University Core Requirements for Baccalaureate Degrees

Requirements for baccalaureate degrees are fulfilled by taking a combination of core courses, courses in the student's major (a primary field of study, such as history or philosophy), and electives (additional courses falling outside the major that count toward the total number of credit hours required for the degree). Core courses provide students with a broad educational experience that provides a foundation and wider context for more advanced study in the major field.

Philosophy of the Core

It is the University's responsibility to help students learn to think critically, to communicate clearly and concisely in oral, written, and visual form, to appreciate themselves as part of a larger world, and to cultivate the imagination and intellectual curiosity required for life-long learning. The Core curriculum is designed to help students develop skills, knowledge and understanding that can be applied toward these ends. The curriculum provides a variety of foundational courses in each of three broad areas that approach learning and problem solving in different ways and contribute to the preparation of students as both local and global citizens.

Area I courses are typically offered by disciplines in the humanities, arts, languages, and philosophy. They provide opportunities to engage in the study of intellectual and aesthetic products from a variety of cultures. Knowledge of expressions of culture promotes understanding of the diverse ways in which human thought, experience, and communication are historically and ideologically shaped and culturally preserved.

Area II courses are typically offered by disciplines in the social and behavioral sciences, history, education, and economics. They engage students in the study of how people, cultures, societies, and institutions function and have evolved both in specific situations and over time. They examine the forces that shape human and social activity. Appreciation of methods of inquiry provides insight into human cultures and societies.

Area III courses are typically offered by disciplines in the natural and physical sciences, engineering, and mathematics. They promote understanding of the observable physical world. They engage students in the exploration of the relationships among variables. The skills of scientific inquiry expand each student's ability to understand the world and the ways in which applications of science, engineering, and mathematics transform our lives in substantial ways.

Learning Outcomes of the Core Curriculum

The faculty of Boise State University have identified learning outcomes for the core curriculum. Specific learning outcomes for each course are listed in course syllabi for core courses, while general learning outcomes for the overall core experience are defined below.

Critical Thinking/Problem Solving Skills

The development of Critical Thinking and Problem Solving skills are essential to life long learning and for professional growth/success. Graduating students are expected to be able to do at least the following effectively, in a variety of subject matters and contexts:

Evaluate the information and processes essential to the solution of a problem
Understand that a variety of strategies for solving a problem may exist
Apply and evaluate a variety of strategies for solving a problem
Analyze quantitative information (e.g., numerical data, charts, graphs, or tables) to understand a problem or its solution
Analyze qualitative data (e.g., symbols, texts, artifacts or behaviors) to understand a problem or its solution
Distinguish fact from opinion
Assess the extent to which an argument is supported by facts
Identify assumptions or hypotheses embedded in arguments
Construct a logically defensible argument

Communication Skills

Effective communication skills are essential for sharing ideas between individuals and organizations and enhancing both personal and professional success. As a result, graduating students are expected to be able to do at least the following effectively, in a variety of subject matters and contexts:

Interpret written materials
Write clearly for specific purposes and audiences
Make effective formal oral presentations appropriate to specific purposes and audiences
Employ speaking and listening skills effectively in interactions with others
Use information sources appropriately in oral or written communication

Cultural Perspective

The ability to appreciate perspectives and experiences different from one's own is important for both individual growth and for society. Such cultural perspectives can be defined by history and geographical location as well as by race/ethnicity, gender/gender identity, age, sexual orientation, disability, faith, national origin, political affiliation, as well as other identities within our society. Graduating students are expected to be able to do at least the following:

Compare the distinguishing characteristics of your own culture to those of another
Use an understanding of another culture as a lens to understand your own cultural perspectives
Compare the creative accomplishments valued by another culture to those of your own culture
Recognize the rights and responsibilities of active citizenship

Breadth of Knowledge and Intellectual Perspective

Study in a wide variety of fields is important preparation for both life-long learning and for local and global citizenship. Graduating students are expected be able to do at least the following, at the introductory level, in a sampling of fields of study in the arts and humanities, the social sciences, mathematics and the natural sciences:

Demonstrate an understanding of the essential concepts underlying theories in the field
Apply theories to typical problems in the field
Demonstrate an understanding of the basic methods of inquiry used in this field
Use appropriate methods of inquiry to answer basic questions in the field
Identify important issues for which a diversity of interpretation between experts in the field exists

Because core courses serve as a foundation for specialized work and can enhance your understanding of your chosen major, you should work carefully with your advisor to select appropriate core courses. Specific educational objectives for each degree and certificate program are available on the Boise State websites of individual programs.

NOTE: Core courses deemed crucial to a particular discipline are often incorporated into the major requirements within the discipline. For example, the mathematics department requires that its majors take MATH 170 Calculus I, and MATH 175 Calculus II - courses that also satisfy Area III core requirements. If you carefully compare the core requirements with the requirements for your major, you may find that certain core courses will count toward both requirements.

Click here to see a list of the approved courses offered at Boise State in Areas I, II, and III. Each area is further divided into courses offered in various fields of study. For example, Area I includes art, music, and philosophy among its fields of study. Each degree requires that you complete a certain number of core courses; in addition, each degree specifies the distribution of those core courses among Area I, Area II, and Area III. The following section, "Credit Requirements for Various Degrees," defines the core requirements for various types of degrees, including the core requirements associated with each degree.

If you are a transfer student, you may be exempt from some specific requirements identified here. For more information, see "Transferring Credits to Boise State" in this chapter.