This is an archived copy of the 2021-2022 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.valdosta.edu.

Dr. Robert T. Smith, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
1013 West Hall

Core Curriculum of the University System of Georgia (USG)

The University System of Georgia is a composite of diverse institutions that, in spite of their diversity, require System-wide coherence to facilitate success for transfer students. To achieve these ends, the USG outlines general education learning goals that serve as guides for each institution to develop its own general education learning outcomes.

The learning outcomes for Goals A-E and Goals I-III developed by institutions must be approved by the Council on General Education. All learning outcomes must be collegiate level, not skills-based, and broadly focused. They must be consistent with the learning goals and with the mission of the USG.

Every institution in the USG will have a core curriculum of precisely 42 semester hours (although hours in each area may differ by institution) and an Area F of precisely 18 hours. All students must meet the core requirements of the institutions from which they receive their degrees.

Area Name Description
A1 Communication Outcomes Courses that address learning outcomes in writing in English
A2 Quantitative Outcomes Courses that address learning outcomes in quantitative reasoning
B Institutional Options Courses that address general education learning outcomes of the institution’s choosing
C Humanities, Fine Arts, and Ethics Courses that address learning outcomes in humanities, fine arts, and ethics
D Natural Science, Mathematics, and Technology Courses that address learning outcomes in the natural sciences, mathematics, and technology.
E Social Sciences Courses that address learning outcomes in the social sciences
F Lower division Major Requirements Lower division courses required by the degree program and courses that are prerequisites to major courses at higher levels.

VSU Core Curriculum (60 Semester Hours Required)

Descriptions of the courses in the Core Curriculum are found in the Courses of Instruction Section, listed in alphabetical order by course prefix.

Any additional hours selected in the Core Curriculum by the student may be counted as electives in the major program, if allowed by the major program.

All students must meet VSU’s core requirements in order to receive a degree from Valdosta State University.

Area A1: Communication

Learning Goals:

  • Students will communicate effectively in writing by using appropriate conventions of correctness, style, tone, and organization and by adapting writing to audience and context.
  • Students will find, evaluate, and make inferences from a variety of sources and incorporate this information accurately, correctly, and effectively into their written work.

Courses in Area A1: 6 semester hours

ENGL 1101Composition I 13
or ENGL 1101H Honors Composition I
ENGL 1102Composition II 13
or ENGL 1102H Honors Composition II
Total Hours6

Area A2: Quantitative

Learning Goal:

  • Students will demonstrate mathematical proficiency by analyzing a variety of functions and solving various equations.

Courses in Area A2: 3 semester hours

Select one of the following:3
Quantitative Reasoning
Introduction to Mathematical Modeling
College Algebra
Trigonometry
Precalculus
Honors Precalculus
Elementary Statistics
Analytic Geometry and Calculus I
Analytic Geometry and Calculus II
Total Hours3

NOTE: MATH 1113 or MATH 1113H (or higher) is required of all students majoring in (or intending to transfer within the University System with a major in) architecture, astronomy, biology, chemistry, computer science, engineering technology, geology, geography (B.S.), forestry, pharmacy, mathematics, physical therapy, physics, or secondary education (biology, chemistry, mathematics, or physics). MATH 2261 (or higher) is required of all students intending to transfer within the University System with a major in engineering.

Area B: Perspectives

Learning Goal

  • Students will demonstrate knowledge of global and regional perspectives in areas such as the arts, humanities, sciences, and social sciences.

Courses in Area B: 4 semester hours

Two different courses required, each from a different area of the Perspectives; all courses carry 2 semester credit hours.

  1. Perspectives on Ethics/Values: PERS 2100s
  2. Perspectives on Tradition and Change: PERS 2200s
  3. Perspectives on Human Expression: PERS 2300s
  4. Perspectives on the Environment/Physical World: PERS 2400s
  5. Perspectives on Race/Gender: PERS 2500s
  6. Perspectives on Cross-Cultural Understanding/Expression: PERS 2600s
  7. Perspectives on the World of Work: PERS 2700s

Area C: Humanities, Fine Arts, and Ethics

Learning Goal

Students will analyze, evaluate, and interpret diverse forms of human communication.

Courses in Area C: 6 semester hours

Select one of the following:3
World Literature I: The Ancient World
Honors World Literature I: The Ancient World
World Literature II: The Age of Discovery
Honors World Literature II: The Age of Discovery
World Literature III: The Development of Modern Thought
Honor World Literature III: The Development of Modern Thought
Select one of the following:3
Introduction to the Visual Arts
Honors Introduction to the Visual Arts
Human Communication
Public Speaking
Introduction to Dance
Music Appreciation
Music Appreciation: American Popular Music
Music Appreciation: Jazz
Introduction to Mass Media
Theatre Appreciation
Fundamentals of Philosophy
Honors Fundamentals of Philosophy
Principles of Logic and Argumentation
Honors Principles of Logic and Argumentation
World Religions
World Literature I: The Ancient World
Honors World Literature I: The Ancient World
World Literature II: The Age of Discovery
Honors World Literature II: The Age of Discovery
World Literature III: The Development of Modern Thought
Honor World Literature III: The Development of Modern Thought
Beginning Arabic Language and Introduction to Arabic Culture I
Beginning Arabic Language and Introduction to Arabic Culture II
Intermediate Arabic Language and Culture I
Intermediate Arabic Language and Culture II
Beginning French Language and Introduction to Francophone Cultures, I
Beginning French Language and Introduction to Francophone Cultures, II
Intermediate French Language & Francophone Cultures, I
Intermediate French Language & Francophone Cultures, II
Beginning German Language and Introduction to German Culture, I
Beginning German Language and Introduction to German Culture, II
Intermediate German Language and German Culture, I
Intermediate German Language and Culture, II
Beginning Japanese Language and Introduction to Japanese Culture I
Beginning Japanese Language and Introduction to Japanese Culture II
Intermediate Japanese Language and Japanese Culture I
Intermediate Japanese Language and Japanese Culture II
Beginning Latin Language and Introduction to Roman Culture I
Beginning Latin Language and Introduction to Roman Culture II
Intermediate Latin Language and Roman Culture
Fundamentals of Roman Literature and Roman Culture
Beginning Russian Language and Introduction to Russian Culture I
Beginning Russian Language and Introduction to Russian Culture II
Intermediate Russian Language and Russian Culture I
Intermediate Russian Language and Russian Culture II
Beginning Spanish Language and Introduction to Hispanic Cultures, I
Beginning Spanish Language and Introduction to Hispanic Cultures, II
Intermediate Spanish Language and Hispanic Cultures I
Intermediate Spanish Language and Hispanic Cultures II
Total Hours6

Area D: Natural Science, Mathematics, and Technology

Learning Goal

Students will demonstrate understanding of the physical universe and the nature of science, and they will use scientific methods and/or mathematical reasoning and concepts to solve problems.

Courses in Area D: 11 semester hours

Science and mathematics majors must follow D.2.a requirements.

Nursing majors must follow D.2.b requirements.

All other students may choose D.1., D.2.a, or D.2.b.

Courses in Area D.1

Select two of the following:8
Astronomy of the Solar System
Stellar and Galactic Astronomy
Introduction to Biology: The Evolution and Diversity of Life
and Biodiversity Lab
Introduction to Biology: Organismal Biology
and Organismal Biology Lab
Honors Biology: Cellular Processes
Honors Biology: The Evolution and Diversity of Life
Introductory Chemistry for Environmental Studies
Survey of Chemistry I
Survey of Chemistry II
Principles of Chemistry I
and Principles of Chemistry Laboratory I
Principles of Chemistry II
and Principles of Chemistry Laboratory II
Introduction to Weather and Climate
Introduction to Land Forms
Principles of Physical Geology
Principles of Historical Geology
Introductory Physics I
Introductory Physics II
Principles of Physics I
Principles of Physics II
Select one of the following:3
Introduction to the Universe
Human Biology
Conservation Biology
Introduction to Data Science
Technological Problem Solving
Our Hazardous Environment
Resources, Society, and Environment
Our Hazardous Environment
Trigonometry
Survey of Calculus I
Elementary Statistics
Analytic Geometry and Calculus I
Analytic Geometry and Calculus II
The Universe of Energy
Total Hours11

Courses in Area D.2.a

Required of majors in astronomy, biology, chemistry, computer science, environmental geosciences, mathematics, physics, secondary biology education, secondary chemistry education, secondary mathematics education, secondary earth and space science education, secondary physics education, and all students in the Engineering Studies program.

Mathematics, above the level taken for Area A:  3 hours

Biology Majors
Select one of the following:3
Analytic Geometry and Calculus I
Analytic Geometry and Calculus II
Elementary Statistics
All Other Science or Mathematics Majors
Analytic Geometry and Calculus I (The additional hour of calculus [MATH 2261 and MATH 2262] counts in Area F or in the major.)
Analytic Geometry and Calculus II
Total Hours3

Science (for all students listed above):  8 hours

Select two of the following:8
Principles of Chemistry I
and Principles of Chemistry Laboratory I
Principles of Chemistry II
and Principles of Chemistry Laboratory II
Principles of Biology I
and Principles of Biology Laboratory I
Principles of Biology II
and Principles of Biology Laboratory II
Introductory Physics I
Introductory Physics II
Principles of Physics I
Principles of Physics II
Total Hours8

Courses in Area D.2.b

Required of nursing majors

Select two semester laboratory sequences from the following:8
Introductory Physics I
and Introductory Physics II
Principles of Physics I
and Principles of Physics II
Survey of Chemistry I
and Survey of Chemistry II
Principles of Chemistry I
and Principles of Chemistry Laboratory I
and Principles of Chemistry II
and Principles of Chemistry Laboratory II
Introduction to Biology: The Evolution and Diversity of Life
and Biodiversity Lab
and Introduction to Biology: Organismal Biology
and Organismal Biology Lab
Select one of the following:3
Introduction to the Universe
Astronomy of the Solar System
Stellar and Galactic Astronomy
Introduction to Biology: The Evolution and Diversity of Life
and Biodiversity Lab
Introduction to Biology: Organismal Biology
and Organismal Biology Lab
Human Biology
Conservation Biology
Introductory Chemistry for Environmental Studies
Principles of Chemistry I
and Principles of Chemistry Laboratory I
Principles of Chemistry II
and Principles of Chemistry Laboratory II
Our Hazardous Environment
Introduction to Weather and Climate
Introduction to Land Forms
Resources, Society, and Environment
Our Hazardous Environment
Principles of Physical Geology
Principles of Historical Geology
Introductory Physics I
Introductory Physics II
Principles of Physics I
Principles of Physics II
Technological Problem Solving
Trigonometry
Elementary Statistics
Analytic Geometry and Calculus I
Analytic Geometry and Calculus II
The Universe of Energy
Total Hours11

Area E: Social Sciences

Learning Goal

Students will demonstrate knowledge of diversity in individual and social behavior, the  structure and processes of the United States government, and the importance of historical changes over time.

Courses in Area E: 12 semester hours    

POLS 1101American Government3
or POLS 1101H Honors American Government
Select one of the following:3
United States History to 1865
Honors United States History to 1865
United States History since 1865
Honors United States History Since 1865
Select two from the following:
Race, Class, and Gender
Introduction to Anthropology
Introduction to Anthropology, Honors
Survey of Economics
Survey of Economics Honors
Principles of Macroeconomics
Introduction to Geography
Introduction to Human Geography
World Regional Geography
Geographic Perspectives on Multiculturalism in the U.S.
History of Civilization I
Honors History of Civilization I
History of Civilization II
Honors History of Civilization II
History of Civilization III
Honors History of Civilization III
Introduction to Political Science
Introduction to Global Issues
Honors Introduction to Global Issues
Current Issues in American Politics
Introduction to General Psychology
Introduction to General Psychology Honors
Introduction to Sociology
Introduction to Sociology, Honors
Introduction to Social Problems
Total Hours6

Area F: Courses Appropriate to the Major: 18 semester hours

Requirements vary according to the major program. 

See the requirements for Area F in the departmental section of your major.

eCore® and VSU’s Core Curriculum

Valdosta State University is an affiliate institution in eCore®, Georgia’s College Core Curriculum Online. The eCore® are core curriculum classes taught via GeorgiaVIEW and are designed for students who desire the flexibility and convenience of online learning. Core classes are typically those classes required during the first two years of a college degree. All these courses meet the learning outcomes designated for their specific areas. For more information about eCore®, click here

eCore® VSU Equivalent

Area A

eCoreVSU Equivalent
ENGL 1101: English Composition IENGL 1101: English Composition I
ENGL 1102: English Composition IIENGL 1102: English Composition II
MATH 1101: Intro to Mathematical ModelingMATH 1101: Intro to Mathematical Modeling
MATH 1111: College AlgebraMATH 1111: College Algebra
MATH 1113: Pre-calculusMATH 1113: Pre-calculus
MATH 1501: Calculus IMATH 1501: Calculus I

Area B

eCoreVSU Equivalent
COMM 1100: Human CommunicationCOMM 1100: Human Communication
ETEC 1101: Electronic Technology in the Educational EnvironmentNo direct VSU equivalent, but satisfies Area B

Area C

eCoreVSU Equivalent
ARTS 1100ART 1100
ENGL 2111: World Literature IENGL 2111: World Lit I:The Ancient World
ENGL 2132: American Literature IIno direct VSU equivalent, but satisfies Area C lit requirement
PHIL 1001: Introduction to PhilosophyPHIL 2010: Fundamentals of Philosophy
SPAN 2001: Intermediate Spanish ISPAN 2001: Intermediate Spanish I
SPAN 2002: Intermediate Spanish IISPAN 2002: Intermediate Spanish II

Area D

eCoreVSU Equivalent
ISCI 1121: Integrated Science Ino direct VSU equivalent, but satisfies Area D.1 3-hour elective
ENVS 2202no direct VSU equivalent, but satisfies Area D.1 3-hour elective
BIOL 1011K: Introductory Biol 1 with Labno direct VSU equivalent, but satisfies Area D.1 lab science
BIOL 1012K: Introductory Biol 2 with LabBIOL 1010: Introduction to Biology: The Evolution and Diversity of Life *AND* BIOL 1020L: Biodiversity Lab
CHEM 1211K: Principles of Chemistry I and LabCHEM 1211K: Principles of Chemistry I *AND* CHEM 1211L
CHEM 1212K: Principles of Chemistry II and LabCHEM 1212K: Principles of Chemistry II *AND* CHEM 1212L
CSCI 1301: Computer Science I No direct VSU equivalent; counts as science elective
GEOL 1121K: Introductory Geosciences IGEOL 1121K: Principles of Physical Geology
PHYS 1211K: Principles of Physics IPHYS 2211K: Principles of Physics I
PHYS 2212K: Principles of Physics II and LabPHYS 2212K: Principles of Physics II
MATH 1001: Quantitative ReasoningMATH 1001: Quantitative Reasoning
MATH 1401: Elementary StatisticsMATH 1401: Elementary Statistics

Area E

eCoreVSU Equivalent
POLS 1101: American GovernmentPOLS 1101: American Government
HIST 2111: United States History IHIST 2111: United States History I
HIST 2112: United States History IIHIST 2112: United States History II
ECON 2105: Principles of MacroeconomicsECON 2105: Principles of Macroeconomics
HIST 1111: World History IHIST 1011: History of Civilization, I
HIST 1112 World History IIno direct VSU equivalent, but satisfies Area E elective
PSYC 1101: Intro to General PsychologyPSYC 1101: Fundamentals of Psychology
SOCI 1101: Introduction to SociologySOCI 1101: Introduction to Sociology