2015-2016 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
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2015-2016 Undergraduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]

General Education Requirements

The General Education component for all undergraduate students is further explained in the following sections.  General Education curriculum consists of System General Education Requirements, Institutional Graduation Requirements, Globalization/Global Issues Requirement, and Writing Intensive Requirement. BOR Policies 2:7 and 2:26 identify (a) the purpose of the requirement, (b) the skills to be developed in each course that satisfies the requirement, and (c) the approved courses. Students may only select general education courses from the approved list. These requirements are effective for students entering Fall 2005.

Click on a link to be taken to the entry below:

General Education Requirements for Associate Degree

(BOR Policy 2:26)

Associate of Arts Degrees

This program requires the same 30 credits of System General Education as required in the Baccalaureate Degree.

System General Education Requirements: 30 credits
Goal #1: Written Communication (6 credits)
Goal #2: Oral Communication (3 credits)
Goal #3: Social Sciences/Diversity (6 credits)
Goal #4: Humanities and Arts/Diversity (6 credits)
Goal #5: Mathematics (3 credits)
Goal #6: Natural Sciences (6 credits)
Goal #7: Information Literacy (0 credits)

Associate of Science Degrees

The general education component of all Associate of Science programs shall consist of a minimum of 18 credit hours as specified in Board of Regents policy 2:7(3).

System General Education Requirements: 18 credits
Goal #1: Written Communication (3 credits)
Goal #2: Oral Communication (3 credits)
Goal #3: Social Sciences/Diversity (3 credits)
Goal #4: Humanities and Arts/Diversity (3 credits)
Goal #5: Mathematics (3 credits)
Goal #6: Natural Sciences (3 credits; 6 credits recommended)

Institutional Graduation Requirements are not required for Associate Degree Programs. The SDSU Institutional Graduation Requirements (IGRs) do not apply to either the Associate of Arts degree or the Associate of Science degree programs.

General Education Requirements for Baccalaureate Degree

(BOR Policy 2:7)

The General Education component of all baccalaureate programs shall consist of the System General Education Requirements, Institutional Graduation Requirements, Globalization/Global Issues Requirement, and Writing Intensive Requirement.

System General Education Requirements: 30 credits
Goal #1: Written Communication (6 credits)
Goal #2: Oral Communication (3 credits)
Goal #3: Social Sciences/Diversity (6 credits)
Goal #4: Humanities and Arts/Diversity (6 credits)
Goal #5: Mathematics (3 credits)
Goal #6: Natural Sciences (6 credits)
Goal #7: Information Literacy (0 credits)

Institutional Graduation Requirements: 5 credits
Goal #1: First Year Seminar (2 credits)
Goal #2: Cultural Awareness and Social and Environmental Responsibility (3 credits)

Globalization Requirement
Each program area/major specifies how to meet the globalization goal and student learning outcomes.

Advanced Writing Requirement
Each program area/major specifies how to meet the additional writing requirement goal and student learning outcomes.

System General Education Requirements (SGRs)

These requirements are common across the entire South Dakota Regental System. The System General Education Requirements (SGRs) are designed to achieve these seven goals.


System Goal #1: Written Communication

Credit Hours: 6

Students will write effectively and responsibly and will understand and interpret the written expression of others.

Student Learning Outcomes: As a result of taking courses meeting this goal, students will:

  1. Write using standard American English, including correct punctuation, grammar, and sentence structure;
  2. Write logically;
  3. Write persuasively, with a variety of rhetorical strategies (e.g., expository, argumentative, descriptive);
  4. Incorporate formal research and documentation into their writing, including research obtained through modern, technology-based research tools.

Each course meeting this goal includes the following student learning outcomes:

Required: #1, #2, #3, and #4

Note: Student enrollment in the initial English course is determined by the Board of Regents placement policy (2:7.6).

Courses:

 

System Goal #2: Oral Communication

Credit Hours: 3

Students will communicate effectively and responsibly through listening and speaking.

Student Learning Outcomes: As a result of taking courses meeting this goal, students will:

  1. Prepare and deliver speeches for a variety of audiences and settings;
  2. Demonstrate speaking competencies including choice and use of topic, supporting materials, organizational pattern, language usage, presentational aids, and delivery;
  3. Demonstrate listening competencies by summarizing, analyzing, and paraphrasing ideas, perspectives and emotional content. Each course meeting this goal includes the following student learning outcomes:

Each course meeting this goal includes the following student learning outcomes:

Required: #1, #2, and #3

Courses:

 

System Goal #3: Social Sciences/Diversity

Credit Hours: 6 (in 2 disciplines)

Students will understand the organization, potential, and diversity of the human community through study of the social sciences.

Student Learning Outcomes: As a result of taking courses meeting this goal, students will:

  1. Identify and explain basic concepts, terminology and theories of the selected social science disciplines from different spatial, temporal, cultural and/or institutional contexts;
  2. Apply selected social science concepts and theories to contemporary issues;
  3. Identify and explain the social or aesthetic values of different cultures.

    In addition, as a result of taking courses meeting this goal, students will be able to demonstrate a basic understanding of at least one of the following:
  4. The origin and evolution of human institutions;
  5. The allocation of human or natural resources within societies;
  6. The impact of diverse philosophical, ethical or religious views.

Each course meeting this goal includes the following student learning outcomes:

Required: #1, #2 and #3
At least one of the following: #4, #5, or #6

Note: The course used to meet IGR #2 must have a different prefix than the courses used to meet System Goals #3, #4 and #6.

Courses:

 

System Goal #4: Humanities and Arts/Diversity

Credit Hours: 6 (in 2 disciplines or a sequence of foreign language courses)

Students will understand the diversity and complexity of the human experience through study of the arts and humanities.

Student Learning Outcomes: As a result of taking courses meeting this goal, students will:

  1. Demonstrate knowledge of the diversity of values, beliefs, and ideas embodied in the human experience;
  2. Identify and explain basic concepts of the selected disciplines within the arts and humanities.

    In addition, as a result of taking courses meeting this goal, students will be able to do at least one of the following:
  3. Identify and explain the contributions of other cultures from the perspective of the selected disciplines within the arts and humanities;
  4. Demonstrate creative and aesthetic understanding;
  5. Explain and interpret formal and stylistic elements of the literary or fine arts;
  6. Demonstrate foundational competency in reading, writing, and speaking a non-English language.

Each course meeting this goal includes the following student learning outcomes:

Required: #1, #2
At least one of the following: #3, #4, #5, or #6

Note:

  • Students must complete a course from another subject if they are using one from either ART or ARTH.
  • The course used to meet IGR #2 must have a different prefix than the courses used to meet System Goals #3, #4 and #6.

Courses:

 

System Goal #5: Mathematics

Credit Hours: 3

Students will understand and apply fundamental mathematical processes and reasoning.

Student Learning Outcomes: As a result of taking courses meeting this goal, students will:

  1. Use mathematical symbols and mathematical structure to model and solve real world problems;
  2. Demonstrate appropriate communication skills related to mathematical terms and concepts;
  3. Demonstrate the correct use of quantifiable measurements of real world situations.

Each course meeting this goal includes the following student learning outcomes:

Required: #1, #2 and #3

Note: Student enrollment in the initial Mathematics course is determined by the Board of Regents placement policy (2:7.6).

Courses:

 

System Goal #6: Natural Sciences

Credit Hours: 6

Students will understand the fundamental principles of the natural sciences and apply scientific methods of inquiry to investigate the natural world.

Student Learning Outcomes: As a result of taking courses meeting this goal, students will:

  1. Demonstrate the scientific method in a laboratory experience;
  2. Gather and critically evaluate data using the scientific method;
  3. Identify and explain the basic concepts, terminology and theories of the selected natural sciences;
  4. Apply selected natural science concepts and theories to contemporary issues.

Each course meeting this goal includes the following student learning outcomes:

Required: #1, #2, #3 and #4

Note: The course used to meet IGR #2 must have a different prefix than the courses used to meet System Goals #3, #4 and #6.

Courses:

 

System Goal #7: Information Literacy

Credit Hours: 0 additional hours

Students will recognize when information is needed and have the ability to locate, organize, critically evaluate, and effectively use information from a variety of sources with intellectual integrity.

Student Learning Outcomes: As a result of taking courses meeting this goal, students will:

1. Determine the extent of information needed;
2. Access the needed information effectively and efficiently;
3. Evaluate information and its sources critically;
4. Use information effectively to accomplish a specific purpose;
5. Use information in an ethical and legal manner.

Each course meeting this goal includes the following student learning outcomes:

Required: #1, #2, #3, #4, and #5

Courses

 

SDSU’s Institutional Graduation Requirements (IGRs)

In addition to the System General Education Requirements, SDSU has Institutional Graduation Requirements (IGRs) designed to achieve two major goals. These requirements are unique to SDSU.

Notes:

  • The course used to meet IGR Goal #2 must have a different prefix than the courses used to meet System Goals #3, 4, and 6.
  • Other than for System General Education Goal #7, no given course may satisfy more than one of these requirements, unless the minimum number of credits is exceeded. Credits in excess of the minimum credits needed may be applied in another area.


IGR Goal #1: First Year Seminar

Credit Hours: 2

Students will understand their emerging role and responsibilities as educated persons through a common intellectual experience.

Student Learning Outcomes: As a result of taking the course(s) meeting this goal, students will:

  1. Identify areas of self-responsibility that contribute to personal and professional goals and success.
  2. Design a plan and identify appropriate strategies that will guide engagement in their education, community, and world.
  3. Explain how to achieve and maintain personal and professional wellness.
  4. Articulate how knowledge of contemporary issues and exposure to diversity impacts personal and professional life.
  5. Explain how South Dakota State University is defined by the Land Grant Mission (Morrill Act).

Each course meeting this goal includes the following student learning outcomes:

Required: #1, #2, #3, #4, and #5

Courses:

 

IGR Goal #2: Cultural Awareness and Social and Environmental Responsibility

Credits Hours: 3

Students will acquire knowledge about the world’s peoples - their cultures, arts, and environments - that prepares them for further study, deepens their understanding of the human condition, and strengthens their commitment to social and environmental responsibility.

Student Learning Outcomes: As a result of taking the course(s) meeting this goal, students will:

  1. Articulate the ways in which different peoples express an understanding of the human condition and respond to environmental opportunities and constraints.
  2. Describe how personal choices derive from and affect social, cultural, and environmental contexts.
  3. Engage in aesthetic experience in order to understand artistic expression and to learn how meaning emerges from the cultural contexts of both artist and audience.
  4. Explain the ethical consequences of decisions and actions concerning the environment to strengthen commitment to local, national, and global citizenship.

Each course meeting this goal includes the following student learning outcomes:

Required: #1, #2, and #3, or #1, #2, and #4

Note: The course used to meet IGR #2 must have a different prefix than the courses used to meet System Goals #3, #4, and #6.

Courses:

 

Clarification of “Educational Experiences” Alternative
Educational Experiences (EdEx) are an option to meet SDSU’s IGRs. The Educational Experiences will parallel the guidelines for credit, requiring 45 hours of experiential learning per credit hour earned. Departments will present proposals describing Educational Experiences for approval to the SDSU Academic Affairs subcommittee who will forward a recommendation to the full Academic Affairs Committee for approval to assure that the student learning outcomes of the specific IGR has been achieved. This Educational Experiences Alternative is not to be designed to meet the needs of an individual student, but rather to meet the needs of groups of students within a department/major, throughout the University.


Globalization/Global Issues Requirement (G)

Credit Hours:  Students can select a course to meet the globalization requirement which also meets one of the SGR/IGR requirements or a major requirement. Selected courses do not add to the total number of credits required for the major.

Globalization is defined as a process of interaction and integration among different people, organizations, and governments that takes place outside of and above the level of national boundaries. The primary result of this process is the interdependence of capital, technology, information, and people across national borders. This interdependence of economic and cultural activities has implications for a variety of issues around the world, including, but not limited to, political systems, economic systems, the environment, agriculture, public health, health care, information technology, social networking, communications, transportation, education, governance, and prosperity. Through the process of globalization, people and organizations communicate, conduct business, and address challenges, across and irrespective of national borders.

Students will be able to identify global issues and how they impact their lives and discipline.

Student Learning Outcomes: The primary objective of this requirement is to offer courses that present meaningful global content of contemporary relevance (i.e., content based on trends, events or interactions from the post-WWII era to the present). Each course that fulfills this requirement must include ONE of the following two student learning outcomes. Students will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate a basic understanding of modern-day globalization, including outlining the benefits and cost implications of globalization, and interpret consequences of global issues through various forms of analysis.
    Or
  2. Express knowledge of the customs and cultures of a particular country or a specific region outside of one’s own national borders. (The emphasis in this SLO is the more in-depth study of one particular country or region.)

Note: *Selecting one of these courses may result in additional credits.

Courses:

 


Advanced Writing Requirement (AW)

Credit Hours:  Integrated in the major or may select a specific advanced course (i.e.,ENGL 379, Technical Communication) which addresses the advanced writing goal and student learning outcomes. Selected course(s) do not add to the total number of credits required for the major.

Advanced writing courses are discipline based and require students to build upon concepts learned in courses addressing System General Education Goal #1. Students will refine their writing skills appropriate to the discipline. These courses will have a scholarly focus.

Students will build upon concepts learned in courses covering System General Education Goal #1 and refine their skills through research and writing in a discipline specific context.

Student Learning Outcomes: Students will:

  1. Read extensively and respond critically in the written discourse of a discipline; formulate research questions, refine topics, develop a plan for research and organize what is known about the topic;  articulate a position through a thesis statement and advance it using evidence from primary and secondary sources, examples, and counterarguments that are relevant to the audience or issues at hand.
  2. Use a style manual and other writing conventions specific to a discipline; avoid plagiarism by adhering to the rules for paraphrasing, summarizing, and the use of quotations, as well as the conventions for incorporating information from Internet-based resources.
  3. Evaluate sources critically, both print and electronic, discern the strength of evidence and arguments, determine credibility, and identify potential bias and overall quality.
  4. Present the results of research or project, either collaboratively or individually, to the class, department, faculty, community members, or at a student research or professional conference.

Each course meeting this goal includes the following student learning outcomes.

Required: #1, #2, #3, #4

Each program area/major determines how to best address the advanced writing goal and student learning outcomes; therefore, you should consult your department regarding how this goal and its expectations are accomplished within your specific program of study. Courses used across the various programs at SDSU include the following:

Courses:

 

Policies Applicable to System General Education Requirements

Guidelines for Baccalaureate & Associate Degrees

  1. The System General Education Requirements will be effective for students entering in Fall 2005.
  2. Only 100/200 level courses will be included. Exceptions based on student background may be made utilizing the established university academic appeal process.
  3. Honors courses equivalent to identified System General Education courses will meet the System requirements.
  4. System General Education Requirements successfully completed at the sending South Dakota Regental institution will be accepted towards meeting these requirements at the receiving South Dakota Regental institution.
  5. Under common course practices, a course that counts toward a General Education System Requirement at one of the Regental campuses will count toward the same General Education requirement at another campus regardless of whether or not the campus offered the course.

Placement into Initial Math & English Courses

Entering students must show evidence of their level of academic preparation prior to their enrollment into their initial mathematics and English courses. All entering students seeking an associate or baccalaureate degree must provide valid Enhanced ACT scores (within the last five years) or must take the ACT COMPASS or the College Board Accuplacer examination in the areas of writing skills, mathematics, and reading. All non-degree seeking students enrolling in English and mathematics courses must provide Enhanced ACT scores or must take the ACT COMPASS or the College Board Accuplacer examination in the areas of writing skills and mathematics.

In addition to scores on these assessments, other information such as high school GPA and curriculum completed may also be considered as placement decisions are made.

Transfer students who have completed equivalent general education coursework in English and mathematics are exempt from this requirement.

Students transferring will be allowed to transfer their placement test scores and/or relevant course credits and continue their sequence of courses in English and/or mathematics.

Each institution shall give students prior notice that it will provide reasonable accommodations for test takers in keeping with institutional practices implementing the South Dakota Human Relations Act of 1972, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (refer to Board Policy 1:19).

Pre-General Education Courses in English & Mathematics

Pre-general education courses include ENGL 031, ENGL 032, ENGL 033, and MATH 095.

  1. Completion of Pre-General Education Courses
    1. Students placed in pre-general education courses must enroll in and complete the courses within the first 30 credit hours attempted.
    2. If a student does not complete the pre-general education course(s) within the first 30 credit hours attempted, during the next 12 credit hours attempted, the student must enroll in and complete the pre-general education course(s).
    3. If the pre-general education course(s) is not completed within the first 42 credit hours attempted, the only course(s) in which a student may enroll is the pre-general education course(s); and the student’s status is changed from degree seeking to non-degree seeking.
    4. Students transferring from non-Regental institutions must enroll in pre-general education courses during the first 30 attempted Regental credit hours. These students may enroll in other courses concurrently with the pre-general education courses. If the student does not complete the pre-general education courses during the first 30 Regental credit hours attempted, during the next 12 credit hours attempted, the student must enroll in and complete the pre-general education course(s). If the student does not successfully complete the pre-general education course(s) within 42 attempted Regental credit hours, the only course(s) in which a student may enroll is the pre-general education course(s); and the student’s status is changed from degree seeking to non-degree seeking. The Vice President for Academic Affairs may grant an exception.
  2. Credit Hours and Grades
    1. Credit hours for the pre general education courses are included in the total number of credit hours attempted.
    2. The grades assigned for courses numbered less than 100 will be RI, RS and RU.

Note: A Satisfactory Progress (SP) grade may be granted only for students enrolled in MATH 095. If the grade of SP is awarded the following conditions apply:

The grade is an alternative to RS and RU.
The student must have made satisfactory progress during the course but the student did not develop mastery of all the required content. If the student successfully mastered the materials, the grade of RS should be assigned. If progress was not made, the grade of RU should be assigned.

Additional Guidelines for Associate Degrees

The general education component of all associate of science programs shall consist of a minimum of 18 credit hours as specified in BOR policy 2:7(3).

Each student enrolled in an associate degree program must take the Proficiency Examination after the completion of 32 passed credit hours or prior to graduation. The student must have completed, or be enrolled in courses required to complete, the 18 credit hours specified above. Students who do not complete the proficiency exam requirements cannot continue registration at the university.

Students who have earned an Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree at any of the Regental campuses who then transfer to another Regental campus will be deemed to have fulfilled the general education requirements of both. Such students must fulfill all college, major, minor, certificate, and other degree requirements of the receiving campus. Any course not determined to meet a specific requirement will be accepted as an elective. CLEP and AP credit accepted by one Regental institution will transfer to all Regental institutions.

Students transferring from a non-regental campus to a Regental campus who have previously earned an Associate of Arts degree will not automatically be judged as having fulfilled the general education requirements of the receiving campus. Such students must fulfill all college, major, minor, certificate, and other degree requirements of the receiving campus.

Students transferring from a South Dakota technical institute to a Regental campus who have previously earned an Associate of Applied Science degree will not automatically be judged as having fulfilled the general education requirements of the receiving campus. Such students must fulfill all college, major, minor, certificate, and other degree requirements of the receiving campus.

Additional Guidelines for Baccalaureate Degrees

Effective Fall 1999, incoming freshmen must complete 30 credit hours of System General Education Requirements in their first 64 credit hours. The following 18 credit hours of the System General Education Requirements must be completed in the first 48 hours.

Goal #1: Written Communication (3 credits)
Goal #2: Oral Communication (3 credits)
Goal #3: Social Sciences/Diversity (3 credits)
Goal #4: Humanities and Arts/Diversity (3 credits)
Goal #5: Mathematics (3 credits)
Goal #6: Natural Sciences (3 credits)
Total 18 credits

Transfer students with more than 18 credit hours entering from outside the Regental system must complete the above specified 18 credit hours of general education within the first 30 credit hours taken at a Regental institution.

All 30 credits of the System General Education Requirements must be completed within the first 64 hours. A list of program exceptions at SDSU are:

  • Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering
  • Biology - Pre-professional Specialization
  • Civil Engineering
  • Computer Science
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Interior Design
  • Mathematics - Teaching Specialization
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Music
  • Music Education
  • Nursing

Students transferring from a South Dakota technical institute to a Regental campus who have previously earned an Associate of Applied Science degree will not automatically be judged as having fulfilled the general education requirements of the receiving campus. Such students must fulfill all college, major, minor, certificate, and other degree requirements of the receiving campus.

Fraction of Credits for Transfer Students

Transfer credits applied to a general education goal meet the credit requirement if .33 credits (or fewer) remain for that goal. If .34 credits or greater remain to meet the minimum required credits for the goal, the student must take additional credits from the approved list of courses in the University Catalog. For example, a student who transferred in 5.67 credits towards the SGR #3 Social Science 6 credit requirement has met the goal.

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