Structure of the Traditional Degree Program

The undergraduate program structure is designed to provide the student with foundational knowledge, program specific knowledge, opportunities to apply new knowledge, and the flexibility to explore interesting topics. All undergraduate degree programs have the same five structural elements: 1) Foundation courses, 2) General Education courses, 3) Program Requirement courses, 4) Experiential courses, and 5) Elective courses. The number of semester hours covered by the structural elements adds up to the total of 120 semester hours needed for graduation. Each structural element has specific semester hour and course requirements associated with it. Generally, the breakdown of semester hours by structural element is 18 semester hours in Foundation courses, 30 semester hours in General Education courses, 40 - 50 semester hours in Program Requirement courses, 13 semester hours in Experiential courses, and 9 - 19 semester hours in Electives.

Foundation

The purpose of the Foundation courses is to provide the student with mathematics and communication knowledge and skills that will be used throughout the selected program of study. More importantly, mastery of foundational knowledge and skill is required for success in science and technology careers.

Every student must complete 9 semester hours of mathematics courses:

MATH 120-College Algebra , MATH 220-Calculus I , and MATH 280-Introductory Statistics :

• Biotechnology
• Integrative Sciences
• Management, Entrepreneurship and Business Administration
• Environmental Science and Sustainability   

MATH 120-College Algebra , MATH 210-Discrete Mathematics I , and MATH 280-Introductory Statistics :

• Computer and Information Sciences
• Information Systems and Information Technologies

MATH 120-College Algebra , MATH 150-Applied Mathematical Reasoning , and MATH 280-Introductory Statistics :

• Advanced Manufacturing
• Geospatial Technology
• Interactive Media
• Esports Management, Production and Performance

MATH 140-Precalculus , MATH 210-Discrete Mathematics I , and MATH 280-Introductory Statistics : 

• Applied Mathematics   

MATH 081-Prealgebra  may not be used to satisfy any portion of this requirement because it is a developmental course. The course is included in the student’s semester course load, which determines the student’s enrollment status. The final grade earned is calculated in the student’s term and cumulative grade point averages. The credit value associated with the course is not applicable toward the minimum 120 semester hours needed for graduation.

Additionally, every student must complete 9 semester hours of English and Communication:

• ENGL 105-College Composition  or ENGL 106-Academic Writing and Critical Thinking  
• COMM 110-Speech  
• ENGL 200-Advanced Composition and Technical Writing  

General Education

The purpose of general education is to offer the undergraduate student a dynamic platform for both foundational and skill-based learning to prepare them for a well-rounded life during which they will make informed decisions, contribute to society, and become lifelong learners. General education is a degree requirement for each undergraduate student.

Given the sheer vastness of knowledge and the rate at which new knowledge is developed, the student typically cannot command mastery or deep expertise in the broad areas known as the sciences, social sciences, humanities, or applied knowledge domains such as entrepreneurship or leadership. The purpose of general education is not to produce experts. Instead, the goal is to integrate contributions from multiple fields to give the student more comprehensive explanations and understandings of the world. In essence, general education - and all academic work at the University, begins within a framework of applied and self-directed learning.

The Mind courses are cross-disciplinary, applied courses. The student is required to successfully complete at least 30 semester hours of general education, 24 of which must be the Mind courses.

Four courses totaling 12 semester hours are part of the first-year program.

• GEND 102-The Creative Mind I  
• GEND 103-The Creative Mind II  
• GEND 112-The Scientific Mind: Physical Sciences  
• GEND 113-The Scientific Mind: Life Sciences  

Two additional Mind courses, 6 semester hours each (totaling 12 semester hours).

• GEND 201-The Civic Mind  
• GEND 351-Organizational Mind  

The remaining 6 semester hours can be additional Mind courses or General Education (GEND) electives.

Experiential Learning

The student will complete 13 semester hours of experiential learning. The University is committed to preparing students for careers in science and technology fields. Part of what makes the degree program unique is an emphasis on experiential learning, which includes an internship, two projects, and seminar courses. By connecting the classroom, workplace, and research experiences within the program, the student can gain a range of marketable skills.

These skills are linked to the eight competencies at the heart of the University’s curriculum in addition to the learning goals within the student’s program of study. The experiential courses are expected to provide the student with an enhanced resume prior to graduation from the University.

Guidelines for Experiential Learning - Multiple Components in One Semester

In order for a student to be able to complete two experiential learning components in one semester, the student must comply with the following:

1. Student must have a GPA of 3.0 or above.
2. Student must not have an “I” or incomplete in any previous Experiential Learning component (Project or Internship).
3. Student must not have previously failed any Experiential Learning component (Project or Internship).

Seminar Courses - The seminar courses integrate the student’s academic, personal, and professional development success. These courses provide the student with the support and skill development needed to complete experiential learning courses and achieve the university core competencies. Additionally, seminars facilitate the completion of a reflective ePortfolio that includes evidence of experiential and competency-based learning.

Projects - Each project challenges the student to identify, investigate and analyze a particular topic or problem in the program of study and concentration. A key objective is to apply skills, methods, and knowledge obtained in previously completed courses with independent thinking and research; the final product represents the successful and purposeful application of knowledge. Projects are undertaken with the close mentorship of a faculty member and may involve a community partner. Projects can involve scientific-based research or laboratory experiences, needs analyses or development plans for external organizations, the development of software applications, or market studies and business proposals. The student develops a unique plan and contract and establishes individual learning goals in consultation with a member of the faculty.

Internships - An internship allows the student to apply classroom experiences to the workplace at an off-site placement, where ideas are tested, and competencies and skills are developed. For one semester, the student interacts with professionals in an external organization to explore career options related to the student’s program of study. Each student is responsible for finding and completing an internship. The Office of Experiential Learning and the student’s Faculty Advisor provides guidance through the process of obtaining and completing the internship. A student is able to enhance post-graduation career prospects by integrating this external experience into the academic program.

Electives

The elective component of the curriculum provides the student opportunities: 1) to explore disciplines not included in the foundation, general education, and program requirements; 2) for study beyond the minimum requirements in the program discipline; or 3) to independently pursue an area of interest under the supervision of a faculty member. The number of elective semester hours required for graduation is specified by each program.

Outline of Traditional Bachelor Degree Programs

The curriculum requires a minimum of 120 earned semester hours to fulfill the Bachelor of Science degree requirements. The courses are distributed in the following required areas: foundation, general education, experiential, program, and electives. Each requirement is detailed as follows: