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General University Information
GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS - UNDERGRADUATE
PHILOSOPHY
The University of Miami and its faculty are committed to
developing and nurturing within our students the ability to
demonstrate critical thinking skills, communicate effectively,
contribute knowledge, understand perspectives that differ
from their own, and develop skills necessary to become effective
leaders and active participants in the global society.
As an institution of higher learning in an increasingly diverse
and global community our goals are to produce graduates who
have been exposed to a broad spectrum of educational opportunities
and to prepare them for successful participation in the world.
The University's General Education Requirements consist of
coursework taken both before and in addition to students'
specialized study within their areas of concentration. The
aims of the General Education Requirements are designed to
ensure that graduates of the University will have acquired
essential intellectual skills and exposure to a range of intellectual
perspectives and academic disciplines. The University's General
Education Requirements focus on two student learning areas:
1) proficiency in English composition, writing, and mathematics
and 2) knowledge of the natural world, people and society,
and arts and humanities. By helping students strengthen their
abilities to think with both words and numbers, they will
develop the analytical skills basic to nearly all fields of
advanced learning but exclusive to none. By deliberately introducing
students to various intellectual achievements in major areas
of human inquiry and creative endeavor, the University of
Miami's General Education Requirements provide a broad intellectual
backdrop to students' more focused studies in their majors
and minors. Whereas the requirements of majors specified by
Schools and Colleges within the University emphasize depth
of learning, the General Education Requirements stress breadth
of knowledge and the cultivation of intellectual abilities
essential for the acquisition of knowledge.
Some schools and colleges may designate specific coursework
to fulfill the areas of knowledge requirements listed below;
students should consult the specific GER requirements for
their school or college in the appropriate section of this
Bulletin.
These requirements may be satisfied by courses taken for
a letter grade, or by credits earned through
Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB)
examinations taken in high school. These credits may be applied
to the 120 credits required for graduation.
AREAS OF PROFICIENCY
Proficiency requirements are intended to ensure that students
either already possess, or will develop at the University,
the ability to express themselves effectively, to use mathematics
with facility, and to reason cogently.
1. English Composition
Good writing facilitates clear thinking, and clear thinking
is the foundation of effective communication. It is
the University's expectation that our students become adept
at using the English language as an effective tool for communication.
Effective writing skills are representative of the educated
person because they are instruments to advance ideas efficiently
and persuasively. During their first year of study,
students fulfill this requirement by satisfactorily completing
English 105 and English 106 or the equivalent. Appropriate
Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB)
scores in English composition may be used to satisfy the English
105/106 requirement. An appropriate score on the SAT or ACT
verbal examination may earn a student exemption from, but
not credit in, ENG 105.
Students will be able to:
• Gather information, synthesize data, compare various
points of view, and present the results in writing.
• Develop the ability to read texts critically and to
use textual evidence to support a sophisticated written argument.
• Consider audience, tone, organization, and standard
conventions in relationship to specific rhetorical tasks.
2. Writing Across the Curriculum (W) 5 courses
In addition to English 105/106, students must complete five
(5) courses designated as Writing Across the Curriculum (W)
courses. The purpose of these courses is to help our students
refine their writing abilities so that they are able to communicate
their ideas clearly and effectively through the various styles
of writing appropriate to the academic fields of their majors
and minors. Courses designated as writing courses ("W"
courses) require a substantial amount of writing and the preparation
of papers that are corrected for diction, syntax, style, and
content. Some courses satisfying this Writing Across the Curriculum
requirement may simultaneously fulfill Areas of Knowledge
requirements (described below).
Students will be able to:
• Demonstrate ability to write persuasively, using tools
of argumentation and advocacy appropriate to subject, audience,
and occasion.
3. Mathematics
In a world increasingly influenced by science and technology,
it is important for students to acquire the capacity to use
and understand essential mathematical applications. The mathematics
requirement helps students learn to use quantitative methods
in order to solve problems. The course requirements for mathematics
emphasize the manipulation, interpretation, and application
of quantitative data. Students fulfill this requirement by
satisfactorily completing a course in mathematics numbered
above MTH 101 (excluding MTH 107), or MAS 110, or an approved
course in statistics. Exemption from the mathematics requirement
or placement in prerequisite courses is based on any of the
following tests: AP, IB, or an examination administered by
the Department of Mathematics during Orientation.
Students will be able to:
• Select quantitative tools appropriate for the solution
of problems.
• Use quantitative tools appropriate for the solution
of problems.
• Interpret quantitative data in an appropriate manner
for solving problems.
AREAS OF KNOWLEDGE
These requirements are designed to help students understand
and appreciate the intellectual achievements in major areas
of human inquiry and creative endeavor. The courses
offered in the areas of knowledge provide a broad array of
intellectual and cultural exploration. In satisfying these
requirements students will explore the natural world, examine
human development and behavior, and appreciate creative expression
in the arts, literature, and philosophy. Courses satisfying
these requirements are identified in the Bulletin under the
Requirements for Graduation sections for each school or college.
- Natural World (formerly Natural Sciences) - 6 credits
- People and Society (formerly Social Sciences) - 6 credits
- Arts and Humanities - 12 credits
Schools and colleges that do not have a language requirement
may allow their students to satisfy the humanities requirement
by taking a modern language course numbered 101-212 or Latin
or Greek, so long as the language selected differs from the
student's native language, and if, when beginning with a 101-level
course, they also take the 102-level course in the same language.
No more than six credit hours may be taken in any one department
to satisfy the areas of knowledge requirement. There are pre-requisites
for most courses above the 100-level
The following general educational requirements are designed
for general reference only. Please check with your advisor
or the advising office in your school or college for specific
requirements.
Natural World
The University believes a comprehensive curriculum maximizes
our students' capacity to understand the natural world through
experimentation, observation, and quantitative analysis. Our
purpose is to nurture our students' curiosity regarding the
natural world through the critical analysis of data as well
as the evaluation of research. Students can satisfy the course
requirements by selecting courses in Biology, Chemistry, Ecosystems
Science and Policy, Geological Sciences, Marine Science, Physics,
and Physical Science, as well as Anthropology 203, Geography
120, and Freshman Seminars in the Natural Sciences (FNS 190-199).
Students will be able to:
• Demonstrate ability to use experiment and observation
quantitatively in order to analyze the natural world, to draw
conclusions about it, and to understand modern scientific
theories.
People and Society
This area of knowledge aims to help students understand and
critically evaluate the organization of society and the patterns
of social change, both in the past and in the contemporary
world. Courses in the following areas may be used to
fulfill this requirement: Africana Studies (AAS); American
Studies (AMS); Anthropology (except APY 203); Economics (ECO);
Education and Psychological Studies (EPS); Geography and Regional
Studies (except GEG 120); International Studies (INS); Judaic
Studies (JUS); History (HIS); Political Sciences (POL); Psychology
(PSY); Sociology (SOC); Teaching and Learning (TAL); Women's
and Gender Studies (WGS), and the following courses: Broadcasting
and Broadcast Journalism (CBR 102); Mass Media Communication
in Society (COM 101); Communication Theory (COM 110); Interpersonal
Communication (COS 112); Nonverbal Communication (COS 118);
Political Communication (COS 336); Persuasion (COS 472); Freshman
Seminars in the Social Sciences (FSS 190-199).
Students will be able to:
• Critically evaluate the organization of society both
in the past and in the contemporary world.
• Critically evaluate patterns of social change, both
in the past and in the contemporary world.
Arts and Humanities
The arts and humanities engage students in the study of some
of the most enduring and influential works of art, imagination,
and culture. Courses in this area help students learn to understand
the deep insights and culturally formative works of philosophers,
poets, novelists, artists, musicians, theologians, and playwrights.
These courses will provide instruction and guidance to cultivate
students' abilities to interpret and critically evaluate the
creative products of human expression. Courses in the following
areas may be used to fulfill this requirement: Architecture;
Music; Art and Art History; Theatre Arts; Motion Pictures
and Photography; English (200-level or above): Modern Languages
and Literature (300-level or above): Philosophy; Religious
Studies; and the following courses: Public Speaking (COS 211);
World History of the Dance (DAN 250); Freshman Seminars in
the Arts and Humanities (FFA, FLT, FPR 190-199).
Students will be able to:
• Apply appropriate vocabulary and concepts for the
description and analysis of artistic, literary, historical
and philosophical or religious works.
• Interpret the creative products of human expression.
• Critically evaluate the creative products of human
expression.
Assessment of General Education Competencies
All University of Miami students will be required to participate
in a formal assessment of the General Education competencies
at two points during their academic career: upon entry to
UM and prior to graduation. Results will be used by the administration
and faculty to ensure the continuous improvement of the educational
experience provided to our students.
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