUHL 2617 | Film Music 1 | 3 |
| MUHL 2618 | Rock n' Roll to Rock | 3 |
| MUHL 2619 | Music of Non-Western Societies | 3 |
| MUHL 2620 | Music and the African-American Experience | 3 |
| MUHL 2621 | Music Literature and Appreciation | 3 |
| MUHL 2622 | Popular Music in America | 3 |
| MUHL 2624 | Survey of Hip Hop | 3 |
| MUHL 3772 | Music History and Literature 2 | 3 |
| MUHL 3773 | Music History and Literature 3 | 3 |
| MUHL 3774 | Music History and Literature 4 | 3 |
| PHIL 1560 | Introduction to Philosophy | 3 |
| PHIL 1561 | Technology and Human Values | 3 |
| PHIL 1565 | Critical Thinking | 3 |
| PHIL/REL 2610 | Global Ethics | 3 |
| ONLY ONE OF THE FOLLOWING: | ||
| Introduction to Professional Ethics | ||
| Engineering Ethics | ||
| Law and Criminal Justice Ethics | ||
| Business Ethics | ||
| PHIL 2635 | Ethics of War and Peace | 3 |
| PHIL 3711 | General Ethics | 3 |
| REL 2601 | Introduction to World Religions | 3 |
| REL 2605 | Myth, Symbol, and Ritual 1,2 | 3 |
| REL/PHIL 2610 | Global Ethics | 3 |
| REL 2617 | Introduction to Asian Religions | 3 |
| REL 2621 | Religion and Moral Issues 1 | 3 |
| THTR 1512 | Survey of Broadway: The American Musical 1 | 3 |
| THTR 1560 | Introduction to Theatre 1 | 3 |
| THTR 1590 | History of Motion Pictures 1 | 3 |
| THTR 2690 | The Art of Motion Pictures 1 | 3 |
- 1
Courses are part of the Ohio Transfer 36 and are guaranteed to transfer to any of Ohio's public institutions of higher education as a subject area general education credit. Ohio's Department of Higher Education maintains an up-to-date list of OT36 approved courses through the OT36 reporting system.
- 2
Courses are cross-listed with another General Education domain.
Natural Sciences
Bachelor's degree seeking students must complete two of the following (one must include a lab):
Natural Science Courses without a lab
| COURSE | TITLE | S.H. |
|---|---|---|
| ASTR 1504 | Descriptive Astronomy 1 | 3 |
| BIOL 1505 | Biology and the Modern World 1 | 3 |
| BIOL 1551 | Anatomy and Physiology 1 1, 4 | 3 |
| CHEM 1500 | Chemistry in Modern Living 1 | 3 |
| CHEM 1520 | Allied Health Chemistry for Online Programs | 3 |
| ENST 1500 | Introduction to Environmental Science 1, 2 | 3 |
| FSCI 1510 | Survey of Forensic Science | 3 |
| GEOG 1503 | Physical Geography 1 | 3 |
| GEOG 2630 | Weather 1 | 3 |
| GEOL 1504 | The Dynamic Earth | 3 |
| GEOL 2602 | Introduction to Oceanography 1 | 3 |
| PHYS 1500 | Conceptual Physics 1 | 3 |
| PHYS 1501 | Fundamentals of Physics 1 1, 4 | 4 |
| PHYS 1502 | Fundamentals of Physics 2 1, 4 | 3 |
| PHYS 2607 | Physical Science for Middle and Secondary Education 4 | 4 |
| PHYS 2608 | Sound | 3 |
| PHYS 2610 | General Physics 1 1, 4 | 4 |
| PHYS 2611 | General Physics 2 1, 4 | 4 |
Natural Science Courses with a lab
Labs must be taken with the associated course in order to count for Natural Science Lab credit.
| COURSE | TITLE | S.H. |
|---|---|---|
| ASTR 1504 & 1504L | Descriptive Astronomy and Astronomy Laboratory 1 | 4 |
| BIOL 1505 & 1505L | Biology and the Modern World and Biology and the Modern World Laboratory 3 | 4 |
| BIOL 1545 & 1545L | Allied Health Anatomy and Physiology and Allied Health Anatomy and Physiology Laboratory 3, 4 | 5 |
| BIOL 1551 & 1551L | Anatomy and Physiology 1 and Anatomy and Physiology 1 Laboratory 3, 4 | 4 |
| BIOL 1552 & 1552L | Anatomy and Physiology 2 and Anatomy and Physiology 2 Laboratory 3, 4 | 4 |
| BIOL 2601 & 2601L | General Biology 1: Molecules and Cells and General Biology I: Molecules and Cells Laboratory 3, 4 | 4 |
| BIOL 2602 & 2602L | General Biology 2: Organisms and Ecology and General Biology: Organisms and Ecology Laboratory 3, 4 | 4 |
| BIOL 2602H & BIOL 2602L | Honors General Biology 2: Organisms and Ecology and General Biology: Organisms and Ecology Laboratory 4 | 4 |
| CHEM 1500 & 1500L | Chemistry in Modern Living and Chemistry in Modern Living Laboratory 3 | 4 |
| CHEM 1510 & 1510L | Chemistry for the Allied Health Sciences and Chemistry for the Allied Health Sciences Laboratory | 4 |
| CHEM 1515 & 1515L | General Chemistry 1 and General Chemistry 1 Laboratory 3, 4 | 4 |
| CHEM 1516 & 1516L | General Chemistry 2 and General Chemistry 2 Laboratory 3, 4 | 4 |
| ENST 1500 & 1500L | Introduction to Environmental Science and Introduction to Environmental Science Lab 2, 3 | 4 |
| GEOG 1503 & 1503L | Physical Geography and Physical Geography Laboratory 1 | 4 |
| GEOG 2630 & 2630L | Weather and Weather Lab 1 | 4 |
| GEOL 1500 | Environmental Geology 2 | 4 |
| GEOL 1503 | Rock Studio: Understanding Geology Through Lapidary Experiences | 4 |
| GEOL 1505 & 1505L | Physical Geology and Physical Geology Laboratory 3 | 4 |
| GEOL 2611 | Geology for Engineers 3, 4 | 3 |
| PHYS 1500 & 1500L | Conceptual Physics and Conceptual Physics Laboratory 1 | 4 |
| PHYS 1501 & 1501L | Fundamentals of Physics 1 and Fundamentals of Physics Laboratory 1 3, 4 | 5 |
| PHYS 1502 & 1502L | Fundamentals of Physics 2 and Fundamentals of Physics Laboratory 2 1, 4 | 4 |
| PHYS 2610 & 2610L | General Physics 1 and General Physics Laboratory 1 1, 4 | 5 |
| PHYS 2611 & 2611L | General Physics 2 and General Physics laboratory 2 1, 4 | 5 |
- 1
Courses are part of the Ohio Transfer 36 and are guaranteed to transfer to any of Ohio's public institutions of higher education as a subject area general education credit. Ohio's Department of Higher Education maintains an up-to-date list of OT36 approved courses through the OT36 reporting system.
- 2
Courses are cross-listed with another General Education domain.
- 3
Lecture component of the course is OTM approved, however, the lab component is not OTM approved.
- 4
Courses are designed for science, engineering, and health science majors. Students should consult their advisor before selecting them.
Core Competencies
Writing
Bachelor's degree seeking students must complete the following two courses:
| COURSE | TITLE | S.H. |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL 1549 | Writing 1 with Support | 4 |
| ENGL 1550 | Writing 1 1 | 3 |
| or ENGL 1550H | Honors Writing 1 | |
| ENGL 1551 | Writing 2 (Students with ACT scores at or above 28 will only need to take ENGL 1551) 1 | 3 |
| or ENGL 1551H | Honors Writing 2 | |
Speaking
Bachelor's degree seeking students must complete the following course:
| COURSE | TITLE | S.H. |
|---|---|---|
| CMST 1545 | Communication Foundations 1 | 3 |
Mathematics
Bachelor's degree seeking students must complete one of the following courses:
| COURSE | TITLE | S.H. |
|---|---|---|
| MATH 1510 | College Algebra 1 | 4 |
| MATH 1510C | College Algebra with Co-requisite Support | 6 |
| MATH 1511 | Trigonometry | 3 |
| MATH 1511C | Trigonometry with Co-requisite Support | 4 |
| MATH 1513 | Algebra and Transcendental Function 1 | 5 |
| MATH 1552 | Applied Mathematics for Management 1 | 4 |
| MATH 1570 | Applied Calculus 1 1 | 4 |
| MATH 1571 | Calculus 1 1 | 4 |
| MATH 1572 | Calculus 2 1 | 4 |
| MATH 1581 | Calculus for the Health Sciences 1 | 4 |
| MATH 1581H | Honors Calculus for the Health Sciences 1 | 4 |
| MATH 1582 | Calculus for the Health Sciences 2 | 4 |
| MATH 1585H | Honors Accelerated Calculus 1 | 5 |
| MATH 2623 | Quantitative Reasoning | 3 |
| MATH 2623C | Quantitative Reasoning with Co-Requisite Support | 5 |
| MATH 2661 | Mathematics for Elementary Teachers 1 | 4 |
| MATH 2661C | Mathematics for Elementary Teachers I with Co-Requisite Support | 6 |
| MATH 2662 | Mathematics for Elementary Teachers 2 | 4 |
| MATH 2665 | Foundations of Middle School Mathematics 2 | 4 |
| MATH 2670 | Applied Calculus 2 | 5 |
| MATH 2686H | Honors Accelerated Calculus 2 | 5 |
| STAT 2601 | Introductory Statistics 1 | 3 |
| STAT 2625 | Statistical Literacy and Critical Reasoning 1 | 4 |
| STAT 2625C | Statistical Literacy and Critical Reasoning with Co-Requisite Support | 6 |
| PHIL 2619 | Introduction to Logic | 3 |
- 1
Courses are part of the Ohio Transfer 36 and are guaranteed to transfer to any of Ohio's public institutions of higher education as a subject area general education credit. Ohio's Department of Higher Education maintains an up-to-date list of OT36 approved courses through the OT36 reporting system.
Capstone
Bachelor's degree seeking students must complete one of the following courses within their major:
| COURSE | TITLE | S.H. |
|---|---|---|
| AHLT 4820 | Directed Research | 3 |
| ANTH 4860 | Senior Thesis 2 | 3 |
| ART 4803 | Senior Seminar | 3 |
| ASTR 4815 | Undergraduate Astronomy Research | 3 |
| CEEN 4863 | Integrated Design Project | 3 |
| BIOL 4861 | Senior Biology Capstone Experience | 2 |
| CHEN 4888 | Process and Plant Design 2 | 3 |
| CHEM 4850 | Chemistry Research | 1 |
| CMST 4899 | Senior Project | 3 |
| CRJS 4800 | Senior Seminar | 3 |
| CSCI 4890 | Computer Projects | 2-4 |
| DHYG 4840 | Directed Dental Hygiene Research | 3 |
| ECE 4841 | Supervised Student Teaching: Early Childhood | 1-10 |
| ECEN 4899 | Senior Design Project | 3 |
| ECON 4880 | Analysis of Economic Problems | 3 |
| ENGL 4890 | Senior Seminar | 3 |
| ENGL 4899 | Public and Professional Writing Senior Project | 3 |
| ENST 5830 | Toxicology and Risk Assessment | 3 |
| FNUT 4895 | DPD Capstone | 3 |
| FSCI 5814 | Practice and Ethics in Forensic Science | 3 |
| GEOL 4830 | Senior Thesis | 4 |
| GEOG 4890 | Geography Capstone | 3 |
| GEOL 48XXF Field Camp Course | ||
| GEOL 5802 | Sedimentology and Stratigraphy | 3 |
| GERO 4851 | Capstone in Gerontology | 3 |
| HIST 4870 | Senior Research Seminar | 3 |
| HMEC 4876 | Undergraduate Research | 2 |
| INFO 4880 | Information Technology Analysis and Design | 3 |
| ISEN 4821 & ISEN 4822 | Capstone Design 1 and Capstone Design 2 | 6 |
| JOUR 4893 | Journalism Senior Project | 3 |
| LASS 4880 | General Studies Capstone | 3 |
| ITAL 4880 | Italian Conversation and Composition Capstone | 4 |
| MATH 4896 | Senior Undergraduate Research Project | 2 |
| MCMP 4804 | Composition | 3 |
| MCOM 4899 | Senior Project | 3 |
| MECH 4808 & 4808L & MECH 4809 | Mechanical Systems Design 1 and Mechanical Systems Design Laboratory and Mechanical Systems Design 2 | 6 |
| MGT 4850 | Strategic Management | 3 |
| MRCH 4880 | Merchandising Management | 3 |
| Music 4802, 4804, OR 4806 Applied Studio Instruction | ||
| NURS 4852 | Senior Capstone Seminar | 3 |
| PHIL 4820 | Seminar in Philosophy | 3 |
| PHIL 4861 | Senior Capstone Project | 3 |
| PHLT 4899 | Public Health Senior Seminar | 3 |
| POL 4801 | Senior Research Seminar | 3 |
| PHYS 4805 | Undergraduate Physics Research | 3 |
| PRL 4899 | Global Public Relations | 3 |
| PSYC 4890 | Senior Thesis | 1 |
| PSYC 4891H | Honors Thesis | 1 |
| PSYC 4895 | Senior Psychology Capstone Experience | 2 |
| REL 4871 | Senior Capstone Project | 3 |
| SCWK 4827 | Integrated Capstone Seminar | 3 |
| SED 4842 | Supervised Student Teaching: High School | 1-10 |
| SED 4827 | Supervised Student Teaching: Language (K-12) | 1-10 |
| SED 4843 | Supervised Student Teaching: Art (K-12) | 1-10 |
| SED 4844 | Supervised Student Teaching: Music (K-12) | 1-10 |
| SED 4845 | Supervised Student Teaching: Health (K-12) | 1-10 |
| SED 4846 | Supervised Student Teaching: Physical Education (K-12) | 1-10 |
| SPAN 5885 | Topics in Hispanic Literature and Film | 3 |
| SPAN 5890 | Topics in Spanish Literature: Spanish-America | 3 |
| SPED 4849 | Supervised Student Teaching: Mild Moderate/Disabilities | 1-10 |
| STAT 4896 | Statistical Project | 2 |
| TCED 4830 | Undergraduate Capstone Course for Education Majors | 3 |
| TEMC 4802 | Student Teaching: Middle Childhood | 1-10 |
| THTR 4898 | Senior Project | 3 |
Social Sciences
Bachelor's degree seeking students must complete two of the following:
Courses are part of the Ohio Transfer 36 and are guaranteed to transfer to any of Ohio's public institutions of higher education as a subject area general education credit. Ohio's Department of Higher Education maintains an up-to-date list of OT36 approved courses through the OT36 reporting system.
Courses are cross-listed with another General Education domain.