Through General Education courses, students gain fresh perspectives and discover new approaches to intellectual inquiry that promote understanding of both the traditional and the newly discovered. To achieve these outcomes, the General Education curriculum encompasses a breadth of knowledge in composition, humanities, international studies, mathematics, biological, physical, and social and behavioral sciences.
Ultimately, competence in these areas enables students to better understand themselves, their neighbors, other cultures and times, and the principles governing the natural world and the universe; and to participate fully and responsibly as informed citizens in local, national, and global matters.
General Education Categories
The General Education curriculum is organized around eight major subject areas.
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- Biological Sciences
- Composition
- Humanities
- International
- Mathematics
- Physical Sciences
- Social and Behavioral Sciences
General Education Program Requirements
All undergraduate students, except those transferring to UF with an AA degree from a Florida public college or an AA certificate from a Florida public state university, are required to complete UF's General Education requirement to graduate.
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| Subject Area | State Core | Gen Ed Courses | Totals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biological and Physical Sciences1 | 3 | 3 | 6 |
| Composition | 3 | 3 | 6 |
| Humanities1 | 3 | 3 | 6 |
| Social and Behavioral Science1 | 3 | 3 | 6 |
| Mathematics | 3 | 3 | 6 |
| Additional Required Gen Ed Coursework (Humanities, Social Science, or Natural Science)2 | 6 | 6 | |
| OVERALL TOTALS | 15 | 21 | 36 |
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To complete General Education, student must select a General Education course in the Humanities that features the UF Quest 1 subject area for 3 credits, a General Education course in the Social and Behavioral Science or Natural Science that features the UF Quest 2 subject area for 3 credits, and a General Education course that features the International subject area for 3 credits.
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Majors that feature extensive use of these subject areas may require a student to complete all 6 Additional Required Gen Ed Coursework credits in a particular subject area. See the major's Recommended Model Semester Plan for details.
Important Considerations
- A minimum grade of C is required for General Education credit. Courses intended to satisfy the general education requirement cannot be taken S/U.
- Some majors require or recommend specific General Education courses.
- Certain courses are approved to count for multiple General Education program areas. Students can count a General Education course toward one area only except for International credits, which must be earned concurrently with another area. For example, a course designated as Humanities/International can count toward both the Humanities and International requirements, but a course designated Composition/Humanities can count only as Composition or Humanities.
- Study abroad courses can fulfill International credit, in addition to fulfilling credit in other subject areas. Study abroad must be approved in advance by an academic advisor and the UF International Center.
Successful completion of these requirements will result in the student learning outcomes.
Selecting General Education Courses
Students can take Gen Ed courses at the 1000-4000 levels. First-year students generally take introductory (1000/2000-level) courses. If a student has the academic background and the interest they may take more advanced courses, but they should first check the course prerequisites or consult an academic advisor.
Applying Incoming Credits to General Education
AP, IB, AICE, and CLEP credit count toward completion of the General Education program requirements. In general, course equivalencies are derived from the course equivalency charts from the student's year of matriculation at UF.
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Acceptable dual enrollment and other transfer credit will fulfill the General Education requirements that the same UF course fulfills if the course is equivalent. Courses from Florida public colleges and State University System schools generally adhere to the Statewide Course Numbering System. If the prefix (first three letters) and the last three digits of the course number are the same, then the course is considered equivalent.
If the course does not have a common-numbered equivalent at UF, either because UF does not offer the course or because the transferred course was not taken in the state system, then the student's college needs to evaluate the course to determine whether it fulfills a General Education requirement.
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Subject Area Objectives
Biological Sciences
Biological Science courses provide instruction in the basic concepts, theories and terms of the scientific method in the context of the life sciences. Courses focus on major scientific developments and their impacts on society, science and the environment, and the relevant processes that govern biological systems. Students will formulate empirically-testable hypotheses derived from the study of living things, apply logical reasoning skills through scientific criticism and argument, and apply techniques of discovery and critical thinking to evaluate outcomes of experiments.
Composition
Communication courses must afford students the ability to communicate effectively, including the ability to write clearly and engage in public speaking.
Composition (C) is a sub-designation of Communication at the University of Florida.
Composition courses provide instruction in the methods and conventions of standard written English (i.e. grammar, punctuation, usage) and the techniques that produce effective texts. Composition courses are writing intensive, require multiple drafts submitted to the instructor for feedback prior to final submission, and fulfill 6,000 of the university’s 24,000-word writing requirement. Course content must include multiple forms of effective writing, different writing styles, approaches and formats, and methods to adapt writing to different audiences, purposes and contexts. Students are expected learn to organize complex arguments in writing using thesis statements, claims and evidence, and to analyze writing for errors in logic.
Humanities
Humanities courses must afford students the ability to think critically through the mastering of subjects concerned with human culture, especially literature, history, art, music, and philosophy, and must include selections from the Western canon
Humanities courses provide instruction in the history, key themes, principles, terminology, and theory or methodologies used within a humanities discipline or the humanities in general. Students will learn to identify and to analyze the key elements, biases and influences that shape thought. These courses emphasize clear and effective analysis and approach issues and problems from multiple perspectives.
International
International courses promote the development of students’ global and intercultural awareness. Students examine the cultural, economic, geographic, historical, political, and social experiences and processes that characterize the contemporary world, and thereby comprehend the trends, challenges, and opportunities that affect communities around the world. Students analyze and reflect on the ways in which cultural, economic, political, and social systems and beliefs mediate their own and other people’s understanding of an increasingly connected world.
The International designation is always in conjunction with another program area.
Mathematics
Courses in Mathematics provide instruction in computational strategies in fundamental mathematics including at least one of the following: solving equations and inequalities, logic, statistics, algebra, trigonometry, and inductive and deductive reasoning. These courses include reasoning in abstract mathematical systems, formulating mathematical models and arguments, using mathematical models to solve problems and applying mathematical concepts effectively to real-world situations.
Physical Sciences
Physical Science courses provide instruction in the basic concepts, theories, and terms of the scientific method in the context of the Physical Sciences. Courses focus on major scientific developments and their impacts on society, science, and the environment, and the relevant processes that govern physical systems. Students will formulate empirically-testable hypotheses derived from the study of physical processes, apply logical reasoning skills through scientific criticism and argument, and apply techniques of discovery and critical thinking to evaluate outcomes of experiments.
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Social and Behavioral Science courses provide instruction in the history, key themes, principles, terminology, and underlying theory or methodologies used in the social and behavioral sciences. Students will learn to identify, describe and explain social institutions, structures or processes. These courses emphasize the effective application of accepted problem-solving techniques. Students will apply formal and informal qualitative or quantitative analysis to examine the processes and means by which individuals make personal and group decisions, as well as the evaluation of opinions, outcomes or human behavior. Students are expected to assess and analyze ethical perspectives in individual and societal decisions.
Student Learning Outcomes | SLOs
Content and Skills
Content
Students demonstrate competence in the terminology, concepts, theories, and methodologies used within the discipline.
Communication
Students communicate knowledge, ideas, and reasoning clearly and effectively in written and oral forms appropriate to the discipline.
Critical Thinking
Students analyze information carefully and logically from multiple perspectives, using discipline-specific methods, and develop reasoned solutions to problems.
State Core Gen Ed Categories
State Core Gen Ed Biological and Physical Sciences Courses
BSC X085 not offered at UF but may be transferred in from a Florida public institution.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AST 1002 | Discovering the Universe (Physical Sciences) | 3 |
| AST 3018 | Astronomy and Astrophysics 1 (Physical Sciences) | 3 |
| AST 3019 | Astronomy and Astrophysics 2 (Physical Sciences) | 3 |
| BOT 2011C | Plant Diversity (Biological Sciences) | 4 |
| BSC 2005 | Biological Sciences (Biological Sciences) | 3 |
| BSC 2010 | Integrated Principles of Biology 1 (Biological Sciences) | 3 |
| CHM 1020 | Chemistry for the Liberal Arts (Physical Sciences) | 3 |
| CHM 2045 | General Chemistry 1 (Physical Sciences) | 3 |
| CHM 2046 | General Chemistry 2 (Physical Sciences) | 3 |
| CHM 2051 | Honors General Chemistry 2 (Physical Sciences) | 3 |
| CHM 2096 | Chemistry for Engineers 2 (Physical Sciences) | 3 |
| ESC 1000 | Introduction to Earth Science (Physical Sciences) | 3 |
| EVR 2001 | Introduction to Environmental Science (Biological or Physical Sciences, also International) | 3 |
| GLY 2010C | Physical Geology | 4 |
| OCE 1001 | Introduction to Oceanography | 3 |
| PHY 2020 | Introduction to Principles of Physics (Physical Sciences) | 3 |
| PHY 2048 | Physics with Calculus 1 (Physical Sciences) | 3 |
| PHY 2049 | Physics with Calculus 2 (Physical Sciences) | 3 |
| PHY 2053 | Physics 1 (Physical Sciences) | 4 |
| PHY 2054 | Physics 2 (Physical Sciences) | 4 |
State Core Gen Ed Composition Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENC 1101 | Expository and Argumentative Writing | 3 |
| ENC 1102 | Argument and Persuasion | 3 |
| ENC 1145 | Topics for Composition | 3 |
| ENC 2210 | Technical Writing | 3 |
| ENC 2305 | Analytical Writing and Thinking | 3 |
| ENC 3246 | Professional Communication for Engineers | 3 |
| ENC 3254 | Professional Writing in the Discipline | 3 |
| ENC 3453 | Writing in the Health Professions | 3 |
| ENC 3459 | Writing in the Medical Sciences | 3 |
| ENC 3464 | Writing in the Social Sciences | 3 |
| ENC 3465 | Writing in the Law | 3 |
State Core Gen Ed Mathematics Courses
All are pure math except for STA 2023.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MAC 1105 | Basic College Algebra | 3 |
| MAC 1140 | Precalculus Algebra | 3 |
| MAC 1147 | Precalculus Algebra and Trigonometry | 4 |
| MAC 2233 | Survey of Calculus 1 | 3 |
| MAC 2311 | Analytic Geometry and Calculus 1 | 4 |
| MAC 2312 | Analytic Geometry and Calculus 2 | 4 |
| MGF 1106 | Mathematics for Liberal Arts Majors 1 | 3 |
| MGF 1107 | Mathematics for Liberal Arts Majors 2 | 3 |
| STA 2023 | Introduction to Statistics 1 | 3 |
State Core Gen Ed Humanities Courses
HUM X020 not offered at UF but may be transferred in from a Florida public institution.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ARH 2000 | Art Appreciation: American Diversity and Global Arts | 3 |
| LIT 2000 | Introduction to Literature | 3 |
| MUL 2010 | Experiencing Music (also Gen Ed International) | 3 |
| PHI 2010 | Introduction to Philosophy | 3 |
| THE 2000 | Theatre Appreciation | 3 |
State Core Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AMH 2010 | United States to 1877 | 3 |
| AMH 2020 | United States Since 1877 | 3 |
| ANT 2000 | General Anthropology | 3 |
| ECO 2013 | Principles of Macroeconomics | 4 |
| POS 2041 | American Federal Government | 3 |
| PSY 2012 | General Psychology | 3 |
UF Quest 1 Requirement
UF Quest 1 courses fulfill the UF Quest 1 requirement and three credits of the General Education requirement in the Humanities. Some may also fulfill three credits of the International requirement and/or count toward the Writing Requirement.
UF Quest 1 courses extend beyond any one discipline. They are not a survey of or an introduction to a field. Instead, they are topical and thematic courses that explore essential questions about the human condition that are not easy to answer and hard to ignore. What makes life worth living? What makes a society a fair one? How do we manage conflicts? Who are we in relation to other people or to the natural world? Through UF Quest, students examine why the world is the way it is, what they can do about it, and how they can help solve the problems that are now confronting us.
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Selecting UF Quest 1 Courses
- A list of UF Quest 1 courses is provided on the UF Quest website.
- In the catalog course search, select Quest 1 in the search results filter.
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On ONE.UF, select Quest 1 in the Course Properties filter and then click Search.
UF Quest 1 Objectives
Quest 1 courses address the history, key themes, principles, terminologies, theories, or methodologies of various arts and humanities disciplines that ask essential questions about the human condition. Students learn to identify and analyze the distinctive elements of different arts and humanities disciplines, along with their biases and influences on essential questions about the human condition. These courses emphasize clear and effective analysis and evaluation of essential questions about the human condition from multiple perspectives. Students reflect on the ways in which the arts and the humanities affect individuals, societies, and their own intellectual, personal, and professional development.
UF Quest 1 Student Learning Outcomes
Content
Identify, describe, and explain the history, theories, and methodologies used to examine essential questions about the human condition within and across the arts and humanities disciplines incorporated into the course.
Critical Thinking
Analyze and evaluate essential questions about the human condition using established practices appropriate for the arts and humanities disciplines incorporated into the course.
Communication
Develop and present clear and effective responses to essential questions in oral and written forms as appropriate to the relevant humanities disciplines incorporated into the course.
Connection
Connect course content with critical reflection on their intellectual, personal, and professional development at UF and beyond.
UF Quest 2 Requirement
UF Quest 2 courses fulfill the UF Quest 2 requirement and three credits of the General Education requirement in the Social and Behavioral Sciences, the Biological Sciences, or the Physical Sciences. Some may also fulfill three credits of the International requirement and/or count toward the Writing Requirement.
Where Quest 1 asks why the world is the way it is, Quest 2 asks what we can do about the problems confronting us. Rather than serve as surveys of or introductions to specific fields, Quest 2 courses reflect the instructor’s expertise and challenge students as co-creators of knowledge in multi-disciplinary inquiry that uses scientific data to address pressing questions (e.g., What are the unintended consequences of technological progress? How do we address climate change?).
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Selecting UF Quest 2 Courses
- A list of UF Quest 2 courses is provided on the UF Quest website.
- In the catalog course search, select Quest 2 in the search results filter.
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On ONE.UF, select Quest 2 in the Course Properties filter and then click Search.
UF Quest 2 Objectives
Quest 2 courses provide instruction in the history, key themes, principles, terminologies, theories, or methodologies of various social or biophysical science disciplines that enable us to address pressing questions and challenges about human society and/or the state of our planet. Students learn to identify and analyze different social or biophysical science methods and theories and consider how their biases and influences shape pressing questions about human society and the state of our planet. These courses emphasize clear and effective analysis and evaluation of qualitative or quantitative data relevant to pressing questions concerning human society and the state of our planet. Students reflect on the ways in which the social or the biophysical sciences affect individuals, societies, and their own intellectual, personal, and professional development.
UF Quest 2 Student Learning Outcomes
Content
Identify, describe, and explain the cross-disciplinary dimensions of a pressing societal issue or challenge as represented by the social sciences and/or biophysical sciences incorporated into the course.
Critical Thinking
Critically analyze quantitative or qualitative data appropriate for informing an approach, policy, or praxis that addresses some dimension of an important societal issue or challenge.
Communication
Develop and present clear and effective responses to essential questions in oral and written forms as appropriate to the relevant humanities disciplines incorporated into the course.
Connection
Connect course content with critical reflection on their intellectual, personal, and professional development at UF and beyond.